Kochi, Kerala — In the heart of Kerala’s entrepreneurial awakening stands a woman who did more than build a business—she built a movement.
Thripthi Shetty, born Kiran in Manjeshwar, Kasaragod, fought through invisibility, isolation, and identity struggles to emerge as Kerala’s first transgender entrepreneur—and one of India’s fiercest voices for inclusive progress.
A Life Reborn
Thripthi’s early years were marked by profound loss and emotional silence. Losing both parents and living under the weight of a misaligned identity, she carried a truth that society wasn’t ready to hear. In 2004, with little more than courage in her heart, she left her hometown and set out for Chennai and Mumbai—working odd jobs, saving every rupee for one sacred goal: to live as her true self.
Years later, she returned—not as Kiran, but as Thripthi Shetty. A new name. A new body. A new mission.
First Steps into History
In a deeply symbolic milestone, Thripthi became the first openly transgender person employed in Kerala. That alone could have been a legacy. But she wasn’t done.
Her entry into the Kudumbashree Mission’s special NHG group in Kochi East opened the doors to something more: a platform to shape dreams with her own hands. After persistent efforts with local banks, she secured a ₹1 lakh loan from SBI. With it, Thripthi Handicrafts was born.
From Waste to Wonder
Guided by social reformer Dr. Annie, Thripthi taught herself the art of jewellery-making—transforming scrap metal, silk threads, stones, and even discarded liquor bottles into wearable statements of sustainability and pride.
At her first exhibition on Kochi’s Marine Drive, visitors queued for hours. Her creations sold out. The message was clear: her art—and her story—resonated.
Craft Goes Digital
In 2018, she became the first transgender artisan officially registered with the Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala, followed by the country’s first transgender applicant for a Mudra loan—which she used to expand her business digitally.
Her boldest innovation came in 2019 with the launch of the Thripthi Handicrafts mobile app. It was more than an online store—it was a mission-driven marketplace where every purchase supported transgender welfare. The app featured jewellery, sarees, DIY kits, and more, with ₹10 from each sale going toward community upliftment.
Beyond Jewellery: A Blue Revolution
Never one to be confined, Thripthi ventured into ornamental fish breeding through Thripthi Aquatics, in collaboration with CMFRI’s Science Technology Innovation Hub. Despite setbacks during COVID-19, she revived the business, earning accolades from the marine science community.
On Women’s Day 2023, CMFRI honored her as a symbol of resilience in both industry and identity.
A Personal & Political Partnership
Thripthi found more than business success—she found love and solidarity in Hrithik M, a trans man and fellow entrepreneur. Together, they became Kerala’s first transgender entrepreneur couple. Their decision to pledge their bodies for medical research made history again—encouraging institutions to embrace inclusivity even in science and medicine.
Today, Thripthi fights not just for her rights, but for the estimated 25,000 transgender individuals in Kerala who are still marginalized or statistically invisible. She champions access to voter IDs, government schemes, jobs, and, above all, dignity.
The Vision Ahead
Thripthi dreams of launching a flagship handicrafts emporium in a prime tourist destination—staffed entirely by transgender artisans. She’s calling on the government and private sector to help with subsidized space, visibility, and scale.
Her vision is as practical as it is profound:
“If one transgender person is empowered, a thousand more will believe they can be too.”
Quick Facts – Thripthi Shetty
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| 🎂 Born | November 2, 1986, Manjeshwar, Kerala |
| 🏡 Base | Aluva / Kochi East |
| 👩💼 Businesses | Thripthi Handicrafts, Thripthi Aquatics |
| 📲 Digital | thripthi.in, Mobile App |
| 💰 Achievements | Mudra Loan, Artisan ID, CMFRI Award |
| 💑 Spouse | Hrithik M (Trans man, journalist) |
| 🎯 Mission | Trans empowerment via art, finance, policy |
Final Word
Thripthi Shetty’s story is more than a personal triumph—it is a call to action. A reminder that true change is not just about breaking barriers, but building bridges for others to cross.
She is not just creating jewellery and fish tanks.
She’s crafting a future where everyone, regardless of identity, has the right to dream—and the tools to achieve it.
