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“Like a warrior at war with life…She is claiming HERSELF finally…The maps are still patriarchal but she is not…following them blindly!”
Here is the second winner of our March 2017 Muse of the Month contest, Pooja Sharma Rao.
The cue for this month was from the movie English Vinglish, in which Sridevi has decided to give up on learning English after her husband speaks harshly to her. Her niece tells her then, that she cannot give up, and must go on!
An oft-quoted myth says a man drew a line around her to protect her from harm and another to abduct her used his deception and charm She decided to overrule Patriarchy’s given rules and overstepped the line not just that once but again and several times
When she speaks now her words are no longer shy, afraid or careful her thoughts her own out of her confidence grown Her voice is not weak or low when she exclaims “No!”
When she dresses every day It is whatever she may not for them any more her swagger and her sway not now daunted by shameless prying eyes she is no longer on morality’s leash Men must first practice the “codes” If they must preach
When she dances, acts or sings She doesn’t care, no more about the labels or the slander or the moral brigade’s uproar but listens to only the beat of her strongly pounding heart “Dear I am not your possession My answer is my art !”
When she nurtures or parents the future generation She doesn’t seek glorification the co-parent and the progeny must offer equality and freedom from motherhood’s platitudes it’s time to now challenge parenting as a gendered aptitude
When she writes She defies their canons their metaphors and imagery for her body, mind and soul She writes against the grain and doesn’t stifle her unabashed howl
When she chooses to love She actually makes her choice no longer is she owned by birth, status or family to be given or taken between men as a lifeless commodity
When she looks at herself She no longer believes in the clichés and the norm Darker, heavier, taller, shorter She wears her skin with aplomb
Like a warrior at war with life She is claiming HERSELF finally The maps are still patriarchal but she is not following them blindly!
Pooja Sharma Rao wins a Rs 250 Amazon voucher, as well as a chance to be picked one among the top winners at the end of 2017. Congratulations!
Pooja Priyamvada is a columnist, professional translator and an online content and Social Media consultant.
Congratulations Pooja, a wonderful read!! I loved these lines – overstepped the line, not just that once, but again and several times!
Thanks Sangeetha ! glad you like it. Well aren’t we overstepping, all the time and how !
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