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Are item numbers art or a collection of anatomical images served up in the guise of a woman?
Last week, I came across one of those all too common, ‘hot’ pictures of aspiring Bollywood actresses in a popular, mainstream newspaper. No doubt, said newspaper assumes that no one under the age of 13 reads newspapers, or even if they do, they are in any case bombarded by such hotness from every other medium, including the promotions for ‘item numbers’ on every television channel that there is no need to consider the age-appropriateness of any visuals used.
What really caught my eye was the caption this hot picture carried. It helpfully mentioned that the pic in question was from a shoot for a calendar that the actress was being featured in, and said calendar was a “collector’s item, just as she is.”
When does a woman become an item? And who is ‘collecting’ these women?
As a feminist who believes in women’s autonomy, including the right to wear what one wants, item numbers nevertheless make me uncomfortable. It is not even so much the lack of clothing that makes me uncomfortable; it is the unimaginative costumes with their relentless focus on strategic parts of the woman’s body – the heaving chest and the wobbling behind that the camera embraces as though a woman were a sum of these two alone. Forget the item girl – this is not even a whole girl (or woman), but a collection of anatomical images served up for the pleasure of a (presumably) male viewer.
While the actresses who do these item numbers derive a lot of fame and appreciation, the images served up rarely give us anything coherent – it’s certainly not a showcase for her emotive skills. Replace Kareena with Katrina or any other popular actress, and the camera will continue its zooming in on boob and butt. Presumably, the film-makers have never heard of any other erogenous zones, or that sex really happens between the ears or that – gasp – women could get pleasure as well as give.
And then, never mind that some of this disembodying of women takes place in a movie like Ra.One touted as a movie for kids. No sex education for our kids, thank you, but we’re happy to help them learn that the value of a woman lies in two things chiefly.
Pic: Kareena Kapoor in Ra.One; Source: Business Of Cinema
Founder & Chief Editor of Women's Web, Aparna believes in the power of ideas and conversations to create change. She has been writing since she was ten. In another life, she used to be read more...
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Menopause is a reality in women's lives, so Indian workplaces need to gear up and address women's menopausal needs.
Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job.
Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities.
Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating. This natural condition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The transition brings unique physical, emotional, and psychological changes for women.
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