The document provides a detailed overview of the evolution of transgender communities in India from ancient times to the present. It discusses how transgender individuals were accepted in ancient texts like the Ramayana but later marginalized during British colonial rule when they were criminalized. It then outlines improvements for transgender rights and recognition in modern India, including constitutional protections and government programs implemented since the 2000s. The document also highlights some heroic examples of transgender individuals in India advocating for further social and legal acceptance.

1. WEB SERIES/ DOCUMENT REVIEW ON
‘TAALI’
GROUP-10
SUBMITTED BY:
GARIMA SINGH (IXth A- 01117703819)
DAMINI VERMA (IXth A- 03217703819)
MANVI ATWAL ( IXth A- 03417703819)
SANJANA CHIB (IXth A- 04317703819)

2. INTRODUCTION
Society has failed to accept their gender identity due to which they have suffered from discrimination, social
oppression and physical violence since decades. In India, transgender people may be the most well-known and
accepted third-sex group in the contemporary world. Transgender people are recognized as a third gender by the
Supreme Court.
In India, the third gender have become a powerful group advocating for LGBT rights. The Indian government has
implemented numerous welfare policies and programs in the modern era, including paperwork, censuses, passports,
citizenship ID cards, social and economic development, and constitutional protections for transgender individuals.

3. ‘In the film "Taali," Shreegauri Sawant, a transwoman, achieves the seemingly impossible feat of persuading India's
Supreme Court to recognise the existence of individuals who have always been marginalised, hated by their birth parents,
shunned by society, and forced to beg for a living. By centering a transgender person in the plot, rather than treating them
as a laughing stock or sympathetic victim, it is a tale of inspiration and optimism.persons view transgender persons, also
referred to as the Third Gender worldwide, as freaks since they are perceived as having ambivalence on both a physical
and psychological level (hiding their sexual identity). They experience verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. Hijras have
experienced significant marginalisation and stigma. Consequently, Indian civilization distinguished between Hijra and a
predetermined gender group from ancient times to the present. In India, the term "Hijira" refers to a broad category of
identities, demeanours, and actions that straddle and transcend the boundaries of biological gender.
ABOUT THE MOVIE

4. Evolution Of India’s Transgender Community
For millennia, transgender individuals have been a part of Indian society. In almost the earliest documents of ancient India,
there existed historical evidence of the acceptance of "third sex" or those who were not confirmed as male or female
In the epic Ramayana, as Lord Rama is departing the kingdom
after a 14-year banishment, he turns to face his followers and
requests that they all return to the city. Only the hijras chose to
remain with him among his followers because they felt
obligated to pursue this path. Because of their devotion, Rama
granted them the authority to bless people on auspicious
occasions like childbirth and marriage, as well as at inaugural
ceremonies that were meant to pave the way for the badhai
ritual, which involves hijras singing and dancing.

5. In the Mahabharata, Aravan, the
son of Arjuna and Nagakanya,
offered to be sacrificed to
Goddess Kali in order to
guarantee the Pandavas' victory
in the Kurukshetra War. His only
request was to be married on his
last night of life. As no woman
would marry someone who was
destined to die, Krishna takes on
the form of Mohini, a stunning
woman, and marries him. The
Aravanis are the Hijras of Tamil
Nadu, who identify as Aravan's
descendants.

6. The Mughal Era
Hijras were prominent figures in the royal courts of the Islamic
world. They became well-known for their roles as general
administrators, political counsellors, and harem guardians.
Hijras played a significant role in the politics of empire
development during the Mughal era because they were
thought to be cunning, reliable, and passionately loyal.

