Transgenders, acid attack survivors join sindoor khela event

Thane: Armed with the traditional thali including a betel leaf, a betel nut, sindoor and a diya, dozens of transgenders, lesbians, acid survivors, widows, divorcees, single or unwed mothers and single women joined in the No Conditions Apply Sindoor Khela ceremony and bid Goddess Durga farewell at the Bijoyadashami celebration at two city pandals on Friday.
While this ritual is usually observed by married women wherein they seek the blessings of strength and guidance from their Durga Ma, the members of city-based Fulcrum Cultural Foundation and Navodaya Sangh pandals roped in women who were otherwise kept away from these ceremonies as a symbolic breaking of societal barriers.

Uma Ghatgar, trustee of Navodaya Sangh said, “As sindoor is traditionally used by married women and during sindoor khela we not only smear sindoor on Durga Ma’s idol, but also on each other as we seek her blessings. Till last year, widows, trangenders, single women and non-married women touching sindoor was considered unholy.”

“This year, we set an example by including the trangender community from Sakhi Char Chowk Trust in our celebrations,” she added. “We are vocalizing the breaking of these barriers and promoting the feeling of sisterhood by including everyone. There were close to ten members from the transgender community and three acid survivors amongst many. We gave them puja thalis and also invited them for sindoor khela,” added Monica Banerjee, treasurer of Fulcrum Cultural Foundation.

“I am used to having people stare at me uncomfortably and hesitate while talking because of my acid wound scars. However, from the moment we entered the pandal, we were welcomed with open arms, the women smeared sindoor on my whole face. Within minutes we were all dancing like we have known each other for years. It was the most inclusive experience I have had,” said Kavita Shetty, an acid attack survivor.

Agreeing with her, Devanandana who is a member of the transgender community at Kalyan’s Navjeevan Centre said, “While we usually wear cholis and churidaars our NGO bought special red and white traditional sarees for us. Instead of avoiding me, people were calling me to take pictures and dance with them.”