Close
Igniting Ideas For impact

Embarking on a transformative journey through six chapters, we traverse India's landscape, exploring pioneering startups and their revolutionary...

9 months

Time to Rethink Beauty & Bollywood Lyrics: 9 Things to Learn from Kamla Bhasin

Believing in a form of advocacy that combines feminist theory and community action, she is best known for her work with the feminist network Sangat.

Time to Rethink Beauty & Bollywood Lyrics: 9 Things to Learn from Kamla Bhasin

Not long ago, we had a chance to interview development feminist activist, poet, author, and social scientist, Kamla Bhasin—and while it was every bit as insightful and inspiring as we had imagined, it was also a lot of fun.

 

We’ve never seen someone break down activism, feminism, and patriarchy in a way that is both serious and funny at the same time. Here are some of our favourite snippets from the conversation.

1.  On listening to the communities she works with | 1 min

YouTube player

2. On the importance of being a part of the larger movement | 30 secs

YouTube player

3. On feminism | 1.5 mins

YouTube player

4. On why popular notions of beauty don’t help anyone | 45 secs

YouTube player

5. On Bollywood lyrics | 1 min

YouTube player

6. On gender as perspective, not a subject | 45 secs

YouTube player

7. On the T.I.N.A. syndrome | 1 min

YouTube player

8. On starting to create change in our homes | 1 min

YouTube player

9. On dismantling patriarchy | 30 secs

YouTube player

If you’d like to more about our conversation, you can read it here.

(By Rachita Vora and Devanshi Vaid)

About the authors: 

Rachita is Co-founder and Director at IDR. Before this, she led the Dasra Girl Alliance, a Rs 250 crore multi-stakeholder platform that sought to empower adolescent girls in India. She has a decade of experience, and has spent the past eight years working in financial inclusion, livelihoods and public health.

Devanshi is Co-founder and Director at IDR. Prior to this, she worked at Dasra, a strategic philanthropy foundation. As a part of the advisory research team, she conceptualised, planned and implemented their first comprehensive dissemination strategy.

This article was originally published on India Development Review (IDR). You can view it here.

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: [email protected].
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let's ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?

Support the biggest positivity movement section image Support the biggest positivity movement section image

This story made me

  • feel inspired icon
    97
  • more aware icon
    121
  • better informative icon
    89
  • do something icon
    167

Tell Us More

Shorts

Shorts

See All
 
X
 
Sign in to get free benefits
  • Get positive stories daily on email
  • Join our community of positive ambassadors
  • Become a part of the positive movement