Liberation Performing Arts Troupe

Sahodari girls perform at Kathmandu, Nepal in CREA conference 2011

2011-07-05T13:25:00.001+05:30

Count Me In! Conference 16-18 April 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal ... Count Me In! is a South Asia conference for marginilised women - dalit women, transgender women, muslim women, female sex workers and all those women who have not been counted in. I was invited as a panelist to speak about the issues of transgender women. Our girls were invited to perform. However, it was a great fulfilling experience for all the girls as there were multiple events and discussions in the conference in which they participated.

It was a great, great trip. While they got a good exposure on the activism happening for the rights of marginalised women in South Asian countries like Pakisthan, Nepal, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Sirlanka, they also connected with many transgender girls from these countries and made friends. The trip was completely sponsored by CREA. Many of our girls didn't have a passport or a voter's id and so going by flight to Nepal was difficult. By road it is easy. But we flew to Kolkatta, from there we traveled in train crossing West Bengal, Jahrkand and Bihar and got down at Raxual, the border town to Nepal in Bihar.From Raxual, we traveled in three different horse carts to Birganj. From Birganj, we got a bus to Kathmandu, an overnight trip. We came back the same way we traveled.

Photographs from our participation in the Cochin international Film Festival, mARCH 2011

2011-04-28T09:00:00.003+05:30

Performance at Cochin International Film Festival 2011

2011-04-25T17:56:00.000+05:30

Our troupe performed at the Heartlight Cochin International Film Festival in March 2011. Here is the fabulous video.

Performing at the Heartlight Cochin Interntional Film Festival 2011

2011-03-29T10:36:00.003+05:30

In March 2011, our girls performed at the Heartlight Cochin International Film Festival in the opening ceremonry. I was invited to inaugurate the festival and four of our team members, Sowndharya, Sandhiya, Selvi and Abinaya did a wonderful dance and performance at the opening ceremony. It was also the first flight trip for Sandhiya, Selvi and Abinaya. They enjoyed the whole experience. Most importantly, they also earned money by performing very professionally. We have come a long way :)

The rehearsal moment by few girls of the troupe

2011-03-20T08:35:00.002+05:30

Liberated living- on my dreams and our small steps into the world of music and dance

2010-07-19T14:05:00.000+05:30

Our all-transgender women musical venture 'Liberation Performing Arts Troupe' journeys and flowers into a reality. This short documentary by me is about our small steps and my dreams.

News about our second music training workshop

2010-05-19T11:28:00.000+05:30

Here is the exciting news for all our girls that I shared with them over the phone this morning. Our next workshop in music and dance training is scheduled to happen on 1st of June in Auroville. Once again, Aurelio will train us with the available music instruments we have (bamboo, wood and seed instruments).

Six of our team will leave Chennai early morning on 1st June and come back the same day night. It is always exciting to travel on the ECR road. More exciting is the excitement of learning from Aurelio.

The first workshop for Liberation Performing Arts Troupe's transgender artists

2010-05-18T21:09:00.000+05:30

A longtime wish of mine was fulfilled this April with the first workshop for our Performing Arts Troupe which was held in Kattupakkam on 2nd April. Malini Kalyanam, pottery artist and my friend was gracious enough to get nod from her team mares and offer the Sai Krupa center absolutely free for our workshop. Aurelio, my long time friend and mentor, the musician/sound expert/sound therapist came all the way from Auroville to offer us this workshop. It was a lovely moment for me to introduce my girls to Aurelio.

Very soon we all were enjoying great vibrancy. From 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening, we did several sessions on music, dance and theatre. The workshop was amazing with several planned and a few unplanned sections. The girls were introduced to more than 20 different types of musical instruments - from the flutes from Africa to the metal instruments from China - to South American Tribal instruments, we played all, we danced all. One of our team mate Kousalya had prepared lunch for us and it was delicious vegetarian lunch.

We also were divided into two different teams and each team played one small play and one music performance - spontaneously we did everything. I was happy I could invite Aurelio and give our girls world class opening on sound, music and theatre.

Now, they ask me very often, 'When is the second workshop Kalki?'.

From Kalki's Music Project - Liberation Arts Troupe (à®•à®²à¯à®•à®¿à®¯à®¿à®© à¯ à®µà®¿à®Ÿà¯à®¤à®²à¯ˆ à®•à®²à¯ˆà®•à¯à®•à¯à®´à ¯)

From Workshop on Music, Dance and Theater for our Liberation Performing Arts Troupe

An open call for support from Kalki

2010-05-18T20:04:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,

As you know our Liberation Performing Arts Troupe in a unique troupe. Twenty five underprivileged transgender women who have great interest in music, dance and theatre have been chosen to be a part of this troupe. All of these women come from a very poor background. Most of them are still into begging and sex work. These are women who want to change their lives and the lives of others for good.

These 25 women are undergoing training in Tamil folk music, dance and theatre along with African and South American tribal aboriginal music. The teachers who would train them are some of the best sound and music gurus from around the world. This has been possible through my friends in Auroville. After an intensive first workshop conducted by Sound therapist Aurelio, the troupe is now learn from the second and third workshops to be conducted in June and July.

We are getting ready to perform at events now in different parts of the country. This project will not only provide careers for transwomen but also bring them respect as artists. This will change their lives and open them a new world of opportunities and possibilities.

Our music troupe will not play any electronic instruments. We play only wooden, bamboo, clay and stone instruments. We will also play experimental music. The ministry of Social Welfare of Tamilnadu has encouraged us by donating 15 Thappu drums worth Rs.25,000. However, we need the following 20 more musical instruments:

Metallophone(2)
Xylophone(1)
Tubalophone(1)
Glassophone(1)
Lithophone(1)
Bamboo shakers(2)
Full set of body and dance rattles (10 sets)
Palmyra nut shaker(1 set)
Bamboo bongos(1)
Bamboo scraper(2)
Overtone bamboo flute(2)
Overtone copper flute(1)
Ocarina(2)
Ocean drum (2)

We also are in need of:
1. Venue for practice in Chennai
2. Sponsorship for training (food, travel costs and other expenses of the students and the honorarium for the music gurus)
My dear friends, I request you all to help and support me to make this initiative a success. This project will change 25 people's lives and inspire hundreds of transwomen to follow these 25 role models.
You can sponsor any number of instruments or if you have a space for practice, let me know.

With lots of Love,
Kalki.S

Proud to be at the float rally in Chennai republic day parade

2010-05-18T12:35:00.000+05:30

Our troupe was requested to perform at the Chennai Republic day Parade which happened on January 26th in the morning at the Marina beach stretch. There were hundreds of dignitaries sitting and watching the whole pride procession. The chief minister, the governer, the cabinet minister, the MPs and MLAs were are present.

We were the only group that made music on the float. Ours was a unique group and we totally enjoyed performing. There were thousands of people cheering us. It was an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, when our float came near the dignitaries, it passed quite fast and I doubt if they had anytime to enjoy our music.

We were playing thappu and flute along with shakers. Great going!

From Team Sahodari's Music Troupe Performance at the Chennai Republic Day Parade 25th and 26th Jan 2010

The Beginning..

2010-05-16T12:24:00.001+05:30

I received 15 thappu (parai) musical instruments from the Social Welfare Minister Geetha Jeevan for my Liberation Performing Arts Troupe in January 2010. This support from the social welfare ministry was a big boost and encouragement to work harder and make our Troupe and great success.