Biography:
Kalki Subramaniam is a transgender rights activist, artist, actress, writer, inspirational speaker, and entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu. She was born in Pollachi, a town in Tamil Nadu, and grew up in a working-class family. Throughout her life, Kalki has faced numerous challenges and struggles, but her resilience and determination have made her a powerful advocate for transgender rights in India.
Kalki’s academic prowess was evident from a young age, as she consistently topped her class. She went on to pursue higher education and holds two master’s degrees: one in Journalism Mass Communication and another in International Relations. During her postgraduate studies, Kalki embarked on a significant endeavor by publishing a monthly magazine in Tamil specifically for transgender women called Sahodari, meaning sister. This groundbreaking magazine was the first of its kind in India and provided a platform for transgender individuals to share their stories and experiences.
In addition to her academic achievements, Kalki also spent several years in Auroville, a spiritual community in Tamil Nadu. During her time there, she actively protested against encroachments of village lands by Auroville and remained committed to promoting social justice.
Kalki’s activism truly took off in 2005 when she began campaigning for transgender rights in India. She adopted a multifaceted approach, utilizing technology, art, films, and literature as tools to empower the transgender community. Her efforts played a significant role in the Supreme Court of India’s landmark judgment legalizing transgender identity. Kalki’s innovative activism has included creating more than 12 documentary films on LGBT rights, appearing in international documentary films, and training underprivileged transgender women in community journalism.
In 2009, Kalki faced a challenge when a popular matrimonial website rejected the listing of a transgender woman. Undeterred, she launched India’s first matrimonial website for transgender people, aiming to provide them with a platform for finding life partners. Unfortunately, the project had to be closed due to financial constraints, but it showcased Kalki’s unwavering dedication to advocating for transgender rights.
As an entrepreneur, Kalki founded the Sahodari Foundation in 2008, an organization at the forefront of advocating for transgender rights in India. Through the foundation, she continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of transgender individuals, amplifying their voices and striving for their inclusion and empowerment.
Kalki’s artistic talent is renowned and serves as a powerful medium for self-expression and advocacy. Her vibrant and colorful artworks have been exhibited globally, and she has been invited to speak on art and activism in countries such as the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany. In 2016, she sold her paintings through a crowdfunding campaign to fund the education of underprivileged transgender women, showcasing her commitment to uplifting the community through art.
In her film career, Kalki made history by becoming the first transgender woman in India to play a lead role in a motion picture. In the 2011 Tamil film Narthagi, she portrayed the lives and struggles of transgender individuals, bringing much-needed visibility to their stories. She also gained popularity through a special appearance in the 2018 film Sarkar in the song Oru Viral Puratchi. Subramaniam’s talent and dedication to her craft were further recognized when she acted in the lead role in the parallel Hindi feature film Kalashnikov – The Lone Wolf. The film received the best film jury honors at the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival in 2019.
Throughout her life, Kalki Subramaniam has faced many obstacles, but she has emerged as a trailblazer, instrumental in shaping the discourse around transgender rights in India. Her relentless activism, artistic contributions, and entrepreneurial ventures have paved the way for greater acceptance and inclusion of transgender individuals in society.