It was hot, so hot, before the eunuchs came
To dance, wide skirts going round and round, cymbals
Richly clashing, and anklets jingling, jingling
Jingling… Beneath the fiery gulmohur, with
Long braids flying, dark eyes flashing, they danced and
They dance, oh, they danced till they bled… There were green
Tattoos on their cheeks, jasmines in their hair, some
Were dark and some were almost fair. Their voices
Were harsh, their songs melancholy; they sang of
Lovers dying and or children left unborn….
Some beat their drums; others beat their sorry breasts
And wailed, and writhed in vacant ecstasy. They
Were thin in limbs and dry; like half-burnt logs from
Funeral pyres, a drought and a rottenness
Were in each of them. Even the crows were so
Silent on trees, and the children wide-eyed, still;
All were watching these poor creatures’ convulsions
The sky crackled then, thunder came, and lightning
And rain, a meagre rain that smelt of dust in
Attics and the urine of lizards and mice….

“The Dance of the Eunuchs” by Kamala Das is a poignant poem that uses the symbolic dance of eunuchs to explore the struggles and alienation faced by marginalized individuals in society. Divided into three parts, the poem delves into the outward display, inner hardships, and the complexities of existence for the eunuchs.

Part 1: The poem begins with a vivid portrayal of the eunuchs dancing in the scorching heat. They wear wide skirts, clang cymbals, and jingle anklets in a visually striking performance. Despite their efforts to appear attractive, the poet hints at the underlying harshness of their existence. The repetition of “hot” emphasizes the intensity of their circumstances.

Part 2: The second part delves into the harsh reality of the eunuchs’ lives. Their voices are described as harsh, and their songs are melancholic, narrating tales of dying lovers and unborn children. The poet emphasizes their inability to experience certain aspects of life, using phrases like “sorry breasts” to underscore their physical and emotional limitations. The comparison of their limbs to “half-burnt logs” vividly conveys their suffering and deterioration.

Part 3: The third part introduces rain as both a blessing and a curse for the eunuchs. While the rain brings relief from the intense heat, it disrupts their dance and potentially affects their means of livelihood. The poet notes the contrasting smells associated with the rain, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of their existence.

The poem, at a deeper level, serves as an allegory for societal norms, gender roles, and the struggles faced by those who deviate from these expectations. Through the dance of the eunuchs, Kamala Das explores themes of societal exclusion, the performative nature of identity, and the dualities inherent in their existence.

“The Dance of the Eunuchs” is a poignant exploration of the struggles faced by marginalized individuals, using the metaphor of their dance to convey the complex layers of their experiences in a society that often alienates them.