Book Review: Main Hijra, Main Laxmi by Laxminarayani Tripathi

Title- Main Hijra, Main Laxmi

Author- Laxminarayan Tripathi

Translation- Dr. Shashikala Rai, Surekha Bankar

Publisher- Vani Prakashan

Year-2018

Genre-Autobiography

Format-Paperback

Rating-4.5/5 stars

The word Hijra is an Urdu word.Its origin can be traced long back to the Arabic word "Hijar" which means the one who has left the community, or to rephrase it the one who has freed himself from the ageold binery of male and female.

My first encounter with Laxmi happened last year when I was assisting my elder brother on a research paper based on "Postcolonial Queer Literature of India". It was then I read about her but unfortunately I didn't get the chance and time to read her works. But now after going through the autobiography finally I can say that this book has left an impressive impact on me and the boundaries of my perception have changed. I believe through reading this book every reader, in his/her personal quest to uncover the life of Laxmi, will discover themselves a little better.

For Years, people from the transgender community in India used to live a life of utter ridicule, shame and fear. They were at the periphery of the society where they didn't have any scope to come to the center of the discourse.But fortunately now the scenario has changed a bit. Things started getting better when in 2009, India's election Commission took the first step by providing transgender the right to choose their gender on ballet forms. In 2014, India's Supreme Court recognizes transgender people as a third gender followed by the year 2018 when SC decriminalises homosexuality by declaring Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional.

The book is a real gem.The writing style is personal and very vivid with images that shakes the deepest cores of the heart.The Cover photo and design by Puneet Reddy is simply amazing.

Yes!! Things are getting better day by day and it is important that we should read and discuss more about these topics to normalize it in the Indian society and prepare the path for a more inclusive society where they will get their share of respect and create their own identity.

I have absolutely loved the book.I give this book 4.5 stars and recommend everyone to go through it.

Happy Reading