The Transformative Journey of Adornment

He is married with two children. When not dancing, he looks after his farm, his cattle and the daily household chores. His stage name however, is Chaina Meena, which he prefers.
 
To Chaina, dancing came very naturally. As a child, he remembers his mother dressing him up as a girl and encouraged him to sing and dance in family gatherings and celebrations. The act of performing as a man in women’s clothes stayed with him even as he grew older. Much to the disappointment of now disapproving parents.
 
Now Chaina, works and earns a living as a professional dancer which has got him a decent amount of fame in his community and the folk arts industry of the city of Jaipur, and even a brief online presence.
 
It has taken time for him to build this identity for himself, saving money to buy lehenga cholis (skirt and blouse), jewellery, make up boxes and little trinkets that help him transform his identity. A tiny bundle of things that are his alone; a quiet space for Chaina in the world of Ghamandi Meena.
 
For his wedding, Chaina received a buffalo as a gift from his wife’s family.
 
Chaina sold the buffalo on the first chance he got to buy himself the necklace photographed in the picture here.