CHICAGO: On April 13, two days before the landmark decision by India’s Supreme Court to recognize the intersex as a “third gender” endowed with the same legal rights and privileges as men and women, an academic panel comprising five knowledgeable South Asians and Americans was discussing the (self-) representation of the intersex at the downtown Chicago Temple building.
The context for the debates was Brahman/i “a one-hijra stand-up comedy show” featuring Fawzia Mirza in the title role that debuted at the Chicago Temple on March 27 and continues till May 4. The one person comedy is hosted by Silk Road Rising in collaboration with About Faxe Theatre group.
The panel “In the Other’s Shoes: Identity and Representation in Storytelling (Brahman/i)” did comprise an intersex person, who was actually very open to their being portrayed empathetically, after due research by male or female actors, of whatever sexual orientation.
At the same time, the Art Institute of Chicago has been hosting an eye-catching exhibition by photojournalist Dayanita Singh from March 1 till June 1. The highlight of the installation is the series titled Myself Mona Ahmed (1989-2001), which tells the despairing story of a Muslim outcaste eunuch in Delhi whom Singh befriended and enables to speak directly to us through words and pictures.
They have together endeavored to think through and explain what it means to be truly unique in the world. “She wanted to tell the story,” writes Singh, “of being neither here nor there, neither male nor female, and finally, neither a eunuch nor someone like me.”
Written by Aditi Brennan Kapil, directed by Andrew Volkoff, and co-produced by Silk Road Rising and About Face Theatre, Brahman/I explores history, mythology, gender roles, and going to high school in the U.S. through the unique perspective of an intersex person.
Elizabeth Chalier-Visuvalingam
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
