Something's wrong with Outlook magazine. I think these guys at Outlook want everyone in India to hate each other. In one of their previous editions, they did a rather unfair article on Delhi being a rude city. Now, they've come up with another one – this time it is Andhra men and women who are targetted – Chinna Illu? No Big Deal.
Chinna Illu literally translates to "Small House". It actually means "Second House". It's more popularly known as "second setup" – the second (illegitimate) wife/family.
The writer, Madhavi Tata makes ridiculous generalisations in her article about how the "institution" of Chinna Illu is an "open secret" in Andhra Pradesh.
1. Have a look at this: "In keeping with the Chinna Illu tradition, Suryanarayana built her a house in Sitanagaram village…" (emphasis added).
Note the use of the word "tradition". Now, by what means is this a tradition? If you say it is a tradition, you're saying that bigamy is as much a tradition in Andhra society as lighting candles every Diwali evening. This is a false image the author is portraying about Andhra society. It is not a tradition. I'm from Andhra Pradesh and believe me when I tell you – cheating on your wife is not a tradition and is as much a vice in AP as anywhere else.
2. "… the practice of having two wives is not uncommon in Andhra Pradesh… It invites no social censure".
Proof? This is another generalisation. That having two wives (one being illegitimate) does not invite social censure is utterly false. There's nothing different about how a man who cheats on his wife is treated in Andhra Pradesh.
3. Agreed, there are instances of actors, politicians, bureaucrats having and living with their second wives, some of them openly but this does not mean that people love it that way.
4. "… the feudal culture in Telangana and Rayalaseema ensures social acceptability for bigamy…" I dont know how much of this is true. It may be true but being from Telangana, born and bred, I can say bigamy is a very rare thing and it is looked upon as something bad. There's an argument that having two wives "adds to your moochh". I dare not have two wives. It may add not to my moochh but to the number of feet that'll be kicking my butt.
5. Finally, the words "acceptance of bigamy is deeply ingrained in Telugu women", spoken by some V. Sandhya of some Progressive Organisation of Women, again generalise too much. Deeply ingrained?! To an extent, they are an insult to the vast majority of Telugu women who do not accept bigamy.
That article contains more assumptions and imagination than facts. Madhavi Tata adds some absurd generalisations and comes up with an irresponsible piece of journalism. I'm looking for a similar article in future editions, that is more or less aimed at defaming another section of our population. Bengalis, Mumbaiites, Biharis, etc. keep watching, for you might become the new bakras put to sacrifice by Outlook to fill its pages and swell its sales.
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June 2, 2006 at 9:48 pm
Deepti
Mr. Narayana, the owner of Narayana Jr. college, has 4 wives. Suprised haa? 2 in Hyderabad, 1 in Nellore, 1 in Vijayawada. Haha..ekkada branchulu unte akkada. Ammo.Chee.
Polygamy haa?
And the interesting part is..the Narayana with his 2 Hydi wives live in the same appartments where I live-in, the same floor infact. These 2 women attend every B’day party or any function in the flats.
Seems like Naraya is best utilizing his money. Haha.
June 3, 2006 at 12:12 am
Advitiya
Wow! Weird article. Read through it and though am not aware of the situation, it seems like there is a conflict of thoughts. Maybe the journalist spoke to only those who believed in the policy of ‘bigamy’.
And of course, it might be a ruse to catch the reader’s attention. It won’t be the first time a journalist has gone overboard.
You might find this article interesting. It appeared in the Tabloid edition of the nation’s daily, Delhi times:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1186979.cms
June 3, 2006 at 9:04 pm
jetru
Well, this is new. What will they come up with next?
June 4, 2006 at 8:32 pm
tanvi
Bigamy is a real issue in India. It may not have social acceptance in certain cases but if your wife do not conceives or do not conceives a son its acceptable in most places here. Which is disgusting. No problem in taking it up as an issue but ya it generalisation is unfair on the community and its propogating stereotypes. Journalism is a tricky jo. You have to catch eyeballs so the sensationalisation but taking up something important can also be problematic if not done in the right way…
June 4, 2006 at 9:20 pm
atlantean
Deepti, well, it is evident that Mr. Narayana, owner of that mentally exploitative and torturous group of institutions, is a shameless fellow! Some men cant put up with one wife. I wonder how he’s managing four! Must be a tough guy.
Advitiya, yep, not the first time. And that article… those lines… Hilarious! Anyway, a typical Times article… controversial subject and “hey… you got to read this!” sort of headline. And as usual, Times blew it out. I dont think the author had double entendre in mind when she wrote those lines. It’s quite clear. But again, it’s the Times.
I didnt read many comics (I loved Chacha Chaudhary however) when I was a kid but even if that sort of stuff is there, I dont think it is harmful because kids dont understand it. If they do, then actually, it maybe a nice way to provide sex education!
Jetru, you never know man. They always come up with something captivating however. So, do watch.
Tanvi, hmmm, well I wasnt aware of that! Then the one who didnt conceive would live through a torturous period thereafter. That’s awful.
November 29, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Anonymous
Hey joker. If you don’t agree with my article, Outlook offers readers enough space to write in letters and comments. Please do so and stop ranting in a sick blog.
Madhavi Tata