Transgender's Blessing: Curse or Boon?

Folk theaters in north Karnataka add flesh to stories that lie outside traditional texts associated with Indian mythography such as the Ramayana. For instance, there was this remarkable moment within one of India’s popular movies called Jane Bhi do Yaar starring Om Puri playing the role of Bheema who created Theater of the Absurd—a caricature resembling folk theatre. 

The folk theaters innovatively mix up precolonial and colonial views with satirical elements exposing current matters. Such performances come up with stories not available in written texts and raise important social matters. One such episode in North Karnataka features the plight of the third-gender people.

However, this happens when lord Rama bids goodbye to the inhabitants of Ayodhya and leaves for a 14-year-long exile. The people could not bear it when Rama walked out of them so they followed to the river Sharayu where they boarded a ferry together with Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. Rama prays with hands together to his brother and sister; he promises them that they will meet again in fourteen years.

With time, Rama comes back to Ayodhya and he reaches the same river bank. Surprisingly, a few individuals left, their outward appearances altered by the passage of time as old men with long hair and beards and black fingernails, ragged clothes. At this point, Rama is puzzled as to why they have been waiting for so long. 

The reply is very touching when they tell their king, O Rama, “Oh Rama, you left saying my dear brothers and sisters, but we are neither brother nor sister, we are the eunuchs of Ayodhya. You did not bid farewell nor tell us to go back

Rama becomes emotional and blesses them, O devote ones from Ayodhya, I have overseen your devotion. May your breed flourish in the free Bharat.

The folktale delves into serious issues regarding social tolerance and its relevance when viewed in conjunction with modern problems. The movie focuses on the longstanding fight for recognition that the transgender population faces. Traditional conventions are also subject to challenge through this display of devotion of these eunuchs and thus an occasion for questioning whether there is anything inclusive in mythic traditions.

The marginalized community waiting for recognition is portrayed by the ignored eunuchs in this old tale. A turning point in this play is represented by Rama’s blessing and depicts the transformative effects empathy and understanding can bring about. Above myth and beyond reality, marginalized persons seek acknowledgment and their proper niche in society. 

Such a story makes one wonder if it was a curse or a blessing that they were blessed with as eunuchs. Did this divine inspiration of devotedness, which shook even Lord Rama, portend a blessing or a curse for society? This deeply moving story is used for society’s reflection on its attitude towards the minority groups, and what it takes to be more forgiving by looking at things from someone else’s point of view.

These stories do more than simply entertain us as we learn about the ins and outs of mythology and what it means to be a person. The blessing of the trans* character is essential because it represents not just the desire of the minority group but also demands that people embrace different sexualities and beliefs.