An Ode to Ebony

At times I am forced to contemplate on certain issues. Issues that never involve nor affect me and my life, issues which I can remain indifferent and impervious to without showing a slightest ounce of concern. But sometimes when you come across a thought – provoking article in a newspaper, or watch a film that boldly sheds  light on the intricacies and complexities of life- it is an inane human tendency to feel an inclination, an urge to express one’s opinion about it, thus inadvertently  making an effort to construe the  message conveyed by a particular  medium. This testifies for the immense and groundbreaking influence the print and electronic media has on our lives, albeit not always a positive one.

Asian women have always had a strange(read unhealthy)fetish towards fairness of  the skin.  White skin tones are held synonymous to beauty, aristocracy and most appallingly- acceptance within a social circle. Time and again we have seen women with dark skin tones alienated  and completely ostracized by the society. Well, isolation may sound like an overstatement or an exaggeration, because we see women and girls with dusky or dark skin tone around us quite often and they seem to be living a ‘normal’ life like anyone else, but the underlying reality might be completely different from what it appears to be. A ‘not very fair’ maiden, as society labels it might not be receiving proposals from eligible bachelors because her other attributes are overshadowed by her skin  color, and thus she is deemed is unattractive or simply ‘ugly’. A young girl in her teens might feel insecure and inferior  in school because she is the one with the darkest visage among her peers. These nondescript faces and individuals deceive the world with a façade of normalcy and positivity, but underneath lies a scarred and emotionally volatile human being who is stabbed every moment by the pitiful, appraising   and judgmental glances  of  people.

Today, advertisements are probably the single most powerful tool wielded by companies in order to market their products. Beauty products have a strong customer base, consisting of mostly young women  in their twenties. Incidentally, the disturbing truth about most of these products is that they endorse themselves as ‘fairness creams’, in other words creams that claim to lighten one’s skin color. As said earlier the media plays a pivotal role influencing people’s perspectives, thus when we see an advertisement openly claiming to turn a woman into snow white in 30 days or how it is impossible for a dark girl to get a job and how she magically transforms her skin color, eventually getting the job. Objectification is the first word that comes to my mind   when seeing these. A  woman is being displayed as a mere commodity, a consumable that is packaged in the form  of white skin and perfect, chiseled features. Rather than being judged by her character, persona, intelligence and intellect she is  scrutinized according to her physical attributes and depressingly, her skin color.

We tend to forget that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Quoting Rumi, ‘’the most long lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart’’, we should realize that when we criticize a person, we are criticizing Allah’s creation. One should remember that beauty withers away with time, just like a beautiful flower that perishes.   Why should an epitome of beauty always have skin as white as snow? It can be as dark as ebony, yet more beautiful and pure than the whitest of  snow. The dusky girl in your class may not be the most desirable, but she might be ten times as brainy as the prettiest girl. That dark woman might not portray one’s stereotyped ‘dream girl’, but she probably has a heart of gold, filled with compassion, love and care. Her tears may be unnoticed and unheeded , but she is strong enough not to shed them for the wrong people because they are as precious as diamonds. It is because she silences the sound of her heart breaking to pieces, pretending not to hear them as they fall apart, when she is dejected and lonely. 

A similarly titled article in a newspaper caught my attention one day, and I am proud to admit, it was an eye –opener.  Touching and articulate at the same time, it conveyed the universal message that, dark is beautiful.  It is not  a lifelong curse or an obstacle  to success and neither is it a crime to have a dark complexion, because it is not your appearance which matters, rather the values and morals you live by and the humane qualities you possess,  accentuated with self-worth and confidence.  And To be honest, imperfection is beauty…

 

 

Transitions...

Global cultures and trends have a tremendous impact on our lifestyles. Keeping up with the expedited pace of globalization has never been easier, now that we are slowly awakening from the torpor of ignorance and isolation, with the aim of reaching out to the world beyond. Technologically handicapped octogenarians, sexagenarians and septuagenarians alike are being trained by the tech savvy youth to operate alien devices, and social media and networking sites continue to revolutionize and transcend the realms of connectivity and exposure. International print and electronic media influence our perceptions and sometimes mold our thoughts, sometimes inadvertently but usually intentionally. Such transgressions have affected all existing arenas and fields, and unequivocally one of the strongest medium that survives and thrives-is the silver screens of celluloid, in other words the glitzy, glamorous world of showbiz.

Gone are the eras of romanticism, when our mothers emulated the dazzling belles of Bengali cinema-the long swishing braids, mesmerizing kohl lined eyes, Elizabethan blouses, coupled with a touch of coyness and an aura of modesty.  The golden years of the 80’s and 90’s are now merely requiems of the lost glory of celluloid.  My parents still reminisce the yellowed pages of time, and it’s intriguing to see my otherwise stringent Ma to swoon like a young teenager whenever an Uttam- Shucitra  film graces the television screen. Considered as one of the most iconic and legendary on screen pairs of the 80’s, the bewitching and absolutely enthralling chemistry that  cast a magic spell on the youth back then is beyond imagination today. Heartthrobs and handsome hunks come and go today, like shooting stars that rise to the pinnacle of success but plummet to the nadir after an ephemeral stint with stardom and fame. But such  enigmas and trailblazers immortalized by not only the characters that they breathed life into, but also their overwhelming charm along with an exuberant, indomitable zeal for life, had not only reached out to the masses, but garnered their unwavering love, ardent support and fervent devotion.

