HarperCollins India released a compelling memoir of a trailblazing personality – From Manjunath to Manjamma: The Inspiring Life of a Transgender Folk Artist. From being ostracized and mocked to being awarded one of the highest civilian honours of the country, Manjamma Jogathi’s is an incredible, heart-rending story, which she, along with Harsha Bhat, tells in the book with remarkable honesty.
Talking about the book, Manjamma Jogathi said, ‘This is my tale of surviving all odds as a transgender person and making the journey from the lap of death to winning the Padma Shri award, one of the highest civilian awards of the country. This book is my honest attempt to give the reader a glimpse into the world of transgenders and all the trials and tribulations we go through as we try to give voice to our stories.”
“A tale of hope and survival, this book is also an appeal for more transformational inclusivity in the society which allows all who are like me to craft their own destinies, while never having to contemplate putting an end to life itself like I had to.
As the first transgender folk artist who also became the president of a national academy, my art and its pursuit has given a new meaning to my life and I want this to inspire all who are on the verge of giving up to give life a chance because I have and so can you.”
Talking about the book, Harsha Bhat said, ‘” met Manjamma as just another journalist on the eve of her receiving the Padma Shri award, but today she calls me her daughter. This journey of bringing her story before the world, has been one of discovering the power of human spirit which can go beyond all that life throws at them to be who they decide to be.
This is a story of not just a person, but of potential, possibility and the power of perseverance which took Manjamma from “the pavement to the President’s court”. For someone who endured rape, attempted suicide, faced abandonment, Manjamma survived it all and has lived to tell her tale, one with many firsts to her credit and many feathers on her cap as an artist and an inspiring individual.”