It is always a delight to watch Indians being recognised and our culture represented in foreign countries. For example, we were filled with pride when actors Adil Hussain and Ali Fazal bagged roles in international films and series, or when Taiwan President said she loves Indian food!
Speaking of which, a popular Australian musical group for children named ‘The Wiggles’ made a video about ‘Pappadums’ or papad wearing traditional desi clothes. The video was to introduce papad to foreign kids. Have a look:
However, the video recently has been making rounds on the internet and several Indians have been left disappointed. Many said this wasn’t the representation of India that they wanted.
to be clear, this was not the representation i wanted pic.twitter.com/vNswTi0E16
— Ashmi (@_ashmip) October 22, 2020
That poor Indian dancer didn’t know what this audition was for and she looks legitimately horrified.
— MD or Bust – The Equitable Autist-Knowledge Magpie (@appyjumpindaze) October 22, 2020
We need to teach these ladies how to drape sarees properly 🥴 https://t.co/v7kUZnMWPK
— ur local Hyderabadi grandma (@hyderabadinani) October 22, 2020
I’m sorry but the way her sari is tied is making me almost as ill as the racism https://t.co/KkLjDqmO39
— Deepika Naidoo (@mxdeepika) October 22, 2020
cancel representation ❤️ https://t.co/zMVysoRlUa
— hips may occasionally fib (@sahxra_) October 22, 2020
The most offensive thing about this video is that not once do they refer to it as applam https://t.co/4ahSk3mteb
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) October 22, 2020
The fact that not once does the Indian lady sing has me concerned she was forced to shoot this at gunpoint. https://t.co/7jEhfEAHmu
— #LegaliseAbortion 🇳🇦 (@aboyhasaname) October 22, 2020
The Indian woman looks like she's being forced at gunpoint to do this video. https://t.co/ticp1x1KpF
— Madhu Menon (@madmanweb) October 22, 2020
How many times as a POC have you forced a smile and sat silently through white people being racist, too afraid of losing your job, or being branded over-sensitive? This is the natural conclusion to that complicity! I say no more! https://t.co/HjHg19pzxF
— Tasha Dhanraj (@tashadhanraj) October 22, 2020
On the other hands, some said that the video was a good introduction of Indian foods for children and it isn’t racist at all.
So this is aimed at 2 year olds. A pretty good 1st introduction to another culture. Food and sport extends across all borders and boundaries. Don’t make this out to be something it’s not.
— Emmett (@emmettoreilly) October 22, 2020
What’s racist about it? The Wiggles are a long established children’s entertainment group who sing and dance. They are singing about Poppadum’s which is a food from India.
— Emmett (@emmettoreilly) October 22, 2020
Helloo everyone….
for all of you wondering WTF….
These are Wiggles (except that poor Indian lady)
world famous kids show from Australia 🤣😅— DNM (@dumidunalaka) October 22, 2020
I remember being young and watching kids shows which had a similar representation of other cultures, and it was so much fun! What do you think? Tell us!