The latest trend is to enliven wedding receptions through dancers who perform ‘mujras’ and 'belly dance’
Gone are the days when ‘ghazals’ and ‘qawwali’ programmes used to be organised at marriage and reception functions in the old city. Musical orchestra troops rendering songs of Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, or the hip hop numbers of Bappi Lahri are also passé.
The latest trend is to enliven marriage receptions through professional dancers who perform ‘mujras’ and ‘belly dance’ shows.
Decency goes for a toss as the dancers gyrate to film numbers drawing loud cheers and wads of currency notes in return.
Agents
Just fork out a hefty sum anywhere between Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 10,000 and the ‘agents’ take care of the details. They ensure that three to four dance girls and an eunuch entertain the guests for four to five hours and more.
'Police aware'
“The police are aware of the activity yet they turn a blind eye thanks to the money they receive from the function organisers,” says Majlis Bachao Tehreek leader Amjadullah Khan.
Of course, there are many who are against this indecency. Some function halls have even put up notice board saying ‘no orchestra’.
There are instances of guests walking out in protest on seeing the dance programme.
But this has failed to check the menace.
The agents are spread all over the city and their addresses are provided by function hall mangers themselves. The agents maintain a group of professionals dancers and send them to functions and operate through a network of brokers, it is said.
Such activity is high at function halls at Engine Bowli, Hashmabad, Hafez Babanagar, Kishanbagh, Bandlaguda, Shivrampally, Retibowli and Champapet. People in the surroundings have numerous complaints of late night disturbances here.
Late nights
“It is an illegal activity conducted after managing the police. The police give permission only for a musical band along with a rider to wind up before 10 p.m. but these events warm up only after 11 p.m. and continue past midnight. In some instances they are held till the dawn,” says Mr. Khan.
The community elders and religious heads are quite worried about the changing scenario.
But they seem helpless in containing the menace. Mohd. Turab, executive secretary, COVA says, “It is the responsibility of the religious heads and family elders to forcefully stop this activity.”
Keywords: belly dance
very bold story every one know where is this happening even police is
giving free hands to this kind of gathering by collecting mamools from
organizers
What ever has appeared in The Hindu is correct and we the people of old city support it. We known the society we live in and our traditions. It is better that moral policing label is not given to the item. We appreciated the boldness of The Hindu in highlighting the problem. It is not that we have not protested Arab marriages it is because of initiative of people that it has come to light. So those who do not know about old city need not speak.
Defenders of Victorian morality and the derivative Indian brand of moral policing, are confused between individual responsibility and public ills. There is nothing wrong with blue films when Private, consensual and without abuse. Pornography has been a reality for all of human history, whether you want it or not; The internet and mobile phones make it impossible to police. Perhaps you can now call for the ban of all internet and mobile phones since they can be misused for immoral uses. To the people whose modesty was challenged by lewd dancing in functions, weddings and upanayans - you could have walked out; India being a free country, nobody can force you to attend anything. A noisy function, whether there is lewd dancing or not is a menace to be stopped, not for vulgarity but for disturbance. Governments want to take away civil liberties guaranteed by the constitution, especially those that challenge their authority, under the guise of social policing. Do not encourage this power grab.
I see extremes here. Many commenting on stuff which should have been addressed like dowry, drugs, under age marriage etc. which are bigger evils and others are too very defensive about this article and support moral policing. It is time to realise that whether you like it or not, due to multitude of factors there is already a CHANGE in general - be it social, economical, cultural etc. How could this change be channelised in a right trajectory is something worth thinking. Yes, there will not be right answers or wrong answers but a balanced approach to life and change should be developed both by youth and elderly.
Where is the 'Dirty' in this dancing ? Did they remove cloths in front of the audience? The title of this article is not apt, sorry to say that. Worst that this kind of dance happen in private resorts or farmhouse of politicians.
Realy i suprised after seeing the response about this article, really waste of discussion, Mr. Rajiv prabhakar i am staying in Dubai from 4 years onwards, even though i will like Indian culture and not only me Every NRI fellow will like our culture and we feel to marry a indian girl, since our tradition is wonderful.I am not saying enjoying in Dance bars or Belly dance is not wrong, but the place which you elect is main important since it was marriage function that to new couple (men and women) starting their new life with happy, is this belly dance or Dirty dance will represent the relation of new couple, really pathetic and it will resemblance the wrong thought even for new couple. Finally i will ask you one thing for your marriage or for your son marriage you will opt like this dirty dance as a cultural activity, could you ready do that.
