Knowing Kalki Subramaniam
Through her thoughts, actions and never-say-die attitude to life and the many adversaries that have come her way on account of her decision to live as a transwoman, Kalki has transformed herself into a role model for the transgender community, many of whom still live a marginalised existence on the fringes of society.
Born in the serene town of Pollachi in Tamil Nadu, Kalki Subramaniam has risen to become one of India’s most dynamic voices for transgender rights and queer empowerment. She is a visionary activist, celebrated queer artist, entrepreneur, poet, actor, and an electrifying inspirational speaker whose work has touched millions.
As a member of the National Council for Trans Persons, constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Kalki plays a pivotal role in shaping inclusive policies at the national level. Her expertise in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is not just academic—it’s lived, embodied, and passionately shared through every initiative she leads.
Kalki is the founder of the Sahodari Foundation, a groundbreaking organization that uplifts India’s transgender community through bold, creative, and transformative projects. From art therapy to digital empowerment, Sahodari’s work is a beacon of hope and innovation.
Over the years, Kalki has spoken to more than one million students across universities and institutions, igniting minds and challenging prejudices. Her relentless activism was instrumental in the historic 2014 Supreme Court verdict that recognized the civil rights of transgender people in India—a milestone that changed the course of history.
Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, honoring her tireless efforts to uplift marginalized voices and create a more compassionate society.
In 2014, Kalki published her powerful Tamil poetry collection, Kuri Aruthean, a searing critique of misogyny, oppression, and patriarchy. The book is hailed as a landmark in Tamil queer literature, resonating deeply with readers across generations.
Kalki made cinematic history with her debut in Narthaki, a poignant film tracing the journey of a transgender woman in search of love, identity, and joy. With this role, she became India’s first transgender actor to play a lead in a major motion picture, breaking barriers and redefining representation on screen.
Kalki Subramaniam is not just a changemaker—she is a movement. Her life is a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and radical love.
Kalki’s extraordinary journey as a changemaker has been recognized with numerous awards celebrating her impact in social work, artistic expression, entrepreneurship, and literary brilliance. On International Women’s Day 2015, Facebook honored her as one of 12 inspiring women worldwide who use the platform to empower communities and spark social change. A year later, L’Oréal Paris India nominated her as a ‘Woman of Worth’ in the arts category, spotlighting her creative courage and cultural influence.
As an artist, Kalki’s work is a radiant celebration of human diversity and the beauty of nature. Her paintings burst with color, emotion, and meaning—each canvas a story, each stroke a statement. Through her art and poetry, she has toured North America and Europe, sharing the lived experiences of Indian transgender and queer lives, and building bridges of empathy across cultures.
In the corporate world, Kalki is a powerful voice for inclusion. She leads sensitization sessions and workshops that educate and inspire companies to embrace LGBTQIA+, transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary communities. Her insights have reached the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, transforming workplace cultures from the inside out. To explore more of Kalki’s work and impact in the corporate, visit this page .
Have a look at my Arts here
Kalki Subramaniam is the visionary force behind Sahodari Foundation’s RedWall Project, a powerful community art initiative that amplifies the voices of over 500 transgender and non-binary individuals across India—survivors of sexual and physical abuse inflicted simply for expressing their identities. Through hauntingly symbolic red palm impressions, each participant leaves a mark of their untold story—raw, real, and resilient. These impressions are exhibited in universities, colleges, seminars, and public spaces, transforming silence into visibility. At these events, Kalki performs her poetry, weaving words into wounds and healing into hope.
Building on the power of creative expression, Kalki also founded the Thoorikai Art Project, a first-of-its-kind entrepreneurship initiative in South Asia. Through free art workshops, she empowers transgender individuals to narrate their life journeys on canvas, promoting their artworks and supporting their livelihoods. Over 200 transgender artists have already participated, and the project is on a mission to reach 10,000 voices, turning pain into paint and stories into strength.
Kalki’s advocacy doesn’t stop at identity—it extends to climate justice. She has been a vocal champion for transgender communities living in poverty, especially those residing along riverbanks and coastal slums, who face disproportionate risks during natural disasters. Her call for inclusive climate action urges policymakers to protect these vulnerable lives and ensure their right to safety, dignity, and resilience.
In February 2017, Kalki Subramaniam was invited by the Harvard University to speak at the India Conference where she received a standing ovation for her speech. She also spoke at University of California during her U.S Visit. In June 2017, Kalki was awarded the honorary doctorate by International Tamil University USA in Madurai.
In 2018, Kalki was invited by Ministry of Global Affairs, Canada to participate at the Global Conference on lgbt human rights and Inclusive development which happened in Vancouver, Canada. She was also felicitated by Canada Tamil Sangam in Toronto. She was honored by MG Motors as one of the finest changemakers of India.
In November 2018, she was invited by Schwules Museum, Germany to present her poetry, art and activism to special audience. In June 2019, she was invited by Soundstone Artist Hannes Fessmann in Germany and by TransAmsterdam organisation, Netherlands. Her art exhibition titled ‘Maya by Kalki’ was opened at The Manor Hotel in Amsterdam. Kalki was also conferred the International Ambassador for TransAmsterdam organisation.
In 2021, she released her first English book ‘We Are Not The Others’ which is a collection of her poems, essays, monologue, art and conversations. The book is available in Amazon for purchase. Click here to buy the book.
In October 2022, Kalki was invited to speak at Out & Equal Work Summit in Las Vegas, USA. During her trip, she also spoke at Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Rutgers and UPenn which are some of the prestigious universities in USA and the world.
In November 2023, Kalki Subramaniam was invited to speak at California State University Northridge and to was invited to speak at Google Venice in United State of America. In December 2023, she was appointed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India as the Southern Region Representative of the National Council For Trans Persons (NCTP).
In January 2024, she released her third book, this time in Tamil named Oru Thirunangaiyin Diary Kurippu (A trans woman’s Diary). In February the same year, she was invited to deliver a lecture at University of British Columbia to speak on Sexual Orientation and Gender Inclusion. In November 2024, she was crowned as the ‘Gender Justice Queen’ by Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam Turia Melioni at the Trans Amsterdam event in Netherlands.
In March 2025, she received the ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Award’ from The Hindu Group in Chennai. In August 2025, she received the JFW Achievers Award for Excellence in Social Work. The same year she published her collection of poetry, stories and essays as a book titled ‘We Will Not Be Erased’.
Kalki Subramaniam continues to tirelessly work for the inclusion and equality of all queer and transgender persons in India and around the world.
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