An Indian fairy tale
By Aradhika Sekhon

FOUR Miss Worlds and one Miss Universe and most of these in quick succession ---- Has the world suddenly rediscovered the Indian beauty? In the past decade especially, the Indian contestant has become a strong contender for the top slot in any international beauty pageant. Clad in exquisite creations by desi designers, the Indian ‘look’ has staked a strong claim for identity as the Indian beauty does not depend on being "skin-deep" only.

Yukta Mookhey, the latest Miss World, says that she owes her title to her ‘upbringing’, not her physical beauty alone.

Sushmita Sen had made a statement soon after bagging the Miss Universe title in 1994, "I do not want to rest on my laurels forever. I still want to be looked up to as a role model and a leader, and not just an 18-year-old who once did her country proud". Manpreet Brar, former Miss India, says "These contests are all about winning and winning is a mind game". Once on stage, the girls know that the contest is not merely about beauty but also about presence of mind, ability to communicate and the confidence to be the best!

This new mix of feminism and feminity that the urban modern Indian woman endorses is why the Indian woman can be as smart as a pin and look as sensational or feminine as she wants to. This curious brand of femininity is also responsible for the attitudinal changes towards savvy beauty pageants.

The concept of dowdiness being synonymous with intelligence and beauty with dumbness is now out. Also, slowly, the West is being invaded by Indian culture, fashion, weaves, textiles. It is becoming aware of the beauty and uniqueness of Indian fashions. While the Indian designers can experiment with varied silhouettes, the western designers have limited variety in their catalogues.

Manpreet Brar says that the globalisation of India is also responsible for the series of triumphs for Indian contestants. "Of course they (the beauties) are Indian first and foremost, but they are truly global people too. They can fit in anywhere because of their communication skills and broad-based education."

Through the pageants our contestants have demonstrated that the new woman dares to be attractive, energetic, funny, aggresive, sensual, ambitious — in whatever proportions she feels comfortable with. And although the Indian woman has drawn certain concepts of beauty from the West, what she is now presenting to the world is stamped with her own brand. Yes, the Indian woman has carved a niche for hereself, and is not uncomfortably trying to fit into a foreign cut-out.

For the West, the Indian beauty symbolises a return to the mysteriously feminine mystique. Mahesh Bhatt says, "The modern Indian woman is intelligent, articulate, without losing the charm and grace of her grandmother." Packaged in fabulously designed gowns which even outshine many of those worn by the western beauties and completely groomed and ‘finished’ by a team of experts, these ladies are ready to take on the world.

Also, the spiel of the ‘body beautiful’ has finally penetrated the psyche of the Indian woman. A few decades earlier, the Indian psyche accepted only the ‘simple’ woman as the ‘good’ woman. A woman who worried about her looks was considered somewhat immodest in behavior. The celebration of beauty and body came about just a couple of decades ago.

Many people, however, think that the beauty contests are just a way for the beauty industry to colonise the Third World. This is also the reason why in the last 10 years the focus has been on Asia, Africa and Latin America since the beauty products do not have a market in the West anymore. Also, while international beauty pageants have a vast viewership in India,they have lost their novelty in the West.

But the fact remains that the Indian woman has stormed all bastions at international beauty pageants and are out there to proudly stand up and be counted.