When I found out that Chennai was to play host to a Beach Volleyball Championship, I felt slightly uneasy. Don't get me wrong, the city is one of the fastest growing cities in India and has all the amenities available to host an international event of repute, it even has the beach!
But for years I have built up a strong conservative image of the city, a city which loves to live within the walls of rigid practices developed and strengthened over years. This image of mine was partly aided by all the recent activities in the city. The 'uniform'ed colleges, the shackled night life, the brouhaha over public display of affection and everything else that could possibly be construed as an uninviting place for the youngsters.
In such a city the idea of a beach volleyball championship seemed improbable. The slim chiseled bodies, jumping around in the sand, with no more than a bikini to protect them from the voyeuristic gaze of the men who would turn up at Elliots beach, was it really possible?
As I write this piece, on the final day of the championship, one thing is for sure, that the people of the city have taken to the sport and it is not just because of the sex appeal the sport carries with it. The young, the old, the women and children and 'shockingly' even men have loved every bit of the action and want to see more such events.
The players themselves seem to have taken to the city and have had no qualms about playing in India. The report in today's Hindustan Times says, no lewd remarks, no catcalls, no ugly scenes yet. The tournament has been a great success and everyone has loved it.
Of course the rules had to be bent slightly to accommodate the Indian women who refused to play in bikinis. They were allowed to play wearing T-Shirts and shorts but barring that no other controversial issue has raised it's head.The neo-cultural hawks who operate under the garb of political activism have been kept at bay.
According to the FIVB officials, there is no difference in crowd behaviour between this and any other venue of the world. To be fair to the city, Chennai has always been known for sporting crowds and there is no greater testament to that fact than the wonderful ovation the Pakistani cricket team received at the end of a gripping test match back in 1999. But a mature and sporting audience at a Beach Volleyball championship in India is music to the ears.
Salaam Chennai!
But for years I have built up a strong conservative image of the city, a city which loves to live within the walls of rigid practices developed and strengthened over years. This image of mine was partly aided by all the recent activities in the city. The 'uniform'ed colleges, the shackled night life, the brouhaha over public display of affection and everything else that could possibly be construed as an uninviting place for the youngsters.
In such a city the idea of a beach volleyball championship seemed improbable. The slim chiseled bodies, jumping around in the sand, with no more than a bikini to protect them from the voyeuristic gaze of the men who would turn up at Elliots beach, was it really possible?As I write this piece, on the final day of the championship, one thing is for sure, that the people of the city have taken to the sport and it is not just because of the sex appeal the sport carries with it. The young, the old, the women and children and 'shockingly' even men have loved every bit of the action and want to see more such events.
The players themselves seem to have taken to the city and have had no qualms about playing in India. The report in today's Hindustan Times says, no lewd remarks, no catcalls, no ugly scenes yet. The tournament has been a great success and everyone has loved it.
Of course the rules had to be bent slightly to accommodate the Indian women who refused to play in bikinis. They were allowed to play wearing T-Shirts and shorts but barring that no other controversial issue has raised it's head.The neo-cultural hawks who operate under the garb of political activism have been kept at bay.
According to the FIVB officials, there is no difference in crowd behaviour between this and any other venue of the world. To be fair to the city, Chennai has always been known for sporting crowds and there is no greater testament to that fact than the wonderful ovation the Pakistani cricket team received at the end of a gripping test match back in 1999. But a mature and sporting audience at a Beach Volleyball championship in India is music to the ears.
Salaam Chennai!
Posts
2 comments:
I dont know why you people think indians are very conservative . All those who think so need to look into themselves . I think they are conservative and specially i want to kick away those who defend such things . You people like the write of this column has prohibited indian girls from taking part into many of the sports by now but now its the time when the girls should kick away them and participate in all kind of game
If couples can be beaten up for sitting together in a park then we have serious introspection to do.
Having said that, I completely agree with you that we must encourage mn and women in all sports. That is the reason why i expressed joy at this being event being a sporting success.
Post a Comment