Decades ago, Krishna's parents moved from Rajahmundri, Andra Pradesh, to a village in Hospet in Karnataka, looking for daily work at the Tungabhadra dam construction site. Krishna spent his adulthood in Hospet, occasionally going to his native place. His wife Krishnaveni hails from a nearby village in Rajahmundry. They have two children- Monish and Lakshmi.

Krishna died when Monish was seven and Lakshmi three.

A prized possession in Krishnaveni’s personal trunk box is a photo album full of images of her children and husband.

Lakshmi got married in 2013. At her wedding, Monish, though dutifully carrying out the responsibility of an elder brother, appeared brooding and melancholic. Two years later, Monish declared that he is a woman and renamed himself as Ullugamma at the Ullugamma temple, a traditional temple for transgenders.

Lakshmi got married in 2013. At her wedding, Monish, though dutifully carrying out the responsibility of an elder brother, appeared brooding and melancholic. Two years later, Monish declared that he is a woman and renamed himself as Ullugamma at the Ullugamma temple, a traditional temple for transgenders.

(Taken from Harlapur, a village near by Hampi, Karnataka.)