Jareena: Portrait of Hijra

Director: Prem Kalliat
Release Year: 1990

"Jareena: Portrait of a Hijra," a 1990 documentary directed by Prem Kalliat, offers a deeply intimate and thought-provoking exploration of the life of a hijra in India. This film takes the audience behind the curtains of a marginalized community, revealing the complexities, hardships, and social exclusion faced by hijras, a third gender recognized in Indian culture. Shot in the northern Indian city of Bangalore, this documentary not only focuses on the life of one individual, Jareena, but also paints a broader picture of the struggles encountered by tens of thousands of hijras living at the margins of society.

 

The hijra community, a historically significant yet marginalized group, represents a third gender in Indian society. The term "hijra" refers to individuals who do not conform to traditional notions of male and female gender roles. Hijras can be intersex, transgender, or individuals who may not fit into the conventional categories of male or female. Despite their ancient roots in India, the community faces profound social stigma and discrimination, often forced to live outside mainstream society. India has recognized the third gender in a legal context since the 2014 Supreme Court ruling, but the day-to-day experiences of hijras continue to be shaped by societal exclusion and prejudice. While some hijras find acceptance within their communities, they often face extreme challenges, including the denial of employment opportunities, lack of access to education, and widespread social ostracization. 

 

"Jareena: Portrait of a Hijra" introduces the audience to Jareena, a hijra who shares her deeply personal journey in a society that refuses to fully acknowledge her existence. Jareena’s story begins in a way that might be familiar to many people, but with an unexpected twist. Once a young man who graduated from a technical college as a programmer and even served in the military, Jareena’s life took a dramatic turn as she transitioned into a hijra. Her transformation is not just physical, but also cultural, emotional, and social, and it forms the heart of the documentary. Filmed in the vibrant city of Bangalore, the documentary showcases Jareena's life in a Hammam, or a communal living space shared by members of the hijra community. This space is not just a place to live, but a symbol of the collective bond between hijras, who often rely on each other for emotional support, economic survival, and a sense of belonging. Within this space, Jareena’s story unfolds as she reflects on her struggles and the complexities of living as a hijra. 

 

Throughout the documentary, Jareena presents a fascinating duality that is emblematic of the hijra experience. On one hand, she works as a prostitute, a common means of survival for many hijras who are excluded from formal employment. On the other hand, she belongs to a close-knit, communal group that provides her with a sense of family and solidarity. This juxtaposition of her public and private lives speaks to the broader reality of hijras, who are often forced to live lives of secrecy and subterfuge due to fear of rejection and violence. In one particularly poignant moment of the documentary, Jareena visits her family, but she pretends to be a man to avoid the stigma and hostility that often accompanies her true identity. This moment underscores the alienation that hijras often feel from their biological families, who may refuse to accept their non-conformity and the transformation they undergo. It also highlights the psychological toll of living in hiding, unable to express one’s true self freely and openly in a society that condemns deviation from the gender binary. Despite the many hardships, Jareena expresses a sense of pride in her identity as a hijra. She credits her community with helping her form a strong sense of self and gives her the courage to live openly as a transgender woman. It is within this collective community that she finds the strength to survive and assert her identity, even when society attempts to suppress it. This aspect of the documentary provides a glimpse into the deep bond that ties hijras together, offering a powerful narrative of resilience, solidarity, and self-empowerment. 

 

The experiences of Jareena, as depicted in the documentary, reflect a larger social phenomenon faced by many hijras across India. Despite the Indian government’s recognition of the third gender in 2014, hijras continue to face significant challenges in terms of acceptance and access to resources. Discrimination is pervasive, and many hijras are pushed into the fringes of society. Their options for survival are often limited to sex work, begging on the streets, and performing at village festivals, where they are sometimes venerated, but mostly marginalized. While hijras may enjoy a degree of reverence during religious festivals, where they are believed to have spiritual powers and are often invited to bless newlyweds or newborns, this is a stark contrast to their exclusion from formal employment, education, and social security. Many hijras are unable to access higher education, making it almost impossible for them to escape the cycle of poverty and marginalization. The societal stigma they face, coupled with legal and institutional barriers, reinforces their status as outsiders in their own country. The documentary powerfully captures these struggles through Jareena's personal narrative, which highlights the emotional and economic toll of living as a hijra in a society that refuses to accept them fully. The fact that hijras often face rejection from their biological families adds another layer of tragedy to their lives. For many, their transition to a hijra identity is both a physical and social rebirth, but it is one that comes at great cost. 

 

At the heart of the documentary lies a critique of the deep-seated societal attitudes toward gender non-conformity. The Indian social structure has long been built around rigid notions of gender, where individuals are expected to conform to binary classifications of male and female. Those who deviate from this binary, such as hijras, are often perceived as threats to the natural order and are ostracized accordingly. The 1980s, when "Jareena: Portrait of a Hijra" was filmed, was a time when transgender issues were largely invisible in mainstream Indian discourse. Kalliat's film, therefore, stands out as one of the few visual portrayals of the hijra community during this period, offering a raw and unflinching look at their lives. It is also one of the earliest documentaries to explore the emotional complexities and struggles faced by hijras with such intimacy. While societal attitudes have slowly evolved, particularly following the Indian government's legal recognition of the third gender, significant challenges remain. Discrimination continues to permeate various aspects of life, from employment to education, and many hijras still struggle to find acceptance and opportunities. The societal fear and misunderstanding of hijras are deeply entrenched, often reinforced by negative stereotypes and cultural myths. 

 

Kalliat’s documentary is not just a sociological examination of hijra life, but also a visual journey into the world of one of India’s most marginalized communities. The film’s raw footage, coupled with Jareena’s candid reflections, offers a powerful emotional connection to the audience. As the viewer follows Jareena through the streets of Bangalore and into the intimate setting of the Hammam, it becomes clear that the hijra experience is one marked by both resilience and suffering. The documentary’s ability to present the hijra community’s struggles with such sensitivity and nuance sets it apart from other portrayals of gender non-conformity during that era. By focusing on Jareena’s personal story, Kalliat humanizes the hijra experience, making it relatable to a broader audience while also challenging the viewer to confront their own biases and assumptions about gender and identity. 

 

"Jareena: Portrait of a Hijra" is a groundbreaking documentary that sheds light on the harsh realities faced by hijras in India, while also celebrating their strength, resilience, and sense of community. Through Jareena’s story, the film explores the complex intersection of gender, identity, and social acceptance, offering a glimpse into a world that is often hidden from view. Despite the progress made in the legal recognition of the third gender, the challenges faced by hijras remain profound. The documentary serves as both a historical document and a call to action, urging viewers to reflect on the cultural and social conditions that continue to marginalize transgender individuals. In this way, "Jareena: Portrait of a Hijra" is not just a portrait of one individual, but a reflection of the broader struggles of the transgender community in India, urging a deeper understanding and empathy for those who continue to fight for their right to exist authentically in the world.

 

via: film.twn.org