The main character:Beti, Bohu or Bhabi
Pious, pretty and in pain, they are the victims of endless conspiracies by evil family members and social injustice. They are daughters,daughter-in-laws and sister-in-laws.
Main characteristics: religious, homely, family centric, obedient, well mannered, gentle i.e. symbol of all noble virtues, purity and innocence. Aim in life: bring an heir to the family and uphold the family reputation. Daily life: adorning herself in glitzy Saree, full make up and jewellery even in the most mundane moments, performing ceaseless religious rituals,cooking and serving the family, occasionally shopping, expressing love and admiration for the family members, saving the family from all kinds of trouble
Main characteristics: religious, homely, family centric, obedient, well mannered, gentle i.e. symbol of all noble virtues, purity and innocence. Aim in life: bring an heir to the family and uphold the family reputation. Daily life: adorning herself in glitzy Saree, full make up and jewellery even in the most mundane moments, performing ceaseless religious rituals,cooking and serving the family, occasionally shopping, expressing love and admiration for the family members, saving the family from all kinds of trouble
Information about educational background: not relevant
Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
The mother
The mothers are symbol of affection and care and subdued to the dominant father figures. Their aim in life is to teach their daughters good manners, bring them up as ideal brides and get them married to good families. After daughter’s marriage the sole focus of a mother's life is to sustain the daughters’ happy married life and share the trials and tribulations in the daughter's life by praying to the deities. They too are fortunate to wear gorgeous sarees and jewelry even when they are mourning. They are portrayed as helpless, tearful and submit to prayers and religious rituals to solve every problem that comes their way!
Information about educational background: not relevant
Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
The Cruella Devil
The bad elderly grandmother
They are the evil mother in laws or grandmothers, the queens of all conspiracies, trying to make the innocent main character's life a living hell!
The comic relief
Information about educational background: not relevant. Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
The rare working women
It’s sad that strong, independent female characters rarely receive any airtime in Hindi soaps and they are only seen in historical, period dramas like the Jhansi ki Rani!
The evil member of the family whose sole aim in life is to destroy the peace and happiness of the main character. They are usually the “modern” female version, completely oblivious to family traditions and religious rituals. They have “modern”, scantily dressed friends, are party buffs and are seen to be busy with their phones when the family is deliberating on a crucial matter. Their favourite pastime is conspiring against the innocent main character. They are amazingly patient, self-motivated and persistent and carry out one twisted plan after another, even through the invisible hand of the deities always favour the innocent Beti, Bahu or Bhabi. Motto: never say die! Identification mark: the crooked smile, raised eye brows and smirk!
Information about educational background: not relevant
Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
The good elderly grandmother
They have dedicated their life and soul to the family.They are mostly widows and are dressed in white.They are revered by the family members and have the last word in family matters. They are the walking and talking reference for all religious and social norms.
Information about educational background: not relevant. Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
The bad elderly grandmother
They are the evil mother in laws or grandmothers, the queens of all conspiracies, trying to make the innocent main character's life a living hell!
Information about educational background: not relevant. Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
The comic relief The dumb member of the family who is the source of fun for her silly comments, awkwardness and social gaffe. They are usually jovial and do not take the harsh comments to heart.
Information about educational background: not relevant. Information about professional aspiration: not relevant
The society:neighbours and relatives
They are usually seen at the background, voicing their disagreements when a social norm is violated.
The rare working women
They are usually seen for fleeting seconds and not given much airtime.
It’s sad that strong, independent female characters rarely receive any airtime in Hindi soaps and they are only seen in historical, period dramas like the Jhansi ki Rani!
Out of all these roles, where do we, the educated working class women fit? The sole purpose of female existence according to these Hindi soap operas is to adhere to religious rituals, conform to the social norms, get married and bring an heir to the family. No information is provided about their educational qualifications. Men are the sole bread earners and womens' duty is to look pretty and stay obedient. They never step outside the boundaries of home, they never have to earn for living.
I first thought about using the following title for this blog - "Stone age portrayal of women" but decided against it, as may be even in the stone age, women were viewed more pragmatically than are shown in the run-of-the-mill hindi serials. Why do i watch them if i am so critical of them? I watch them as they fill up my time when i am bored and i watch for the comic entertainment value of how absurdly a women can be portrayed.
I first thought about using the following title for this blog - "Stone age portrayal of women" but decided against it, as may be even in the stone age, women were viewed more pragmatically than are shown in the run-of-the-mill hindi serials. Why do i watch them if i am so critical of them? I watch them as they fill up my time when i am bored and i watch for the comic entertainment value of how absurdly a women can be portrayed.
I worry about the influence these serials might have on kids who are now growing up watching their moms sympathizing with the characters and the long term psychological handicap they can instill in girls. I am not against watching these serials, i am against taking them as true or ideal portrayal of society. I am against considering the characters portrayed here as role models of how a good daughter or daughter-in-law should be.
I just hope the viewers and specially the children of the viewers realize the limited portrayal of human potential in these soap operas and never, never think that this is how it should be! I don't want girls to think that this is who they have to grow up to be! don't want the Choti Bohu's multiplying in number in real life. I want girls to be educated, independent, earning, contributing and value-adding member in the society and not as a showpiece and/or source of pity.
2 comments:
Excellent analysis. The stories and plots are so funny. "Mere panch hazaar crore ka contract haatse nikaal gayee", LOL. Totally devoid of reality.
It's safe for me to watch as i won't get influenced. But when i see the maids being glued to the TV and relating to the characters,i feel it's social poisioning of innocent minds. they would think the world of Radhikas are the true representation and it's ok for people to look down upon and abuse them.these serials thrive on religious superstitions and social inequalities and even glorify them.
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