Sumathi Murthy
Sumathi Murthy | |
|---|---|
| Occupations | Musician, composer, LGBT rights activist |
Rumi Harish (earlier known as Sumathi Murthy) is an Indian Hindustani classical vocalist, composer, artist, writer and LGBT right activist[1] based in Bangalore.[2] He hails from the Agra gharana of singing.[3] He identifies as a queer transgender man.[4]
Music career
He started performing from the age of 12 years.[5][6] He received her training in music from Pandit Ramarao Naik for 17 years.[3]
He has been involved in a project called Sakhiri with Dr. Floy which consisted of a multi media show of mixing genders, electronics, visual images, poetry and music. He worked as a composer, singer and lyric writer in this project.[5][7]
Queer activism
In 2006, he identified as queer and formed a support group for female-born queer people named LesBiT.[5][6] He and Sunil Mohan have been doing an oral history project to share the stories of queer people. They have collectively written the book Towards Gender Inclusivity which focuses on female-born gender and sexual minorities in south India.[8] Harish and Ekta have also helped write Sunil Mohan's memoir, Your Stick Will Not Break my Strength.
Harish was also featured in the documentary Breaking Free, which talked about the LGBTQ community and the impact of the controversial Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.[9]
Publications
- Towards Gender Inclusivity: A Study on Contemporary Concerns around Gender (with Sunil Mohan)
- Sunil Mohan, as told to Rumi Harish and Ekta, Your Stick Will Not Break My Strength (2025 Zubaan)
References
- ^ Devi, Arun. "'Queer movement has to look beyond LGBT rights'".
- ^ "Khayal and Thumris by Sumathi Murthy". Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ a b "An evening of vocal delight". Deccan Herald. 2012. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ Anien, Tina Sara (28 July 2023). "Jottings from a trans man's life". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Pink Pages".
- ^ a b "Sumathi Murthy: Hindustani Music's Lesbian Melodies - Pink Pages". Pink Pages. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ "Still we rise: Of women and art". Deccan Chronicle. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ Velayanikal, Malavika. "Freedom takes many forms".
- ^ Parande, Shweta (9 October 2015). "Breaking Free trailer: Sridhar Rangayan's LGBT documentary against Section 377". India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News | India.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.