India’s first transgender ventriloquist has made history, setting a world record. This incredible achievement showcases remarkable talent and celebrates a groundbreaking step for inclusion. Born as Abdul Quddus in Sirwar, Raichur district of Karnataka, Janu’s journey began with confusion and inner turmoil. Even as a third-grade student, she felt different from other boys around her. The first signs appeared when she developed feelings for a male classmate, making her realise something unique was stirring within her heart.
Growing up in a traditional Muslim family, Janu faced constant pressure to behave like a typical boy. Her natural inclination toward feminine activities like fashion designing, painting, and crafts was met with stern disapproval. Her family members would scold her, saying these were activities meant for girls, not boys. They wanted her to pursue traditional male careers, like becoming an electrician or joining ITI courses.
The village environment made things worse. People believed supernatural forces had possessed her when they noticed her cross-dressing, makeup, and dancing in private. Her family took her to temples, dargahs, and even performed religious rituals, thinking these would “cure” her condition. For days, she was confined in religious places while her family desperately tried various treatments to make her behave like a conventional boy.
Despite the family’s attempts to interest her in masculine activities and friendships with boys, Janu could not suppress her true identity. The constant pressure and misunderstanding at home became unbearable. Finally, at sixteen, she made a life-changing decision to leave her village and move to Bangalore, carrying just four thousand rupees given by her supportive sister.
Building a New Life in Bangalore
Arriving in Bangalore as a confused teenager, Janu had no clear direction about where to go or how to survive in the big city. She initially stayed with a senior friend for two months before discovering her talent could become her livelihood. Her first job came at a beauty parlour where the owner noticed her interest in makeup and beauty treatments.
The parlour owner was impressed when Janu mentioned her skills in henna application. She could create intricate designs that even the salon owner struggled with. Starting with basic alphabet patterns, Janu taught creative drawing techniques that amazed everyone. This led to her first breakthrough when she began conducting henna classes, charging two thousand rupees per student for ten students.
The turning point came during the Karva Chauth festival. Though unfamiliar with this North Indian tradition, Janu worked continuously for three days, starting with five hundred rupees for both hands. The festival season brought unexpected success, and she earned over fifty thousand rupees. This financial stability gave her the confidence to pursue her long-desired gender transition surgery.
However, the lockdown period following her surgery drained all her savings. When she approached her former workplace group for employment, revealing her transgender identity led to immediate rejection. The person hung up the phone, leaving Janu desperate and jobless. With no family support and facing financial crisis, she was forced to resort to begging in some regions of Bangalore, even living in red-light districts temporarily.
The Family Revelation and Its Consequences
The most painful moment came when Janu decided to inform her family about the surgery. During a video call with her mother, she revealed her transformation from male to female. Her mother’s reaction was devastating – she refused to recognise her own child, saying she no longer knew who Janu was.
When Janu pleaded for financial help, explaining her desperate situation without money, even for food and rent, her mother’s response was heartbreaking. She declared that Janu was dead to her and warned against any future contact. This rejection forced Janu into even more desperate circumstances, including performing street dances during festivals like Ganesha celebrations, where men would touch her inappropriately while giving money.
The economic hardship was so severe that Janu would approach food delivery boys at night, asking if they had any leftover food to share. Despite being a devotee of the Hindu goddess Durga and Islamic practices, she attended temples and mosques, and she was utterly alone.
The name change from Abdul Quddus to Janu was deliberate and meaningful. She chose Janu because it is a gender-neutral term of endearment that can be used for anyone, regardless of gender or religion. This name represents her inclusive philosophy and her desire to be recognised simply as a loving person rather than being confined to specific gender or religious categories.
Discovering the Art of Ventriloquism
Janu’s entry into ventriloquism happened quite unexpectedly. While pursuing acting classes and theatre work, she faced discrimination even there. Directors would only offer her stereotypical transgender roles, which she found limiting and repetitive. She wanted diverse characters but was repeatedly typecast.
One day while watching television, she saw a ventriloquist performing with a doll. Initially confused about how the doll could speak, her friend explained the art of ventriloquism. Fascinated by this skill, Janu searched for institutes in Bangalore but found none offering ventriloquism classes.
Determined to learn, she enrolled in online classes from Kolkata with a magic instructor who taught her the fundamentals of ventriloquism. Practice sessions began with a female doll, but eventually, she created a male character named Chotu who became her constant companion.
The relationship with Chotu transformed Janu’s life completely. No longer feeling lonely, she had conversations with this puppet friend who seemed to have his own personality. The puppet provided emotional support and became an outlet for expressing thoughts and feelings she couldn’t share with anyone else.
The Path to Recognition and Success
Janu’s first puppet show was at a birthday party where she performed with her monkey puppet. Though nervous initially, the children’s positive response encouraged her to continue. Her second performance during Ganesh Chaturthi near her residence was much more successful, leading to invitations from colleges and schools.
The breakthrough came when she realised she had created history by becoming India’s first transgender ventriloquist. The recognition grew gradually through social media, where her videos gained millions of views. Her follower count reached 78,000, and her content began attracting attention from primary news channels and newspapers.
Recently, Janu received the Influencer Book of World Records 2025 award, officially recognising her unique achievement. This recognition validated her years of struggle and proved that her unconventional career had merit. However, even this success couldn’t heal the family wounds – her mother’s reaction to the award was dismissive, questioning what good such recognition could do when achieved by hurting parents.
Despite family disapproval, Janu continues working for her community’s betterment. She believes her struggles should prevent others from facing similar hardships. Currently pursuing her BA in her first year, she advocates for LGBTQ+ education in schools and colleges, believing early awareness can create more accepting attitudes toward gender diversity.
Message of Hope and Inclusion
Today, Janu is a beacon of hope for countless individuals struggling with identity issues and family rejection. Her journey from Abdul, a confused village boy, to Janu, a world record holder, demonstrates that determination can overcome the most challenging circumstances.
Her story emphasises the importance of education about gender identity and sexual orientation. She believes that when children learn about LGBTQ+ concepts early, they develop respectful attitudes rather than mocking or discriminating against diverse individuals.
Through her puppet shows, Janu entertains audiences and spreads awareness about transgender rights and acceptance. Her character Chotu has become a voice for the voiceless, proving that talent knows no gender boundaries.
Janu’s remarkable transformation from economic hardship to international recognition proves that society’s most marginalised individuals can achieve extraordinary success when given opportunity and support. Her story inspires thousands, showing that authentic self-expression, hard work, and talent can break through even the most substantial social barriers. From the villages of Karnataka to global recognition, Janu’s journey represents hope for everyone fighting to be accepted for who they are.
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