Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Coldplay’s most recent single, had several critics blaming it of stereotyping India. But ius it okay to do so?
Coldplay’s most recent single, had several critics blaming it of stereotyping India. But is it okay to do so?
A majestic peacock, slowly spreading its feathers. Click.
A group of mystic sadhus, leaving behind a blazing orange trail. Click.
An intricate take on an everyday taxi, a blue Shiva, a vivid street life. Click, click, click.
The city of Mumbai forms a stunning backdrop to Coldplay’s latest single, ‘Hymn For The Weekend’, featuring slum kids, the festival of Holi, and several mystic and spiritual elements that our country has often been associated with. While undoubtedly aesthetic, the Indian audience is split as to what to make of it: does the video fill the shoes of predecessors such as Slumdog Millionaire, trapping a few of its elements in a box and painting that to be the entire picture; or, does it merely highlight the exoticism of the country?
Cultural appropriation is when certain significant portions of a culture are picked and ‘adopted’ by others, per say; their meaning gets reduced, and in most cases, the people to whom it belongs to, have a history of being mocked for the same aspect. The best example would be our traditional Bindi, which seems to have become a fashion trend in the recent ages. Beyoncé, who features in the track as a Bollywood actress, seems to have forgone the bindi, however, and was decked in henna and a traditional garb; hence bringing forth allegations of reducing a culture to a costume.
On the other hand, this is a highly Globalized society, which is constantly looking for means to creatively express itself; to learn from other cultures, and to grow together. There has never before been such a deep understanding of other cultures. Angelina Jolie sporting a hijab during her visits in Pakistan, for instance, was a form of cultural appreciation: wherein aspects of a culture were taken into consideration, in order to show appreciation for the customs of the culture.
The factor that seems to matter in such debates is the intention behind, or rather, the meaning behind the action: does the act promote a negative stereotype, such as the Blackface? Does it profit off a culture, such as Henna in music concerts in the West? Does it cause any harm to the culture it’s been taken from?
Does it, essentially, mock a culture, or does it pay respect to it?
Like most ethical questions, this is a grey area, with a very thin distinguishing line. Coldplay seems to be walking on the tightrope that separates the two. While the video does go by age old stereotypes of India; stereotypes that we have long evolved from, and are still trying to get rid of, in order to showcase a said evolution, it does not seem to do so in a negative light. It does not denigrate our culture in any way, nor does it promote it highly: it merely reveals aspects of it. The aspects could have been more varied, true, but the context of the song comes into play here. Roopak Saluja, the line producer for the video, pointed out that it was the video for a song: why should it feature Indian infrastructure? It wasn’t a documentary, and therefore did possess enough creative liberty to experiment with it.
The blame for the showcasing of such an India cannot fall entirely on their shoulders, however. These are the stereotypes and images that have been reinforced time and time again by our own media and movies, and anyone looking forward to creatively show off our culture should not have to investigate and analyse into it, and merely paint a picture as to what they see. Which, in this case, was an intricate take on an everyday taxi, a Blue Shiva, a vivid street life. Click, click, click., click.
Watch the video here:
A feminist whose idea of feminism is not just fighting for equality but also telling stories of people whose struggle drives the feminist movement forward. Also, a student. But that's not important. read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
Please enter your email address