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Fascinating insights from Annual photos

MSC archived stories - July 16, 2023

At first sight of Trisha's new photo recently taken me by surprise or even shock to see her wearing a red bindi, which is traditionally worn by Hindu women to signify marriage. If that was true, how safe for a young girl to walk about and socialise, particularly in a strong Hindu cultural backdrop of Kolkata?

 

I know a red bindi is worn by Trisha's mom in order to make people understand that she is married. Why Trisha? When I last saw her she had a black dot on the forehead between eyebrows. It was puzzling, so quick to start doing my research.

 

Apparently, today Bindi has transformed into a fashion statement worn as a decoration by women, no matter their age or marital status. It goes without saying Trisha's red bindi is a perfect match to her love of colourful dresses. I see.. young girls like Trisha are braving the stereotypes and exploring freedom of choice.. perhaps would not have been possible (for her safety sake) there at the turn of this century.

 

This is not just an annual photo but a powerful portrait of a girl's will to break through poverty and social stigma! She has definitely changed my view of today's India, as it takes courage to live by conviction.

 

Do you know, it can be fascinating to learn from what your child wears for their sponsor at the annual photo shootout. I also just had Nelson's photo, totally surprised by his "London" t-shirt conveying the message.. 'I'm part of your life'.

Comments

  1. chelaka29 March 2025 at 13:34

    Wow, Trisha is only 11. Could the red bindi indicate that her future marriage has been arranged?

    July 16, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  2. chelaka29 March 2025 at 13:34

    Mmmm.. If that was the case it threatens her safety, which I don't think CI would take such risk.

    July 16, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  3. chelaka29 March 2025 at 13:34

    Sukanya wore a red bindi in her photo when she was only 3 years old. Since then it's been switching between a black and a red one in every photo since. Currently, she wears a black one in her photo where she is 15. The switching makes me feel it is some sort of fashion statement indeed.

    July 17, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  4. chelaka29 March 2025 at 13:35

    From my reading: indeed, yes, among some, bindi colors are fashion, which of course upsets religionists and traditionalists. But fashion bindi and arty bindi are not new. I watch Bollywood films; actors were wearing creative versions in the 1980's.

    July 17, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  5. chelaka29 March 2025 at 13:35

    That's interesting Rachel. May be her bindi is to do with a religious occasion in West Bengal. Way way back as Buddhists we used to visit scared Hindu temples in Sri Lanka, and I remember during poojas (making an offering of flowers or fruit to an image of a god) Hindu priest used to apply a bindi powder in the middle of my forehead to bless with auspiciousness as a religious symbol in Hindu culture. Wow.. Bollywood fan! It could be that bindi fashion born out of Bollywood culture… lot to ask Trisha :)

    July 17, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  6. chelaka29 March 2025 at 13:35

    I have an Indian sponsor child in a different organization, 11 yo, and she constantly switches her bindi’s around. I had not even thought to ask her about it before now, but think I will. Pretty sure she’s not engaged lol so hopefully just a fashion statement.

    July 27, 2023

    ReplyDelete

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