THE FORGOTTEN CONNECT BETWEEN MYTHOLOGY AND LGBTQ+

Love, in its purest form, transcends all barriers. It’s a force that defies societal norms, cultures, and prejudices. Yet, in our modern world, we often claim the existence of LGBTQ community to be a western influence, or an imposed external disease. People against the LGBTQ suggest that this community is ‘against Indian culture’. But… really?

The Kama Sutra, written in the 4th century AD, openly discusses physical pleasure in male-male unions. It vividly details the experiences and pleasures of same-sex relationships, showing that such unions were acknowledged and accepted in ancient times. This ancient text, far from condemning these practices, integrated them into the broader spectrum of human sexuality.

In Valmiki's Ramayana Hanuman observed Rakshasa women kissing and embracing each other, a clear depiction of same-sex affection. Another poignant tale from the Ramayana is that of King Dilip’s two wives, who, following his death, were instructed by Lord Shiva to make love to each other to conceive a child, which later resulted in the birth of Bhagiratha.

In the Mahabharata, Shikhandini, the daughter of King Drupada, was raised as a prince and married to a woman. This narrative not only highlights gender fluidity but also the acceptance of same-sex unions.

In 1860, Thomas Macaulay introduced Section 377, criminalizing same-sex relations and marking a shift from India's earlier acceptance. Victorian sensibilities were shocked by India's openness to sexuality, leading Indian nationalists to adopt conservative attitudes to assert cultural respectability. By the time Deepa Mehta’s film Fire was released in 1998, depicting a lesbian relationship, Indian society had been conditioned to view homosexuality as unnatural. The backlash was severe, with political bodies vehemently protesting against what they claimed was an "alien" concept.

Art and literature from various periods in Indian history, such as the sculptures in the Puri Jagannath Temple, also depict homosexuality. Poets like Insha and Rangin openly wrote about same-sex relationships in the 1800s, treating them as natural as any other form of love.

After all these examples, are we still debating that fighting for the LGBTQ is an ‘American Game’? Are we still not convinced that this part of our society was reserved as power and beauty? So, when did things change?

We all are required to pay heed to our age old learnings and history, that is the only way culture and modern world can integrate.