Kozhikode to host transgender arts festival

‘Varnappakittu’, the State Social Justice department’s annual arts festival for transgender persons, will be held in Kozhikode this month.

Minister for Social Justice and Higher Education R. Bindu told the media on Tuesday (August 5) that the three-day event would start on August 21. One of the main sessions would feature representatives from other States which have implemented a transgender policy and experts in the field.

Panel discussions, a film festival, short film competition, and cultural programmes too would be held. Transgender persons who have made a mark in arts, sports, literature, and education, and non-governmental organisations and local bodies that have implemented welfare schemes for the community would be honoured.

The participant who scores the highest number of points in stage events would get the title of ‘Kalaratnam’, and the highest scorer in off-stage events would get the title of ‘Sargaprathibha’, she added.