Thripthi Shetty: The Journey of Kerala’s First Transgender Entrepreneur and Trailblazer for Change
Thripthi Shetty is a pioneering entrepreneur, artisan, and activist from Kerala, India, also known as India’s first transgender entrepreneur from Kerala, whose life story is a powerful testament to resilience and transformation. Born in Manjeshwar, Kasaragod, she became the first transgender person to secure employment and apply for a Mudra loan under the transgender category in Kerala. As the founder and CEO of Thripthi Handicrafts, she turned her passion for jewellery-making into a thriving business, all while championing the rights and visibility of the transgender community. Now living in Kochi with her husband Hrithik M, Thripthi continues to inspire through her work in the arts, cinema, and social advocacy. A woman who challenged every stereotype stacked against her, she rose to become India’s first transgender entrepreneur from Kerala, and her legacy is still unfolding with pride and purpose.
Early Life: A Tale of Discovery and Struggle
Thripthi Shetty’s life, originally as Kiran, was marked by deep internal conflict. Losing both parents at a young age, she grew up emotionally secluded, unable to share her gender identity struggle with anyone. Feeling trapped in a body that didn’t represent her true self, she wandered from city to city, working odd jobs and carrying an unwavering dream — to transition and live as her authentic self.
Years of hardship followed, and it was only after long perseverance and savings that Thripthi underwent gender-affirming surgery. Her transformation was not merely physical; it was the birth of a courageous woman ready to take on the world. Kiran became Thripthi Shetty, and with that, a new journey began — not just for herself, but for an entire community that looked up to her.
Breaking Barriers: Kerala’s First Transgender Employee
Thripthi carved her first milestone when she became the first transgender person to be employed in Kerala. At a time when the transgender community was still fighting for basic recognition and dignity, her achievement broke ground. It wasn’t just a personal success, but a societal statement — that talent knows no gender.
Her employment opened up conversations across the state. Institutions began to consider inclusive policies, and workplaces became more aware of transgender rights. Thripthi stood at the forefront, not just seeking opportunity but opening the door for others to follow.
Building Dreams: From Artisan to Entrepreneur
While employment was a milestone, Thripthi had greater dreams. She wanted to create something of her own. Encouraged by Dr. Annie, a well-wisher who introduced her to an elderly artisan, Thripthi learned the intricate craft of handmade jewellery. Working from her rented home in Kochi, she began designing ornaments using black metal and natural stones. What started as a humble initiative soon turned into a flourishing business — Thripthi Handicrafts.
Her unique designs stood out for their cultural richness and raw elegance. Each piece carried not just aesthetic value but also the mark of a story — of struggle, strength, and skill. Her stalls at exhibitions attracted long queues, with people eager to own a piece crafted by Kerala’s first transgender entrepreneur.
But Thripthi’s creativity wasn’t confined to jewellery alone. She began upcycling discarded liquor bottles into artistic showpieces, promoting sustainability along with beauty. Her work was not only a commercial success but also a statement of eco-conscious artistry.
Entrepreneurship with Impact: The Mudra Loan Milestone
In another bold step, Thripthi became the first transgender individual to apply for a Mudra loan under the transgender category. This government initiative aimed to promote entrepreneurship among marginalized communities, and Thripthi’s application was historic. She used the loan to expand her jewellery venture, proving that financial inclusion could empower real change.
Her initiative inspired many within the transgender community to consider self-employment. She didn’t just build a business — she built a movement.
Beyond Business: A Foray Into Film and Fashion
Thripthi’s charisma and confidence soon caught the eye of filmmakers. She landed a role in a Malayalam film, opening another chapter in her dynamic career. Acting became more than a passion — it was a platform for visibility. Her appearance on screen challenged conventional beauty standards and brought transgender narratives to mainstream media.
In 2017, she was selected as one of the finalists in the Queen of Dhwayah pageant — a celebrated beauty contest for transgender individuals in Kerala. Her grace and poise left an impression, further solidifying her image as a public figure and role model.
A Life Partner in Purpose: Love and Legacy
Thripthi’s personal life is equally inspiring. She found companionship and love in Hrithik M, a trans man, who works as a newsreader and fish breeder. Together, they are Kerala’s first transgender entrepreneur couple — a powerful symbol of love, equality, and shared purpose.
Their bond goes beyond the personal; it’s a partnership in activism. In a remarkable gesture of compassion, they both pledged to donate their bodies for medical research. This act, a first-of-its-kind by a transgender couple in India, challenged the institutional norms that earlier recognized only male and female bodies in organ donation registries.
After years of advocacy, their plea was finally accepted in 2023, marking another win for transgender rights. Medical institutions now acknowledge transgender donors, thanks in part to their unyielding fight.
A Voice for the Voiceless: Advocacy and Activism
Thripthi isn’t just an entrepreneur or artist — she is an activist who has consistently spoken out for the rights of transgender individuals. She is vocal about the challenges the community faces in accessing government schemes. Although several welfare initiatives exist on paper, she emphasizes that bureaucratic hurdles and social stigma prevent many from availing these benefits.
