PORT KLANG: In a ceremony steeped in tradition and colour, G. Kanama, 75, was ordained as the main elder of the local Indian transgender community over the weekend here.

Kanama replaces M. Asha Devi who succumbed to a heart attack early last month.

According to Asha Devi's anointed daughter Cheenu Parameswary, Kanama would now be regarded the main person in all activities pertaining to their community.

“She is the most suitable candidate to replace our late mother,'' said Cheenu, explaining that members of the transgender community were each other's kin by way of their sexual orientation.

Mourning their ‘amma’: Kanama (second from left) and other transgenders praying at the Sri Bautra Ratcha Jegan Matha Tample in Pandamaran, Port Klang.

She said the local Indian transgender community currently had seven generations.

However, she added, Asha Devi's position as the Thirunangai Association of Malaysia and Singapore the association which represents the Indian transgender community in both countries president has not been filled yet as tradition allows the community to do so only after a year of mourning.

“That will be a grand ceremony amidst a lot of pomp and prayers,'' said Cheenu, adding that the association's president could be someone else other than Kanama.

She added that there were many suitable candidates and the person selected must be someone who was able to represent and protect the community.

Transsexuals dancing during special prayers for Asha Devi.

Asha Devi's 40th day post-funeral prayers were also held during the event, led by the late matriarch's three anointed daughters.

Besides Cheenu, the other two daughters are P. Sangeetha from Johor Baru and Gunavathy Nachia from Gemas, Negri Sembilan.

All three are leaders of the transgender community in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, Kanama said she would do her best to be the mother of the community like Asha Devi.

“Sister Asha Devi was the ideal mother who took care and protected all of us and I will try my best to be like her,'' she added.

Asha Devi, who operated a food stall at Lorong Haji Taib, had given protection to scores of transgender youths, who ended up on the streets after being disowned by their families due to their sexual orientation.

She had been both revered and loved for her dedication to the community.

Members of the Indian transgender community from all over the world had attended her funeral.

• Nazir Razak: Rising likelihood of major reversal of hot money out from Asia
• Blue chips edge higher in volatile trade (Update)
• Eversendai tendering for RM8b of projects
• Inter-Pacific Research values AirAsia X at RM1.66
• Affin Research maintains "Add" call on Berjaya Sports Toto
• KLCI opens higher, Genting up
• CIMB Research raises Perisai target price to RM2
• Trading ideas: MAHB, MMHE, Berjaya Sports Toto
• Affin Research maintains "Buy" on IJM Land
• Billionaire Icahn seeks US$16bil Dell share buyback
• CIMB Research upgrades Malaysia’s Small Cap sector to Outperform
• Microsoft says it freed millions of computers worldwide from criminal botnet
• Kandinsky work sold for for US$21mil but misses the mark
• Singapore pressures Indonesia to identify firms behind haze
• Malaysia-Kuwait tie-up to boost Islamic finance training

• Samoan airline introduces 'XL' class
• West Africa has world's worst piracy rate
• Congolese teacher admits killing elephants for ivory: WWF
• NASA enlists public in hunt for major asteroids

• FedEx eyes record win at Wimbledon
• Brazilian Massa looking ahead to team’s revival
• V Shem-Khim Wah face tough opener in Singapore Open
• Springboks’ De Villiers may miss final
• Results worldwide
• Former world junior champ Zulfadli in main draw
• Star Wallaby winger fit to face Lions
• Hesson laments NZ’s failure to grab chance
• Omega Pharma pin Tour hopes on Mark
• Shahidan needs Cabinet nod to hold posts, says Khairy
• Direct flight now to Naypyitaw for Malaysian SEA Games squad
• Aussie Kulacz hopes to repeat 2009 Selangor Masters triumph
• India’s Anirban relying on short putter for success
• Iain steels himself for a good show at Seri Selangor
• Justin’s win inspires English golfers

• Please wait.

• Boy nabbed for buying air rifles
• Inter-Pacific Research values AirAsia X at RM1.66
• Airsoft guns are easily available online
• Peat fires and the ever-repeating haze
• Many taking precautions against haze
• Malaysia-Kuwait tie-up to boost Islamic finance training
• MAHB sets May 2, 2014 as KLIA2 revised opening date
• Fitch Affirms Genting and Genting Singapore at 'A-'/ Stable
• Ahmad Zahid: Many foreign workers did not settle their medical fees
• Why the suit and tie?