Written Analysis (6)1-4-6

“People opinion on wearing mangalsutra by women”

My topic was all about the “people opinion on wearing mangalsutra by women”. While going through this topic I got opportunity to explore different aspect that is associated with it. I got opportunity to learn various aspect of the popular culture and correlate the topic with such theories, which are very much applicable in our life. In this course, I was introduced to the theories like popular Beliefs, Myths, Icons, rituals and Stereotypes. All the theories were very much informative and essential in understanding the surroundings in which we live our life. Among many theories, popular belief, myths and the ritual are very much related to my popular cultural topic.

 After going through these theories the most interesting fact that I was able to find and research is the myth and the popular belief that is associated with my topic. My topic is quite religious and the cultural one that is practiced by all the Hindu women. Mangalsutra hold the popular belief that on wearing it by woman, her husband will hold everlasting life and will always be blessed by the Holy Spirit. They wear it until their death i.e. their entire life seeking blessing from the god and goddesses. It also possess the popular myth that husband will hold everlasting life. However, no one is immortal, i.e. everyone has to die so despite of wearing the mangalsutra by women, and husband dies which is the tragic moment. People’s opinion about wearing mangalsutra is related to belief towards their religion and towards their god. When women do not wear this ornament, they believe that some omen is going to place soon, which is the sad moment in their life. After going through this course, I was able to analyze the theories to my topic. Before, going through this course I was always ignored from all this sort of the theories. These theories seem simple in seeing but while going through it, all the words, theories were very much informative and essential in our life. I am so much thankful that I was able to deeply analyze the popular belief and myth in my topic and I was able to share those findings to my mom, grandma and sisters. All were happy for my findings. In this sense, I believe that I got good insight in these sorts of the theories. Moreover, heroes, cult of the celebrity, stereotypes etc. were all the interesting findings from my analyses.

As before going through this course, I used to take any sort of the topic in the simple way and used to feel relax. It happened to me because we were very new to different aspect of viewing and thinking. When we were introduced to different theories, I now realized that all the simple words are also delicate and challenging and provides valuable insight. I now started to see my chosen popular culture with different dimension. I was able to find out the hidden stories that were located to my topic. I was clear about the myth, beliefs, stereotypes, cult of the celebrity and so on. Now I realized that what components are most required to form the culture and later the popular one in the given mainstream culture. Finally, I am now able to locate the impact caused because of the culture that is popular in the mainstream culture and the society. Hence, in this way I think of my popular culture subject in a different way based on my analysis

Written Analyses-Analysis-4

"People opinion on wearing mangalsutra by women"

My topic is all about the people opinion on wearing of the mangalsutra by the women. ‘Mangalsutra' is composed of the two vital words, mangal which means holy and sutra which means thread. So, it is regarded as the holy and auspicious thread. In this topic the convention part of the formula is applied. In this religious thread, there is black bead which is believed to gain the supernatural or the divine energy, powers that protect the couple from the part of evil one and make the couple safe for their everlasting journey of married life. There is convention that when it is lost or breaks, then it is considered as the black sign i.e. boding evil or fearsome. This theory is believed or applied by all the Hindu who prefers wearing this cultural artifact. It also gives the religious and the cultural beauty to all the women who wear it. However, there has been made the discoveries or the invention of different shapes, sizes and style regarding it. As per the change of the generation, its inventions are changing day by day. We can find different forms in the goldsmith house. The formula regarding the mangalsutra has been changed in the generations in terms of the invention i.e. shape, forms and sizes as per its price.

While going through the topic like invention and convention, I found that my topic is somehow interrelated to each other. They best describe on the part of the convention that when it is lost then it is considered as the bad omen or boding evil or fearsome. It should always be protected by the women who wear it with great care and love. There is convention that wearing of this artifact leads to everlasting life of her husband and there will be always peace and the prosperity in their married life. While talking about the invention part, the forms and the sizes are changing as the change of the generation. In the past days i.e. period of my grandmother, the form was just made of the thread and some part of the gold with simple design. While talking about the present scenario, the inventions are made in numerous designs. Some forms are made only through the gold whereas some are made through the diamond one. We can observe the change in the invention that is made in the mangalsutra in every corner where Hindu is residing and who wear it.

After applying theses theories I realized that the convention remains same throughout the time whereas the invention may get change through the passage of the time. In my topic the convention or the belief regarding the mangalsutra has remain the same or the constant i.e. what my grandmother believed regarding it is the same that my mother and sister believe on wearing it. But they believe that the inventions are changing as per the change in the time.

