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A poem about a woman born in grim realities of patriarchy, but finally finds enough strength to rise from her own ashes.
Enchanted by the sky tonight
In my bed I held him tight
I held him like an hourglass
The more I clinch, the more I lost
The way he looked into my eyes
I didn’t feel like a gift, but prize
I told myself he was the one
Ardor at heart had just begun
I dressed in red, a glittering sight
A papermatche, empty inside
Through eyes I flirt
My smile would hurt
My soul would shrink inside
A hollow bride
The day was cursed
As mother nursed
The rest would grieve and mourn
Wish they had known
I could be more
Than a burden and décor
Grew up in shadows, born to strife
Why should I lose? Why should I hide?
My heart ripped and voice crushed
The blood mistaken for blush
My fate was sealed
My dreams were peeled
Cadaver with a purl
An empty girl
Never born, never knew why
I heard a scream, a squeal and a sigh
It was a happy end for some
I saw my cradle frail and numb
She wept, she moaned, she shivered in pain
Like a casket she would remain
“Why didn’t you use the lion and sword?
Like your picture on the wall?”
That isn’t me she exclaimed
My pride is dead, my courage slain
“Oh mother what I see in you
A millions stars and a million new”
No my child that is not true
Even if I could I wouldn’t undo
To save your life from vicious fumes
(I chose to be) – A wounded womb
She didn’t believe what she was told
She was the clay they could not mould
To every rule she had a why
As the world would vilify
She read the tales of a braver lass
‘Who knew her cage was made of glass
For glass to melt she would need the sun
As she grew, so did the passion
From the stars she borrowed light
Until one day, it grew so bright
The night had turned into day
It was then the earth flourished they say’
The fable stirred her anxious mind
She gathered all that she could find
She made herself a pair of wings
Then touched the sky and rode the winds
She rose from fire, like a beacon
A fearless woman!
First published here
Cover image via Shutterstock
Writer, marketer, foodie, traveler and amateur photographer, Indrakshi is always on a lookout for new opportunities and adventures in life. Currently living away from her motherland, she carries India in her heart wherever she is. read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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