Thank you Anil S, Sovi Vidyadharan, K S Sreejith, M S Vidyanandan, Vincent Pulickal (photos), and Pranav V P (video) of @xpresskerala . Link available above for those interested.

Thanks to the New Indian Express team for this detailed interview. I seldom get opportunities to speak out my mind to journalists. The interview lasted for approximately two hours and was a truly exhilarating experience.

This is an important discourse of the times. Let's take care not to allow our art forms be reduced to caste, religion, gender, or even regional confines. Heartfelt respect and regards to Ramakrishnan, a dear brother.

He is, in fact, among the vanguard of contemporary performers who helped reclaim the dignity of Mohiniyattam, which once used to be an arena for feudal lords to view the female body as merely an object of desire.

Ramakrishnan is a wonderful talent who has played a significant role in rewriting the history of Mohiniyattam. As a performer, he has helped liberate this great art form from the shackles of several outdated rules and values.

Shocked to hear a classical dance performer, who seems to be harbouring the rotting remnants of caste and colour-based discrimination, level such slanderous words against a creative genius like RLV Ramakrishnan. This is highly objectionable.

Strongly condemn the Union government's move to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

കോൺഗ്രസ് രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തിലെ ഒരു നീണ്ട അധ്യായമാണ് അവസാനിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്. ആദരണീയനായ മുൻ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിക്ക് ആദരാഞ്ജലി. #OommenChandy

A message to youngsters on World Youth Skills Day

It has come to my notice that some colonial geniuses have been trying to make a mockery of something I said at a public platform. Those who would like clarity on what I was actually saying (which was a statement rooted in the reality of gender divide) can listen to this video:

In the endeavour to safeguard India's secular principles, the South stands united ✊🏽. #KarnatakaElectionResults2023.

Praveen Nath is a martyr, a constant reminder to those unwilling to accept that trans persons have as much right as each one of us to live here, alongside us, as part of the mainstream society. He is a reminder of a brand of rotten journalism that is complicit in this ignorance.

Whether it be deliberately or due to ignorance, this intolerance that drives people into social withdrawal and even death is unbecoming of a modern democracy. And it is high time that the media reconsider their race for sensationalism and put people above petty competitions.

Praveen Nath's experience is not an isolated one. There are an end number of LGBTQIA+ persons who have been forced to give up their lives due to similar abusive behaviour.

And it is unforgivable that online media, which is supposed to act as the fourth pillar of democracy, lacks this understanding.

As a society, we need to realise that if trans persons have been able to garner at least a limited level of acceptance & the ability to stand upright in society today, despite their painful life circumstances, it is because of tremendous hard work and determination.

Ever since the department extended him the support to overcome his difficulties after a gender affirmation surgery, we have maintained a close relationship both in personal and professional capacities.

When the dept recently organised a workshop as part of these efforts, Praveen was sitting right in the front row, enthusiastic and expectant. An image I’ll never forget.

But we are conscious of the fact that more needs to be done, that there is a long way to go. It is in this view that the dept is making maximum efforts to create more employment opportunities for trans persons and implement support systems including helplines for them.

It is a matter of shame that despite our progress in literacy, education and what not, our trans persons continue to face ridicule and even harassment in public spaces. The Social Justice dept has implemented several schemes for their benefit.