Meet Kajal: the first transgender RJ of Karnataka
Mangaluru’s Community Radio Sarang 107.8 is the first in the coastal Karnataka to have a transgender Radio Jockey (RJ). Hailing from Mandya in Maharashtra, 27-year-old Kajal started her stint as an RJ at the radio channel on November 21, 2017.
Kajal’s show is called Shubhamangala and airs every Tuesday from 5pm till 6pm from St Aloysius College, Mangaluru.
According to Deccan Herald, a statement released stated,
This is perhaps the first experiment in coastal Karnataka. Many say we must give opportunities to transgenders and bring them to mainstream but not many practice what they preach.
Kajal was only 14 years old when she began to notice a physical transformation in herself. Despite facing several mental and physical issues in this phase, she completed her pre-university education with an 85 percent score.
She began travelling to Mumbai frequently to seek comfort, and started working as a bar dancer to survive in the city. Kajal then joined a circus company as a dancer, through which she got an opportunity nine years back to go to coastal Karnataka.
While speaking with The Times of India, Kajal said,
I was so flattered with the love and respect people showered on me here that I made this place my permanent aboard. I wasn't used to so much respect before.
Kajal lives in Brahmavar in a rented house, and is also completing her degree through distance education. She aspires to become an IAS officer in future.
Multitalented Kajal is a dancer and is actively associated with various TV and theatre productions. It was through Rangabhoomi Theatre that she got her break as an RJ for the radio channel.
According to the Mangalorean, Kajal said,
It is next to impossible for a transgender to find a job. We prove our mettle only if we get a chance. But I am fortunate to live my dream, by getting all these offers. I hope that every member of my community gets a chance, and also live their dream, and succeed in life.
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