Arnavi is a third-year student at Jammu University’s Institute of Music and Fine Arts. She is on a journey that goes beyond simple artistic brilliance. Through her work she tells stories of inclusivity, honoring the voices of the transgender community that are often ignored. Her intense desire to promote social change is evident through her brushwork.
Her motivation stems from witnessing transgender individuals facing hardships, often resorting to begging due to the lack of legal provisions supporting the LGBTQ community in J&K.
She was bullied a lot for being a transgender person. She talked about all the bad things that happened to her back then. She asked new teachers to help and be there for transgender students as much as they can. The Government of India introduced the Protection of Rights Bill for Transgender Persons in the year 2019 which clearly defines equal opportunities and rights for trans-genders.
Expressing her concerns, Arnavi Sharma aims to make significant changes. She desires to contribute by urging J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to institute measures such as job reservations and free education for the transgender community. Her art becomes a voice to advocate for the rights and empowerment of marginalized groups.
She is the first person to be nominated by the election commission as representative for the third gender and first one to also receive the Maharaja Hari Singh lifetime achievement award, awarded by the Governor. Beyond gallery walls, Arnavi’s work extends onto the streets and is instrumental in igniting a dialogue about the trans community. Even with all the recognition, Arnavi knows life isn’t easy for transgender people. She’s determined to make things better. Her art and her voice speak for those facing tough times because of who they are.
Suhail Bhat is a Village Square Fellow 2023-24. He works as a multimedia journalist in Kashmir.
Edited by: Novita Singh
