Hijras

Three Muslim transgender hijras in their room in a Bandra slum, Mumbai, prepare for their evening and share jokes. The room is cold and sparse, made of corrugated iron, makeshift beams, and a small window. And yet, the image is full of warmth and lightness. They appear at ease, one lies languidly on the bed in the background and in the foreground, one laughs directly towards the camera, while the other leans over, gently holding the shoulder of her friend.
The hijra has a long-heald unique place in Indian culture and society. Existing in both traditional Hindu and Islamic culture, the term hijra describes a spectrum of gendered identities – trans, intersexed, eunuchs. In these early cultures, hijras were largely accepted by society and afforded a degree of respect. But as England’s imperialistic ventures brought with them the binary organisation of gender, hijras were relegated to the margins of society.
In recent years, India has officially recognised transgender as a third gender eligible for welfare and other government benefits. And yet, many hijras are still forced to live in squalid conditions, with many forced into prostitution.
Hijras provides a different lens through which to explore hijra identity in India. Spontaneous and intimate, we’re invited into their small shack to share in a moment of joy and tenderness.