Unlocking the Cage of Desires: Celebrating Female Sexuality in Indian Cinema and Literature
Hello there! Have you ever wondered why, in the past, Indian heroines were always portrayed as demure, virginal, and domesticated characters? You are not alone.
For so long, traditional stereotypes have continued to dominate the Indian film industry and literature, drowning out the voices of real, flawed, and raw women who crave emotional and sexual fulfillment. Fortunately, a new wave of heroines has emerged, breaking free from these outdated norms and introducing a female perspective that is more humane, realistic, and nuanced.
Traditional Stereotypes of Indian Heroines
Decades ago, Indian cinema and literature were known for the portrayal of women characters that were deeply rooted in the societal norms of that time. The female protagonist was often seen as a virginal princess, whose ultimate goal was to marry a man from the same or a higher social status.
These characters were usually demure, submissive, and domesticated. They were expected to put their family before everything else and suppress their desires to be the perfect epitome of a homemaker.
Evolution of Modern Heroines
However, as time progressed, the portrayal of women in popular culture has undergone incredible evolution. The modern heroine deviates from the traditional archetype, accepting cosmetic intervention to look glamorous and in tune with the contemporary world. Progressive women now celebrate physical and emotional independence, making bold decisions that were earlier denied to them.
They are no longer bound to staying within the house, but instead make their presence felt outside of it too.
Paradigm Shift to More Humane and Realistic Characters
The newest female protagonists in the Indian cinema and literature industry represent the entirety of what it means to be a woman in the present world. They are flawed, raw, and real, further cementing the place of women in literature and cinema.
Some have realistic, relatable issues such as eating disorders, mental health, and relationship problems. Others confront societal issues such as gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
They are everything that their predecessors were never allowed to be.
The Dirty Picture as a Game Changer in Depiction of Female Sexuality
One striking example of the shift in the portrayal of female sexuality is the movie The Dirty Picture, a film that celebrates one South Indian actress, Silk Smitha and sexuality. The Dirty Picture, inspired by the life of Silk Smitha, features her bold depiction of female sexuality.
It shows the journey of a woman, who rises from the ashes and earns her way into the industry, becoming a sensation. She is unapologetically sexual, which was a shock for the audience. However, it opened the eyes of many and changed the game, and after the film’s release, female sexuality became more acceptable on the big screen.
Examples of Movies and Literature That Celebrate Female Sexuality
Movies
- Parched: The female protagonist is a mother of a teenager and is yearning for love and sexual fulfilment for the first time in her life.
- Lipstick Under My Burkha: Focuses on four female protagonists, fighting for freedom from their mundane lives, with each character exploring their sexuality in different ways.
- Margarita with a Straw: Tells the story of a young girl with cerebral palsy who falls in love with another woman.
- Veere Di Wedding: Deals with female friendships and features a masturbation scene in one of its segments.
- Lust Stories: A collection of short films, each exploring sex and sexuality in all its forms.
Literature
Recently, there has been an increasing number of novels and short stories that depict female infidelity and sexual desire in India. One such novel is A Cage of Desires, written by Shuchi Singh Kalra.
It is a gripping story of a middle-aged housewife, craving for emotional and sexual fulfilment, that is not available in her loveless marriage. The author writes about the inherent human need for love and the justification of infidelity. The story gives us a glimpse into what drives an individual to seek gratification outside their marriage. It’s written in poetic prose, with vivid descriptions of titillation, orgasm, and masturbation, making the book an intimate affair for the reader.
Conclusion
It is evident that over the years, the portrayal of women in Indian cinema and literature has changed dramatically. From being virginal, domesticated, and demure protagonists, female characters have evolved into raw, real and unabashedly themselves in the new cinematic experience. Though there still exists a gap between the society’s mindset and acceptance of women, the rise of these heroic characters, that explore sexuality in complicated, emotional, and exciting ways, gives hope for change and acceptance. Hats off to these modern-day authors and filmmakers for the enlightening and entertaining experience that resonates with the modern woman!
Path of Acceptance for Female Sexuality
There’s no secret that female sexuality has long been a difficult and oft-taboo topic in India. Traditional Indian society simply does not view female sexuality in the same way as it sees male sexuality.
Women often struggle against societal norms and gender roles that impose restrictions on their sexuality, often resulting in discrimination.
Long Way to Go for Acceptance of Female Sexuality
Societal reactions towards female sexuality can still be challenging and carry significant stigma. Women who express their desires are often seen as impure and immoral in a society rooted in conservative values. The priority is given to men’s sexuality and their pleasure, women are often expected to be chaste and pure, meaning an increased burden of being modest and respecting their culture, so as to embody the ideal woman. Even talking about sexual desires openly brings about taboo and judgment from society.
These attitudes can greatly impact women, creating long-lasting emotional and social effects on their self-esteem.
Positive Sign of Acknowledgement in Cinema, Art, Literature and Social Discourse
In recent years, there has been a giant leap forward in overcoming this cultural taboo. The introduction of strong female characters and the depiction of female sexuality is now becoming more socially and artistically accepted in Indian traditional settings. Thankfully, cinema, art, and literature are slowly but surely catching up and helping to reduce the discrimination attached to female sexuality.
A Cage of Desires as an Example of Progress towards Acceptance
Shuchi Singh Kalra’s popular book, A Cage of Desires, is a perfect example of Indian popular literature’s shift towards accepting and celebrating female sexuality. The book centers around a middle-aged woman who falls in love with her alter ego Maya, while secretly yearning for emotional and sexual fulfillment.
The representation of the protagonist’s desires in the book shatters society’s glass ceiling and brings to the forefront a complex, unadulterated narrative. Furthermore, the television series Made in Heaven excels in its depictions of role reversals between men and women, female sexuality, and infidelity.
In this show, the woman is the one who has a lover, and the man waits at home for her return. The portrayal of such relationships and the growing acceptance of taboo topics has resulted in widespread discussion of female sexuality, including masturbation and erotica in social discourse.
Moving Forward to Acceptance
It’s clear that progress towards acceptance of female sexuality has been slow, but recent developments suggest that Indian society is gradually shaking off its conservative attitudes toward its female counterparts. With a range of female-centered stories, intimate scenes, and open discussions about female desires, people are embracing the idea of female sexuality as being normal and natural.
With the rise of female actors, directors, and writers, stories that celebrate female sexuality and empowerment are becoming normalized. This progress may seem small, but it signifies a positive shift in attitudes towards women and their sexual desires.
Female sexuality is slowly but surely becoming less taboo, and as a society, we are moving forward to acceptance. In conclusion, the portrayal of female sexuality in Indian cinema, art, and literature has come a long way since traditional stereotypes.
The introduction of modern heroines, from the flawed, to the raw, and real characters that embrace their desires, represents a giant leap forward in the fight for acceptance of female sexuality. Despite the societal challenges and judgments associated with it, progress has been made towards breaking down these barriers.
With such developments as A Cage of Desires and Made in Heaven, discussions about female sexuality are becoming normalized in Indian society. It is a gradual change, but one that signals a brighter future for women and their sexual desires.
