All set to walk the ramp
Confident: Malaika
Lavanya. M
The glitz, glamour, and designer clothes associated with the fashion industry had fascinated D. Malaika since childhood. Now, at 28, she is all set to dazzle on the ramp, at a global event. Malaika is the first transgender from India whose entry has been accepted for the Miss International Queen 2011, a beauty pageant for transgenders from around the world, to be held in Thailand next month. Around 25 persons from around the world have been chosen to participate in the event. She is not new to fashion shows. She was the winner of Miss.Sahodaran 2007, a beauty pageant for transgenders.
Her journey of transition from a transgender after she left home to become a successful model has been both eventful and challenging. “Initially when I confided that I am a transgender, I had to leave the house. I was away from my family for three years. But now they have accepted me and give full support,” she says. “I am proud to be an ambassador for the transgender community of India. I believe that this is an opportunity to prove that we could be professional models and be respected in the society for who we are,” she says. At the pageant, Malaika will perform Theyyam, a traditional art form of Kerala, in the talent round. She plans to wear the traditional sari in the national costume round and has also lined up clothes by designer Sidney Sladen for other rounds.
It was when she won the beauty competition in Chennai that Malaika gained confidence. But finding sponsors is still a trying task. “I have been practicing hard for the contest, but the level of acceptance for the transgender is limited. The biggest challenge is sponsorship. If any girl gets selected for Miss Universe or Miss World, there are enough sponsors to help her. Only a few have come forward to sponsor me,” she says.
Says Sunil Menon, founder-director, Sahodaran, “Malaika has given many models a run for their money. This is a big opportunity for her and will certainly be an inspiration for others in the community to follow their dreams.” Malaika plans to come back and train others in her community who have dreams of walking the ramp.
Malaika will participate in the Miss International Queen 2011, a beauty pageant for transgenders, in Thailand.
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