They descended unceremoniously outside the gate on two boys' Threading ceremony. I saw them over the crowded room through a window. Not recognising any one of them I dismissed them as someone I have never met. I did not know many guests gathered in the room.
Slowly I began to hear some ruckus outside. I heard loud clapping. I noticed, the individuals looked like men but were dressed in sarees with long plaited hair contorting their bodies in a sexually inviting manner. The noise got louder. The men were saying the boys are Princes; they look like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and many other Bollywood stars; they will be blessed with all good fortunes provided they are paid handsomely.
Family members resisited to pay. It got ugly. The men began to crash in the gate with abusive and foul language; cursing the boys. Hosts and invitees were embarassed.
Finally someone paid them the money and they left. They started with a demand of 10,000 Rupees but left with 1,000 Rupees.
I had never witnessed such a scene, even when I lived in India. I was told that these "Hijdas" (Transvestites) descend on households with any kind of event celebrations. They make exhorbitant demands and will not leave until they are paid. I do not know whether it is true only in Gujarat or all over India.
Their demands are based on the facts that they will never get engaged, married or have children. Nor, anybody will hire them for a pay. How are they supposed to survive?
Beats me!
By the way, they have a code of honor; once paid no other Hijda will descend on celebratory house for that occassion again!!!
Slowly I began to hear some ruckus outside. I heard loud clapping. I noticed, the individuals looked like men but were dressed in sarees with long plaited hair contorting their bodies in a sexually inviting manner. The noise got louder. The men were saying the boys are Princes; they look like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and many other Bollywood stars; they will be blessed with all good fortunes provided they are paid handsomely.
Family members resisited to pay. It got ugly. The men began to crash in the gate with abusive and foul language; cursing the boys. Hosts and invitees were embarassed.
Finally someone paid them the money and they left. They started with a demand of 10,000 Rupees but left with 1,000 Rupees.
I had never witnessed such a scene, even when I lived in India. I was told that these "Hijdas" (Transvestites) descend on households with any kind of event celebrations. They make exhorbitant demands and will not leave until they are paid. I do not know whether it is true only in Gujarat or all over India.
Their demands are based on the facts that they will never get engaged, married or have children. Nor, anybody will hire them for a pay. How are they supposed to survive?
Beats me!
By the way, they have a code of honor; once paid no other Hijda will descend on celebratory house for that occassion again!!!
