‘Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all’ a monumental part of an epic fairytale. It certainly held a lot of significance in the story. But surprisingly this line still has its relevance till date. Why? and How?, you ask. Well, this snippet from the story is resonating of peoples’ minds today, a monologue that plays in their head each time they are confronted by their reflection on that beautiful silver glass mirror and in the process push themselves deeper into this abyss of ‘beauty’.
Beauty is brilliance. Beauty is powerful. Beauty is enchanting and mesmerizing. But beauty can be menacing too. Yes, menacing. I say this as I flip through glossy images of porcelain skinned models. I say this as I see advertisements of absolutely bogus products professing to make you thinner, fairer, and prettier, as if that is the only aspect comprising a person’s life. I say this as I see women, regardless of age going nuts over new diets and cosmetic procedures. I am a woman and it’s exhausting and disappointing as the media, which is a reflection of the society we live in, boxes you up with these ridiculous classifications of ‘What is beautiful’. Staring at the matrimonial section of newspapers, is both amusing and concerning at the same time, with a vast majority of ads going like ‘Looking for a tall, fair, slim and beautiful girl’
According to studies, women, around the world are conditioned to value and judge themselves and each other by how they look. And how can we forget India’s ever growing obsession with fair skin. Almost everyone, in the existing times, at some point in their lives have had a problem with what they look like and have considered getting a cosmetic surgery in an attempt to fix the same. We are most definitely losers at the end of this almost sickening and unhealthy relationship with ‘looking beautiful’. But this is not me unrealistically disregarding the significance of ‘looking good’ and ‘presentable’ or looking the best version of one ’s self, can have on someone’s life. Nor, am I writing against those who choose to go under the knife in an attempt to look more aesthetically pleasing versions of themselves.
However, having said that, one should know the difference between ‘awareness’ and ‘realization’ of the importance of beauty and a ‘fixation’ and ‘obsession’ of the same. Most importantly, one should be unambiguous of the kind of relation they have with ‘beauty’ in their lives. Your face and your body are not the only defining aspects of your life. No one can deny the fact that a healthier lifestyle translates into a healthier and more beautiful you both inside out. As clichéd as it may sound, ‘Be comfortable in your own skin’ and be accepting if not thankful with what you look like. So, for a change, the next time you turn your face to that beautiful silver mirror, don’t stare at yourself wishing you had larger eyes or fuller lips or a better body, but smile at your beautiful self and be thankful of your existence because you are unique, the way you are.
