Shazia Shah | Kashmir pen
Srinagar, Sept 20: In a landmark initiative that blended dialogue and performance to highlight the lives and struggles of the transgender community, Rama Theatre Natya Vidya, under the leadership of renowned theatre director Rama Pandey, successfully hosted a day-long event at Tagore Hall today. The event spotlighted the Kinnar community in Hindi and Lanch community in Kashmiri, drawing a large and diverse audience from across Jammu & Kashmir.
The program was structured in two sessions:
Morning Conference – Dialogue for Change
The day began with a multi-lingual conference, bringing together eminent speakers, activists, and community members. Panelists included academics, gender rights advocates, writers, and cultural activists who discussed themes of identity, social stigma, representation, and legal rights.
Key discussions centered around:
• The historical presence and cultural contributions of the transgender community in South Asia.
• Persistent social prejudices and stereotypes that deny trans persons equal opportunities.
• Policy gaps in ensuring healthcare, education, and livelihood support.
• The role of media, literature, and theatre in reshaping perceptions.
Speakers called for a shift in societal attitudes, noting that true inclusion comes not only through laws but also through compassion and acceptance at the community level.
Afternoon Play – Lallan Ms
The conference was followed by a theatrical performance of “Lallan Ms”, written, directed, and performed by Rama Pandey. The play, multilingual in form and universal in its appeal, traced the journey of a transgender individual navigating rejection, resilience, and the pursuit of dignity.
Through powerful dialogues and moving performances, the play shed light on the deep-rooted prejudices faced by transgender people while also offering hope for acceptance and equality. The audience responded with a standing ovation, acknowledging the impact of the narrative and the performance’s emotional depth.
Organisers & Collaborators
The initiative was spearheaded by Rama Pandey (Theatre Director, Writer, and Founder of Rama Theatre Natya Vidya) with support from Roma Wani (Social Activist and Cultural Promoter), Dr. Mekhla Agarwal (Academic & Gender Rights Advocate), and Rubina Sushil (Writer and Women’s Rights Campaigner).
Importantly, Mushtaq Ali Ahmad Khan (Festival Director) and Mushtaq Bala (Filmmaker) joined hands with Rama Pandey to ensure the smooth and successful execution of both sessions. The Jammu & Kashmir Cultural Academy partnered as cultural collaborator.
Broader Impact
Organisers emphasized that the event marks a significant milestone for inclusion in Kashmir’s cultural landscape. By combining dialogue with art, it sought to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and inspire society to view the transgender community through a lens of empathy, equality, and shared humanity.
The event closed with a call for sustained efforts to create platforms where marginalized voices can be heard and celebrated, underlining the role of culture and theatre as catalysts for social change | Kashmir pen
