#16 Pyaaz Bytes: Zindagi Okayish Hai

Hello Scrollers,

No, I am not talking about my life in the caption as it is less than okayish right now.

I am talking about the famous Pakistani show “Zindagi Gulzar Hai” which I finally finished watching yesterday. I had lauded the show in a previous blog post, but after watching the whole series of 26 episodes, I have mixed feelings about it.

First, some good points. I really liked the format of the show. As compared to soaps of India, the show did not continue for decades. It got over at a good note in 26 episodes. It did not have any overly dramatic scenes with dramatic music of showing the face of all the characters three times and wasting an entire episode on it. You know what I mean.

The recurring actors of the show had good dialogue delivery, good timing, expressions and did not overact. The best actor was Sanam Saeed, playing the protagonist Kashaf Murtaza. Her expressions were lively. There were long scenes which showed her thinking about a predicament in her life, with no dialogues and only expressions. Her subtle expressions perfectly reflected her thoughts and it was a treat to watch her. Fawad Khan as Zarun did the required job, but nothing significant. His acting has certainly improved a lot after the show.

My favorite was Rafiya Murtaza, played by Samina Peerzada. She played Kashaf’s mother in the series and was the most lovable character. Her understanding nature, optimistic attitude and kind treatment of everyone despite the problems in her life was really inspiring. Her sing-song way of saying “Waalekum Assalam” made me giggle every time.

The show started with the right note on the problems faced by women in society. Kashaf’s father had a second wife because his first wife could not give him a son and him wanting to get all his daughters married to “wash off his hands of the responsibility” or “burden” of daughters. It was Kashaf’s mother who resisted him, despite all odds and helped her daughters have a career.

Zarun’s opinion of women, including the freedom of his mother and sister were sexist as he wanted to restrict them. He kept blaming his mother for only caring for her career and not being there for them. He blamed his mother when his shirts had broken buttons and she did not pay attention to their laundry needs. Did anyone blame the father for working hard? No.

He did not appreciate that his fiance Asmara had guy friends. His sister, Sara’s marriage ended because her husband did not like her having guy friends, even though he knew she was like this since years. I thought the show would support the cause or at least show independent women in a good light.

Unfortunately, this did not happen. Sara was diagnosed with depression after her divorce. She started blaming her mother for raising her with “too much freedom” and not taking care of them like a housewife. Her mother at first resisted the blame but in the end accepted that she was not a good mother and a wife as she was too focused on her career. Did anyone ask the dad to do the same? No. I had no problem with anyone not blaming the dad. The sad part was that the women “accepted” that they were “wrong” for being independent and blamed themselves for not being “too free” and not having good values. Towards the last few episodes, Sara marries a “conservative guy” from a “conservative” family as she was ready to “change” herself and “adjust” accordingly. Insane.

Even Zarun’s nature remains the same in the entire series. He marries Kashaf because of her “good values” as she did not have any male friends and did not venture out late till night.

Kashaf and Zarun had two major fights after their marriage. First, Zarun got angry with Kashaf as she did not tell him that his friend Osama had proposed to her before their marriage. He was angry for this for days, and got angrier when she told her problems to their confidant Sir Abrar. He also began checking her phone and letters sometimes. The fight got resolved only when Kashaf told him that she was pregnant. The good thing in this was that Kashaf drew some boundaries and stood by them.

Second, when Kashaf got to know that he still meets his ex-fiance Asmara and lied to her about it. She asked him for an explanation and he said that they are just friends. She asked him why did he lie to her about it, he had no answer. Of course, she leaves the house and goes to stay with her mother for a while. He did not apologize even once and came to her only when she called him and told him that they are having twin girls and she wants to come back. She never asked him how he would have reacted if she was talking to Osama behind his back or to any other guy. All hell would have broken lose. This part disappointed me.

