'Sindoor khela' is a traditional Bengali custom celebrated by women
on the last day of the puja, on bijoya dashami, when everyone bids
adieu to the Goddess. Women apply sindoor on the feet and also on the
parting of hair of the goddess. Then celebrations continue where one
woman will playfully smear sindoor on another.
Women folk pray for a
happy married life and prosperity of their husbands. There is a
controversy regarding this ritual and many people find this ritual
patriarchal as only married women participate in this custom. While the
festival of Navratri /Durga Puja itself is celebration of women power
this ritual is often tagged patriarchal as here the ritual is where
women pray for their partner's long life and prosperity not for
themselves.
On the last day of Navratri Singing Sensation Soumita Saha
took the internet and her message regarding Sindur Khela left the
internet quivered. She post a picture of herself with a wonderful write
up. She wrote " When they were shouting "Bolo Dugga mai ki joy... Aasche
bochhor aabar hobe" ... My overthinking mind was trying to relate the
color red to what it denotes. Thinking rationally I found
According
to mythology, the colour red denotes bravery, protection, and strength.
This wasn't the end. A sudden thought consumed me almost. Why not
celebrate the glory of women who are brave enough to fight every day
with society and its vicious norms.
They are living examples of
strength. They don’t need your protection because all their life they
have done that alone. Why not smear smear their faces too with
vermillion and not just that of the married woman?
These
women are brave enough to fight every day with society and its vicious
norms. They are living examples of strength. They don’t need your
protection because all their life they have done that alone. Hence, let
us smear their faces too with vermillion and not just that of the
married woman.
To those who are unaware
'sindoor khela' is a traditional Bengali custom celebrated by women on
the last day of the puja, on bijoya dashami, when everyone bids adieu to
the Goddess. Women apply sindoor on the feet and also on the parting of
hair of the goddess. Then celebrations continue where one woman will
playfully smear sindoor on another.
Again here the women folk would pray
for a happy married life and prosperity of their husbands. But the
question is Why do you need to be a man’s wife first to participate in a
ritual? Durga Puja itself denotes the celebration of woman’s universal
power. Isn't it?
I am quite aware of the fact
that i am a feminist... Well may be the one they address 'Toxic
Feminist'... Something happened right infront of my eyes .. Someone
smeared vermillion on a man's cheeks. Immediately a middle aged aunty
uttered " Aadikhyeta dekhe more jai bapu..." Meanwhile another aunty
added fuel to the fire..." A kyamon purush manush bapu...amar uni hole
shob adekhlapona jhere diten ..jotto shob"
I was enjoying the show while a man in his mid thirties joined the vermillion play saying "ami baad naki "....
Much
of an eye opening incident...I realised I was half correct...
Celebrating the color red with vermillion is a beyond gender thing.
Bravery, Protection and strength isn't a gender confined concept. Sindur
khela is for anyone who you think symbolise Bravery, Strength and
Protection....
Over
the last few years the scenario has changed a little, these days
unmarried women, transgender and many others who are not typically the
married woman clan are also seen celebrating "Sindur Khela". Sindur
Khela earned itself a new definition over years, these days the ritual
is celebrated to signify the victory of strength, bravery and
protection, and women and transgenders smear Sindur on whoever
symbolises Bravery, Strength and Protection to them.
Some men are also
seen participating in the ritual. Netizens appreciated Soumita's thought
and observations on this Ritual that over the course of years earned
itself a beyond gender stature.
Soumita Saha
is not only a famous name in EDM and Rabindra Sangeet but also a
celebrated Painter who's work is gets exhibited all over the globe.
Soumita launched her Own record label 'Melo Tunes' last September. She
is a popular playback singer in tollywood and known for being vocal
about various social issues.
Tags
Lifestyle