More than two dozen eunuchs sashayed down the catwalk under psychedelic lights, cheered by 3,000 people gathered outdoors last night, on the eve of an Indian Hindu festival. Clad in colourful jeans, miniskirts, shorts, saris and Tshirts, the eunuchs danced to the beat of popular Indian and western music until late in the night in their fashion show in Bhopal, the capital of India's Madhya Pradesh state. The eunuchs named themselves after popular Indian film actresses and lined up before the audience. Millions of Indians celebrated the annual holy festival today, smearing each other's faces with colours as an expression of joy, and exchanging cakes and sweets.
Eunuchs are without social standing in most parts of India.
Dressed as women, they traditionally make a living on tips for dancing at weddings and blessing newborn babies. Last year, a eunuch became India's first such parliamentarian in the legislature of Madhya Pradesh state, where the fashion show was held last night. Shabnam Mausi's election as an independent candidate highlighted people's disenchantment with politicians whom they accuse of making empty promises. Angered with the poor performance of local politicians, people elected several eunuchs to the office of mayor and municipal councillor, also in the Madhya Pradesh state. Life is a cabaret . . .