https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Sumathi_MurthySumathi Murthy - Revision history2026-08-17T10:10:11ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sumathi_Murthy&diff=538168&oldid=prevMayraBarnett41: Started2026-03-01T05:48:37Z<p>Started</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Indian classic vocalist and civil rights activist}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
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| occupation = Musician, composer, LGBT rights activist<br />
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'''Rumi Harish''' (earlier known as '''Sumathi Murthy''') is an Indian [[Hindustani classical music|Hindustani classical vocalist]], composer, artist, writer and LGBT right activist<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Queer-movement-has-to-look-beyond-LGBT-rights/articleshow/49512554.cms |title='Queer movement has to look beyond LGBT rights' |last=Devi |first=Arun}}</ref> based in [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bangalore.afindia.org/khayal-and-thumris-by-sumathi-murthy/ |title=Khayal and Thumris by Sumathi Murthy |access-date=19 November 2016 |archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215073050/https://bangalore.afindia.org/khayal-and-thumris-by-sumathi-murthy/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> He hails from the [[Agra gharana]] of singing.<ref name="deccan" /> He identifies as a queer transgender man.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anien |first=Tina Sara |date=28 July 2023 |title=Jottings from a trans man’s life |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/jottings-from-a-trans-man-s-life-1241547.html |access-date=1 March 2026 |work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref><br />
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==Music career==<br />
He started performing from the age of 12 years.<ref name="pink">{{Cite web |url=http://pink-pages.co.in/interviews/hindustani-music%E2%80%99s-lesbian-melodies/ |title=Pink Pages}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://pink-pages.co.in/interviews/hindustani-music%E2%80%99s-lesbian-melodies/|title=Sumathi Murthy: Hindustani Music's Lesbian Melodies - Pink Pages|date=2010-10-11|work=Pink Pages|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en-US}}</ref> He received her training in music from [[Pandit Ramarao Naik]] for 17 years.<ref name="deccan">{{Cite news |url=http://m.deccanherald.com/articles.php?name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fcontent%2F283892%2Fan-evening-vocal-delight.html |title=An evening of vocal delight |newspaper=Deccan Herald |year=2012 |access-date=19 November 2016 |archive-date=19 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119181918/http://m.deccanherald.com/articles.php?name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fcontent%2F283892%2Fan-evening-vocal-delight.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
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He has been involved in a project called Sakhiri with Dr. Floy which consisted of a multi media show of mixing genders, electronics, visual images, poetry and music. He worked as a composer, singer and lyric writer in this project.<ref name="pink"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/310317/still-we-rise-of-women-and-art.html|title=Still we rise: Of women and art|date=2017-03-31|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en}}</ref><br />
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==Queer activism==<br />
In 2006, he identified as queer and formed a support group for female-born queer people named LesBiT.<ref name="pink" /><ref name=":0" /> He and [[Sunil Menon|Sunil Mohan]] have been doing an oral history project to share the stories of queer people. They have collectively written the book ''Towards Gender Inclusivity'' which focuses on female-born gender and sexual minorities in south India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-freedom-takes-many-forms-1874767 |title=Freedom takes many forms |last=Velayanikal |first=Malavika}}</ref> Harish and Ekta have also helped write Sunil Mohan's memoir, ''Your Stick Will Not Break my Strength''.<br />
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Harish was also featured in the documentary Breaking Free, which talked about the LGBTQ community and the impact of the controversial Section 377 of the [[Indian Penal Code]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.com/showbiz/breaking-free-trailer-sridhar-rangayans-lgbt-documentary-against-section-377-615239/|title=Breaking Free trailer: Sridhar Rangayan's LGBT documentary against Section 377|last=Parande|first=Shweta|date=2015-10-09|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News {{!}} India.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref><br />
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==Publications==<br />
* ''Towards Gender Inclusivity: A Study on Contemporary Concerns around Gender'' (with Sunil Mohan)<br />
* Sunil Mohan, as told to Rumi Harish and Ekta'', Your Stick Will Not Break My Strength'' (2025 Zubaan)<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Murthy, Sumathi}}<br />
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women classical musicians]]<br />
[[Category:Queer women]]<br />
[[Category:Indian queer people]]<br />
[[Category:Indian LGBTQ musicians]]<br />
[[Category:Musicians from Bengaluru]]</div>MayraBarnett41