Jagada Guru, a kothi from Devanapattinam, prepares to play the goddess Amman in the Mayanakollai festival, which was put on in Devanapattinam by a group of people, which included several kothis. March 2013. 
Kavia Varshini (Shamla) who is a classical dancer, performs for a gathering of kothis at Sivaga- mi’s house. November 2013 
Lakshaya (far right) poses with her mother and brother in their house in Devenappatinam. Laksheaya’s family are very supportive of her kothi identity. Her brother often hangs out with she her kothi friends. Mohana and Lakshaya are best friends an
Two daughters of Sheethal get ready for a function celebrating Sheethal’s first birth - day – marking one year after her gender-reassignment (“bottom”) surgery. Pondicherry, November 2013. 
6.jpg
11_hires.jpg
A group of people, including several kothis prepare food at Sivagami’s house. For many of the kothis, who live with their families, being able to prepare and serve food – considered to be “women’s work” is a way for them to express part of their fe
Chitra, a kothi priest from outside of Cuddalore, poses for a portrait while cutting down wood used for cooking. Many kothis choose to do this kind of work – which is traditionally done by women – as another way to express their female identity. No
Mohana holds her niece while sitting with her family in their house in the village of Devanapattinam. November 2013 
Sivagami standing in the doorway of her house, where she lives with her mother. After an argument with people from her original temple in Devenappatinam, she has built an idol and temple at her house. Her house has become a place where many kothis
Sheethal celebrating her “first birthday” – marking one year after her gender-reassign - ment (“bottom”) surgery. Pondicherry, November 2013. 
23.jpg
Dinesha, exhausted, after playing Goddess Kali in the Mayanakollai festival, March 2013 
21.jpg
3.jpg
13.jpg
18.jpg
14.jpg
15.jpg
22.jpg
25.jpg
29_hires.jpg
000058.jpg
Jagada Guru, a kothi from Devanapattinam, prepares to play the goddess Amman in the Mayanakollai festival, which was put on in Devanapattinam by a group of people, which included several kothis. March 2013. 
Jagada Guru, a kothi from Devanapattinam, prepares to play the goddess Amman in the Mayanakollai festival, which was put on in Devanapattinam by a group of people, which included several kothis. March 2013. 
Kavia Varshini (Shamla) who is a classical dancer, performs for a gathering of kothis at Sivaga- mi’s house. November 2013 
Kavia Varshini (Shamla) who is a classical dancer, performs for a gathering of kothis at Sivaga- mi’s house. November 2013 
Lakshaya (far right) poses with her mother and brother in their house in Devenappatinam. Laksheaya’s family are very supportive of her kothi identity. Her brother often hangs out with she her kothi friends. Mohana and Lakshaya are best friends an
Lakshaya (far right) poses with her mother and brother in their house in Devenappatinam. Laksheaya’s family are very supportive of her kothi identity. Her brother often hangs out with she her kothi friends. Mohana and Lakshaya are best friends and confidantes. November 2013. 
Two daughters of Sheethal get ready for a function celebrating Sheethal’s first birth - day – marking one year after her gender-reassignment (“bottom”) surgery. Pondicherry, November 2013. 
Two daughters of Sheethal get ready for a function celebrating Sheethal’s first birth- day – marking one year after her gender-reassignment (“bottom”) surgery. Pondicherry, November 2013. 
6.jpg
11_hires.jpg
A group of people, including several kothis prepare food at Sivagami’s house. For many of the kothis, who live with their families, being able to prepare and serve food – considered to be “women’s work” is a way for them to express part of their fe
A group of people, including several kothis prepare food at Sivagami’s house. For many of the kothis, who live with their families, being able to prepare and serve food – considered to be “women’s work” is a way for them to express part of their female identity. November, 2013 
Chitra, a kothi priest from outside of Cuddalore, poses for a portrait while cutting down wood used for cooking. Many kothis choose to do this kind of work – which is traditionally done by women – as another way to express their female identity. No
Chitra, a kothi priest from outside of Cuddalore, poses for a portrait while cutting down wood used for cooking. Many kothis choose to do this kind of work – which is traditionally done by women – as another way to express their female identity. November 2013. 
Mohana holds her niece while sitting with her family in their house in the village of Devanapattinam. November 2013 
Mohana holds her niece while sitting with her family in their house in the village of Devanapattinam. November 2013 
Sivagami standing in the doorway of her house, where she lives with her mother. After an argument with people from her original temple in Devenappatinam, she has built an idol and temple at her house. Her house has become a place where many kothis
Sivagami standing in the doorway of her house, where she lives with her mother. After an argument with people from her original temple in Devenappatinam, she has built an idol and temple at her house. Her house has become a place where many kothis gather together. Devenappatinam, November 2013. 
Sheethal celebrating her “first birthday” – marking one year after her gender-reassign - ment (“bottom”) surgery. Pondicherry, November 2013. 
Sheethal celebrating her “first birthday” – marking one year after her gender-reassign- ment (“bottom”) surgery. Pondicherry, November 2013. 
23.jpg
Dinesha, exhausted, after playing Goddess Kali in the Mayanakollai festival, March 2013 
Dinesha, exhausted, after playing Goddess Kali in the Mayanakollai festival, March 2013 
21.jpg
3.jpg
13.jpg
18.jpg
14.jpg
15.jpg
22.jpg
25.jpg
29_hires.jpg
000058.jpg
info
prev / next