The Skewed Onus of Culture and Traditions

Look at the photos below. What do you observe?

The Indian contingent at the 2014 Asian Games opening ceremony. © AFP

Photo retrieved from: http://sports.ndtv.com/asian-games-2014/news/230196-asian-games-2014-india-fined-for-last-minute-pullouts

The flag-bearer for India leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. (REUTERS)

Photo retrieved from: http://www.emirates247.com/india-at-the-asian-games-1.318220

Members of India's delegation parade in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games in the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012.

Photo retrieved from: http://www.sify.com/sports/Indian-contingent-greeted-with-huge-cheers-at-opening-ceremony-imagegallery-1-Olympics-mh2fE4cchbfsi.html

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj being received by Ambassador Asoke Mukerji (left), India's Permanent Representative to the UN, after her arrival at JFK Airport in New York on Wednesday, Sept 24, 2014. (Source: PTI photo)

Photo retrieved from: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/sushma-swaraj-begins-us-visit-scheduled-to-meet-100-ministers-from-seven-nations/

Recently, I began observing photos on the internet a little more closely and began to find a pattern. The more I looked, more the pattern seemed to establish itself. It seems that we Indians, as a cultural and traditional unit, have shoved the entire responsibility to uphold our culture and traditions on our women.

Across the spectrum, be it sports, politics or administration, while attending ceremonies or in official setup, I found that while men feel free to don any style of clothes they feel like, the women always appear in traditional Indian attire. Is it a matter of chance or is it by careful design that we have become so, as a society, as a culture.

So, what’s my problem anyway? Traditional Indian wear is elegant. Women look good in it, isn’t it? If only the problem would have been that simple, limited to the clothes.

Let me clarify, I have no problem with women wearing traditional attire. I have no problem with men wearing western attire. My problem is with the mindset that lay beneath. Furthermore, my problem is not limited to the way we expect the women to dress up; it is just an extension of how we expect them to be in all other aspects of the life as well. While the men have moved on to Jeans, Trousers, Suits, Tuxedos etc. as daily or ceremonial wear, none of them Indian wear mind you, women have been preserved in time. They are still expected to drape sarees or suits to fit in with the traditional requirements.

Over the period of time, we have put the onus on women to carry on the cultural and traditional values, singlehandedly, be it inside the house or outside.

While we like to bask in the glory of becoming a modern society, we have a rather complicated definition of modern when it comes to the women of our society. If a guy wants to go out and have a drink with his friends, it reflects the modern society that we live in. However, when a woman of the same house wants to do the same, she is at loggerheads with the culture and traditions. The fathers, brothers and husbands can have female friends, of course, we live in modern times. But the mothers, sisters and wives somehow can’t have equally close male friends, because they are trapped in a different era it would appear.

Talking about traditions, here is an example of an old tradition. Crossing the sea, known as "Samudrolanghana" or "Sagarollanghana" states sea voyages as the offences that cause the loss of varna or caste. Clearly, we have moved ahead of such traditions. They were impractical and imposition restrictions. However, no matter how educated, skilled or professionally successful a women may be, her primary duties include cooking, cleaning and caring for the household, the duties which she should carry out on her own with little to no help from the men. Blame it on the tradition and go scot-free. This tradition hasn’t become irrelevant or limiting, not to the men anyway.

We have come a long way from the ancient Indian culture and traditions. This is a fact. We have, over time, modified, discarded and added customs, practices and beliefs to the old culture and traditions. This doesn't pose a threat to our heritage. This makes it alive, strong and gives it longevity, for anything that is antiquated withers away. When we have made accommodations in almost all aspects, why is there such resilience when it comes to the women in our society? Why is it so that woman alone should reflect our culture and traditions? Our vivid culture and meaningful traditions are not merely limited to 3.5 meters of cloth.

But if that is how it is going to be, then by all means we should rename Indian Culture and Traditions as Indian ‘Women’ Culture and Traditions.

Just for thought, look at the Chinese contingent at the London Olympics, 2012. China too, is considered to be a very traditional country. Just that they don’t express it exclusively in the clothes their women wear.

Chinese contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London, July 27, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]
Photo retrieved from: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2012-07/28/content_15625663.htm