Bengaluru: For the first time in the history of the state, a transgendered person has been appointed as a chairperson of a government academy.
B Manjamma Jogathi, a transgender and a former Devadasi from the Ballari district, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Karnataka Folklore Academy.
Her appointment was announced on Tuesday, October 15 evening.
Jogathi, who is known for her dance troupe ‘Jogappa Tanda’, is a well-known artiste across the state. A recipient of the Karnataka Rajyotsava award, she belongs to Yellamma cull among the Devadasis of the North Karnataka region. She became a Devadasi when she was just 14 years old.
Meanwhile, T S Nagabharana has been appointed as chairperson of the Kannada Development Authority. Rahim Uchchil has been appointed as chairman of the Byari Sahithya Academy.