Cheerleaders commove Indian Sensibility

What can this be called? A new fragment of society or the initiation of a new age with new-fangled convictions? Whatever it is the ongoing episode with the American cheerleaders in the hyped and admired IPL (Indian Premiere League) is going to deplumate the Indian cricket fraternity for the days to come. Well, if we go through the experience, we will definitely find that they have been broadly accepted by a large section of the Indian spectators who seem to be in a joyous mood over the marvelous display of skin in the cricket ground. For instance, the Washington Redskins cheerleaders created the difference on the opening match by means of their white go-go boots, yellow spangled short shorts and bikini tops. The way they pompomed their way onto the field with skimpy dresses set the public emotion in the packed stadium on fire and the male cricket fans found it quite difficult to concentrate only on the game. Speaking on this the noted sports historian and commentator of the TimesNow news channel of India said, "This is the spectacularization of the game of cricket. One-third of these people are here to see the cheerleaders. Sexuality and cricket is the way forward. And it's time India wakes up to the fact that it's a different society. It's a modern society. There's no use keeping it all under wraps."

This was also advocated by the beer and airline billionaire Vijay Mallya who is having his won team Bangalore Royal Challengers cricket franchise in the tournament. He has also been instrumental in inviting Redskins cheerleaders and they did extremely well through the revealing dresses against the cheerleaders of the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, their team was badly beaten by the Knight Riders.

Nevertheless, furor over the Cheerleaders and their ways of trashing the Indian sense of modesty has already started. The commotion may be due to the India culture where in the conservative, Hindu-dominated country the public display of sexuality is an unimaginable concept till now. Indian society has shown a grudging acceptance of hip-shaking sexuality in movies and music videos, but not in daily life. In this situation it is difficult to say how long this concupiscent may continue, but will both rot and toy with the Indian sensibility.