Choices, Changes, and Children

 

By: Olga K. and Elizabeth K.

Section: B3

 

Introduction: 

 

This page expounds upon the tension between two very different ways of life.  In the past, people wore the traditional clothes that one might think of if one heard the word "India": the sari, dhoti, kurta, salwar kameez, and choli, among many others. Religion and region went hand in hand to create the various sizes, beautiful textures, and bright colors.  Now, many people are beginning to accept Western dressing styles, especially the boys and men.  In the first image, the older women are wearing saris, while the children are wearing shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses.  Obviously, there might be some conflict here.  What do the children want to wear?  The clothes they have on now, apparently, since one would think their parents would prefer more traditional clothing.  How do the parents and grandparents feel about their children's outfits?

 

India will eventually become a world power.  The children need to be ready to reach out and take this power, to be educated enough to know what to do with it, and to be brave enough to work with it.  Many, many young people are going to colleges and universities to learn, something their grandparents were never able to do.  Traditions are being folded up and put away, but they should not be put aside entirely.  Perhaps, in the future, more traditions will return.  The past should not be forgotten, and young people forget the most easily.

 

 

 

The picture above shows a typical school in India. While the teachers

are wearing traditional saris, the students are wearing the more modern

clothes that Americans are used to (http://www.asialea.org/).

 

 

 

Barbie, a popular doll for children in America, is pictured

here wearing a traditional Indian sari. This unusual

combination seems incongruous at first glance, as do

many other contrasts between old and new 

(http://www.genieangel.com/collections.html).

 

 

 Dialogue:

 

Denali:  Stop playing with those filthy dolls!  They're indecent!  What would your mother say?

 

Alka:  But I love my Barbie doll.  She's been my friend ever since I was a baby.

 

Denali:  You didn't answer my question, young lady.

 

Alka:  I think that Mother would be proud.

 

Denali:  Insolent child!  You should respect your elders.  When I was young, we didn't have Barbie dolls.  I had to make do with Pachisi and other traditional Indian games.  What do you have to say for yourself?

 

Alka:  I have nothing else to do, Grandma.

 

Denali:  No?  Then you can come help me wash the dishes.  I'll dry them.  And hurry up with it!  After that, you can sweep the floor and clean your room.

 

Alka:  Okay, Grandma. As long as you buy me a Ken doll!

 

Denali:  Don't make bargains with me, Alka.  You're supposed to do just what I say.  Don't you want to grow up to be like Sita, your hero?

 

Alka:  Yes, Grandma. Oh!  I have to go to school now. See you later!

 

 

 

This video shows the different styles of saris in India:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4LHVRyQRlY

 

 

Works Cited

 

India Barbie- 2001. (Online image). Available <http://www.genieangel.com/collections.html>. 1 May 2008.

 

India School. (Online image). Available <http://www.asialea.org/>. 1 May 2008. 

 

McGowan, Kristy. "Let's Play Pachisi (Chessindia)." Calliope 15.7. Mar. 2005. General OneFile.  6 May 2008

 

     <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

 

Romola, Butalia. Passage to India: Tradition, Style, and Splendour. Media Trails. 6 May 2008 

 

     <http://www.indiatravelogue.com/pass/pass8.html>.

 

 

 

 

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