Atelier Prati - Backdrop Design
Falana Films – Documentation and Films
Jaisingh Nageswaran, Photographer
Joe Panicker, Sound Designer
Maraa – Curators and Artist Management
Navya Sah - Choreography Assistance for Formations
Payana – Concept and Coordination for Truth Dream
Priyanka Kumar - Graphic Designer and Illustrator
Rudra Rakshit Sharan - Photographer
Sankeerthi Aipanjiguly -Costume and Jewellery Designer
Zeeshan - Make Up Artist & Hair Stylist

An interactive photo exhibition on aging, beauty and fantasy
Tracing experiences and dreams of the sexuality minority community

Chandini, the co-founder of Payana, an organization working towards protecting the rights and dignity of the sexuality minorities community in Karnataka, a poet and trans activist has conceptualised ‘TRUTH DREAM” a photo exhibition which will feature 12 friends who identify as transwomen, transmen, Kothi and gender non-conforming individuals from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. What makes this project unique is that participants are above the age of 50 years. Given that many fall prey to violence, discrimination and agony, which leads to suicide or murder, it is rare for individuals from sexual minority communities to make it so far. At this age, people themselves feel that desire wanes and beauty fades.

The twelve community models hope to challenge this perception by embodying their fantasies: cabaret and classical dancers, ideal women, queens and goddesses from Tamil and Kannada films of the 60s; figures who inspire them to date, fantasies they could not realise in real life. Dreams and desires come to life in this exhibition that blurs the line between ‘Truth’ and ‘Dream’. “It is a process for all of us to feel the closest to our dreams and reveal our inner beauty. We could never fulfil our dreams fully, this process will transform each one of us. Also, it will make society and the younger generation recognise us differently.” shared Revathi, a renowned writer, actor and activist who is also part of the show. The exhibition also subtly and playfully challenges power dynamics of beauty, gender, sexuality and caste discrimination. The exhibition is not only celebratory, but unravels wistfulness and the resilience and creativity that carried them so far. It is a story about their strength in friendship, to journey along together.

More about the project here.