Do hijras (Indian transgender) have equal right to love and marriage? SETU's new production "Seven Steps Around the Fire" is an attempt to find an answer to this question highlighting social exclusion and violence against Hijra community, one the oldest LGBTQ+ community in South Asia.

Called the third gender, evidence for their existence in Hindu society can be found in Hindu holy texts like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The third gender had a special place in Hinduism, even Shiva is worshipped in the form of Ardhanarishvara (Half man, half woman). But modern India has not accepted them as integral part of society. Hijras are often born male but look and dress in traditionally feminine ways.  Many, but not all, choose to undergo a castration ceremony.  Other hijras are born intersex.  Often called transgender by outsiders, Indian society and most hijras consider themselves to be third gender—neither male nor female, not transitioning.  However, hijra identity is complex, and recently, some have identified as transgender and sought gender reassignment procedures, they are still considered secretive and outcasted group.

SETU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit theater group in the Boston area. SETU means “bridge” in several Indian languages and our mission is to build bridges between Indian and Western cultures through the medium of theater. This production is partially supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.