These are people I meet regularly on the Mumbai local. I’m friends with some of them. I’ve always been fascinated by the transpersons travelling on the train, and the project to document their lives arose out of my curiosity to know more about them and an admiration for the grit with which they persevere through difficulties. The trans community finds mention even in the ancient Mahabharata, yet their rights remain neglected till today. Hindus and Muslims alike offer transgenders money in exchange for blessings. This is how many in the community earn their livelihood. Some of them earn more than ₹2,000 a day, and a portion of this goes to their guru.
There are relationships within the trans community that mirror familial relationships such as parents, lovers or spouses, a nani (maternal grandmother), and gurus. Some of them suffer physical abuse, including sexual abuse at times.
Kajal, for instance, was known for her singing and for being quite the entertainer. I have photographed her on many occasions. She disappeared suddenly one day, only to resurface in a battered state after a long stay in a hospital. She had been stabbed by a former partner. The nature of their work leaves Mumbai’s transpersons vulnerable to verbal and other forms of violence. Many of them say that women are particularly cruel, treating them as untouchables.
They take interest in my project; most photographs are posed, and as directed by them. They want the world to know their stories, their lives and their aspirations.
Anushree Fadnavisis a photojournalist currently working with news agency Indus Images