Kozhikode: With the first-ever beauty contest for transgenders all set to be held in Kochi on June 15, the audition for the Malabar region was conducted here on Monday.
Sheetal Shyam, transgender activist, said the event was organised by the Kochi-based Dhwayah (stet) Arts and Cultural Society. “Our attempt is to bring more transgenders to the mainstream of society and help them find jobs and means of livelihood,” she said.
As many as 11 persons were selected from among 20 participants in Kozhikode. They underwent a grooming session by Renju Renjimar, make-up artiste, and Vishwalatha Sudarshan, choreographer. Similar sessions were earlier held in Kollam and Kochi. According to Sheetal, 27 persons will participate in the two-day final grooming session in Kochi from May 23. Fifteen from among them will be selected for the beauty contest. The final winner will be given the ‘Queen of Dhwayah 2017’ title. She said Medical Education Minister K.K. Shylaja and CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will attend the inaugural event of the contest. “Eminent personalities from cultural and cinema fields will be the judges. Actor Shwetha Menon will declare the winner,” Sheetal added.
