It may not sound convincing. But, if you pay close attention to the ‘Oo Antava Mava’ from Pushpa, featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu challenges traditional gender roles and societal expectations of women. The lyrics reflect themes of agency, independence, and self-assertion. These lyrics are central to feminist ideals. The picturisation is like any ‘item’ number. Pushpa, the protagonist, is meeting powerful men at a party organised for the underworld. It is a man’s world, where there are very few women. You can see just a few dancers or notch girls who are evidently commodities.
Pay attention to the lyrics, and you will hear the repeated question, “Will you say yes, dear, or will you say no?” It suggests that the woman is questioning the traditional notion of women being passive and submissive in decision-making. By posing this question, the song challenges the stereotype. A stereotype that women should merely comply with the desires and expectations of others, particularly men.
Oo Antava Mava song: Addressing body image issues
The lyrics highlight the absurdity of societal judgments based on physical appearance, such as height. The lines “One jumps with joy if I’m tall” and “One shouts and wails if I’m short” underscore the pressure women face to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. It also underscores the consequences of not meeting those standards. By rejecting these superficial criteria, the song encourages women to embrace their authentic selves. Moreover, it rejects societal norms that seek to limit their worth based on appearance.
The lyrics emphasise the importance of speaking one’s truth and rejecting false narratives that society imposes. The line “Forget tall and short, let me tell you a truth” suggests a rejection of superficial judgments and a call for authenticity and self-expression.
Addressing inclusivity
The line “There is no good or bad, everyone belongs to the same race” from the lyrics of “Oo Antava Mava” encapsulates a profound message of inclusivity and unity. In this context, the song transcends gender-specific themes and delves into broader societal issues, advocating for equality and acceptance among all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or differences.
By asserting that “everyone belongs to the same race,” the song challenges divisive notions of superiority or inferiority based on arbitrary categorisations such as race, ethnicity, or social status. It promotes the idea that humanity is interconnected and that all individuals share a common humanity, deserving of equal respect and dignity.
Oo Antava Mava: Rejecting binary concepts
The lyrics reject binary concepts of morality by stating, “There is no good or bad.” This assertion underscores the complexity and diversity of human experiences, acknowledging that individuals cannot be neatly categorised as entirely good or entirely bad. Instead, it encourages empathy, understanding, and acceptance of the multifaceted nature of human existence.
Overall, this particular line from the song’s lyrics reinforces its overarching message of inclusivity and unity, advocating for a world where differences are celebrated rather than vilified. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and fostering mutual respect and understanding in creating a more equitable and harmonious society.
Where does Oo Antava Mava fall short in feminist theory?
Instead of celebrating women’s agency and empowerment, the visual representation of the song often reduces women to mere objects of desire, undermining the message of independence and self-assertion conveyed in the lyrics. This dissonance between the song’s intent and its visual portrayal highlights the complexities and nuances of feminist representation in popular culture, underscoring the importance of critically examining media depictions of gender and sexuality.
The final thoughts
You can see “Oo Antava Mava” as lyrics that celebrate women’s autonomy. It challenges oppressive norms and advocates for gender equality. Furthermore, it encourages women to assert themselves, reject societal expectations, and embrace their inherent worth and agency. However, despite the empowering message conveyed through its lyrics, “Oo Antava Mava” goes wrong for its portrayal in the accompanying visuals, particularly the dance moves. The setting, the choreography and the portrayal of women in the music video are problematic and contradictory to the song’s feminist themes. The dance moves, which are suggestive and objectifying, perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce patriarchal ideals of female sexuality.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
