The Truth about Me: A Hijra Life Story

A Revathi

Translated from the Tamil by V Geetha

Penguin Books India

312 pages, Rs 299

We got stared at a lot. People asked out loudly—some out of curiosity, others out of malice—whether we were men or women or ‘number nines’ or devadasis. Several men made bold to touch us, on our backs, on our shoulders. Some attempted to grab our breasts. ‘Original or duplicate?’ they shouted and hooted. At such moments I felt despair and wondered if there would ever be a way for us to live with dignity and make a decent living.

This is an unflinchingly courageous and moving autobiography of a hijra, who fought ridicule, persecution and violence both within her home and outside to find a life of dignity.