Some of us would like to promote what I call private fundamentalism. They say that why should the media or police bother about such privately held parties. New generation wants celebrate on their own terms so let them do it. But, one point is missed somewhere. It is that weddings are social gatherings, not private bachelor parties. By this type of uncouth behaviour these guys are making elders the most uncomfortable.
What's so illegal about this ? They are not dancing nude.If there are people who don't like it, don't watch it.
My humble answers ... Is it Bad ? Yes, it is. Is it not shown on TV everyday in our drawing rooms ? Yes, it is, Still that is also BAD. Is it bad to dance like this in front of children and teens ? Yes, it is BAD. Is it a private affair ? No it is not, a marriage function cannot a private affair! But who should stop it ? Who, else other than law enforcement agency..
As a famous judgement said, you have every right to be offended by the content being broadcast by a television channel. But that doesn't mean that you can hold the channel responsible for trying to disrespect your beliefs. Not when you have a remote available to change the channel. You don't like the dancing, walk out. But you have no right to browbeat the willing participants into compliance with your own beliefs. What someone said about noise and crackers is a different thing. I am against them myself, since they might cause physical harm to those not present at the scene. But the dancing per se is not a suitable candidate for censure. As Hareesh said, watching a porn film and satisfying your sexual needs is better than raping someone to do the same. Most aren't that perfect so as to avoid both. Bharat- I pray and beg of you. Do not take upon yourself the momentous task of becoming the Benchmark of Indian Moral Standards. A PhD from France isn't the passing grade for that post.
UNACCEPTABLE statements from some of the readers. My 2 cents. 1. If an incident has grabbed public and media attention, it no longer remains private. It has become public. 2. 'Charity begins at home'. We learn this in schools. Better try to correct small things as it sprout than waiting to eradicate the society of all evils.
People should not go out of their way to do anything just to feed themselves or for any of their needs to earn money. People should also take responsibilities to go for their needs. Food,clothing and shelter should be the need of a person and govt and people should make sure they stick to their needs and help others to get their needs. Mujras are ok as long as these women and men or hijras do it willingly and passionately without expecting money or other needs. Unfortunately these and many other presumed illegaly activities go on for money and for greed.
I think people are confused about 'moral policing' and just 'morals'. Whether you want to be morally good and how you define a moral is your business. People should not jump on the bandwagon of confused liberalism. For example, Mr.Sunil Lathwal questioned why we are enforcing moral policing. Who is calling it moral policing? It is based on his assumption that somebody's 'morals' don't accept item girls at Upanayana/Wedding functions. I dont call it a 'moral'. It is very simple and fundamental than that. I need peace and decency around me. I don't want to my kids to think that they get to see a belly dance at an upanayana function. That's all. Should I quit going such functions? Yes, I will if the invitation says 'after the holy thread ceremony you will be treated with some titillating belly dance'. Until then it is not acceptable. And don't bring belly dancers half naked to my neighbourhood. I just like it and I cannot put my house on the back of my truck and move away for a night.
In fact, the very headline has exposed the hollow nature of the anti- dancer brigade's arguments. 'Elders' are being annoyed? So what? Even khap panchayat elders are annoyed at inter-caste marriages. So should we start stopping inter-caste marriages or arrest those elders who cause undue nuisance in society? In this age of uncontrolled population growth, depleting resources and opportunities and the spurt of corruption and criminal acts, the definition of morality that one can impose on society has to change. What you believe in the recess of your own mind is fine, but you cannot impose ancient standards on society at large. Remember once women stepping out of the purdah was almost an act of sacrilege. Nowadays the act of trapping women behind a purdah is shunned. Private beliefs are fine but the benchmarks we set for society must evolve with time.
The majority of the time, moral police are frustrated adults who never had fun in their lives. They are just petty while preaching to others. If some activity is not illegal, it is none of your business - that is what the LAW says. Everything else is irrelevant. Immoral, unethical, whatever all that may be, if we stop all the ILLEGAL activities in this nation, we will be on cloud nine. Enough already with the moral nonsense.
