Mayuri Bansod

Proud to Be a Transwoman – The Journey of Kadambari Tai

Originally from Sadashiv Peth, Pune, Maharashtra, India, and now residing in Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra, India, Kadambari Tai is a transwoman, activist, artist, counsellor, and community leader. With a postgraduate degree and a strong commitment to social change, she has become one of the leading voices for the transgender community in Maharashtra.

Like many transgender persons, Kadambari Tai faced rejection, discrimination, and emotional struggles from an early age. Instead of allowing these experiences to defeat her, she transformed them into strength and dedicated her life to helping others live with dignity, equality, and confidence.

Kadambari Tai is actively associated with CYDA (Centre for Youth Development and Activities), Pune, where she works in the Inclusion Department. Through CYDA, she supports transgender rights, community empowerment, mental health, livelihood, and social inclusion. She also helps build an entrepreneurial ecosystem for transgender persons by connecting them with training, employment, markets, and business opportunities.

She believes that transwomen should not only be accepted by society but should also become independent through education, employment, skill development, and entrepreneurship. Through her work with NGOs, government bodies, and support organisations, she encourages transwomen to start small businesses in areas such as beauty services, catering, fashion, arts, and event management.

Kadambari Tai is also a proud member of the MangalMukhi Kinnar Charitable Trust, Pune. She supports people facing family rejection, homelessness, violence, emotional distress, and unemployment. For many in the community, she is a guide, mentor, and elder sister.

One of her most important contributions is counselling and mental health support. She provides personal and group counselling on identity, self-acceptance, family conflict, relationships, violence, and mental well-being. Her guidance has helped many transgender persons rebuild confidence, continue their education, and move towards a better future.

Apart from her social work, Kadambari Tai is a well-known actress, model, makeup artist, dancer, and performer. Through art and media, she has challenged stereotypes and increased the visibility of transgender persons.

Her important artistic contributions include:

* Featured in the web series “Taali,” based on the life of Gauri Sawant
* Played Gayatri, a social activist transwoman, in the Marathi film “A Valentine’s Day”
* Played the lead role in the Hindi web series “Rozzy”
* Became one of the first transwomen playwrights through the Marathi play “Trans High High Badan” presented by Aakansha Rangabhoomi
* Played the role of “Akka” in the theatre production “Ardham”
* Performed in “Where is SSS,” a play focusing on the mental well-being of transgender identities
* Appeared in “Nazariya,” the Govind Milk Bhau Beej campaign in 2024
* Authored the book “Proud to Be a Transwoman: Mrs. Kadambari”

Kadambari Tai has also led several historic initiatives:

* Ardhanari Nateshwar Fashion Show (2021), Maharashtra’s first transgender fashion show
* Support for transgender recruitment in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune Municipal Corporations
* State-level Trans Cookery Competition (2022) with celebrity chef Vishnu Manohar
* Participation of transgender entrepreneurs in Bhimthadi and Indrayani Thadi Jatra since 2022
* Featured as cover model in the Lokmat Diwali Special edition (2022)
* Introduced Dahi Handi for transwomen in 2023 as a sports and inclusion initiative
* Founded the Shikhandi Dhol Tasha Pathak in 2024, an all-transwomen musical troupe

Known as “the voice of the transgender community,” Kadambari Tai continues to speak for equal rights, justice, employment, education, healthcare, housing, and dignity for transgender persons.

Her life is a symbol of courage, resilience, and hope. Through her work in social service, art, counselling, and advocacy, she has inspired countless people and proved that transgender persons are capable of achieving excellence when given equal opportunity and respect.