Tashnuva Anan Shishir
Bangladeshi television presenter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
- News anchor
- actress
- model
- activist
Tashnuva Anan Shishir | |
|---|---|
তাসনুভা আনান শিশির | |
| Born | Kamal Hossain Shishir Bangladesh |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Employer | Boishakhi TV |
| Known for | First openly transgender news anchor in Bangladesh |
Early life
Career
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
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
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Shakuntala | Off-Broadway, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning | ||
| 2023 | Public Obscenities | Shou | Off-Broadway, Soho Rep |
