The feminist narrative in Dua-e-Reem by Shoaib Mansoor is new hype on media these days. The song begins with a setting of mixed group of women who are about to start a prayer for the bride where the lead singer asks the mother of the bride to sit next to her before she starts the song.
The setting, characters and the lyrics have all been well-composed to suit the theme rather it is an expected composition from such an expert in the field; if we keep the criticism on spoiling a national poetry aside for a moment.
The song must be appreciated for two reasons.
Firstly, it highlights the core issue of the “women against women” instead of “men vs women”.
Secondly, the initial part of the song has covered almost all the significant disputes such as domestic and emotional abuse.
However, the reply from the bride i.e. the representative of today’s woman is not only weak in logic rather the lyrics are unexpectedly substandard using even slang in reply to the first half of the song.
The ladies sitting in a conventional setting with stern faces singing a song of submission to violence and abuse are perfect metaphorical representation of patriarchy and teachings of submissions by elderly women in our society.
One cannot deny that each line from the beginning part of the song are the slogans our girls are raised listening to. May it be about the shoes and abuse or rants about fate. Moreover, the pride on the face of the chorus and ownership of the false beliefs and values is another praiseworthy feature of the video.
It would not be an exaggeration to call it a masterpiece till this fragment for it raises the main causes behind male dominance. It brings the audience to the real concern that only men are not to be blamed and majority of our women are equally to be accused for unequal treatment and supporting vehemence. Furthermore, it addresses the lack of self-awareness and stereotyping we all are victims of.
In the next half, Mahira Khan stands as a rebel to end the predominant chronicle where the spectators predict a firm and rational reply for there exists many reasonable arguments to slay the meaningless verdicts of the conventionalist group presented.
But to utter dismay, the actress seems to be singing whatever rhymes with the preceding lines and it appears as if the writer has tried to finish the poem in a rush as it was not his caliber to use slang and that even when he has dared to modify a national poem. In addition, the lines also include an argument where a colloquial tit for tat phrase is used in an answer to such engraved dispute.
In conclusion, there is a dire need to address patriarchy but the question is are we really looking at the fundamental matters or are we raising further complications out of complications? We as feminists need to revise our agendas and should focus on the resolution of the problems in our culture instead of pitching the market for minting our personal goals.
Let’s teach our daughters about their rights and empower them to speak when needed but not to forget “When Needed!”.
The way feminism is being projected, it has not only promised to bring more rivals than supporters rather the missions it should embrace are completely twisted. We should critically look at what are we fighting for as women? And what do we really need to fight for? Is our fight about division of home chores or sexual harassment? And then again if it is about both then what needs which level of projection and delivery? Is it OK to be rebellious for such trivial issues as cooking and caring your spouses or is it OK to stay quiet when they raise hands?.
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