Vanajakshi hails from Gadag district, Karnataka.[9] She was born as Manjunath.[10][11][12] She did her schooling at Model High School. She used to make and sell flower garlands to add to the income of the family. In 2007, she moved to Bengaluru[13] to join a college and to explore her identity. She studied art at the Ken School of Art, Bengaluru after competing her BBA degree and also did a diploma in animation.[13] She is an amateur semi-classical Kathak dancer, a yoga practitioner and a tattoo artist.[1] She used to run a hotel that served traditional North Karnataka food.[9]
Identity
She took counselling and hormonal therapy[14] in preparation for her transition to a trans woman and underwent surgery and medical treatment. In 2019, she won Miss Transqueen title[15] and earned the chance to represent India. She revealed her identity in 2016 to her sister, who was in shocked and in tears to hear her sister's story.[13] In 2020, she represented India at the Miss International Queen 2020.[1] In Big Boss, she shared her feelings[16] and how she had to keep her identity a secret before she came out.[17]
Career
Vanajakshi began as flowerseller in her village to support her family before becoming a full-fledged entrepreneur, dancer, tattoo artist and actor.[1][18] After leaving her home town Gadag, she started a restaurant, Gama Gama,[18][19] for her mother and a beauty parlour for her sister, to fulfill her 'responsibility towards her family'.[13] After becoming popular through the reality show 'Super Queens',[19] she made her debut in acting in the film UI directed by well-known director Upendra,[18] In the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada 10, she achieved two milestones, the captaincy of the house and 'Kicchana Chappale', the appreciation of actor Kiccha Sudeep, who is the host.[6] She is also a TEDx speaker.[20]