Journal Article Analysis 1-3-2

I have selected the article “Ethics, Authorship, and the Representation of Drag Kings in Contemporary US Popular Culture” .This article, presented by Maite Escurero-Alias, is all about the evolution of understanding and knowing sexual genre of the gay culture. This article also gives emphasis about the culture through the portrayal of drag kings and their masculinity. She has well defined the gay culture through three different methods which will add and familiarize on us more about the information on the gay culture.  In the article, the first introduction is MilDred, who is presented doubtful and the controversial questions directed to the black female genre that black female body as a sexual object of dominant gaze.   In the second part we are familiarized to the television episode of Sex and the City. In the film episode we can observe the different patterns prevailing in the sexual practices. In the third section, we are more introduced to next film show, The L Word, which presents the scenes related to the lesbian sex. After going through this film show it received many criticisms, because not only for the sake of the sexual pose or the scene but of the presentation of the lesbian scene presented by the beautiful female.

            As per the Wikipedia drag kings are all the female performing artists who well groomed in masculine drag and present and modify themselves as the male gender stereotypes and drag kings give the performance as more than usually male character and present as the marginalized masculinities (Wikipedia, Nov 2011). These characters mimic or impersonated the male celebrities.

              In the article we are familiarized to MilDred who is the black sharing genre lesbian woman. She has presented as multidimensional character who was both writer and producer. She writes and produces her own work or her professional performance in challenge to the media shows that are produced predominately by white heterosexual men.  She used to give her performance mainly for the gay of the mixed culture one. She targets her performance to the gay people. She understands that typecast is just a stereotype.   She understands that every people possess both the characteristics i.e. masculine and feminine side. Most of the individual selects one part only i.e. either masculine or famine. She prefers to select both the alternatives side by side i.e. feminine as well as masculine.         

               In the next part there is the television program sex and the city that sexual point of reference became dubious when one of the characters was illustrated as stating “Sexual flipping is the wave of the future.”  (Escudero-Alias, 2011, p 264).This show gain the popularity from many people by shattering sexual taboos and became famous.   It has well portrayed the way of sexual practices by fragmenting down the patterns of sexual practices of boy, girl, boy-girl, drag kings are presented.  In the film show, many characters were invited to an art exhibition of drag kings. In the film show many characters were shocked as they viewed the art and find that the men are really women.

               The last media show, The L Word was the first show that was about the lesbian. It analyze and finds the way of living of lesbian women which all includes their careers, their personal life with their thrash about life and good one i.e. romance.  The show presents the portrays or the scenes of lesbian sex which caused controversy and debate in the lesbian society.   In the show, the gay people were distress and sadden for just only illustrating the beautiful one. They fill that all the lesbian are not only beautiful as presented in the show and they do not always appear on that way as presented in the show. The show producer fights and defends about the male flight of the imagination with the question “why not?” Essentially, misuse sells.  Everyone are concerned and interested even in heterosexuals in the show.

           Every article has information to build the society as this article is also one of them which is very much informative one. I also agree with the article after going through it. There still exists the stereotyping belief in the society as a gay man is characteristically a white male.  In actuality, as MilDred portrayed, he can also be well groomed, muscled that comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. His appearances may lured to the heterosexual woman. As in the article,I that MilDred’s words quoted by Escurdero-Alias, should always work as inspiration and should always be in our thoughts. So I believe that this article may be the one that changes the concept and the thinking that is existing, prevailing in the society till now.

                Yes I agree with this article which is well illustrated. This article convinced all the readers about to gain acceptance of mainstream society to believe and accept the gay culture prevailing in the society.   Gay culture is also the part of the society we should not mistreat and act abnormal to these parts of the culture. This sort of the shows on television should not be so impacted to the viewers .I as being the element of the society, support this culture i.e. every people have right to live their life on their own way and style. We should not be more bothered and take tension of it.  I also encouraged getting informative to competing the mind all the people and encouraging erasing the blind faiths associated with this sort of topic

  I also have many people in my group that are gay or bisexual.  I believe and support that their sexual alternative and preferences are their choice and it is all their way of living. So, I believe that we should just support their hardcore feelings. We should treat the entire human as equal and should be the state to love and respect any changes of the society in any of the condition and nature like gay.  People who are in the earth are all the finest creations of the god we are here to share the feelings and care to each other with nobility and admiration irrespective of any circumstances we do not. We do not have any rights to judge and give fault judgments to the characteristics and the nature of the people that hurts.

                After going through the article I found that this article is relevant in the context of presenting the drag kings. This article is the one who has presented the feelings of the people which is relevant to the society. I support that if anyone viewed MilDred on stage, it would be more realistic than television which will be much more informative.

