"Own" Identity

Ages of taboos, and discrimination...

have led to quelling of voices and incarcerations.

An incarcerated soul imprisoned in home,

longing to unravel the magic of her dreams...

amidst tortures, excruciating pain, dark clouds of negativity.

Little Diya prepares her History lessons..dreams all night...

How the great father and Sultan Iltutmish,

to fulfil his daughter's dreams and wishes..

Had crowned Razia in glory as she deserved,

But as she wakes up in the morn, she sees

Abba, telling her little brother to go out and play..

While she can't even study,to her dismay.

Oh! The young mother recites to her lovely little daughter, the Tribute to Rani Laxmibai...

The inquisitive girl, overexcited asks,

"Why is it said she fights like a man?

If a man can be a warrior, a woman also can!"

Grandma, interrupts "You should not be so loud"...

She is supposed to be softer and not speak her heart aloud .

The helpless father, begs "I am sorry...

I cannot arrange such a grand dowry.."

The eighteen years old girl,who had been taught,

That she could live her dreams after wearing sindoor..

In her gleaming bride-dress, with tears in her eyes, waits forever ..

Just hoping to apply sindoor someday.

The passionate housewife ,who works day and night..

Busies herself in writing her diary for a while..

She yearns to hear just a "Thank You"; instead

Reprimands her husband,

"Where is the dinner?..I will tear those pages..

And all that trash ..I will throw away."

With Puja, in the offing, when the city's busy shopping...

The idolmaker's daughter admires the art..

How her father's magical hands, skillfully create Maa's realistic eyes, with an ignition

Of sparkling hope in her heart,

She says, "Baba, will you teach me your trade...

So that I never let your honour in Kumortuli fade."

"Just stay away from this", her father yells at her,

"It's a different craft, you need not bother".

This is all so ironical you see..

We are the creators , but cannot show our creativity ,

In making something of our own..

Besides a '"family", a "home", an

"Identity"..

It isn't anyone's fault , or ploy..

That we need to be only this and that..

Always obedient and coy..

It's a system, so entrenched,

That we teach our children-

"Be feminine" or "Be a man"..

Even before telling them to be "a human "..

But change will come about ,

If only we open up and shout...

"Have the courage to be ", break free from conventions..

Embrace all flaws, weaknesses and strengths and our own "sensations"...

Make a promise ,everyone..

To teach your children to be a human first..

And not always give in to the fixed roles or norms..

We can do it , we look forward to the day

When we need not have to say,

"Woman up... "

We would create a world secure,

Where everyone has the right, to spell their name and create their identity...

In their own, unique way.