Archive · 24 Nov 2025
Rongdhonu Mela Showcases Queer-Trans-Disabled Entrepreneurship in Kolkata
The Rongdhonu Mela was a two-day event in Kolkata where queer, trans, disabled, and single women could sell their products and perform.
It was organized by Sappho for Equality, a group that has been helping these communities for over 26 years.
The market had stalls selling clothes, crafts, food, and more.
There were also performances by singers, dancers, and comedians.
The goal was to help these groups get more visibility and support, especially after the pandemic made things harder for them.
Many different groups and small businesses took part, and the event was a big success with lots of people coming to support.
Rongdhonu Mela was a two-day flea market organized by Sappho for Equality in Kolkata, showcasing queer, trans, disabled, and single-women entrepreneurs.
The event featured 46 entrepreneurs selling a variety of products including apparel, handicrafts, artwork, and food.
Community-led enterprises and MSME units such as Metho, Behala Naba Proyas, Sanchar, and Queer Crochet Guy participated in the event.
Cultural performances included music, dance, comedy, and a drag act by various artists and groups.
The event aimed to provide visibility and economic support to marginalized communities, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Who
- Queer, trans, disabled, and single-women entrepreneurs, along with cultural performers
- What
- Rongdhonu Mela, a two-day flea market showcasing products and performances by marginalized communities
- When
- 22-23 November 2023
- Where
- Taltala Ground, Jadavpur, Kolkata
- Why
- To provide visibility and economic support to marginalized communities facing structural discrimination and limited livelihood opportunities, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic
- Organizer
- Sappho for Equality
- Location
- Taltala Ground, Jadavpur, Kolkata
- Duration
- Two days (22-23 November)
- Number of Entrepreneurs
- 46
- Types of Products
- Apparel, ethnic wear, handicrafts, accessories, artwork, paintings, photography, badges, fridge magnets, beauty and lifestyle products, craft items, food
- Cultural Performances
- Singer Lopamudra Mitra, all-female hip-hop group Wild Wild Women, transmasculine music band Adamya, drag act by Naaz, Odissi dancer Monami Nandy, contemporary dancer Sangram Mukhopadhyay, stand-up comic Jhelum Gupta, belly dancer Tushar Roy, dancers Manjima and Mehboob, classical artistes Shreya Acharya and Kingshuk Batabyal, singer Abby
- Participating Collectives
- Metho, Behala Naba Proyas, Sanchar, Lopchu Peshok Ekal Mahila Sangathan, Azad Foundation, Black Eagle Binders
- MSME Units
- Queer Crochet Guy, Crafts with Manisha, Q-Wear, Shirto & Teaography, Kurush Kari, The Cakers Lane, Liv Queer, Abigsoftee, Biriyani Bugs, Dark Canvas (Tattoo), Jewels in My DNA