References

Escudero-Alias, M. (2011). Ethics, Authorship, and the Representation of Drag Kings in Contemporary US Popular Culture.  The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol  44(2).  Pages 256-273.  Retrieved 11/29/2011 from:http://0-journals.ohiolink.edu.olinkserver.franklin.edu

Wikipedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11/27/2011 from htt://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/drag_king

Written analysis 3,1-4-4

 “People opinion on wearing mangalsutra by women”

Heroes are the personality with the admiration, praiseworthy, devote and the hard working. The cult of the celebrity is the dedication, affection and admiration of individual recognition. In the case of this topic both the theories are seem to be applied i.e. heroes and the cult of the celebrity. The wearing of the mangalsutra is termed as the devotion, admiration, respect and attachment made by the women to her husband in order to remain their two souls (soul of both the husband and the wife) immortal and blessed. The act done by the wife serves as the hero. It is the respectable and the praiseworthy function made by the wife. Every Hindu woman has great devotion and struggle their entire life in serving   their husband. They take their husband as the god to their life. Moreover, as the cult of the celebrity, women are seen more sacrificing in their life. They are always praised by their work. The wearing of the mangalsutra by women are highly respected, famous, renowned in the society. They take such functions of the women from internal aspiration and admiration. In my family my mother, aunty also wears this precious ornament. Particularly for me they are the celebrities to me. By seeing wearing of mangalsutra by my family members, upcoming generation in our family also follow the same trend. I also wish the same thing as my family did. These are the generational respect as well.

The insights that I gain after applying these theories to my topic is, we know in the society there are some good people and some bad ones. Bad people always mistreat the women in our society. When they see mangalsutra in their neck, bad people are aware that she is married and they should not make any fake attempts to her characters. They also get the information that she has got devotion to her husband and if they do after seeing mangalsutra then they are punished and penalized by the rules and the regulation of the society and finally of the country. Wrongdoers also become aware about that she is married one and if they make any fake attempts, they believe that they are soon going to face the bad omen. Mangalsutra contains huge religious and cultural values. This thread is considered the blessing of the god.  Through the hero and cult of the celebrity, we can spread the positive message in the society.  These theories serve as the basis of inspiration and role model so that all the people follow the trend in the positive way by preserving our religious and cultural heritages. Hence, these theories provides the valuable insight to our popular culture topic.

Written Analysis 2

“People opinion on wearing mangalsutra by women”

Ritual is the set of the action to be followed to fulfill any custom, ceremony. These are the practiced based on the religious and cultural belief. They are the part of the religious and cultural heritage. It is the action that is done in the same way in each time we encounter.

A stereotype is the simplified idea based on some prior supposition. It is the procedure of assuming certain nature of the people based on the assumption. Moreover, it is the process of making the generalization of the characteristics of the people of the group based on the image of the people placed in that group.

To illustrate the ritual of wearing mangalsutra by women is especially done in the marriage ceremony. In this ceremony, mangalsutra is one of the foundations to get marriage accomplished without which marriage remain incomplete. In this ritual man puts mangalsutra to woman. It is the symbol of everlasting and enduring of the relationship between wife and husband. The shape and size is varied upon the preferences of the people. It is one of the key symbol and element without which marriage ritual remains incomplete. The ritual of wearing mangalsutra illustrates that her husband have everlasting life and she is dedicated in the relationship. It shows the bond between husband and the wife. This ritual of wearing mangalsutra is also practiced in our country Nepal.

To illustrate the stereotype thoughts regarding the wearing the mangalsutra is that it has both positive and negative thoughts. Regarding the positive thoughts, the women to make their husband life immortal should wear the band. It is the due respect toward the husband. Moreover, it is the symbol of care and love toward the husband. It is the thread that is believe to keep evil thoughts away from the couple. While talking about the negative aspect, due to modernization people do not always prefer to wear it. They believe if they have faith, care and love to each other, this band is not necessarily compulsory. They focused that the relationship is based on the understanding of each other rather than from physical elements like mangalsutra. Moreover, people believe that mangalsutra should be made of the precious elements like diamond and gold but it is not the case that it should always be made from precious one. People may use it as per their economic capabilities.

After going through the rituals and the stereotypes, the system of wearing the mangalsutra is practiced from the very beginning of the time. It is all based on the religious and cultural belief through which many assumptions is based for their comfortableness on wearing it. The positive type of stereotypes depicts that it is mainly rooted on the cultural belief and the sentiments. They believe that mangalsutra is the blessing of the god and goddesses to the couple whereas the negative stereotypes occurs because of the modernization and the lifestyle. However, being Hindu I love all the women wearing it, which makes them more beautiful.

Written analysis 1-4-2

“People opinion on wearing mangalsutra by women”

Mangalsutra is the religious thread that is worn by man to his wife in the marriage ceremony. Huge population of the south Asian belt follows this culture and assumed it to be the popular culture. It is famous in the Hinduism country and its practices are seen in varied.