I have been living in retibowli area for past 2 years, atleast every fortnight I face a sleepless night due to the disturbence made by the orchestra(there will be only noise no music) and fireworks(they start fireworks ceremony around 11 PM). In hyderabad it is really a sin to live near by a function hall, regardless of the religion everyone is overenthusiastic/too lavish when it comes to marriage celebration in Hyderabad.
@sunil tatwal.. it is not about the taliban here in the topic... what the sena's did in mangalore and in other cities when the valentine day and other get together was celebrated??/ is it also 'talibanabad' or 'senabad' if you wish to spoil your culture then you can but do at your closed door.. or dont invite those who don't like these things or just simply mention we have so and so programmes. that's all..
It's quite simple, you are not forced to go attend these functions. If you have a problem, you could complain to the hosts and not make this a police or a criminal case. What others do or want to do to themselves is really none of your business. If you don't like it, stay out of it.
I had witnessed such a dance in a wedding in Bangalore. The wedding was from a conservative and prestigious family. The women audience were traditional. I felt uncomfortable to watch the dance when my parents were around. I would have loved to watch, if i was in a college party with only my boy buddies. but never with parents and siblings.
I would have liked to make a comment on the article, but after reading the comments, i would rather not.. I would only add, " We are humans and we live together in society. What amuses today will become a practice tomorrow. If taking drugs gives pleasure now, its a habit tomorrow... So think and choose..." I would just put a question forth to the youngsters.. Does it look civilized? Rest is all upto you..
Cultural changes are fast in India ! Who is responsible? Small children are like small plants.You bend them as you want and these children when grown up they do anything for making money to be glamorous and famous.It is cinema and TV shows they bend them with sensational shows.Parents are busy to watch them or control.Teachers are also helpless against strong influence of cinema and TV shows.Now added are computer spoil children with privacy.
I'm 30 and now doing my PhD in France. It really pains to note how far we have sunk. Not many pays attentions to causes that gave rise to many of traditions, only to pay hefty price later. These type of activities demean femininity, and teaches a bad lesson to the youth not to say is disgusting and sick. I have known youth (men as well as women) ogling over the uncovered parts of the other sex, when I was in India but such type of activities may end them up in an asylum or even jail in west. I pray to the so called youths, to please understand the difference between the cultures and in the name of modernity not to demean genders/personality. I also beg the parents to pay attention to their children instead of just weighing their wallets...
It is amazing folks are outraged about the 'indecency' of belly dancing, but not about the indecency of all-pervasive corruption, nepotism, apathy and lethargy that permeates every facet of life in India. @ Ramana Murthy: If consenting adults act in a blue film and a mature adult (who is perfecty capable of discriminating/mature decisions) watches it in the privacy of his home, what is wrong about that? It provides a safe outlet for a very natural biological need. Would you rather relish someone being raped or groped in public? Only one in a million can control their senses in totality. Please do not take upon yourself the moral authority to determine what is 'right' and what is 'wrong'. The world is not black & white.
This clearly shows killing of culture and forcing the people to accept this as 'nothing wrong in this'. Don't kill young generation by feeding like this.
Human beings are subjected to live a comfortable life, which comprises of not only with modern inventions but also abstract things like decency, morality, piousness, truth, love etc. When people select other than these end in suffering, destruction, unpleasantness and ruined life. The above is not only for belivers but also for atheist alike.
I totally agree with Gopi and Ramana Murthy. This is a clear evidence of degeneration of our society and moral values. The organizers of events like marriage, etc., should consider the age group of guests being invited, the focal point of the event and plan situation appropriate entertainment.
@Ramana Murthy: And who defines what is 'acceptable'? Similar 'moral policing' argument is put forward whenever girls are eve-teased in public; it is girl's fault, she should wear 'moderate/acceptable' clothes! What is acceptable? Jeans? suit-salwar? T-shirts? Bruka? full-face veil? Iron-man body armor? What kind of 'restraints' are you talking about? Urinating in public is acceptable; girls in clothes of not-your-liking is UNACCEPTABLE!! If these elders have problem with dirty-dancing, don't attend such marriages. As simple as that. Today it is so called 'dirty dancing', tomorrow it will be any dancing, day after that singing and later all other arts! This is 'India'- a free country, not some TALIBANBAD!
