NOT WHAT YOU SAW

Defying patriarchal ideals, gender and beauty norms and the media's stereotypical portrayal of women as objects of desire, these South Indian female bodybuilders redefine femininity within the cultural context by embracing physical strength.

‘Not What You Saw’ is an ongoing body of work that centres on South Indian female bodybuilders who challenge entrenched gender and beauty norms by embracing physical strength, often seen as masculine. In the cultural landscape from which I originate, muscular women, exuding confidence and strength, are a rarity. Defying patriarchal ideals and the media's stereotypical portrayal of women as objects of desire, they redefine femininity within the cultural context. 

In South Asian culture, body shaming has been an ongoing theme, particularly for women from their own family, relatives as well as the community. Recent events at the Paris Olympics have once again highlighted the attention to the complex question of what defines a ‘woman’ in sports, pointing out the ongoing struggle against rigid gender classifications. This issue also resonates deeply in the Indian context, where female athletes have previously faced discrimination and shame due to their ‘masculine’ features. For the female bodybuilders, these challenges are further complicated by factors such as caste, class, and regional differences. The societal pressure to conform to traditional notions of femininity presents a significant hurdle for these women. They are having to regularly work around the complex physical and emotional aspect of building and maintaining their physique while fighting the deeply ingrained expectations of how a ‘woman’ should look like and what they can pursue as a ‘respectable career’. 

This work is about reshaping identity and breaking barriers and inspiring change at a larger context. By highlighting their resilience, the project advocates for improved support for women in sports, equitable resource allocation, and grassroots development, fostering a conversation on gender parity and inclusivity. The series shows the strength and muscularity which coexists within womanhood. It is a call to rethink and reshape the cultural constructs of gender and beauty.