IPL Cheerleaders
JK links to Saisuresh’s post on applying the daughter test and reaching different conclusions than Peter. Rohit writes on the lack of a culture of tolerance in India that often leads to imposition of a minority’s moral values on the general populace. In fact, I agree with both of them that cheerleaders in IPL or any other place should not be banned by the state or any other organization that isn’t involved with the IPL. However at the risk of seeing as defending Peter, I would still claim that IPL’s decision to use cheerleaders especially imported white ones from the U.S. shows a surprising lack of creativity for providing sports entertainment. Cheerleading is steeped in cultural and social factors in America and often being a cheerleader in American high schools is seen as a sure shot way to popularity. While I do not agree with the basic premise of cheerleading, I would be foolish enough to impose my opinions on others. And just because I don’t agree with the concept doesn’t mean that I intend to ban it although admittedly Peter does so in no uncertain terms; just as I told my brother that being against the concept of a Hitler-themed restaurant or bedding doesn’t mean I want it shut down pronto. Even schools in the U.S. have different opinions about cheerleaders. For example, my current university Texas A&M has no cheerleaders for their football team. Instead they have male yell leaders which in my opinion look quite gay but whatever rocks the 12th Man.
Although I think there are plenty of options to contextualize sports entertainment for India, cheerleading would be the last thing on my mind. Let us be clear, employing cheerleaders is less of entertainment and more of titillation; pun intended and just because NFL uses them to attract fans doesn’t mean the IPL has to literally cut-paste everything that NFL does. If they had put as much effort in coming up with creative ideas as they did in creating their media contracts, we would definitely have something that is both fun and enticing. After all, we are the country that remixed Bollywood golden oldies. Where is Himesh Reshammiya and the item girls when you need them? At the same time, I’m not with Bal Thackeray’s suggestion that bhangra should replace cheerleading because I know his suggestions come with an implicit lesson in dictating our morality; his role in organizing the Michael Jackson concert notwithstanding.
Although Rohit dismisses Peter’s claim of using white cheerleaders because they are fair game, I don’t think he is completely off the mark here; just look at the increasing number of white extras that Bollywood has today. I’m sure Rohit knows the special affinity Indian males have for the white skin even in the U.S. Just because the Indian male has a special fondness for the gooris doesn’t mean the IPL should choose to exploit that. In my opinion, it gives an appearance of pandering for cheap thrills when in fact there is plenty of action on the field given the recent games. Sure, IPL probably gains some in generating buzz but as far as I am concerned, they lose the PR battle. If indeed the white factor is not that important, I would like to see them replaced by desi cheerleaders and then examine the reactions. I’m sure the Indian public wouldn’t be that interested but of course, unfair comparisons to bar girls will not be far either. Or on the other hand, you if you have to then just make them dance to Jungle jungle baat chali hai, pattaa chala hai..chaddi pehneke phool khili hai phool khili hai.
Lastly, I agree that it might be an experiment that will soon vanish from the Indian scene but I wish the IPL chooses to focus on the one thing they have started this league for – to make cricket exciting. I believe in the IPL and the Twenty20 concept and wish this makes cricket more global. And to look at the flipside, the discussion of such sideshows actually exposes Indians to experiments that they were hitherto unused to. I’m with Rohit on this one that those who come to IPL matches to watch cheerleaders will do so and those who come for cricket will also come to the matches, cheerleaders or not. But does the IPL really gain in terms of public relations by those who come for the cheerleaders and for how long will they keep coming back for them?
“IPL Cheerleaders” [Short URL: http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=2514] was published Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 9:00 pm by Patrix, filed under India, Society Culture, Sports, and tagged as cricket, culture, India, IPL, morality, society. Both comments and linkbacks are closed.
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Hopefully by the next IPL season they will find some desi style half time shows and better ways of cheerleeding. Banning is not the way to go, but something more creative would have been better.
