Tashnuva Anan Shishir (Bengali: তাসনুভা আনান শিশির) is a Bangladeshi transgender rights activist, model, actress and news anchor who became Bangladesh's first openly transgender news anchor on March 8, 2021.[1][2][3] She has also appeared in several plays in New York City, such as the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Public Obscenities by Shayok Misha Chowdhury.

Tashnuva Anan Shishir
তাসনুভা আনান শিশির
Born
Kamal Hossain Shishir

Bangladesh
Occupations
  • News anchor
  • actress
  • model
  • activist
Years active2021–present
EmployerBoishakhi TV
Known forFirst openly transgender news anchor in Bangladesh

Early life

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Shishir grew up in a conservative Muslim family, which shunned her when she came out as transgender. [4]

Career

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In 2021, Shishir made history as the first transgender news anchor in Bangladesh history.[5] She then appeared in Anonno Mamun's 2021 film Koshai, where she had a small role as a police detective.[6][7]

She is also known for her appearances on stage. In 2022, she appeared in Shakuntala, a play inspired by the tale of Shakuntala by Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. The show was produced in association with Dhaka Drama at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning in Queens, New York. During this run, she found out about a casting call for Shayok Misha Chowdhury's new play. She auditioned and won the role of Shou, an interview subject.[3]

In 2023, she appeared Off-Broadway in New York City in Chowdhury's Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, Public Obscenities, for which she won a Drama Desk Ensemble Award.[8]

Personal life

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Shishir is a transgender woman. She identifies as kothi, a gender in Indian culture that does not identify as male or female.[9] In December, 2021, Shishir moved to New York City to receive gender-affirming care and has lived there ever since.[10]

Stage credits

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Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2022 Shakuntala Off-Broadway, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
2023 Public Obscenities Shou Off-Broadway, Soho Rep

References

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  1. "Bangladesh gets its first transgender news anchor on Women's Day". Indianexpress.com. 9 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  2. "Bangladesh's first transgender news reader makes debut". BBC News. 9 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 Abdul, Geneva (17 March 2021). "'I Had to Prove That I Exist': Transgender Anchor Makes History in Bangladesh". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  4. "1st transgender news anchor in Bangladesh finds healing in acting". ABC7 News. 2023-05-26.
  5. "Bangladesh gets its first transgender news anchor on Women's Day". Indianexpress.com. 9 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  6. "Tashnuva Anan breaks the barrier again with Yamaha". UNB. 28 July 2021.
  7. Nayeem, Abu (4 June 2023). "Breaking Boundaries: Tashnuva takes her triumphant journey to the global stage". The Business Standard.
  8. "Tashnuva Anan in "Public Obscenities"". The New York Times. 2023-03-29.
  9. "Tashnuva Anan in "Public Obscenities"". The New York Times. 2023-03-29.
  10. "Tashnuva Anan in "Public Obscenities"". The New York Times. 2023-03-29.