A Glimpse Into the Life of a Transgender Model in Delhi, in Photos
Photographer Javed Sultan documents a day in the inspiring life of Niharika for the Quint Lens.
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The lives of members of the LGBTQ community very easily become statistics and protest chants, but what is it to really live their lives and struggles, meet their friends and family and find out their quirks and tattoos, hopes and dreams? Javed Sultan a Delhi-based photographer attempts to find out just that for the Quint Lens.
Documenting a day in the life of Niharika, a transgender model in Delhi, Javed hopes to inspire others from her story of survival just as he was.
He says, “I met Niharika at a modelling audition in Delhi in 2016. She stole the show that day. Her confidence in front of the audience made her stand out. Later during the lunch break, we broke out into an informal conversation and she asked me to show her the photographs I had taken of the auditions. We became close friends and met on many occasions afterwards and she continued to share her experiences, successes, aims and fears with me.”
Niharika's Story
Niharika was born as Nehal Singh in 1993. She was rejected by her family at the age of 12 when they discovered that Niharika (then Nehal) was not a boy but a trans woman. She had to leave school after high school because no one was ready to accept her. People would taunt, harass and ask her to stay away.
She went into depression at a very young age after her father forced her to leave home. Niharika attempted suicide at 12 by slashing her wrists but fortunately, she survived.
Very soon after this episode, she met Krish, a social activist who helped her overcome the feeling of not being 'normal'. After a few sessions of counselling with Krish, Niharika was a transformed individual. It was Krish, who she sees as a father figure, who gave her a new name, Niharika.
Initially, she started working as a sex worker. Later, Niharika underwent surgery to change her sex.
Niharika doesn’t regret her surgery, but feels it was unnecessary to prove she was a girl if the society could just accept her as she was. "My body is more important rather than my feelings. People don’t care about my feelings, they want to see if I look like them or not,” says Niharika.
After her father’s death in 2011, she began to support her family (two sisters and mother) by working as a fashion model.
Niharika was born a Hindu, but she believes in every religion equally. Two years ago, she got a tattoo of Jesus on her back.
Notably, Indian law criminalises 'unnatural sex' even among two consenting gay/lesbian/transgender partners. Thanks to the discriminatory law and cultural bias against the LGBTQ community in India, there are stories of routine suffering and humiliation.
Niharika’s flatmate is Tanvi, a 22-year-old transgender, who came to Delhi from a village in Madhya Pradesh. She is another example of discrimination by society against the LGBTQ community. Like Niharika, Tanvi was also rejected by her family and relatives. When she came to Delhi, Niharika came to her rescue and gave her shelter. They were flatmates for three years until very recently.
Niharika’s boyfriend, Ankush, runs a transport business in Delhi. Ankush recently told his family about Niharika, who approved of the match.
The couple has now begun their happy life in Delhi.
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