Panel discussion, film fete to be highlights of transgender arts fete

A national conference with a panel discussion and a film festival will make this edition of the ‘Varnapakittu’ transgender arts festival distinct from the previous editions, Minister for Social Justice R. Bindu has said.

Addressing the media here on Tuesday, the Minister said Kozhikode would host the three-day festival from Thursday.

On Thursday, a national conference will be held at Jubilee Hall, Kozhikode, from 10 a.m. A panel discussion on transgender health, welfare, education, skill development, human rights, and social justice will be held as part of the conference. A host of delegates, including medical professionals, academics, writers, and rights activists from within the State and outside will attend the conference.

The same day, a film festival on transgender/queer issues ‘IRO TraFFE’ will be held at Kairali and Sree cinemas from 9.15 a.m. The films/documentaries to be screened include “Avanovilona” (Malayalam), “Is it too much to ask” (Tamil), “Iratta Jeevitham” (Malayalam), “Janalukal” (Malayalam), “Njan Revathi” (Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada), “New Normal” (Malayalam), “Outcast” (Hindi), “Udalazham” (Malayalam), “That’s my boy” (Malayalam, Kannada), and Jillu (Tamil). Besides the screenings, an open forum will be held in which the cast and crew of these films will participate.

Dr. Bindu will inaugurate the Varnapakittu fete, present awards to transgender persons who have made a name in various fields, and launch a housing scheme for transgender persons at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Minister for Tourism P.A. Mohamed Riyas will preside.

Ahead of the inaugural function, a proclamation rally will be taken out from Muthalakulam to Jubilee Hall at 4 p.m. Flash mob and other programmes too have been planned.

This year, the Varnapakittu arts festival returns to the competitive format. Contestants will be given grades on the basis of marks secured by them. the festival manual has been revised to facilitate this. A ‘Kalarathnam’ will be declared for the contestant securing maximum points in stage events and ‘Sargapratibha’ for non-stage events. The team/individual securing A grade in group/solo events will be given a cash prize of ₹7,500 and ₹3,000, respectively.

The festival will conclude at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Dr. Bindu will inaugurate the valedictory. Minister for Forest A.K. Saseendran will preside.

Dr. Bindu announced the winners of a short film competition held in connection with Varnapakittu. “Bathakka Hridayam Thunnan Ponu” by Harsh won the first prize, “Bhavayami” by Akhil Shivapal the second prize, and “Marujanmam” by Rosna Joshy the third prize. They will get a cash prize of ₹20,000, ₹15,000, and ₹10,000, respectively, trophy, and certificate.