Many organisations and groups celebrated Onam in the district in a big way on Sunday.
Among the routine events, what stood out was the celebration conducted by a group of transwomen here.
As a community, they were celebrating Onam arguably for the first time, and it proved to be an opportunity to assert their identity.
“It gives us a feeling of going back to our childhood. We used to run around courtyards and fields, plucking flowers for Onam. But things have changed a lot as we did. Today, we celebrate a festival the way we want,” said Riya, a social worker and fashion designer.
Her friends Monisha and Aleena helped her prepare the pookkalam.
Their skills as make-up artists reflected in their design.
“We are so delighted to have a celebration our way. Slowly, we are getting the recognition we want,” they said.
Recently, Riya made history by holding a sitting at a Lok Adalat held at the district court, Manjeri, along with sub-judge Rajan Thattil.
“That was a fantastic experience. We are grateful to Justice Thattil.
His initiative has helped us in a big way,” said Ms. Riya.
The Dhwaya Transgender Charitable Society, an organisation promoting the cause of transgenders, is planning yet another celebration on September 11.
“We will have various programmes, including a fashion show and skit,” Aleena and Monisha said.
Photographer Murali Iris lent them logistical support. “We ought to treat them decently. They too are human beings like us,” Mr. Murali said.
They said they were often flustered by the way they were addressed by certain people.
ID cards sought
“It’s so sad to find people viewing us as sex workers. We are not into sex work. We are living a decent life. What we want is recognition. Please consider us as transgenders,” said Ms. Riya.
She said the government should issue identity cards to transgenders so that cheating and impersonation could be prevented.