“Inviting a transgender singer to a para function is still a taboo,” says Super Singer Season 4’s second runner-up Anwesha Mondal

What makes her different from other singers, is not just the voice that directly touches the right chord of hearts, but also the undying zeal, she nurtures deep inside the heart. No amount of ‘criticism’, ‘mockery’ or abuse, could affect the spirit she had; because the storm she faced inside was far fierce than the one roaring outside. And probably that’s the reason that brought her close to her belief, that nothing is bigger than humanity, not gender, caste, background or anything else.
We are talking about artist Anwesha Mondal, whom viewers have seen as Super Singer Season 4’s contestant who later, went on to win the trophy of second runner-up spot.But she still ‘struggles’ not just for projects or shows, but also to be considered as a singer beyond ‘identity’ or being ‘stereotyped’.
Anwesha came to the competition with dreams. While the prime one has always been to reach the hearts of the viewers, she had another dream as well. “I wanted people to consider me as an individual beyond my gender. I longed for being accepted as a singer and not transgender singer. The constant criticism, judgment and notion about gender typecast were something, I needed to diminish. I wanted them to see me, as Anwesha Mondal, a singer and not my gender. Sympathy was certainly not the thing I was looking for, it’s just acceptance.”
How tough was it? “You mean acceptance?” She took a brief pause and then adds, “Let me start by saying, I am still fighting for it. I have survived all sorts of odds, be it circumstances, abuse or doing all sorts of jobs, just to live keeping my head high.”
Anwesha, who is a survivor of sexual violence, recalled some of the horrific experiences, that she had to go through. She says,” I still remember my adolescence period, when I was struggling to understand the change that was happening inside me, both physically and mentally. At that age, it was tough to understand everything. Then the next struggle was to explain people, and not just any others but those who are close to you, about the incidents I had faced. When people close to me didn’t understand the pain, out of shame, I stopped telling about the harassment I had to go through. I still remember, first time when I told someone about the touch that made me feel uncomfortable. The first question was- what’s wrong with it? Now, as a teenager, it was almost impossible for me to explain what was wrong; but things were certainly wrong and I could feel it although couldn’t put it to words. Then, when I spoke about the abuse, I had to face, none believed it either. So, my struggle for acceptance started long back and I am still counting the days, till I achieve it.”
Anwesha, who has a degree in Media studies, grew up in Purulia in a middle-class household.
Unable to bear the constant criticism, Anwesha decided to leave home. “The next phase was the toughest. I needed to survive, for which I needed money and for that, I needed a job. One of my friends asked me to accompany him to Bihar. He told me, all I needed to do is dance and I would get some money,” she took a brief break and then adds, “It was a very traumatic chapter that haunted me for a long time. While searching job, I got trapped in a troupe that provides young boys for launda dance (Lavanda Nach). Now, only those who have seen it, know, the amount of abuse one has to face. The person, who took me there, was my friend! Whatever happens in those programs, stays there and gets brushed under the carpet. I managed to run away somehow and that was no less than a miracle. You know, what was the shocking part?”
Lavanda Nach, is a dance where boys get dressed as girls and perform dance.
Anwesha shared, how the incidents kept haunting her for a long time. But she decided to continue her fight leaving the bad memories behind. Later, destiny brought her to Kolkata, where she continued her studies and found her quest for the love she was searching for. She says, “I found my solace in music. I fell in love with Baul gaan, folk song and other forms that are close to the soil. I started visiting Baul akhras. I surrendered to god and that’s how I found myself.”

But Anwesha’s struggle for acceptance still continued. She decided to go to a bigger platform and participated in Jisshu U Sengupta hosted, ‘Super Singer Season 4’. She was one of the most consistent performers of that season and won accolades from the judges. However, Anwesha’s struggle is still on. “It has been a once-in-a-life-time experience for me and I will always cherish it in my heart. I met many people as a part of Super Singer family who loved me, groomed and also took care of me.”
The singer, however, doesn’t have much work projects, even after her stint in the popular reality show. “The most funny thing is, even after participating and winning the third prize, I don’t have much stage shows. Initially, I felt bad but then I realized, people will have to take a huge risk, if they bring a transgender singer to a show in a neighbourhood. I mean who would want a transgender on the stage? Inviting a transgender singer to a para function is still a taboo. Then again, it is tough to accept a person with a male voice in a female body. Both are difficult to accept. Isn’t it?” she questions.
Anwesha however, is more than determined than ever. With her power, she is continuing her journey. “You know, all these things used to cause a lot of pain but now, I am used to it. I know, I have to survive in this world and not just survive but be happy too. Then I realised you need to choose happiness from within. I know, my journey ahead won’t be easy, just like it has always been. But I am at peace because of music.”