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The shopkeeper takes a packet out and diligently wraps it in a black bag. Now I know it is a packet meant to be hidden from the men's eyes!
The shopkeeper takes a packet out and diligently wraps it in a black bag. Now I know it is a packet meant to be hidden from the men’s eyes!
I am eleven, and I don’t know So I ask mom, what is wrong? She affirms that something’s wrong Then she says, lower your voice Lest dad and brother hear it
She hastens me to the medical store Waits for the crowd to fade Furtively she asks for a “packet” Shopkeeper giggles and takes one out Maybe the packet is something funny, Diligently he veils it in an endless black Now I’m sure – it’s something to laugh at.
Mom tells me how to use and dispose it off She tells me to keep the remaining concealed This time I don’t ask anything For I know why she is obscure And I didn’t overlook the chuckles As we walk with the funny packet in black
On the fourth day, I don’t bleed I am ecstatic it ends Without dad and brother espying the funny packet I am sly enough I enshroud it with all my clothes.
As I am watching TV, Mom swiftly pulls me aside “Have you gone blind, you stained your dress” She reprimands in a hushed tone Tears gush down my face As I tiptoe into the washroom
I return to the TV, beside my brother And I am horrified to see it Why are they showing funny packet on the TV? Don’t they know my brother watches?
Will he rebuke me like mom? Or titter like the people outside? I am vexed with either So I grab the remote in a jiffy And change the channel.
Conclusion: The subtle art of social conditioning
Picture credits: Still from Stayfree’s #KeepGirlsInSchool campaign on YouTube
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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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