Globalization: Monsoon Wedding

Youssef Elashry
ID: 1271646
English 233
November 14th 2012

Globalization: Monsoon Wedding

In the film Monsoon Wedding the theme of globalization is displayed as a constant battle between the preservation of cultural tradition vs. the social change that evolves through modernism. On the outer shell the film focuses on the arranged marriage put together for Lalit Verma’s daughter Aditi and the difficulties of throwing such a large wedding party. Yet at the core the film focuses on difficult situations characters are put into, dealing with the balance between tradition and modernism. Based on the evidence in the film, we the audiences are shown how the process of globalization continues to expand, causing cultures to be more similar. As others witness change in civilization they begin to question their historic traditions. Throughout the film the audience witnesses’ different scenes in which globalization effects the beliefs and values involving gender and social class roles, as well social change. The view of gender and what it means to be masculine or feminine is based on the society that one lives in and what is seen as social standards. The character of Lalit Verma is one who grew up under strong traditional and social values. These traditional views include a strong emphasis on male masculinity and discipline. Lalit is very different from his son Varun who has grown up in a generation where the process of globalization is heightened. Lalit is very discouraged with his son as he see’s him as very feminine and weak, he does not believe his son fits the proper mold of a man. Lalit has very traditional views of what roles males play in society. He believes a man is to have a successful job and study hard in areas such as medicine or engineering. Yet as Varun continues to grow up in a world filled with globalization he has begun to see himself perusing a life in cooking, wanting to be a chef.
Lalit: “You know what I heard him telling Dave Hiza, what he wants to do? He said he wants to be a chef. Our son will be a cook.”

