Can the film media be one of the reasons for the oppression of a minority community? Yes, obviously. Film media has been clearly one of the reasons why the Transgendered community in India, especially in Tamilnadu is suffering extremely and is being discriminated from people from all walks of life.
Aravaanis are humans too. They are gifted people in a way. They have the feelings of both men and women. They can understand both the sexes well and can deal with human problems and relationships elequently. They are very affectionate and lovable people once you come to know them deeply. Some of them are exceptionlly talented.
In our country, films make a huge impact on people's minds. They influence people in positive as well as negative ways. Particularly, our youth especially are influenced greatly by films. Our films portray Aravaanis as sex maniacs, crazy beings with no morals. This is devastating for them. This is a huge attack and triggers violence and discrimination against them. In our epics like Mahabharata, the Aravaanis have been portrayed in a much dignified way (dance teacher in the Palace in Mahabharata and people with extreme devotion for Rama in Ramayana). In ancient times, they had a special place in the society.
It had all changed now. What we see in films now is a comical and shocking portrayal about a minority community that is suffering in so many ways in society. From Tamil classics like Paalabishekam, Oru Thalai Raagam to the recently released Vettaiyaadu, Vilaiyaadu and Sillunu Oru Kadhal, the Transgendered women (Aravaanis or Thrirunangais) have been portrayed in Tamil movies as clowns, psychos and misfits in the society.These film makers use the poverty and ignorance of the Aravaanis in their films to show them as clowns and psychos. Our transwomen were absolutely shocked to see Vettaiyaadu... We all had high regards for Kamal Haasan. And he proved to be a major disappointment and sadly a pseudo-intellect. How can he allow such nonsense in his film? He proves to be another one in the list of moneymakers at the cost of discriminating the oppressed people.
Probably the only film that portrays a transwoman as she is and her tragic life is 'Bombay' by Maniratnam.
There is a huge list of films that used the Aravaanis as comical characters including the hits like Tirupaachi, Thiruda Thirudi, Jayam. They either dress up Junior artists like Aravaanis or use real Aravaani people for these comical charecterizaton. Use real desperate transwomen to show them in disgrace!!What a horror!
I wish all these film makers knew how to respect every individual inspite of their gender and sexuality. It is a pity that films like these are made by talented men with high IQ but with extremely low EQ. They should understand that the Transgendered people too need to live dignified lives in our society. We have human values and deserve respect. Look at te western media. Ask the filmmakers to see 'Transamerica' and 'Soldier's girl'.
I contacted Francis P Barkley, my friend and the sub-editor of Indian Express, Coimbatore edition with my concerns on this issue and he immediately wrote a story about this in the Indian Express, Coimbatore Edition on September 23rd 06.
Thank you Francis!
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Kalki - The life and times of an Indian transwoman..
