IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences Review

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Sexism: Bollywood's Item Songs


Affiliations
1 Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice, University College, London (UCL), India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The purpose of the present study was to examine sexist lyrics in the most popular Bollywood item songs. Patriarchy and sexism are strengthened by cultural practices, which then effect mainstream cinema and songs. These go forward to influence the audiences that consume them. Songs are especially interesting because they do not require a visual medium to be consumed, and can be involuntarily consumed in public places and through the radio. Certain songs are also more popular than their parent movies, and item songs are a genre of songs which are very prevalent in India. These songs not only visually depict women as a product of the male gaze, but also have lyrics which are both overtly and covertly predominantly sexist. A list of the most popular Bollywood item songs was prepared, and English translation of these songs was obtained from 3 different websites (www.bollynook.com, www.filmyquotes.com, www.bollymeaning.com). Thematic analysis was used for the interpretation of the data. Patterns relating to sexism were identified, and 'stalking', 'sexualisation', 'objectification' and 'stereotypical portrayal of genders' were the four themes derived from the sexist lyrics.

Keywords

Sexism, Item Songs, Bollywood, Stalking, Sexualisation, Objectification, Stereotypical Portrayal of Genders.
User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Ditapoetri Soedjarwadi, l. A. K. S. M. I. N. D. R. A., & Winiharti, M. (2013). The sexist language in beyonce's and eminem's songs (doctoral dissertation, binus).

  • Dwivedi, S. (2017). Sexual objectification of females in bollywood rap and item songs. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Studies, III(VI), 399-406.

  • Gowen, A. (2018, June 27). India ranked world's most dangerous place for women, reigniting debate about women's safety. The Washington Post, 27 June 2018.

  • Khan, S., & Taylor, L. (2018). Gender policing in mainstream Hindi cinema: A decade of central female characters in top-grossing bollywood movies. International Journal of Communication, 12, 22.

  • Levy B. (2009). Stereotype embodiment: A psychosocial approach to aging. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(6), 332-336.

  • (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.psy.gla.ac.uk/~steve/courses/archive/CERE12-13 safari-archive/topic3/webarchive-index.html

  • Rape Culture & Sexism in Globalising India (2016, April 05). Retrieved from http://sur.conectas.org/en/rape-culture-and-sexism-in-globalising-india/

  • Rogers, A. (2013). Sexism in unexpected places: An analysis of country music lyrics. Salem, South Carolina.

  • Savigny, H. (2014). Women, know your limits: Cultural sexism in academia. Gender and Education, 26(7), 794-809.

  • Shaji, S. (2017). Gender equality: An illusion in Indian cinema a study on women in Indian film industry. Social Sciences International Research Journal, 3, 4-8.

  • #UnstereotypeCinema a Campaign by FII & Oxfam India Vaidya, R. (2018, November 06). Why we need feminism: Analyzing the representation of female body, sexuality and femininity in bollywood item songs. Cited by 10 ยท Related articles


Abstract Views: 373

PDF Views: 0




  • Sexism: Bollywood's Item Songs

Abstract Views: 373  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Arshia Amin Choudhury
Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice, University College, London (UCL), India

Abstract


The purpose of the present study was to examine sexist lyrics in the most popular Bollywood item songs. Patriarchy and sexism are strengthened by cultural practices, which then effect mainstream cinema and songs. These go forward to influence the audiences that consume them. Songs are especially interesting because they do not require a visual medium to be consumed, and can be involuntarily consumed in public places and through the radio. Certain songs are also more popular than their parent movies, and item songs are a genre of songs which are very prevalent in India. These songs not only visually depict women as a product of the male gaze, but also have lyrics which are both overtly and covertly predominantly sexist. A list of the most popular Bollywood item songs was prepared, and English translation of these songs was obtained from 3 different websites (www.bollynook.com, www.filmyquotes.com, www.bollymeaning.com). Thematic analysis was used for the interpretation of the data. Patterns relating to sexism were identified, and 'stalking', 'sexualisation', 'objectification' and 'stereotypical portrayal of genders' were the four themes derived from the sexist lyrics.

Keywords


Sexism, Item Songs, Bollywood, Stalking, Sexualisation, Objectification, Stereotypical Portrayal of Genders.

References