Mohamed Rashid VP1 & Sourav V2 & Bangalore Morarji2
1PhD Scholar, CSSEIP, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad.
2PhD scholar in History, Department of Social Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology
3Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology. *Corresponding author.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 4, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n4.07
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Abstract
For over a century, cinema has been an influential medium through which stories are told, and culture is expressed. Stories come to life through filmmaking and exploring various themes, experiences and perspectives. Film’s visual and narrative elements can shape public opinion, subvert social conventions, provoke thinking and significantly impact the culture and social discourse. This study examines the representation of transgender individuals in Malayalam cinema, analysing the evolving narrative landscape and its societal impact. Regardless of a rich cinematic history dating back to the 1930s, Malayalam films have only recently begun to include transgender themes with depth and sensitivity. The study scrutinises early depictions that often resorted to stereotypes and comedic mockery, contrasting them with contemporary portrayals that uphold understanding and acceptance. By dissecting specific films, this work reveals the changing tides in cultural perception and points out the importance of responsible storytelling in media. This study calls for a continued push towards authentic and respectful representation, emphasising the transformative potential of cinema in shaping public attitudes towards the transgender community. This study used historical, content, and discourse analysis as methodology and representation theory as the theoretical framework to examine the portrayal of transgender in Malayalam cinema.
Keywords: Film Making, Malayalam Cinema, Social Impact, Stereotypes, Transgender Representation.
| Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest. Funding: No funding was received for this research. Article History: Received: 18 October 2024. Revised: 19 December 2024. Accepted: 18 December 2024. First published: 23 December 2024. Copyright: © 2024 by the author/s. License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India Citation: VP, M. R. & V, S. & Morarji, B. (2024). Unveiling Transgender Narratives: A Critical Analysis of Their Representation in Malayalam Cinema. Rupkatha Journal 16:4. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n4.07 |