Mangalsutra possess the popular belief that on wearing it by woman, the man will have everlasting lives and will always be blessed by the holy god and goddesses. If we consider marriage as a culture then we may consider wearing mangalsutra as a part of culture. But when Hindu marriage ceremony is considered considering it only as a part of it wouldn’t do justice because without it the marriage is not complete and after marriage its not marriage certificate that we observe but its mangalsutra that we see to identify any woman as married or single. Hindu women wear it entire life until their husband is alive indicating that their husband is alive

Mangalsutra has also myth that on wearing the mangalsutra, husband will have long lives but still they die. It is the cultural and religious belief based on the myth passed from generation to generation. Peoples opinion about wearing is related to belief towards their religion and towards their god. a married woman if doesn’t wear it then she is looked upon as unacceptable to the society. To prove that she is a Hindu woman and her husband is living she must wear a mangalsutra. All Hindu women believe that mangalsutra is responsible for all good things and keeping their husbands away from bad lucks. if by accident or any mistake they didn’t wear it they believe that something bad is going to happen to their husband

As per the icon, it itself posses the structural shape that serves to be the icon. Mangalsutra is varied in shape, size, money and structure. Women in our country also wear it.

Icon Analysis

The three contemporary icons that I have selected are: Shamanka Blessing (The Goddess Freya), Mary Magdalene and The Goddess Liberty.

The Goddess Freyja:

According to Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, she was the goddess of love and beauty and she is also well known as the main goddess of the Vanir (fertility gods). Apart from Old Norse Freyja, modern forms of her name include Freya, Freja, Freyia etc. The history also tells that Freyja is the one who rides a chariot driven by two cats, owns the boar Hildisvíni, possesses a cloak of falcon feathers and is the owner of necklace Brísingamen. Freyja is famous in different poems, storys, and art works.  She is believed to have ruled heavenly field Fólkvangr after her death and there she used to receive half of those that die in battle. Freyja's husband, the god Óðr, is not frequently found in the history and it is also found that in his search she cries tears of red gold.

I chose The Goddess Freyja as one of my contemporary icons because I used to hear a lot about her as the goddess of love and beauty. I used to see her images and portraits and go through the history to unveil her mystery I used to have. I used to and I still admire her for being a female warrior.

She, obviously, means the goddess of love, beauty and fertility to me but apart from that I also take her as an icon of all those abstract things which represent good and are meant for humanity, meant for love and peace. I feel she had gone through a lot during wars and so she must have known what are the consequences of war or say anger and hate. So I take her as an energy to eliminate hate and anger from us.  

Mary Magdalene:

Mary Magdalene, also known as Mary of Magdala, was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and she was also the most important female disciple involved in the movement of Jesus. The history also says that Jesus made her pure from "seven demons". She is also described as Jesus’ close friend and most prominent during last days of Jesus, being present at the cross after the male disciples. She was also the first person to see Jesus after his Resurrection. She has also been described as simply “Mary” but to describe as different from other Mary she was called Mary Magdalene and it is also believed that Magdala, a town near the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, is from where she came.

I chose Mary Magdalene as one of my contemporary icon because I had heard about her when I had once visited to church and she is less famous despite all hard works she did by being with Jesus. She, being a lady, dared to stand by Jesus side at that time where women were not given any importance. And I also chose her as my icon because she was chosen by Jesus so she must have been special.

She means a pure soul to me. Hadn’t she been a pure soul Jesus wouldn’t free her from “seven demons” or also referred as seven illnesses. Since she was the one to be the first to notice Jesus after his Resurrection, it clearly indicates that she was of pure soul and the chosen one to be the first to see god. History also describes her as prostitute, but a man like Jesus only knew that it was not a sin. I think she must be the icon of all women representing purity that a woman carries.

 The Goddess Liberty:

She is the goddess of liberty who have existed in many cultures dating from dating from the Roman Empire to the British "Britannia" or the Irish "Kathleen Ni Houlihan". The history has described the ancient Roman goddess Libertas,now known as goddess liberty, was honored during the second Punic War by erection of a temple  on the Aventine Hill in Rome by the father of Tiberius Gracchus. Similarly a statue was also raised by Clodius to honour her at Marcus Tullius Cicero's house after it had been razed. She is also believed to resemble the Roman god of sun. Embodiments of Liberty include Britannia in the UK, "Liberty Enlightening the World," commonly known as the Statue of Liberty in the USA, Marianne in France and 200 statues of Lady Liberty  donated by the Boy Scouts of America  located on Michigan’s Mackinac Island.

I chose “The Goddess Liberty” as my third contemporary icon because she is world famous and through the film “Titanic” and the history, of course, I came to know about her and her importance. I used to think why must have people made such a statue and of lady. I always used to think of her I was asked about any icons.

She means different things to me. I take her as the symbol of liberty. I think she represents the courage one needs to have to be free and live their own life. The fire that she holds in her hand makes me feel that just by being a statue or just by being in our history she is being able to enlighten us.