Manjamma Jogathi was born on April 18, 1964. Manjamma is Kannada theatre actress, singer and dancer of Jogti Nritya. Jogti Nritya is a folk dance form of North Karnataka.
Manjamma was born as Manjunatha Shetty in Ballari district Karnataka. He studied SSLC in Davanagere. In 1975, Shetty's parents took him to Huligemma temple to consecrate as jogappa. This was a ritual in which devotees believe themselves married to the God. Here after Shetty became to known as Manjamma Jogathi with female identity.
He was expelled from his family for his girlish behaviour at the age of sixteen. Manjamma shifted to a rented room and started begging on streets draping sarees. Manjamma used to see Jogti Nritya at Davanagere bus stand by a father-son duo. Manjamma joined the group to learn it. After a year of learning and performing, one of the members of the group introduced Manjamma to Kalavva jogathi of Hagaribommanahalli.
Manjamma became a permanent dancer in Kaalavva's Jogti dance group, performing all over the state. After Kaalavva's death, she took over the troupe and made the dance popular among the people.
In 2019, Manjamma became the first transwoman to head The Karnataka Janapada Academy, state's top institution for folk arts.
In 2010, Manjamma received the Rajyotsava award by the Karnataka Government.
In January 2021, Manjamma got Padma Shri award for her contribution to the field of folk arts.
Long LIVE Manjamma! #yusufbhandarkar #digitalmarketingservices