While the black and white vintage era baptized  names like ‘’ share chuattor’’ , ‘’ padma nodir majhi’’ , ‘’pother panchali’’, ‘’oshoni shongket’’, to name a few, it also ascribed the astronomical  rise of a string of multitalented artists,  gifted film-makers and cinematographers. Privileged were the adults who experienced the scintillating   magic weaved by Satyait Roy and his cinema that earned the adulation and plaudits of the international audience. Their depiction of the intricacies of human relationships, the struggles, torments of the inner soul, the oppression of the weak and the dominance of the elite was an omnipresent force that were catalysts to the dynamic social reforms and changes back then. Cinema wasn’t just the pseudonym of escape from the harsh manifolds of realism, it was a harbinger of social and political awakening, a renaissance of its own. Today, the disparities and divergences between classes, echelons, communities, sects  and races are as prevalent as ever, but cinema is  still single most powerful medium that eradicates the dichotomies and discord between diverse  beliefs, thoughts and ethos, even if it is for an hour or two. The fact that we stand under the same umbrella even for such a transient time, is in fact overwhelming.

Undoubtedly, some critiques and aficionados may postulate that cinema of the yesteryear was deeply associated, almost synonymous to escapism- the schmaltzy melodrama, heartbreaking or feet tapping renditions of joy or melancholia was indeed devoid of reality. Like being under an illusion or trance, the sepia would transport the audience back and forth, whenever they wished, from a world of delightful delusions to hidebound hegemony. Movies today,   be it commercial or art films are more inclined on portraying veracity and realism, and fiction is the lie which is used to tell the truth.  Fantasies, utopia, and myths occupy a negligible share of the plots and story lines, whereas drama, thrillers and action have taken the front seat. The characters are more life-like, their dreams and aspirations reflecting that of our own.   Orthodox concepts of Love, hatred, passion have been redefined and re-modified, to meet the needs of a radically changing world.

Whether you guffaw at the ludicrous stunts and dialogues of Ananta Jalil or find solace in the blissful companionship of the Roman holiday or Gone with the Wind, celluloid has really come a long way.  Then again, change is inevitable and must be embraced with open arms..

Transformations...

 A month ago, my life was as interesting as a  pancake batter- monotonous and  ridiculously boring.  During my school days, holidays would  feel like an oasis amidst a barren desert,  with the gigantic workload  breathing down on our necks, like enraged dragons. Hence a holiday spanning over three months was quite unprecedented, but as time elapsed the days would feel suffocating and staying confined at home, with nothing to do wasn’t exactly my idea of recreation. There was so much I wanted to do, so many places I wanted to visit, but obstacles would pop out of nowhere at the last moment, leaving me heartbroken.  Suddenly three days ago, a new phase brought an end to my procrastinations.

Now that I look back, university is probably the best thing that has happened to me. Initially daunted and apprehensive, I was anxious about an alien environment, a completely different world. Would I be able to adapt like everyone else did?  Wondering whether the dichotomy between expectation and reality would be too profound, I took the first few tentative steps towards the unknown. And I am so glad I did.  Embracing the new was an overwhelming experience, and the newly discovered sense of independence and individuality  was unforgettable.  I realized that I wasn’t afraid, but a little hesitant about such a radical transition about to take place in my life.

Transformations are difficult to adapt to.  Changes that are inescapable, are ones that bring the biggest transformations in life. when you're used to seeing the same people around you, hear the same voices and feel the predictable emotions anything and everything that exists outside the familiar zone, seems alien. I was used to waking up early in the morning, drag my sleep deprived body to school, absorb those incomprehensibly soporific lectures and tolerate the punitive discipline. But now that the moribund routine finally came to an end, anxiety creeps in. Whether the I am suitable for the 'big bad world' is yet to be decided over the next four cardinal years of my life. Fear is a part of growing up, and it's not how you face them, but how you overcome them, and emerge triumphant on the other side.

But one look at my life today, and I know this is where I belong. Indeed He knows and we know not. There is much to do, so many niches to carve, so many hearts to win, so many ice bergs to melt. To let go of inhibitions is a hard thing to do, but once you do, you realize the importance of exposure .  Your thoughts, perceptions, opinions can influence others, and making an impact, a contribution from where you stand  is  beyond gratifying.  I want my voice to reach the people who need to hear it the most, the lost and the deviated, whose last conversation with their Creator was ages ago. I want to tell them that its not too late to come back, and that one should not look for happiness  in places where they won’t find it . True happiness comes from Allah, and it lasts forever. This world is  but a moment, and let us make it a moment of obedience.

Looking at your past gives you regrets, while one glance at the future gives you opportunities.

Why not make the most of it?...