Bengaluru: Online art exhibition to lend a helping hand to transgender people

Bengaluru: A Bengaluru based IT professional has launched a web platform that will host an art sale and auction to support the members of the transgender community as their lives have been hit hard by the second wave of the pandemic. The initiative coincides with pride month (June).

Hima Bindu launched ManaHprasAda when the second eave hit the state. The platform aims to provide free survives to individuals and small business to flourish and it also raises funds for the underprivileged.

With the help of 200 members of the transgender community now, it will launch an initiative named ‘Aksh – Stroke for Hope’. This aims to raise funds by holding an online art sale by artist Himanshu Srivastava of The Natyachithra Arts. ManaHprasAda has done the collaboration with Aravani Art Project and Natyachithra Arts for the initiative.

Bindu said, “Srivastava is known for his unique artwork which depicts situations and stories on Indian heritage. This event is supported by art curator Vasantha Vaikunth from lifenliving.org.”

Aravani Art Project will lend a helping hand by distributing essential items and groceries to several transgender groups in the country.

Bindu said, “Members of the trans community require everyone’s help and in a dignified manner. Through this initiative, we can help them.” She stated that the inline platform will demonstrate artworks by more artists who are unable to sell their paintings during the pandemic.

The campaign for the same starts on Friday and the online sale will be held from July 2 to August 15.

She said, “We have three paintings on sale and one which will be auctioned. People can also contribute by directly ordering grocery kits worth Rs 1,000 per kit on the platform. As a token of appreciation, a painting signed by the artist will be sent to the contributor.”

The campaign is being supported by celebrities and influences like artists, actors, dancers, and musicians and WICCI Karnataka Culture and Heritage Council.

Bindu built the platform in her free time and collaborated with various influencers. She wants more people to join the same. The platform also focuses on services like free counselling, meal distribution, mask distribution and community feeding of stray dogs. It also supports economically hit sections like homemakers, artists, weavers and artisans during the lockdown.

The platform, ManaHprasAda has helped the weavers’ community with a solidarity sale by collaborating with the Vimor Handloom Foundation. You can visit the website at https://manahprasada.org.