Rushik Thakkar
Birthplace:
Deodar, Gujarat
Residence:
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Qualification:
M.A. Classical Vocal Music
Inspiration:
Manvendra Das Gurudev
ON THE WINGS OF A SONG
Music helps him transcend every obstacle in life. But more than that, it has helped him transcend beyond genders creating an identity for himself when the world pulled him back!
If music be the food of the soul play on, said Shakespeare. For him, love for music was not just food for his soul, it was also a cloak that shielded him. Added to it was the wholesome support from his family which meant the challenges of gender identity were very easily swept aside. “If I ever have an autobiography or biography, it will be titled Naad (sound),” shares Rushik. Born on 28 December 1994 to Chandrika and Hitendra Kumar in Gujarat, his story, unlike many, is an eye-opener.
Though born a girl, he never felt like one. More than wanting to live like a boy, he wanted to live music. “I don’t know where it came from, my parents say it is almost God-gifted. In school, I always loved to lead the prayer assemblies. I had wholehearted support from my family. In fact, I remember during my class 10 board examination, my father took me for a performance. When I asked about my examination preparations, he simply said, ‘I know you can do both’.”
Good support from the family
That kind of support further ignited the young mind to pursue music with even more passion. At the same time, his family was supporting him where he didn’t think they would. Very early on, they had realised the truth and treated him like he wanted – like a boy. “I did not like wearing girls’ clothes, felt more attracted towards boys and always felt I was a boy.”
And as he grew older, he realised that he was different. “When I was in class 9, I felt some changes in my body. That’s when I started exploring and learning about transition and transmen all over the world through YouTube. The Western world seemingly had a solution and it was a smooth solution. So I thought I’d look into it as I grow up.”
SRS wasn’t ever broached at home but the Thakkar family was prepared for the discussion. Luck was all in favour – his music career too was rapidly growing. “I wanted to be an established singer, a male singer. People earlier knew me as Ructhat; it was only later that I was given the name Rushik.”
The desire to be known as a male singer took him to discuss with his family what was under covers till now. “I shared my emotions and desires with my parents – this was our first open discussion about it. I also discussed it with my brother and a few close friends. I was told that they all knew and understood my choice but the outside world didn’t.” This was also the first time that he was facing societal pressures. “When I told my parents about the surgery, they were apprehensive. What will people say and even more importantly what if the surgery goes wrong! Helping them cross societal pressure took longer than I had assumed.”
More was to come. Once he underwent the SRS, travelling became a task. The Aadhar card showed him a female and hence he had to explain things at airports and every hotel. “I declared myself a male while participating at The Voice on Star TV in 2019.”
No surprise that Rushik considers his guru, Manas Das Gurudev, his inspiration. “Guru ji not only taught me music but also how to live life.”
Music to the rescue
The societal trauma wasn’t too big a hurdle even during his school times. Thanks to music, he received a lot of love and fame. Even as he talks about his journey, he continues to talk of all the exposure and experience he had gained with music and rarely about his gender struggles. Though he did have to wear the girls’ uniform, he had found a way to keep it unisex. The thought, however, to dress up like a man always lingered.
“Yes, in college I felt free to dress up as I wanted.” But not always. He completed his graduation from Manish.
He did a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Classical Vocal) at the Manish Ashokbhai Parikh Fine Arts and Arts College, Palanpur. For his post-graduation, he went to the Maharaja Sayaji Rao University, Vadodara, where he was forced to stay in the college’s girl’s hostel as he hadn’t transitioned till then. By then, he had done many shows and people recognised him well. After a few months of trying, he was finally given a separate room.
He says, “My family was with me when I went through the surgery in 2019 – it felt all nice. It’s only when the anaesthesia wears out that it starts hurting. When I came to Delhi to perform a few years back, I met Aryan Pasha, Abhina Aher and Laxmi Narayan Tripathi. They have mentored me endlessly. Aryan bhaiya guided me a lot through my preparation for surgery.”
Rushik, however, does realise that things probably have been easy on him, but not on everyone else. “Music became my shield. Yes, I have faced some issues but not as much as others. But I can feel that many who do not get support, either from the family or society, tend to be mentally weak and withdraw into themselves.”
Documentation issues
“Every transgender,” says Rushik, “has a different set of problems. Some need support to come out, some need help in education or for documentation and these are the things I am aware of now.”
During his interaction with several other members of the transgender community, he realised the difficulties they face in getting their documentation straight. “The government needs to set up ways to speed up the process. I am sure sooner or later, it will be done.”
He admits that while he is aware of the recent laws for the transgender community, he is not completely in the know of it. “Even as people get together to discuss things, my mind starts wandering about various ragas and music,” he admits with a smile.
He admits, “Music is my love and I want to pursue it for as long as I can and give it my best. I hope to spread positivity through my music”. He loves animals and dreams “to serve animals by providing them food, water or general care. I also want to reach out to orphanages and old-age homes and provide them succour through my music.”
VISION FOR THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY
He says, “People should remain focussed on what they aspire to do, work towards it without bothering about others. Well, easier said than done, I agree. There will always be people pulling you down, especially because of gender. Shift your focus and aspire to improve your skills. Success will be yours and if success is yours, acceptance will come soon. Remember no one can fight for you, you have to do it yourself.” However, he also says that those who realise themselves should always keep their parents and family well-informed – it will mean better decisions.
MESSAGE FOR THE MAINSTREAM SOCIETY
While admitting that it is tough, Rushik says it has to start from within the family. In this age of advancement, parents should try and understand their children especially if they broach the topic. “Society has to be accommodating. Live and let live, isn’t that what we all should do? Life is too short, live it well and not waste it worrying about others. Society too is slowly changing and people are understanding things. The changes will happen for sure.” He accepts that though he hasn’t faced much, he has watched other trans-people struggle for acceptance and respect, which isn’t even a part of rights but a basic emotional need, which shouldn’t be denied to anyone.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT RUSHIK
Music strengthens him.
He loves travelling.
His dream destination is Switzerland. He wants to see the place with his family.
He likes the food his mother cooks the most, especially vagerala bhaat (pulao).
“Present is the perfect time to be in,” he says.
