GRAND CONTRADICTION !!

For many years now, girls from the tribal belts of Jharkhand and Orissa have been notable performers in Indian women's hockey. Jyoti Sunita Kullu, Sumarai Tete, Marystella Tirkey, Helen Soy, Adline Kerketta, Ferdina Ekka, Masira Surin, Annarita Kerketta, Binita Toppo, Binita Xess, Asunta Lakra, Suniti Kispotta, Poonam Toppo are some players who have turned out for India with distinction at senior and junior levels.

But in Chak De! India, a brave Bollywood flick that challenges and demolishes several gender stereotypes, Soi Moi Kerketta and Rani Khispotta (screen names) are merely glorified extras reduced to raising a few loutish chuckles. Admittedly it is not possible to flesh out the characters of all players.

But the problem isn't about the length of their roles but the way it has been conceived and the subtext it represents. The movie creates the stereotype of the 'ignorant' tribal. During team registration, one of the tribal girls replies 'Ho ho' (what a laugh, ha, ha) to every question asked. Apparently she doesn't understand either English or Hindi. While there is nothing wrong in not knowing either of the langu-ages, the inaccurate representation ends up reinforcing the stereotype.

The truth is that such players come from the interiors of Jharkhand and Orissa and go to government and missionary schools. By the time they are groomed by Sports Authority of India and become national players, they speak decent Hindi and functional English. They certainly don't say, Happy Diwali, in reply to a good luck greeting. One also wonders why the script doesn't offer any leadership role to the Jharkhand girls.

Especially since India has seen at least two captains from the tribal heartland of Jharkhand and Orissa in recent times: Jyoti Sunita Kullu and Sumarai Tete. Is it because the areas they come from are inconsequential markets that can be given the short shrift even at the cost of ignoring reality?

Is this why the main characters are mapped to suit the more cash-rich, multiplexed areas in the country? And why does a Bengali girl - it is hard to recall when someone from that state played for the national team - finds a place in the squad? Undeniably Chak De! India is a stirring movie. If only it was fair to Jharkhand!

Lonavala Trip !!!!

Engagement Snaps