traditions Archives

The Case for Arranged Marriage

An arranged marriage is thoughtful curation more than a blind choice. People with similar customs, tradition, and upbringing are likely to make fewer compromises, fight lesser, and be happier. Truth is, marriages are not made in heaven, they are made in convenience.

Ramjaane July 17, 2016

Gender

Even In Celebration, Women Are Expected To Do It All

The festive season is a lot of fun, except for the women of the house who must labour through chores that they have been led to believe is not just their duty, but also some sort of festive privilege.

Purba Ray July 9, 2016

Culture

Gurpurab of My Childhood: Langar, Mul Mantar, and My Dadi’s History Lessons

I remember clutching my father’s finger as we made our way through the crowd at the Golden Temple. My head was covered with mother’s red dupatta; I was clenching onto a ₹100 note for dear life until I managed to slip it inside the donation box. That was always my “duty” and I would take it very seriously.

Sehaj K June 26, 2016

POV

Why Many Young Women Refuse to Enter the Kitchen

My mother belonged to a time where the kitchen was a woman’s prison and her call of duty. She has spent, what seems like, an entire lifetime inside the kitchen. It’s why I seem to have spent the better part of my life running away from it. Choosing to not have a relationship with cooking, almost felt like the only way to protest.

Poulomi Das March 31, 2016

Gender

Ties that Bind: How the Nose Ring that Enslaved My Mother Liberated Me

My mother refused to wear a nose ring, viewing it as yet another marker of marital status that found its way onto a woman’s body. By the time I was a teen, piercings signified a way for women to exercise their right over their bodies. I embraced this piece of jewellery as instantly as my mother had rejected it.

Anuradha Ganapathy March 2, 2016