Bindi- my heritage, my culture

I wanted to say something about this issue for a very long time, however, I finally decided to do it after seeing an Instagram post recently. I came across a post that was aimed at young women, selling to them the latest trend in "tribal-style street fashion"….the bindi. Not only was I appalled at seeing this, I was enraged. I would like to clarify a few things for everyone out there.

The bindi is a symbol of my culture and of my religion's deep heritage.

When placed on my mothers' and sisters' foreheads, between their eyes, it is said to manifest and enhance the energy of Ajna (आज्ञा) - the sixth chakra in the Hindu tradition, representing intellect, wisdom and intuition. For some, it represents a third eye of sorts itself, providing wearers with a sense of higher consciousness and being, echoing the ability to understand and sense the intangibles of our universe. For many Hindus, it is deeply seeded in our vibrant mythologies and tales - a sign of celebrated womanhood.

It is not, however, a decoration for you to wear when you are prancing around at hazy music festivals, colliding your body with others at the club or even wearing it to the beach with your crop tops and denim shorts. When you use it in such a way, you are divorcing the bindi from its heritage and its true meaning. I usually don't like to talk about cultural appropriation because it is quite a complex and highly subjective issue, but I just want to reiterate that there is, in fact, a fine line between appreciation and appropriation. Please realize that my culture is not your fashion statement or your paycheck. There is nothing hipster or boho chic about it.

I would also like to point out that for years, the women of my culture have been ridiculed, taunted, and humiliated for wearing the "red dot" that happened to be an integral part of their cultural identity. Immigrants were shamed into letting go of their traditions and symbols as they did not comply with Western norms. If you can not appreciate the bindi on the crowns of my people, you can not appreciate it, period.

Do not separate a symbol from the beings that gave rise to it. I choose to reclaim the bindi.
By Tanya Tewari

Be proud of your existence

A letter to all my friends,
I urge you to tether yourself to the night sky and step outside of your uncertainties. There is no truth truer than star light - all that you have been led to believe will fade in comparison.
Please realize that that all of us are a culmination of someone's worship, the brickwork of our guardians' love; collectively, we are divinity exemplified. 
We are soups made of the same stock, mansions rooted by the same foundations, an intricate embroidery of youngsters torn by the same dilemmas.
So when they insist, wanting to tear us up and divide, wanting to accuse and point - tell them that you are a wanderer.You do not define yourself by sect or colour or religion - your humanity and your mind are both far too large to fill these shallow holes of distinction.
Let them know that yes, you hear what they say. You have temporarily written their judgement and discrimination on the surface of your lungs, never allowing the ink to sink in, and exhaled it with no further thought.
So control the wobble of your chin, the stutter of your lips but never try to tame the wilderness of your heart. Smile at them, full tooth and glory, let them know they have no power in the land of open-minded journey-men and -women.
We can not be found within city lines, can not be held by any dams - our skin pigments and desires carry no cracks, no remorse, no guilt, and no shame.
Never apologize for your struggles, the calluses on your hands or your skyscraper ambitions. These are all a part of your beautiful existence.
And when they try to set you on fire, remind them that you are even more beautiful aflame - laugh heartily, knowing that you are igneous. Knowing that you are the phoenix birth of an artist, of a philosopher, of a raging scientist just waiting to happen.
Rejoice. By Tanya Tewari

Being an Indian

               
             
 Being an Indian for me, is being engaged in a camaraderie filled with heightened dreams, and the wish to grow past margins and dubious expectations. Being an Indian is knowing how to strive, better yet - thrive, in the midst of adversity.Being an Indian is abiding by one simple philosophy : "juggad first yaar, baaki baad me dekhengey". Being an Indian means pride, means defensive, means all encompassing. Being an Indian is devouring a mango whole, and even sweeter, knowing the blessings of my grandparents' hugs. Being an Indian is strolling in Dehradun, and bowing to the Ganga in Rishikesh. Being an Indian is being familiar with the scent of melting butter on my mami's morning paranthas and the fragrance of chameli on slumbering, evening streets. Being an Indian is being smitten. Being an Indian is exhilarating. Being an Indian is a privilege, a blessing, and no doubt, a responsibility. But most importantly, being an Indian is something that never really escapes you.
Happy Independence Day, India - "the ancient, the eternal, and the ever-new".

By my darling daughter Tanya Tewari