During my childhood, I grew up hating dupattas a lot. I did not like a loose piece of cloth hanging by my shoulders which impeded me from walking or doing other activities properly. Now, this might sound ludicrous to some of you but you need to realise that I am quite clumsy. Dupatta was a hindrance for me. But, that was not the only reason why I hated it. There was another one.
I was told by my grandmother, aunts, and other relatives to wear a dupatta to cover my breasts while wearing certain clothes that were ‘tight’ by their definition. I never understood it. Weren’t they covered by my clothes already? Did I forget to mention that it can also hide peeping bra strap(s) and nipple projection(s) well?
This attire policing began pretty much when I entered middle school. Uniforms changed for girls in my school when they entered Class 6. On Mondays, we had to wear white salwar with white dupatta in V-shape. The V-shape was very important. On other days, we had to wear a pink salwar with a red and white checkered overcoat.
It was hard for me to see dupatta as a piece of fashion. I am not here to criticize the garment itself because I would wear dupattas every now and then. What was problematic for me was the kind of functionality that was attached to the dupatta. The manner in which it must be worn was dictated by a patriarchal society. Of course, I appreciate girls and women who wear dupatta out of their own will and liking in whatever style they prefer.
Nevertheless, this conditioning by the society that women must not expose their breasts/cleavage even unconsciously also taught me to judge other women and girls. (I seriously cringe at my younger self a lot.) However, I am now glad that I have unlearnt that this is a very terrible and stupid way of thinking. I am happy to see people wear what they want and being comfortable with their body.
Since I grew up disliking dupatta, especially when worn in the V-shape form, I never considered adding it part of my wardrobe collection. But, recently, just a few weeks back, my opinion has completely changed! Once I vacate my hostel (most of my belongings are in my hostel because of lockdown), I look forward to treasuring each and every dupatta that has managed to sneak its way into my collection. I look forward to buying extremely thick, black, rough dupattas. You might be puzzled what sort of enlightenment got into my head.
Do you want to know why?
You can get more creative. You can probably stuff the shamer’s mouth with this fabric or maybe tie their hands/feet.