As viewed in this scene here we are able to see the differences in values between the two generations. Lalit views the idea of being a chef as feminine job done by women and those of the lower class. Yet because of globalization Varun views the occupation of a chef as a western young male would view it, an acceptable occupation. The constant battle between the two is brought to a climax when Lalit is talking to Pimmi and Varun and he enforces the notion that Varun is going to have to attend boarding school. Varun is very upset with his fathrs decision and vows never to speak to his father again causing a large riff between them and in the family. Lalit is under a lot of emotional stress when it comes to dealing with his son, because he cares for him dearly, however because of his traditional views, he believes that he must fix his son as he is not yet prepared to be an adult. On the contrary Varun feels like his father does not understand and is a man unwilling to change in a world that is constantly changing. The act of globalization and how each them have adapted to it is what has caused them to become so distant.
Just like her younger brother Varun, Aditi is pushed into social settings based on her traditions and cultures, most notably her arranged marriage. Although Aditi is not forced into an arranged marriage she chooses to accept one to please her parents and family. As the film progresses we are shown how reluctant Aditi truly is about her marriage and how she is not doing it for herself but for her family. This can be noticed in the scene where her and her cousin Ria are discussing her future in the cab of a cab.
Ria: “I don’t think you’re ready for marriage”
Aditi: “I just want to settle down.”
Ria: “So what do you do? Get married to some guy selected by mummy and daddy, you 've barely known him for a couple of weeks!
This exchange between Ria and Aditi shows the difference in moral values between the new generation and the older generation. Ria is defending modernism and insisting that her cousin choose her own path, and not just follow not to do just follow the lead of her parents. This is a form of individuality that is uncommon in many cultures where children do as they are told by their parents. Due to globalization Aditi and Ria have come to see marriage in a different light than that of their elders. They see it as a connection of love that involves choice. Due to this Aditi struggles to find a balance of perusing what she wants as an individual, while continuing to please her parents. This struggle is generated due to Aditi’s different outlook on life then her parents, her values and norms have changed with modernism, and cultural traditions are of less importance too her. Once again this is another classic example of tradition is transformed and influenced by modernism.
While the main storyline revolves around Aditi’s wedding, there is a small love story involving P.K. Dubey, the wedding planner, and the Verma family maid, Alice. Both P.K. and Alice come from humble beginnings and are not wealthy like that of the Verma family. Although they are not part of the higher social class they are still very modernized. You can see this by their constant use of English as a way of speaking. Another example of this is in the scene where Dubey gives Alice his card. P.K. Dubey: “It has an address for sending mail through the computer.” Alice: “E-mail?” P.K. Dubey: “You know about it?”
This scence is discussed in Jenny Sharpe’s article regarding Monsoon Wedding.
The exchange suggests that the new information technology extends far beyond the upwardly mobile classes to the servant classes. At the same time, the lowly servant girl serves as a visual image of a nation that has been untouched by the commodity culture of globalization. Pg. 73
As touched on by Jenny, the audience is allowed to see how the middle class and lower class are affected by globalization as well. Sharpe goes on to state that Alice is ‘untouched’ by the commodity of globalization. This is incorrect as in many scenes Alice is noticeably very knowledgeable and wise. This is put on display when her and P.K. are examining the power box and she surprisingly has more knowledge and ability when it comes to fixing it. P.K. is slightly embarrassed as he comes off as a bit of a fool trying to impress Alice, when truly she has the upper hand. As a surprising match, P.K. and Alice’s love was created generically. The relationship between the two has this innocent ‘American love story’ feel that all the other characters of higher social class seem to crave. These two characters are seemingly the least modernized, yet their relationship is the most honest and modernized of that in the film. Nair does a wonderful job in showing the power of globalization through these two characters on how the interact with one another and how they interact with society. The power of globalization is also put into display through its large affect on India as a nation. The film allows the audience to witness the challenges a society must face when attempting to balance cultural tradition vs. modernism. This is brought to focus in the scene where the topic of censorship is discussed on the news. The two sides argue whether India as a whole should embrace the westernized culture so strongly or to hold onto their own beliefs and values. The discussion is lead by two distinctly different men, one representing modernism while the other tradition.
Unknown Traditionalist: “Just because India has gone global, should we embrace everything? What about our ancient culture, our tradition, our values. You are saying, censorship is unnecessary, absolutely unnecessary.”
Unknown Modernist: “Lets take the example of America…”
Unknown Traditionalist: “This is not America this is India!”
This allows the audience to see the difference in perspective and just how globalization affects both the new and old generation. This constant contradiction is examined in an article written by Jenny Sharpe, where she discusses how the film put this on display.
“The audience witnesses Delhi street scenes of pushcarts and bicycle rickshaws weaving in and out of cars driving by a monolithic statue of Shiva. Golfers ride in golf carts across an immaculately landscaped golf course, while a row of women carrying sand in baskets on their heads (presumably for the sand pits) passes behind them” Pg. 59
Through this passage Jenny is comparing different parts of Delhi, and how globalization has affected the country, but yet how old customs and norms are still in place. The example of pushcarts and bicycles weavings through cars, can be used as a symbolism for how new age and old age are co-existing. As Jenny stated you are able to see the poor, more struggling society “while women carrying sand baskets on their heads” right along side the modern more rich society “immaculately landscaped golf course” all coming to co-exist in a society where the norms and values are different for everyone based on their social class, gender, and how globalization has affected them personally.

As the world continues to change and become more ever connected through globalization, tradition and cultural values will continue to be shifted and changed. Every generation is different, and what is seen as important to one generation, may be completely irrelevant to another. Due to globalization the process at which what is deemed as acceptable or important is forever changing. This is because as the world becomes more internally connected we will become more similar in our values and ways of living. Yet as shown in the film Monsoon Wedding, not all view the process of globalization as positive, and many question just how far cultures should shift towards western beliefs. Attempting to find this balance or so called ‘sweet-spot’ between modernity and tradition is difficult and different for everyone. As the film progresses we watch as younger characters of the new generation struggle with this balance. However, the greatest example of modernism overcoming tradition can be noted in the scene where Lalit demands that Tej leave the wedding stating “These are my children, I will protect them from myself even if I have too. Please go.” This final scene is very powerful because Lalit has chosen to defend the women of his family, instead of keeping a strong family bond, which is a highly important tradition. This allows the audience to witness how the older generation has changed and become different due to modernity and globalization as well. As the film closes we watch as all the family members, young and old, dance to Indian music enjoying their cultural roots while still evolving to a more modernized society. Monsoon Wedding illustrations the balancing act between these two themes of tradition and modernism and how it alters our values, relationships and society.

References:

Sharpe, Jenny. "Meridians." Gender, Nation and Globalization in Monsoon Wedding and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Vol. 6. Series 1. Indian University, 58-81
https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=438482

References: Sharpe, Jenny. "Meridians." Gender, Nation and Globalization in Monsoon Wedding and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Vol. 6. Series 1. Indian University, 58-81 https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=438482