My parents named me "Kajal"
Perceiving the quintessence of beauty
in my big dark eyes spread out
on only a slightly lighter face.
They told me about Krishna,
the dark-cloud complexioned God
who enchanted the world
with his timeless beauty and
child like spontaneity.
They told me about Yajnaseni
the fire-born daughter of Drupad
whose face like the midnight sky
mesmerised the entire Aryavrata.
Why, then do I see only
the lightest skinned actors play
the heartthrob Krishna and
the resplendent Draupadi in
the mythological soaps on National TV?
My mother taught me that the beauty
doesn't come in certain colors
and sizes alone and scoffed
at my attempts to bleach
my face with dozens of beauty products
that flood our markets.
My father admonished me
when I would eat half a chapati
everymeal to stay thin.
They made me confident
to live in my skin
and asked me to work harder on
career and strength
of my character instead.
Why then, do I have to go through
this mindless ritual of scanning
the matrimonial columns every Sunday
that only seem to want fair, tall
and slim girls for the perspective grooms??
-Neha Bansal
You are the voice of women from all corners of the world who were born with the earthy tones instead of various shades of white. India, Africa, Mexico, Uganda.... dusky women are all over the Globe... the obsession in India however is significantly higher or maybe I only know about it thats all. The predicament in the parting note brings out the fragility of human emotions very beautifully. Endless sessions of self counselling and innumerable doses of encouragement shot into our minds by our parents and yet the stubborn insecurities hold ground... like ‘angad ka paer’
ReplyDeleteBut as much as the poem touches a tender spot ... you in person epitomise confidence and boldness for me di! 🤗
Thanks nitika... it's so true and thanks again for your infinite patience and warm comments always 😊
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem. I really liked it, I remember you wrote one poem 'Black' that was also beautiful .
ReplyDeleteActually it is a big issue. I have heard many old women saying that looks of a man does not matter... We must see how successful he is. So if we ignore his looks and evaluate his worth on the basis of his success then why can't we do the same for a woman?
So this discrimination on the Basis of looks should be stopped. Because
the outer beauty does not remain same forever, it will fade with time, but the inner beauty of a person will always spread happiness among others around them.
Chhavi
That's so true .. I wonder when would people let go of this deep seated prejudice...
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