The ending of the show was alright. Kashaf thought that Zarun would be like her father and would not like that they are having two daughters. Her mother also explained to her that she should not think like that and every child is a blessing. Zarun was happy to have two daughters. The final scenes showed the couple playing with the kids and roaming on the beach, with the peppy background score of Zindagi Gulzar Hai.

So overall, the show pushed the cause of not differentiating between girl child and male child and education of women, which was good. However, the show did not appreciate freedom of women, which I did find problematic. Hence, Zindagi Okayish Hai.

Here’s to 945 words of Day 16. Cheers!

Book Musing (My Feminist Perspective)- Sita:Warrior of Mithila by Amish

What comes to your mind when you hear the name Sita?

Ram’s wife who got kidnapped by Raavan? Or the name you always used in school while making up sentences and stories which had a girl in it?

Fortunately, Amish’s book highlights much more about the mythological character, who is usually epitomized as the “perfect wife”.

While reading a book or watching a movie or a show, I have a habit of paying close attention towards the portrayal of women in them. Most of the times, it reflects the condition of women in that period, and sometimes, the creator attempts to propagate their idea of it.

The male and female are like the two wings of a bird and when both wings are reinforced with the same impulse, the bird of humanity will be enabled to soar heaven-ward to the summit of progress.

 – Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 82.

I would like to believe that Amish is attempting to propagate the above philosophy, among many others, through his book Sita: The Warrior of Mithila. It is the second book of the Ram Chandra Series, published by  Westland Publications in 2017.

The current book narrates the life of Sita, an individual, a princess, a Prime Minister and a Vishnu. She is as capable as Ram, who is in awe of her because of her qualities, and they get married for love.

I highly appreciate the reflection of feminism in the book. Ram and Sita, and also the other characters, believe that they can be equal partners. They believe that they together can inspire the nation and bring back its glory. Both man and woman, can together, be the Vishnu.

Women are not mere props in the book and they are not discriminated against, almost anywhere. If they are capable, they are allowed to rule. Other major female characters such as Sita’s mother, Sunaina, the slum dweller, Samichi and also Sita’s friend, Radhika, the trader  Manthara,  are shown as individuals who are not discriminated against because of their gender and are at good positions in the administration. Even Urmila, Sita’s sister, who is shown as a delicate girl, chooses to live as a housewife. It was not forced upon her.

The beauty about feminism is that it is not about glorification of women and bashing of men. It is about treating both the genders equally and giving equal rights and freedom to both.

This book, quite ingeniously, displays the philosophy. The male characters in the book are not belittled or used as props. They are shown as equally efficient and possess freedom of choice, for example,  King Janak chooses to pay more attention to philosophy rather than administration.

Also, the first book of the series, “Ram- The Scion of Ikshvaku” narrated the early life of the Ayodhya prince in a similar, brilliant manner.

Another part of the story which got etched in my mind is the conversation between Bharat and Sita, wherein they discuss the Masculine way of life and the Feminine way of life. The words are not related to gender but different ideologies. Here, Sita talks in favour of the Masculine way of life, which has rigid rules and there is more certainty.

On the other hand, Bharat supports the Feminine way of life, in which there is an underlying belief that people are capable of finding a balance on their own. There are rules, but people possess freedom to choose and also change them, and this freedom helps them find a balance. (Reading the book will help you get a better understanding).

The book, efficiently, represents many opposing views, ideas and philosophies, and shows how people think and choose,  and what can be their consequences.

After reading this page-turner, I am eagerly waiting for the third book of the series- Raavan: Orphan of Aryavarta,  and how all the incidents of the three books will culminate in the untitled fourth book.

The best part about Amish’s books is the realistic touch he gives to mythological characters, who are supposed to possess supernatural powers, due to which they are revered as Gods. Amish taught me that anyone can become great due to their abilities, Karma and a belief in themselves. His books made me believe in myself.

Will return with more musings soon. Till then, don’t cry over dead onions.

Adieu.

P.S. None of my write-ups are paid. I am not that popular,yet. 😛