Kasthuri, once a popular heroine in South films, is now in the limelight again
Photos: Jade Beall Photography/ Kasthuri
Deccan chronicleThree years ago, actress Kasthuri and her infant child posed for a series of caring, maternal photographs in Jade Beall’s book ‘A Beautiful Body Project: The Bodies of Mothers’. Jade had started the project to combat post-partum depression, and to document the stretch marks and sagging breasts that result from the ordeal of childbirth. Jade wanted to challenge the stigma of ‘ugliness’ that society quickly attaches to women who recently become mothers.
Beall posted the photographs privately on her own Facebook page but they were probably discovered by a nosy netizen who recognised Kasthuri. It didn’t take long for publications to pick them up and publish them. A furious Kasthuri has initiated legal proceedings against the publications that circulated her photographs without permission. She talks to DC about this situation.
The pictures going viral:
First and foremost, I feel robbed. The beautiful ‘Body Project’ was a labour of love that mothers from all walks of life voluntarily participated in, with lofty ideals of sharing our love and loss amongst likeminded mothers. None of us received any monetary benefit. We really wanted to reach out to mothers unable to fully celebrate their motherhood, and tell them — you are beautiful because you are a mom.
The pictures were shot nearly three years ago, and our pure message has been touching women for three years. Suddenly, one day, I see that my pictures got hijacked by Indian media and thrown totally out of context. What was intended for a specific female audience, is now being abused by peeping Toms all around; sadly, our message has gotten lost in my cleavage. Did even one single person notice the baby at all?
Amazing support:
I have to admit the deluge of support and love flowing in from every quarter amazes me. When the news broke, I braced myself for brickbats and fatwas about my cultural depravity. I simply did not expect the regular Indian to see beyond the skin and celebrate the mother. I was so wrong. From the incredible quantities of positive reactions I continue to get, I am convinced that times are changing.
Nudity was not the talking point:
The degree of nudity associated with the pictures was hardly the point. Art transcends such boundaries. The greatest art, be it David, or Gomateshwara or Venus or Maya; they all celebrate the human body without the Victorian shackles of false modesty.
The focus is on breaking the stereotype of what a woman should look like, and celebrates mothers in a raw, brutally honest fashion.
Motherhood has given me an identity:
Motherhood is the ultimate learning experience; it is the sweetest sacrifice and the longest journey. Everyday, I watch my little ones learn and grow and with them, I learn and grow too. In particular, my daughter (who is nine now) has been my miracle, my inspiration and my biggest teacher. She has shown me how to be tough during crisis, how to be brave in the face of death, how to smile through interminable dark tunnels of pain and how to be a survivor. I am so proud and grateful. Today, over and above all else, the one identity that defines me is that I am mother to my children.
Indian women and objectification:
India is full of paradoxes. To this day, nudity is an accepted part of the highest spiritual echelons but not outside that context. Gods, godmen, even Gandhi, and until a few decades ago, our grandmothers were naked! So, I think nudity was not perverted like in today’s times. In the last century, it was compulsory in Kerala temples, for men and women alike, to be uncovered from the waist up. Ironically, it is a Kerala newspaper that broke the story here, and that is where the greatest debate seems to be!!
Despite the many progressive comments, I believe that women in India have to wait a long time to break free from the shackles of objectification.
Family first, films next:
I have not been able to accept any movie work for a while now, because of my family responsibilities. There have been several roles that I had to let go. Lets see how the industry reacts to me henceforth. Nothing can be better than a nice movie break that challenges both the actor and the woman in me. Just last month, I was featured in a Japanese educational video, so from next year, I will be a known face in Japanese classrooms.
‘Manu Mission’:
I spent the major portion of the last three years in hospital tending to my child. I thought I was the unluckiest mother in the world, until I saw the other kids there. We were lucky to be in America, where treatment was not an issue. Dr Julius Scott of SRMC and DR Revathi Raj of Apollo opened my eyes to the need back home, so I started Manu Mission in the name of my daughter Manu, as a non-profit that aims to help children in need of medical funding. There are many issues that I feel strongly about. Corruption, brain drain, clean India and elementary education are some of those issues that I hope to extend my activism to.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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