Cheerleaders and culture clash
New Delhi: Can sari-clad "cheer queens" stand up to short-skirted pom-pom girls? That's a question Indian cricket fans are pondering after a team here introduced a cheerleading squad wrapped head to toe in traditional garb.
"The concept of cheer queens is an extraordinary way of showcasing our national artistic heritage to the world," said Abhijit Sarkar, director of the Pune Warriors. Others say it's a nice idea, done somewhere else. "If you want fine arts, go to a hall," said cricket columnist Ayaz Memon.
To attract audiences to the glitzy new Indian Premier League, organisers drew on an age-old principle that sex sells and introduced US-style cheerleaders in bikinis, miniskirts and high boots.
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On the opposite side of the field, Delhi Daredevils' cheerleaders leap and gyrate in blue tank tops, mini-skirts and three-quarter Lycra shorts. "It's really difficult sometimes," Cray said. "Compared to other cheerleaders, who look so comfortably dressed, it can be quite hot and uncomfortable."
But even some dance purists aren't sold.
Although young viewers may be exposed to traditional culture, the approach, they say, risks cheapening the ancient art. "To just thoughtlessly put together styles with a fast-forward button is disrespectful," said Aditi Mangaldas, head of the Drishtikon Dance Foundation.
Spreading
If anything, the Western cheerleader concept has spread to hockey and boxing events, TV programmes and advertising, as well as internet sites that allow you to direct how avatar cheerleaders leap and gyrate.
"It's Indian hypocrisy at its best," said Suhel Seth, head of Counselage India, a consulting firm.
"This is a country of temples carved with erotica, that invented the Kama Sutra. Pretending to be squeamish about women is absurd."
wahahaha LOL, i wonder how they do the back flip, on air split with sari.... whew!!!!
last sentence.......very well said :)
I find calling the issue absurd using analogy of temples with erotica and kamasutra being invented there itself is absurd. Hope he isnt suggesting that sexual acts depicted in kama sutra and the erotica in some temples can be performed in open, in public glare, and its non acceptance can be absurd as well.
What is a saree? is that inidan women wear with something open somewhere on the belly part?
They are trying novel methods to differentiate and sell a product. A couple of teams tried something similar in the EPL - without success. The majority of fans go to watch the sport , not the cheerleaders..
Ohh,the last sentence..:)
I can't imagine how they'd do it! Or maybe these saree clad cheerleaders must have different, saree friendly, moves?
nomerci'm sure, U'll have different view if ever U see indians women in LuLu wearing sari's.
Nomerci, yeah it depends how you wear a sari...it could look pretty sexy but the way the cheerleaders hop and jump during a 20/20 cricket match, them wearing a sari would look awful. With a sari they needed to do the slow and flowing moves or else they could see the saris slipping off their shoulders often during their performances.
Wel, I think saris are pretty sexy.
ohhh cricket... why they have cheerleader there? This they dont have cheerleader in baseball in US...
We are talking about the clownish 20-20 format of the game here,most purists back home in India don't even consider this REAL cricket,so really,don't see what all the fuss is about...have cheerleaders,don't have them,clothe them in saris or minis,who cares?...i'll stick to the 50 overs one-day or test 5-day REAL version,thank you...
Love the last sentence! Now... where are the photos of the ladies?? And how do you cheerleading in a sari??
Everything has its place..national artistic heritage etc. dont go well with sporting activities. Cheerleading is a western concept so its better it has its original western flavour..
Interesting article. Especially the last sentence. I am still not too sure about the cheerleaders. I think the novelty wears off pretty quick