We all remember Kirron Kher’s stunning performance in the hit song ‘Maa da laadla bigad gaya’ from Karan Johar’s ‘comedy’ film Dostana. Her carefully dramatised portrayal of the desi mom inspired both hilarity, and a deep connection, because let’s face it, haven’t we all been labelled ‘bigda hua’ or a ‘bigdi hui’ by the friendly neighbourhood moral brigade? The tag is used so liberally (and differently for boy and girls) that there’s some confusion about what the do’s and don’ts are to avoid being called ‘bigda’ / ‘bigdi’. We derived the common denominators, and came up with 7 symptoms that can help!
Symptom 1: You Speak Your Mind
Remember that time when you said you’d rather stick to your beliefs than subscribe to what the Mohit ki ma is saying? Why didn’t you just keep your mouth shut? Because, my friend, by speaking what was on your mind you just got labelled, and the entire colony knows it! Gasp!
Symptom 2: You’re Fond Of Choosing Your Own Path
“Beta, tumhare chacha ke mama ke bete ka chhota beta engineering kar raha hai. Tum humanities karke humari naak mat katwana (Your uncle’s uncle’s kid’s younger son is doing engineering. Don’t shame us by choosing the Humanities field)!”
Heck! All you decided to do was choose your preferred career path, but no! This is not acceptable. And it doesn’t stop there – how can you make choices that defy the choices society has made for you?! You just earned yourself a label.
Symptom 3: You Say ‘No’ When You Disagree With Something
When something is asked of you or some directive issued your way, say ‘yes’. Even if it goes against every fibre of your beliefs. Never say ‘no’. Practice saying ‘yes’ in front of the mirror if you have to, and it might just get easier.
Symptom 4: You Refuse To Take Crap. From Anyone.
Were you told by someone that you should have done or said something differently? If the advice was absolute crap, tough. You’d better not defy it, or you’ll have a label added to your name.
Symptom 5: You Like Doing Things That Are Off The Beaten Track
“Ladki hoke cooking nahi aati? Ladke hoke lambe baal rakhhe hain? (Being a girl, how can you not know cooking? How can you keep long hair, when you’re a boy?)” How. Dare. You. Haath se nikal gaye ho, yaar (You’re out of control, man)!
Symptom 6: Your Motto Is ‘Mah Life, Mah Rulezzzz’
Don’t want to get married at 25? But, your biological clock is ticking!
Want to quit your job and ‘settle’ for a pay cut that makes you happier? How will you support your future family if you’re not ‘settled’?
Gotta think about everyone else’s opinion if you want to avoid being labelled, bro!
Symptom 7: You’re Gutsy
Love marriage in the 21st century. Raising your voice against age-old traditions. Getting tattooed. All, and more, forbidden unless you want to be ‘bigda hua’. It’s only fair, ya!
We’ve had our laugh, but let’s pause and really think about this. Is this label really justified? Do others really have more of a say in what you do or don’t do, by virtue of taking a high moral ground? How do you tackle such situations? Do you reject the tag, or do you wear it on your sleeve, proudly?
Have you ever been labelled ‘bigda hua’ / ‘bigdi hui’? Tell us why and what you think about it – together, let’s decode this label, understand where it comes from, and figure out what we, as individuals, want to do with it. Write on Youth Ki Awaaz and follow our campaign #BHL!
The post If You Have These 7 Symptoms, You’re Definitely Stereotyped As A ‘Bigda Hua Ladka Or Ladki’ appeared first and originally on Youth Ki Awaaz and is a copyright of the same. Please do not republish.