While the country is all dolled up for Dura Puja, Pratyay Gender Trust, a transgender persons’ collective in Kolkata is in high spirits too. In collaboration with Udyami Yubak Brinda, a small-budgest puja committee in Joy Mitra street, Pratyay is going to celebrate the country’s first transgender Durga Puja in the neighbourhood.
A senior transgender member Monorama Kinnar of Pratyay came up with this proposal and approached the Udyami Yubak puja committee. Though the proposal was welcomed by the committee, it didn’t go down well with some locals. Despite some ‘backward’ and ‘unwarranted’ remarks, the puja committee is resolute about observing the festival with the transgenders.
The God of all things
Image courtesy: thebetterindia.com
A dozen members from Pratyay are participating in this one-of-a-kind festivity. The idol is unique too and represents the third gender. It is the amalgamation of both a man and a woman. Designed after Ardhanarishwar, this androgynous form of Shiva and Parvati stands for both the sexes.
The making of the idol is also interesting. Created by China Pal, the only woman artist in north Kolkata’s traditional potters’ quarters of Kumortuli, one half of the idol flaunts a moustache, while the other half is decked up like a woman. The man’s side has a pectoral instead of a breast. It adorns a dhoti.
The Puja pandal will be opened for public from Sunday. While in the past West Bengal has set an example by including transgenders in the mainstream—appointing the country’s first transgender college principal stands testimony to the fact— the all-inclusive Durga Puja this year will certainly inspire many on gender inclusion.
