The recent religious edict on Pragaash - a rock band of three young girls - may have silenced the sound of music in the valley, but Delhi is resonating not just with music, but anger and disapproval over the incident as well. In solidarity with the three talented Kashmiri girls, girl students of Delhi University tell us that the freedom to express themselves through music is their birthright and the argument that singing attracts male attention is as bogus as it can get.
Saumya Aggarwal, a student of Kamala Nehru College and a part of her college's western music society Zephyr says, "I started singing before I learned to write. My father practices semi-classical music and he initiated me into music. In fact, I have always felt that my bonding with him is stronger than it would have otherwise been because of music."
"Today, music is a part of my life. I wake up to music, practice in college and go off to sleep with my earphones on. It is like a 24X7 background theme in my life. Now if someone tells me that I should stop singing just because I am a girl, frankly, I wouldn't know what to do."
Cheryl Kwok, a student of Jesus and Mary College and a member of the college's famous Echo band, says, "I have been playing the keyboard and piano since I was seven. My mother spotted this talent in me and put me in a music school. Since then, I have been playing these instruments in my school, college and now even the coveted church choir."
"To tell you the truth, I am not a very religious person. I have never seen myself as a strictly Catholic Christian, but whatever association I have with religion is through music - singing hymns, prayers etc. I don't understand the logic of stifling a talent given to one by God in the name of God. Why would God gift me this talent if he wanted it wrapped away?"
Radhika Saxena, pursuing law from the Faculty of Law (DU) and a part of groups like House of Symphony and Artistes Unlimited speaks more in legal terms. She says, "Under Article 19 (1A) of my country's constitution, I am guaranteed the right to freedom of speech. No one can take it away just because they think that it is uncouth for girls to dance, paint or sing."
"And the truth is that all these ugly incidents take place not because girls are inviting unwanted attention or 'asking for rape.' It is because men don't know how to behave themselves. Those who advocate such illogical restrictions on girls should teach their men to conduct themselves morally. In any society, why should girls be made to suffer for the ill-intentions of men?"
Baishali Adak Reported by Deccan Herald 4 hours ago.
Saumya Aggarwal, a student of Kamala Nehru College and a part of her college's western music society Zephyr says, "I started singing before I learned to write. My father practices semi-classical music and he initiated me into music. In fact, I have always felt that my bonding with him is stronger than it would have otherwise been because of music."
"Today, music is a part of my life. I wake up to music, practice in college and go off to sleep with my earphones on. It is like a 24X7 background theme in my life. Now if someone tells me that I should stop singing just because I am a girl, frankly, I wouldn't know what to do."
Cheryl Kwok, a student of Jesus and Mary College and a member of the college's famous Echo band, says, "I have been playing the keyboard and piano since I was seven. My mother spotted this talent in me and put me in a music school. Since then, I have been playing these instruments in my school, college and now even the coveted church choir."
"To tell you the truth, I am not a very religious person. I have never seen myself as a strictly Catholic Christian, but whatever association I have with religion is through music - singing hymns, prayers etc. I don't understand the logic of stifling a talent given to one by God in the name of God. Why would God gift me this talent if he wanted it wrapped away?"
Radhika Saxena, pursuing law from the Faculty of Law (DU) and a part of groups like House of Symphony and Artistes Unlimited speaks more in legal terms. She says, "Under Article 19 (1A) of my country's constitution, I am guaranteed the right to freedom of speech. No one can take it away just because they think that it is uncouth for girls to dance, paint or sing."
"And the truth is that all these ugly incidents take place not because girls are inviting unwanted attention or 'asking for rape.' It is because men don't know how to behave themselves. Those who advocate such illogical restrictions on girls should teach their men to conduct themselves morally. In any society, why should girls be made to suffer for the ill-intentions of men?"
Baishali Adak Reported by Deccan Herald 4 hours ago.