Private affairs are best when the issues are private. One would understand the agony when these band wallas and a drunk entourage play load music and heavy firecrackers until midnight next to their houses. And this happens regularly. Imagine if you are having infants/ heart patients who are sensitive to such noises. Its definitely not tolerable.
every act in the process is done willfully and not by force or coercion. fact is there are people that enjoy it and there is a market so let it be. if the people that are getting wed don't care, wonder why anybody sticks a finger into it. like they say, if you don't like the channel, the remote is in your hand. just use it to move to the next one.
I will personally not be comfortable watching this stuff at a wedding; maybe in a cairo hotel as a tourist, but not, say, at a family wedding. But that's just me. I wonder what these so called moral brigade do about (a)getting young girls' married off to old lecherous saudis for a few petro dollars....cannot they do something about that Immoral act? (b)about the dowry being given most openly at these marriages - can they/have they EVER done anything about that/ walking off due to an indecent dance is fine and easy to do - takes guts to do real change and the Hindu paper and these 'society elders' just allow these malpractices, KNOWINGLY. (c)underage wedding of girls - just because some outdated religious court based edicts allow Court to state 15 is OK for marriage, these 'elders' should try and reform the same ....do they? All these elders and media can do is blame the hot blooded youth for all ills, but not take blame for laying the foundation or chickening out from the real fight.
Go to Dubai and this is part of the tour package. Go to Turkey or wherever it is you will get to see this. Go to Pakistan you can see male dancers to male prostitutes. Mostly young kids. Now, ask them to question their own cultures first. They are talking as if Belly dancing was something that was a huge problem to them, if you have so much of a problem don't attend such functions, stay off. If you can learn extremism from the middle-east and come. So do others have a right to learn what they want. Rather than lecturing others its better for you to shut your mouth and mind your own business. Now, remaining part of the lecture for our people. My dear friend's please take care that you don't instill the wrong teachings in your children. Teach them about National Hero's. Teach them about warriors who made this Nation roar like a lion and take on its mightiest of enemies. Teach your kids and future generations good things as that is what is wise.
So what if the function is private? Everything does not become automatically acceptable just because it is done in private. Is watching blue films acceptable if done in the privacy of someone's home? Prostitution and drugs are also done in private, not in public view. One wonders what this defensive argument of 'moral policing' is. Every time there is a call for some restraint, some people protest under this label. Many things in modern society happen in private are not correct. People who think it is nobody's business what they do in private should be conscious of the society they live in.
Vishwas, You might be right in some cases but not on this one. I myself has been to one such function. The function was supposed to be very sacred as it was upnayan function. However once we reached there along with our kids what we found was these girls dancing in very indecent manner. This is no way a private affair as it was in the middle of a residential neighborhood. What are all tehse residents supposed to do? They didn't ask for it? It is too loud and cannot be ignored. How do they ensure their kids don't get exposed to this? I do understand that we should not be policing the private affairs of few adults. But things like this are exposing the kids of all guests to this. All the guests might not have asked for this and there is no warning on the invitations that this kind of programs are being arranged. So, this definitely has to be policed and stopped.
The article assumes that roping in belly dancers and holding mujras at wedding functions in old city is a menace and needs to be stopped.Though a section of population may feel morally offended.Actually,the new development is simply a reflection of the present age.Does anyone care to question the film stars who dance charging a hefty sum of money at wedding reception of the who's who of India?Belly dancers from Uzbekistan and from other foreign places are known to entertain the guests there.Is this a menace in old city where people with less income levels dwell or is it the myopic view which we tend to adopt while looking at social developments,that is a menace? Time to ponder over this.
Why is the media and the police so interested in enforcing morality? What happens in a private function is well private. There are thousands of other illegal activities that can be curbed, are not being prevented by police going after soft targets like dancing and music. And media including the Hindu, who I consider among the most mature in India, is adding fuel to this meaningless distraction of law enforcement. Let us as a society, first prevent the larger ills that affect our people before going after voluntary services.
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