The series of 27 photographs in Meeting Mohini: Koovagam through the lens of Zoya Thomas Lobo follows the ancient Hindu festival celebrating the marriage of Hindu goddess Mohini – the feminine avatar of Vishnu – to Aravan.
In the Tamil month of Chithirai, falling between April and May, thousands of transgender women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people gather in the small village of Koovagam to reenact Aravan’s story. Having agreed to sacrifice himself for the greater good, Aravan asked the god Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu) to be married, even if only for a night. Krishna, god of compassion, protection and love, became the goddess Mohini to fulfil Aravan’s wish.
Images in the exhibition follow transgender women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people – who have long played a central role in the final two days of the festival – capturing the excitement and joy of the wedding day as well as the sadness and pain of funeral ceremony. The exhibition also focuses on life outside the festival, centring Zoya Thomas Lobo’s own experiences in Mumbai.
Meeting Mohini shines a light on not only on the rich history and traditions of one of the oldest recognised transgender and LGBTQI+ communities in the world but also on the barriers and challenges that they face and overcome daily. It is Zoya Thomas Lobo’s first solo exhibition and first exhibition outside India.
The Horniman is for everyone, yet this is the first time we have focused an exhibition on – and worked directly with – the trans community in this way. We’re incredibly thankful to our collaborators and consultants, and for Zoya’s talent and openness in undertaking this commission for us and creating this exhibition.
Koovagam is a very important festival for trans people and I’m very excited to be using my camera to share our stories, traditions, culture and history. I’m very happy to be sharing my story and my work at the Horniman Museum
Lead image: Gharana from Meeting Mohini: Koovagam through the lens of Zoya Thomas.
Image credit: Zoya Thomas Lobo / Horniman Museum and Gardens