Watch: Maharashtra’s first transgender dhol-tasha troupe ‘Shikhandi’ performs in Pune as Ganeshotsav begins

Shikhandi currently has 30 members and are set to perform at many major Ganpati mandals in Pune.

The 10-day celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav, began on Saturday. In Maharashtra, where the festival is celebrated the most in the country, Hindu devotees commemorated the birth of Lord Ganesha by installing idols of the deity at homes, temples and public pandals across the state.

Amid the celebrations, Maharashtra’s first-ever transgender dhol-tasha troupe––Shikhandi––performed at the famous Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal in Pune, making history. A video of the group performing was shared by Jist on Instagram.

About Shikhandi

Shikhandi, now a 30-member group, was founded by Manasvi Goilkar, after being rejected by many dhol-tasha troupes, according to a report in The Bridge Chronicle. Goilkar and the team hope to represent and make space for the transgender community in dhol-tasha, an area traditionally dominated by male and female troupes.

The group made its debut on August 16 at a state-level event in Nanded, said the report. This year, the group is set to perform in five famous Ganpati mandals in Pune.

Courtesy : TIE

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