Thripunithura’s RLV College of Music and Fine Arts has formed history as the first institution that had admitted a transwoman in Kathakali. After undergoing the training at this college, she has again made history by being the top-ranked student in BA Kathakali Vesham at Mahatma Gandhi University.
Renjumol was however bitter sweet as her family did not attend her celebration of victory since they are both dead since she left home back in 2015 while her elder sister, her only sibling, does not talk to her anymore. However, she is proud of herself.
“I haven’t had backlogs from any semester; that was one criterion for considering my rank. The college faculty members and classmates were understanding. At present I am comfortable with who I am and do not pay attention to hateful remarks,” Renjumol noted.
Nevertheless, instead of pursuing MA, she has decided to train under Arya Devi Thiyyadi, a performer of Kathakali, who is one among 1,000 artists selected through a fellowship scheme initiated by the local bodies jointly with state government. Incidentally Ms. Thiyyadi is an alumni of RLV College and a first rank holder herself in BA Kathakali Vesham in 2021 but this time she would play different role within an existing system called “the chair.”
“The age bar is also removed for all trainings under the fellowship programme which are free for all.” It doesn’t look like what Renjumol studies as part of this program will fit into any syllabus used therein apart from mine but I have taken it up on an exceptional basis” explained Ms. Thiyyadi who is studying PG.
Renjumol was disciplined as can be seen from the fact that Kalamandalam Radhakrishnan recalls Renjumol using every moment to learn more about Kathakli during master classes. He said that another transperson had joined the Bharatanatyam course since Renjumol joined the college. Mr. Radhakrishnan’s response to a letter she wrote is what led to her enrolling in Kathakali and doing her best.
Renjumol grew up in a family influenced by arts, especially percussion. While being brought up, she was already introduced to Kathakali by her father’s friend who was an iconic Kathakali performer.
It seems that maybe for the first time in history, Renjumol became a transgender performer of kathakali art form since last November when she performed as Krishna on Purappadu music at Kathakali opening program.