She believes the lack of proper identification, such as voter ID cards, excludes thousands of transgender individuals from democratic participation. According to her, over 25,000 people in Kerala have identified as transgender, and countless more remain invisible due to fear and societal rejection.
Through public platforms, interviews, and media appearances, she calls upon both the government and society to offer real support. She advocates for inclusive policies, easy loan access, housing assistance, and employment programs that are sensitive to transgender needs.
Redefining Representation Through Cinema
Thripthi Shetty’s transition from entrepreneur to actress marked yet another significant milestone in her dynamic journey. Her natural stage presence and expressive confidence caught the attention of Malayalam filmmakers, landing her a role that broke conventional boundaries. Acting, for Thripthi, was not just an artistic venture—it was a bold step toward mainstream representation of transgender lives. Her on-screen appearances challenged outdated beauty norms and gave voice to stories often pushed to the margins. Each role she embraced wasn’t just a performance; it was a statement, declaring that talent and humanity transcend gender. By stepping into the limelight, Thripthi redefined what visibility could look like for the transgender community in Indian cinema.
A Trailblazer in the World of Craftsmanship
While cinema offered her a new platform for expression, Thripthi continued to flourish in the world of art and design. Her passion for handicrafts, nurtured over years of dedication and innovation, led to a historic recognition—she became the first transgender person in India to be officially registered under the Handicrafts Development Corporation of India. She was also awarded an Artisan Identity Card from the Union Ministry of Textiles, making her entry into a space where very few from her community have ventured.
This acknowledgment was not merely symbolic—it legitimized her craftsmanship at a national level and encouraged others from marginalized communities to pursue their talents confidently. Her work, often made with semi-precious stones, black metal, and recycled materials, has drawn widespread attention not just for its aesthetic beauty but also for its sustainable essence.
Launching Her Digital Identity: Thripthi.in
Building on this recognition, Thripthi launched her official website, Thripthi.in, a digital storefront and portfolio that brings her vibrant creations to a wider audience. The website showcases a range of handmade jewellery, upcycled décor items made from used liquor bottles, and other innovative crafts. It reflects her personal journey, artistic voice, and dedication to both style and substance. With this platform, she reaches customers far beyond Kerala, introducing people from across the world to a fresh blend of tradition, artistry, and identity.
Through both cinema and handicrafts, Thripthi Shetty is not just creating beauty—she is creating space. Space for conversations, visibility, and change. Her contributions continue to blur the lines between art and activism, making her not only a creative force but also a cultural icon.
Dreams Yet to Be Fulfilled: Vision for the Future
Despite the recognition and success, Thripthi remains grounded and driven. Her next big dream is to open a permanent handicraft store in a major tourist destination. She envisions a space that not only showcases her work but also provides employment to other transgender artisans. It would be a creative haven and a safe space — empowering others just as she was once empowered.
To realize this vision, she appeals for government support, calling for grants, retail space, and marketing assistance. She believes that if society invests in transgender entrepreneurs, the returns will be manifold — in economic, cultural, and human terms.
An Icon of Innovation and Hope
Thripthi’s approach to entrepreneurship is not just about profit but purpose-driven innovation. She repurposes waste materials, trains others in jewellery making, and brings new perspectives to traditional art forms. Her life is proof that innovation is born from adversity, and resilience can breed remarkable results.
She is currently involved in CMFRI’s Science Technology Innovation Hub project, where she experimented with ornamental fish culture under the name Thripthi Aquatics. Though the pandemic dealt a blow to the business, she persevered, and her enterprise began to grow again. It’s yet another example of how she turns every challenge into a chance for reinvention.
What Drives Her?
At the heart of everything Thripthi does is a simple yet profound desire — to live a normal, dignified life, and to help others in her community do the same. Her religion is Hinduism, her education level is 8th grade, and her net worth and source of income are rooted entirely in her self-employed ventures.
But beyond financial terms, her true wealth lies in the impact she’s creating. Her hobbies include creating new jewellery designs, acting, engaging in social work, and advocating for a better society. She thrives in connecting with people, sharing her story, and motivating others to dream beyond limitations.
Conclusion: A Beacon for a More Inclusive Tomorrow
Thripthi Shetty’s journey is not just about transitioning genders — it’s about transforming mindsets. She has defied odds to become Kerala’s first transgender entrepreneur, an icon in the jewellery business, a film actor, a model, and a relentless activist for social justice.
In her 39 years of life, she has seen more challenges than most do in a lifetime, yet she carries herself with humility, pride, and unwavering hope. Living now in Kochi with her husband Hrithik, she continues to be a force of inspiration, fighting not just for her own dreams but for a world where every transgender individual can live with dignity.
In her words and actions, Thripthi reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to rise despite it. Her legacy is not just in the art she creates, or the businesses she builds, but in the lives she touches, the doors she opens, and the change she ignites.
In every domain she enters—be it cinema, handicrafts, or online retail—Thripthi brings with her a clear purpose: to dismantle barriers, to create opportunity, and to redefine what is possible for the transgender community in India. Her path is not only one of artistic expression and business acumen but of advocacy and legacy.
Thripthi Shetty is not just making history — she is shaping the future.
