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It's
a man's world. And the men always want it to be that way. However, in the 21st
century, women are leaving no stone unturned in their climb to the top. They've
scaled Everest (Bachendri Pal), travelled to space (Kalpana Chawla), driven the
fastest cars (Danica Patrick) and can pack a powerful punch too (Laila Ali).
However, the heroics of our tinsel town women (non-actors) who storm into
traditional male bastions, tend to go unnoticed. Besides no recognition, such
women are looked upon with disrespect by their own colleagues. In a conservative
society likes ours, it's a common feature. This women's day,
Mayur Lookhar dug deep to unveil a few women who've thrived in a traditionally
male dominated arena.
Yardley
Pal (camerawoman) As a true movie buff, Yardley always wanted
to be associated with films. Though, she didn't know what to do. It was only after
that she met her cameraman husband Deep Pal that Yardley found a passion for the
camera. "Often people only look at the end product but not many see
the behind-the-scene effort," says Yardley. Speaking on the
occupational hazards she says, "Initially, a lot of men were stunned when
they first saw me handling the camera. They mocked me by questioning my ability
to handle heavy equipment and also my technical knowledge. I had never enrolled
into any film school. Perhaps, this gave them more teeth." Be
it any sex, handling the camera takes it toll on the body. "Backaches are
common for us but that's part and parcel of our profession. My husband has been
very supportive and this makes my job all the more easier. But he's also a hard
taskmaster. Without him, I wouldn't have succeeded." Yardley
and Deep have worked together for Sony's reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Aarti
Kandpal (Stand-up comedian and mimicry artist) The absence of
females in stand-up comedy or mimicry is often attributed to the fact that males
have a better sense of humour. This view is ofcourse endorsed by the males themselves.
However, proving such males wrong is young Aarti Kandpal, who stunned all with
her mimicry on Star One's The Great Indian Laughter Challenge 3.
The girl from Bareli says, "Women are never taken seriously as comedians.
However, I managed to break this myth. One seldom finds a woman in this field.
I was lucky that my parents and even the locals supported me in my endeavour to
do stand-up comedy. Before me, none would have imagined a female doing mimicry.
Besides, my colleagues have been very helpful. Never was I made to feel uncomfortable."
While Aarti's male colleagues have been nice to her, the Bareli girl is
upset about the limitations to a woman's creativity in her art. "The men
are allowed to say anything but when it comes to us, there are boundaries laid
down. A man can deal in toilet humour but when we think of such things we are
told 'you're a woman, how can you say that?' Post Laughter, I performed for various
channels and most of them laid such guidelines for me As a result of this, we
are never able to express our creativity."
Salma
Shaikh (Stuntwoman) She's all of 21, but likes breaking glasses,
jumping from mountains and skyscrapers and finishing off the bad guys in clinical
karate style. That's Salma Shaikh the daredevil stuntwoman of both the small and
big screen. Astonishingly, Salma started her journey at the tender
age of 15. It was her brother who proved to be her inspiration. Six years into
this profession, Salma has performed stunts in super hits like Dhoom 2, Koi
Mil Gaya and upcoming flicks Drona, Tashan and Dhoom 3.
Films apart, she's been a regular feature in most Balaji shows. The most daredevil
of her stunts was in Karam Apna Apna where she was require to fall from
a hill and into a valley. She's been welcomed whole heartedly by
all her male colleagues but Salma wants to prove to all that women are capable
of doing anything. The fearless Salma says, "I've entered this profession
for the sheer thrill of it. Money has never been a priority. As a Muslim girl,
often people think that we are only fit to wear veils. However, we wear veils
and can also do the impossible. I want to make a name for myself and show to the
world what Indian women are capable of."
More
Women's Day Special
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| Posted
on 7 Mar 2008 4:30 pm |
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