Who became the first Indian transgender person to be honoured with the Padma Shri award, one of Indias highest civilian honours?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with social inclusion and recognition of contributions by members of the transgender community. The Padma awards are among the highest civilian honours in India, and when a transgender person receives a Padma award for the first time, it marks an important milestone in the representation and acceptance of transgender individuals in mainstream national life. Knowing the name of this first recipient is important for general awareness and questions on social justice and current affairs.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The award mentioned is the Padma Shri, one of the Padma awards given by the Government of India.
- The question specifically asks for the first Indian transgender person to receive this honour.
- The options list four names associated with the transgender community or activism: Kalki Subramaniam, Madhu Kinnar, Narthaki Nataraj, and Rudrani Chettri.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is to connect major awards with historically significant firsts. Narthaki Nataraj, a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, became the first openly identified transgender person to receive the Padma Shri. The approach is to recall this news and to choose her name from among the options, while understanding that the other listed individuals are important in their own right but were not the first to receive this specific award.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall media reports about the Padma awards in which a transgender Bharatanatyam exponent was honoured. Step 2: Remember that the dancer is Narthaki Nataraj, who was recognised for her contribution to classical dance and for breaking social barriers. Step 3: Check the options and identify Narthaki Nataraj as option C. Step 4: Confirm that no other transgender person was reported as receiving the Padma Shri before her, making her the first. Step 5: Select Narthaki Nataraj as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
News articles, government announcements, and cultural reports all highlight that Narthaki Nataraj was conferred the Padma Shri and that she was the first openly transgender person to receive this honour. They often emphasise both her artistic excellence and her role as a symbol of inclusion. Other names listed in the options are associated with activism and political office but are not credited as the first Padma Shri recipients from the transgender community.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kalki Subramaniam: She is a well known transgender activist and artist but has not been identified as the first transgender recipient of the Padma Shri, so this option is incorrect.
Madhu Kinnar: She is known for being a transgender mayor in India, not for receiving the Padma Shri, which makes this option wrong in this context.
Rudrani Chettri: She is associated with activism and fashion modelling for transgender people but is not recognised as a Padma Shri awardee, so this option is also incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent pitfall is to confuse different types of recognition, such as political office, activism awards, and national civilian honours. Some candidates may also pick the name they have heard most often in the media, without remembering the specific connection to Padma Shri. To avoid this, always link the type of award or first mentioned in the question with the specific person, and revise important firsts in national honours periodically.

Final Answer:
The first Indian transgender person to be honoured with the Padma Shri award was Narthaki Nataraj.