Inception of the Idea
Even before we come into this world our partial identity is established, and right at the birth doctors announce, “It a boy/girl!” This announcement is based on our physical characteristic that is our genitals and reproductive system. On the basis of our (this) identity, we are raised and perceived in the society. But what happens when the biological sex does not match the brain sex (neurological sex)? It leads to an intense gender dysphoria . During my growing up years, I witnessed an incident that involved social discrimination; disgust and disrespect in Indian society towards the transgender community, and much to my dismay, even today the situation is not too different. In India outcasting a Kinner/Hijaras on the basis of their choice for their own gender identity (due to androgynous gender or neurological sex) is a tradition followed for many years. This complexity of society has inspired me to observe the behavioural nuances of the third sex and the society within which they live all around the world. However keeping accessibility in mind, I have decided to limit my current research within three countries: India (where the idea originated), Singapore (my current residence) and Thailand (where gender variant people are more visible than anywhere else in the world). I intend to be as objective as possible with my approach by first interviewing and then photographing the gender variant people. My main objective is to capture the process of transformation or altering themselves into their preconceived image to fit into society. At the same time highlight their perseverance rather than their plight, as I feel there is already a lot of work done in that or similar direction . However, I also realize that at times as an artist it is also not possible to totally detach myself from my personal notion.
“A portrait is not a likeness. The