Madhu Singh
The Third Gender
As the signal turns amber, I push my foot down on the brake pedal. The light hasn’t even turned red, but there’s already a hard rap on the rolled-up window. A hijra is working the traffic light. Her fingers clasp banknotes, small and large, both of which she accepts without discrimination. She’s wearing a fuchsia salwar-kameez with silver zari work. Although it’s garish, she carries it off with aplomb and confidence. She claps her hands in the typical manner and demands money in an exaggerated baritone voice. I fold my palms in a namaste to indicate I won’t comply, and she moves to the next vehicle without a fuss. At the end of her workday, she’ll take her collection to the coven mother. They are reputed to be fabulously rich and occupy a gaddi, a seat, not unlike royalty. They descend in droves to dance and collect money (it can’t be called begging by any stretch) from houses that have had a newborn boy or a son’s wedding. Homes with baby girls and a daughter’s marriage are considered to be already burdened and are thus excused.
Shiva poses half-man/half-woman opposites in balance
Author’s Note:
Hijra: a traditional Indian transvestite who begs for a living
Salwar-Kameez: a lady’s tunic and pants
Zari: embroidery with gold and silver threads
About the Author
Madhu Singh’s poetry is inspired by nature and experiences gained by traveling. She is experienced in the IT Sector and in her free time dabbles in free verse and Asian poetry. She resides in New Delhi, India.