When He Acts as a She

Cross Dressing in Indian Theater

First Online: July 12,2000
Page Last Updated: January 28,2010

Introduction

The fiercely conservative social system of India did not encourage co-ed theater and it became common to have all male or all female actors/actresses during a play. Most of the pictures in this series should be seen in the context of theater, although a few of them are the pictures of transvestites, popularly known as Hijras whose primary profession is entertainment.

Table of Contents

• The Descendants of Arjuna
• "Ghosts are Male or Female?"
• "I asked the director not to place me in a feminine role!!!"
• A Male Folk Artist Dressed as a Queen
• Man Becomes a Woman
• Man Dressed as the Mythological Character of Shurpanakhi
• Man Dressed As a Woman Poses Backstage for a Photo
• A Man Elaborately Dresses as a Woman for a Play
• Profile of a Man Dressed as Woman
• Yakshagana is typically performed by men only.

See Also:

• Theatrical Arts of India -- List of topics on performing arts of India

• Indian Attire Through the Centuries -- history of clothing in India

• Kamat Saree Sapne -- pictures and stories on the Saree, the Indian drape

• Of Men, Women and Neuters -- Kamat's letter to son Vikas