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| Sunday, 12 February 2006 |
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The Enigma of the South Asian Woman The story of the oil lamps In a kingdom somewhere in ancient India (known only in legend) there lived a kind and empathic king. He used to travel disguised as a stranger in his own kingdom. He would walk with the common folk, laugh and jest with the people, and share their joys and sorrows. He would later rule with all the knowledge and experience he gained in his ventures. One day when he was out on one of his strolls, he came upon a village situated in a dark cave. The people he found there were very poor not even having the money to buy a lamp to light the caves they lived in. The next day the king ordered that every family be given a lamp and oil to have in their homes. The king visited the same caves after two years to see how the hard working families of the caves were doing. To his despair he found the caves in darkness and the lamps broken. He came back to his palace and ordered once again to give out lamps and oil to the cave people. After another two years, the king went back, hoping to see some light in the cave. Yet again he only came to see broken lamps and darkness reigning in the cave. The king frustrated with himself and the cave people asked his grand vizier for advice. The vizier who was a wise old man simply answered "You gave the lamps to the men, you should've given it to the women." The king took the advice and gave out lamps one last time, and this time he gave the lamps to the women. There on, the caves were illuminated with light ever since. Psst.... Pssst.......... One of the most common ways to address a woman today in this part of the globe is to consider her as a pet of some sort and put her five or six feet below common ground. Yet in writing or even mentioning about "her" - the South Asian woman - the word "she" is used the remnants of some value that was bestowed upon her long ago maybe - we do not know! The riddle that is the South Asian woman is manifold and so diverse that it cannot be printed in a mere page of this magazine. But we will try. She's adorably mentioned as the goddess 'Shakthi' the goddess of energy that has many faces. She maybe an eager young professional woman filled with new ideas. She maybe an ageless mother, calmed and untroubled, whose customs and ways have not altered for thousands of years. She maybe a beggar woman whose children are starving with her hands outstretched to the world for alms. She maybe the humble servant of your beloved family or she might be a beautiful princess who has cast her spell over thousands of men in her own realm of fantasy. As we all know our mother was the one who kept the light of life burning in our home. The nice tale above illustrates this fact in an unambiguous way. If the little story didn't convince you of the power that is bestowed on the healing hands of the South Asian woman we will consult the Master himself - Rabindranath Tagore. In his book Gora, Rabindranath Tagore mentions two kinds of energies in this world. Revealed Energy and Hidden Energy. Just like men and women. Men signify the day where all the hard physical work is done and women signify the night where the men regain energy to face the world the following day. The role of this hidden energy cannot be taken for granted as without it revealed energy will never be reattained. Talking about the thousands of poems, sculptures and drawings of the beauty of the women in this region it's essential to note that beauty is not necessarily related to physical beauty. As jasmines cannot be said to be better than the fragile rose, or the rose to be more elegant than the delicate lotus, the South Asian woman has her their own unique qualities inside their sundry coverings. Yet with all these differences they share one undeniable trait; the loyal sacrifices they do in the name of their families. All the labour including cooking, washing, and cleaning they do for no immediate reward. Their day job is tremendous. The struggle they endure to keep the word 'divorce' out of their homes for the sake of the kids is only possible due to their infinite kindness in their hearts. These beautiful set of human beings who create 'homes' out of houses are the strength of South Asia. She'll be afraid of a wasp sometimes, or will scream at a mouse, but her ability to tackle a stranger easily alone in the house will never be none too less. She'll be stronger than brandy, and milder than milk, but to you she'll always be faithful loving and devoted. Remember she maybe your mother, girl friend, sister, or your best
friend, known yet unknown to most of you. The enigma which is the South
Asian woman will not be revealed to you in day-to-day life. Look deeper
and think again before addressing her with a simple Psst... Psst... She
deserves better. |
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