திருநங்கைகளின் சுயசரிதைகள் – ஒரு சமூக-இலக்கியப் பார்வை

Autobiographies of Transgender Women – A Socio-Literary Perspective

Abstract

In the historical trajectory of Tamil literature, the voices of the unwritten and the life experiences of the unseen have long been neglected. However, in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, this trend has undergone a significant transformation. In particular, communities marginalized on the basis of caste, religion, and gender have begun to record their life experiences in written form. Among these, the autobiographies of transgender women occupy a crucial place, as they bring to light the truths hidden in the dark corners of society. Politics of gender identity, power struggles over the body, and the atrocities of human rights violations are central themes in these works.

In this context, the autobiography Naan Saravanan Vidya (I am Saravanan Vidya) written by Living Smile Vidya serves as a highly significant document. This book records a transgender woman's journey from childhood to the present day through her own perspective. It delves deeply into the psychology of a young boy realizing his gender variance, the cruel reactions of society, and the fractures that occur within family relationships.

The core themes of this book include:

• The humiliation faced by transgender individuals in educational institutions.
• The barriers they encounter in employment opportunities.
• The forced circumstances that push them into sex work.
• Her struggle to break free from these challenges and live with self-respect.

This is not merely an individual's history; it stands as a testament to the structural violence endured by gender minorities. Such autobiographies expand the horizons of Tamil literature and elevate debates surrounding humanity, identity, and social justice to a new dimension.