2 years ago replyEver seen an ICL game? I fancy their method is a bit better…
Also, the popular opinion among my local friend circle is that the Cheerleaders need to get Indian, ‘coz they have NO FRIGGIN IDEA ON HOW TO DANCE FOR POPULAR LOCAL SONGS WHEN THE DJ PLAYS THEM!!!! There, I got it out…
Really mate, seeing the Chennai ones dance when the Mumbai players hit a six and then “not” dance when they got a wicket is totally annoying. To say that four girls at the gallery next to us totally outdid them in the dance factor says something…
Also, before replying, please note that I am 17, and as a non-voting citizen of India, my say doesn’t really count. But still, I’m pretty sure that the SAME thing was riding in the minds of several people (grownups) near me. Most were disappointed that the Chennai and Mumbai ones had decided to go fully costumed….
2 years ago replyWell, the gori cheer leaders definitely lend credibility to a song from Tashan “White white face dekhe dilwa beatin fast …sasura dance maare!” LOL.
I am only waiting for one of these cheerleaders to show up in Fair N Lovely ad whose premise will be that their cream will make them as fair as the gori cheerleaders.
I am not against the whole concept of cheerleading, white or brown – but the way its done in IPL is just shameful. Its just pure titillation rather than anything else.
2 years ago replyDang!
I came over here from my RSS reader expecting some pictures…
Go Cheerleaders!
2 years ago replyJK, exactly! I was just hoping for something more creative. With the many entertainment companies that have sprung up in recent times, I’m sure that wouldn’t be a problem.
Yuvi, I haven’t yet seen them in action but the problems you mention are similar to my issues as well. Desi chicks will definitely do a better job if thats the intention; why import white ones? I’m sure they are charging a bundle for their services and kicking up all this fuss. And as you point out, they don’t really get cricket, do they? At least the NFL cheerleaders must know something about football.
Supremus, is that really a song?? LOL! Even if titillation was the intention, did the IPL think that desi girls aren’t up to the mark?
Prashant, I resisted putting pictures but you can easily get them by doing a search for IPL cheerleaders on Flickr.
2 years ago replyAnd what exactly is the gay look? :D
2 years ago replyAmit, the gay look? Well, it is white guys in tight white clothes making weird gestures with their hands and feet. Here, take a look :)
2 years ago replyPat,
Let’s be clear about why cheerleaders should be opposed. If the argument is that they add nothing to cricket or as you have said, they ignore the cultural context then I have no objection. I give two hoots about cheerleaders; I am an old-fashioned cricket fan. :)
I only objected to Foster’s argument that India is not ready for cheerleaders because women are harassed. Or the politicians it somehow violates Indian culture. I think both are wrong.
2 years ago replyRohit, I oppose the use of cheerleaders for the reasons you cite in the first paragraph. And you know better than to believe I would cite protection of Indian culture as a reason. But I feel Peter Foster had a point about using white women instead of desi women as cheerleaders. I see no difference in entertainment value provided by desi cheerleaders unless of course IPL expects a certain intrinsic value from not doing so. As I mentioned, it was bad PR.
Of course, I’ve no problem with women jumping up and down :)
2 years ago replyI like the cheerleader as entertainment. But as an Indian I like to say that the dress of cheerleader should be well as all members of family can enjoy.
2 years ago reply@Bin: Pleasing all is an impossible task mate. The kids would want them dressed as bugs bunny, us teens would like ‘em as they are, teen girls would want more SRK types there, older women would want mega-serial type folks, etc. If we’ve to accomodate everyone, there will have to be more cheerleaders than spectators.
2 years ago replyBin, I’m sure it would be easier for members of the family that do not enjoy cheerleading to avert their eyes and focus on cricket. As Indians, I’m sure we can come up with less raunchy remix videos but we don’t, right?
Yuvi, LOL! Can’t imagine Bug Bunny doing cheers :)
2 years ago replyGood point ’bout the Remix videos ;) I watch ‘em even when my parents are nearby, and they don’t seem to mind. Heck, they don’t seem to mind The PCD ;)
2 years ago replyYuvi, see, we can get used to anything however offensive they say it is to our Indian ‘culture’. Heck, it might even become a part of Indian culture soon :)
2 years ago reply