At Pune International Centre’s Palash festival, Jogappa musicians to bring sacred music, powerful storytelling
The Jogappas are not new to Pune, but this will be their first major show in the city. They will be performing with the eminent musician and author TM Krishna.
“Meri kahani bahut badiya hain (I have a very interesting story). I have experienced many sorrows and joys. My life is dedicated to singing the songs of the Mother, Yellamma. I have taught myself to write songs, sing and play the musical instrument choudki,” says Laxmanji, a member of one of India’s little-known transgender communities, the Jogappas.
Laxmanji is among the musicians who will take centrestage on February 28 as the Pune International Centre (PIC) celebrates Palash, a confluence of classical and folk traditions through dialogues on art, identity and inclusion. The Jogappas are not new to Pune, but this will be their first major show in the city. They will be performing with the eminent musician and author TM Krishna.
“There will be five singers from Karnataka. The songs will be devotional but also humorous. There will be songs that will make you feel electrified. We are travelling with all kinds of songs,” says Siddhama, a prominent member of the Jogappa group.
The Jogappas are custodians of a musical tradition that is intensely devotional and powerful. The community is spread along the borders shared by Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana, marginalised by geography and society. “Many of the Jogappas identify as trans women but their identity is not limited to their gender. That’s one of the features that makes the Jogappa community unique — their identity is closely connected to their art and performance. They have a strong spiritual connection with their music,” says B Shreya from the Bengaluru-based Solidarity Foundation, which supports marginalised LGBTIAQ+ communities.
Siddhama traces their origins to the myth of the Ramayana, when Rama, Sita and Lakshman left the kingdom of Ayodhya to spend 14 years in vanvas. “As they travelled, they were met by thousands of men and women. Our community, who are both men and women, also went to see them. It so happened that Rama, Sita and Lakshman asked the men and the women to return home after their meeting. They did not say anything to the transgender community, so we stood and waited for Rama, Sita and Lakshman to return. For 14 years, we waited,” recounts Siddhama, with a storyteller’s flair. She adds that Rama, Sita and Lakshman granted the transgender community a boon that they could bless children and people with prosperity on auspicious occasions.
Siddhama says that she has many stories and can regale a listener from morning till the moon comes out. If only mainstream society heard the stories of the Jogappas, they would think differently about the transgender community. “People have started understanding us a little. Hum bhi zindagi mein aaye hain toh hum bhi insaan hain. Hamari bhi pahchan karo. (If we are living, we are also humans. You need to recognise that),” she says.
She was born with a boy’s body but was really a girl. She learned music, as is traditional among the Jogappas, from her guru. She, now, has disciples learning from her. A typical trait of Jogappa singers is that they create their own instruments, the choudki, a wooden percussion instrument, the sutti, a string instrument, and taal or cymbals.
Story continues below this ad
Siddhama is a familiar face and widely respected in her village in Karnataka. The cities, though, have yet to catch up. “TM Krishna, whom we consider our guru, has given us the opportunity to perform in concerts in big cities. This has helped us to break some barriers with audiences,” says Siddhama.
Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life.
Professional Background
Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint.
Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series).
Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season:
1. Climate & Environment
"Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week.
"How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
"Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner.
2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage
"Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle.
"Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport.
"The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle.
3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc"
"Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema.
"Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups.
"How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor.
Signature Style
Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune.
X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More