7. Hijra used to take privileges and protections from certain Indian
governments by becoming members of the hijra community at the
start of the British era in the Indian subcontinent.
In addition, the benefits included the provision of land, rights to
food, and a smaller sum of money from agricultural households in
the same area. However, because the land was not inherited via
blood ties, British legislation eventually revoked these perks.
The British Era

8. The Colonial Rule And Criminalization
The 18th century saw the beginning of colonial rule, which
significantly altered the situation. Early European explorers'
accounts indicate that they were disgusted by the sight of
Hijras and found it hard to understand why these people were
treated with such respect in royal courts and other
establishments.
The colonial government viewed Hijras as a distinct caste or
tribe living in several regions of India. All hijra who were
involved in abduction and castrating infants and who disguised
like women to dance in public were covered by the Criminal
Tribes Act of 1871.
Such actions could result in up to two years in prison, a fine, or
both. The pre-partition past has an impact on the precarious
situations that hijra face in today's globe.

9. In India, transgender people may be the most well-known and accepted third-sex group in the contemporary
world. Transgender people are recognized as a third gender by the Supreme Court.
CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE
In India, the third gender have become a powerful group advocating for LGBT rights. The Indian government has implemented
numerous welfare policies and programs in the modern era, including paperwork, censuses, passports, citizenship ID cards, social
and economic development, and constitutional protections for transgender individuals. One of the main initiatives of the 11th Five
Year Plan period was the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Economic Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provided transgender
persons with economic prospects. The National Urban Livelihood Mission and healthcare facilities are part of the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.
Monica Helms' Transgender Pride
flag

10. Kataluna Enriquez is the first openly
Transgender Contestant in the American
Pageant
Miss Netherlands Rikkie
Kollé: The 22-year-old model
and LGBTQIA+ rights activist
made history as the first
trans woman to represent
her country in the
competition.
Miss Portugal Marina
Machete: The 23-year-old
flight attendant, crowned
as Miss Portugal in
October making history by
bringing transgender
visibility to the forefront
of top-tier beauty
pageants

11. Post-Independence Era Criminalization And
Marginalization
Similar to the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, the Karnataka Police Act
of 1964 was recently amended in 2012 to "provide for registration
and surveillance of Hijras who indulged in kidnapping of children,
unnatural offences and offences of this nature" (Section 36A).
In India, the third genders have become a powerful group advocating for LGBT
rights. The Indian government has implemented numerous welfare policies and
programmes in the modern era, including paperwork, censuses, passports,
citizenship ID cards, social and economic development, and constitutional
protections for transgender individuals. One of the main initiatives of the 11th
Five Year Plan period was the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural economic
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provided transgender persons with economic
prospects. The National Urban Livelihood Mission and healthcare facilities are
part of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.
The social, political, and economic changes; housing; legislative actions; police
reforms; constitutional and legal protections against the transgender
community's human rights being violated; and institutional frameworks
designed to specifically serve the needs of transgender individuals.

12. HEROIC EXAMPLES FROM THE TRASNGENDER COMMUNITY
JUSTICE JOYITA MONDAL
Joyita Mondal, born into a traditional Hindu family in Kolkata, faced hardship after
dropping out of school at class 10. She travelled to Siliguri, where she slept at bus
stands and begged on the streets.
In 2010, she founded the NGO, ‘New Light for Dinajpur' for LGBTQIA community
awareness and rights. She became the first trans person in her district to obtain a
voter ID. The NGO assisted sex workers in Islampur and Panjipara, facilitating
documents like ration cards and voter IDs.
Expanding its scope, Mondal's NGO began working for the welfare of elderly
individuals. Impressed by her efforts, Additional District Judge Subroto Pole
appointed her as a Lok Adalat judge in Islampur on July 8, 2017, when she was
29. In interviews, Mondal emphasized the need for government jobs for
transgenders to combat social discrimination, hoping for dignified employment
beyond traditional roles. She remained dedicated to her community's
advancement, recognizing her position as an opportunity to bring about
meaningful change.

13. SRUTHY SITHARA
Sruthy Sithara was the first Indian to win Miss Trans
Global 2021. She was a project assistant of the
transgender cell, the Social Justice Department of the
Kerala government. She fought for the rights of her
peers and the LGBTQ+ community to validate their
struggles and make sure they have the freedom to live
a normal life.
In her fight against the parochial attitude of society, she
along with her friends had started a campaign called
‘The Kaleidoscope’. Through this campaign, she aimed
at normalising queer relationships so that they get the
social acceptance they deserve.