Sahodaran launches 2020 calendar featuring trans models

Featuring 24 models, the eleventh edition of the calendar is based on stories from Indian mythology. “We went with the theme ‘Sentience’ because we wanted to play with emotions. Of late, we are seeing an increasingly insensitive world with a lot of hatred and strife. Thus, each picture evokes a certain emotion,” said founder Sunil Menon.

Scenes depicting Mohini, Draupadi, Kannagi, and other mythological characters will be depicted by the 10 men, 3 women and 11 transgender models. “We wanted to include people across genders for this year as 2020 is the beginning of the new millennia. The conversation right now is about trans people, and inclusion is the need of the hour,” said Menon.

January is based on the story of Brihannala, the title adopted by Arjuna in the Mahabharatha in his last year of exile. Disguising as a woman, Arjuna acted as the dance teacher for Uttara for a year, and it was this emotion of patience that Menon wanted to evoke. The models were photographed by SP Kabilan.

The calendar has also been the annual fundraiser for Sahodaran since 2010. Proceeds from sales will go towards the organisation’s efforts through the year.