 Summary of this article
- People representing us are not always advocating for rights-based approaches; many are influenced by religious or ideological perspectives
- There is almost no proper documentation of violence against trans people in India. But suicide rates are very real, and they are high
- I appreciate some steps taken by states like Tamil Nadu—free education, scholarships, and housing support for trans individuals. We need more such policies
When silence meets injustice, resistance rises—and some voices cut through with clarity, courage, and purpose. One such voice is Living Smile Vidya, fondly known as Smiley.
An actress, assistant director, writer, and a fearless trans andDalit rights activist from Chennai, Smiley’s work stands at the intersection of art and justice, consistently challenging patriarchy, caste oppression, and transphobia.
Her autobiography I Am Vidya—originally in Tamil and now translated into multiple languages—has become a landmark academic and cultural text across South India. A movie based on her autobiography—Naanu Avanu Alla Avalu (2015)—won several state and national awards. She co-founded the Panmai Theatre troupe, bringing stories of resistance to audiences in India and abroad. Presently based in Switzerland, Smiley was the first Indian transwoman to have her chosen gender identity reflected in her passport.
In this interview with Niharika Awasthi, a development communication professional, she talks about how she showed her defiance against the Transgender Bill 2026 by burning her identity proofs—a symbolic act of protest. Edited excerpts
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