Features- Beauty and Contests

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Beauty and Contests
By Chitra Ahanthem

To quote John Keats, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever". Countless verses have been dedicated to beauty and it's manifestation(s) - nature, relationships, and the arts. Many a poet attained fame for waxing eloquence on beauty: Shakespeare, Lord Byron, and William Wordsworth to name a few. Question is, should beauty be judged by statistics when it comes to us human beings- 34-25-34 for the fairer sex; breadth of biceps and the number of abs for the male human species? It DOES seem so going by the frequency of "beauty contests" being organized a dime a dozen by "now here, no comments tomorrow" organizations which sprouts up faster (AND disappear just as fast) than one can say, "and the winner of today's (sic) beauty contest is Miss so-and-so".

Many women's groups, social writers and intellectuals have pointed out time and again the futility of holding beauty contests. The real beauties are often unsung and unknown while those sporting tiaras on their heads and slinky designer gowns are paraded and "sold" to a thriving industry - why, beauty of course! A thing (in this case, a human being) of beauty is now a commodity needing adroit PR (Public Relations) handling and money big time.

In the international circuit, beauty contests are such money-spinners that countries vie with one another to be the venue! Countless number(s) of sleek, well toned (or honed?) bodies, perfect 100 watt smile (after correctional dental changeovers?) frolicking and play hopping either in the sand or water - never ever on dead old craggy earth, have done wonders for the tourism sector. Throw in a heady mix of heavy weight celebrities, million dollar deals for satellite TV and print coverage by fashion glossies and you have a circus with a unique flavor - girls, girls and more girls! Yellow skinned, white, brown or black; take your pick. Blondes, brunettes - on the verge of anorexia; girls tottering on stilettos and chancing a shot at a one year stint of fame, money, endorsement deals and rubbing shoulders with the hoi polloi of the world.

Not for them, a realistic look at the rising rate of crime and abuse against women all over the world, not the drastic divide between men and women politically, socially, culturally, economically. Not for the organizers, a second thought about the huge amount of money involved in the contest on one hand and its abject need in the developing countries.

Constant write-downs and vociferous protests have only managed to make the said organization to change tracks and pack beauty contests under the "beauty with substance" tag. End result? Beauty queens blowing kisses at orphanages, squatting to plant saplings when their attire allows them (!), mouthing carefully prepared statements at "charity" events.

On a positive front, the winners of beauty contests at the national and international stage have a platform that come along with the crown and sash to "support" worthy causes - from raising funds for cerebral palsy stricken children, to focusing on education and empowerment of street children, to making public health messages on a variety of issues like reproductive health, teen pregnancy, environment, HIV/AIDS etc.

Thus, does the show go on - a once in a year carnival where contestants gear up as if to go for battle (it IS a battle of sorts). Extra flab(s) are tucked in discreetly by efficient surgeons, fats are big no, no and "operation rodent" starts - nibbling at salads and greens; experts at speech and diction enters the picture to help modulate one's voice towards victory. Satellite channels dole out green to beam the proceedings live to an estimated global audience of more than two billion people. Not to be outdone and outshone by beauty, "brawn" contests have sprouted up at all levels and hence; the spectacle of men prancing in their briefs, flexing muscles and their gray cells. Thank your lucky stars - at least they do not follow the "Ooh aah" tears- streaming, hands-clasped-to-face routine. The idea of men doing the above mentioned routine could be hard to swallow down, much less digest.

Ironically enough, there is no beauty in the way such contests are being organized in Manipur. Reports in the press regarding non-payment of prize money are a common occurrence and has "inspired" many a cartoon spoofs. The credibility of the contests is in themselves a lost cause for there are too many varieties floating around in one calendar year. It has become close to resembling a musical chair among beauty contestants - never mind if you lost out in this one, there is another one coming up! Comic relief comes along by way of the answers given by the contestants to certain questions: Educational qualification? Comes the question and pat comes the reply - DM College of Science!

There must be a cardinal rule for every beauty contest (we don't know, do we?) that says every contestant should speak in English or struggle to speak, and in the process massacre the language altogether (even if the judge ask questions in Manipuri). Keeping up with national and international standards, there are sub titles, rounds too - best skin, best smile… our very original contribution at this juncture being titles like "best love and affection with child" (er?) and best imaginative (double er?)

If national and international beauty queens and contestants do their bit for social work, in Manipur we do it our way. Come contest time and we get to see aspiring beauties sweeping market places and public areas. What hard work beauty is and what price (prize money!). The winners are losers after all, what with costs for the dress designers, make-up and accessories AND non-payment of the much publicized prize amount.

But so long as there is no dearth of aspiring beauty queens and wannabe "cats" willing to prowl on ramps and the support of their families to take part in contest, it should not be a matter of surprise that unheard of organizations and associations organize beauty contests every month, every conceivable venue, and decamp with money. For us lesser mortals, there is no way out except to bear the side show(s) and keep wondering who will be the next to (M)iss the title AND the prize money!

(Courtesy: The Imphal Free Press)

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