We all have our tradition and norms and social boundaries. In Hindu society, there are probably more festivals to celebrate life, family and every aspect of creation in general than any other culture. The reason is it is one of the oldest and the most secular religions in the world. The other reason for so many festivals is that it used to be very prosperous society in the ancient times, so naturally when you are living in abundance, there is all the reason to be enjoying life. That was then, when even women were rishikas of the highest order and women were no less than men in social order. They were placed in an exalted tier and exemplified by Vedic scholars like Gargi and Maitreyi. In fact, women were held in such high reverence that there is a Sanskrit sloka to guide society: Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra Devata (Where Women are honored, divinity blossoms there).
Such days are not even in living memories now. Status of women have been deteriorating as we have come to Kali Yuga, and while some women still like to struggle and become activists for equality, some happily cater to male fantasy and become willing objects of lust and whatever they think they are by becoming influencer and popular in social media.
Not to worry now. Maybe more and more women are now conscious of their power and they have taken into their own hand to exalt the women back to the Vedic era by celebrating Teej in their own free for all manner. Previous years have seen Teej festival, the uniquely female celebration, extend from a day to weeks and even a month or partying and dancing. That seems to have been hit by global pandemic of the past years. Not to be outdone, Nepalese women have come back with a vengeance to make up for their loss of freedom. Guess what is their key took to expressing their freedom from men’s suffocating hold on them?
Do not be surprised or shocked by the answer: TWERKING!
There have been some viral videos of twerking women that have caused controversy and backlashes. Wow, what a brilliant idea of defiance. In the most controversial video they are shown to be dancing to cheap Bollywood song “Kala Chasma” donned in black glasses, and twerking in Sari. How smart of them to adopt the demeaning song and sexualized dance move to express their freedom and give the slap to objectification and pandering to male lust!!!
Not to be outdone, some female government staff also posted their video thriving to the same song and twerking. They have now issued an apology in a video. Who can fault their cravings for freedom and equality. You must have seen the Finland’s Prime minister dancing in abandoned mood a week ago. Even that created controversy. So, dancing can be a powerful tool to bring out their message and regain their status they crave for. Let’s see how this trend continues.
The writer is a graduate of Arizona State University in Political Science. He is working as a social activist and motivational speaker for students across Nepal since 2007.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Nepalisite.
