The red dot on her forehead signifies female energy.
The black beaded mangalsutra around her neck protects from evil.
The bright vermilion in her hair parting is to bring about good fortune.
These powerful symbols of marriage soon loose sheen.
For they are now dulled by blue marks and the grey clouds of domestic violence.
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda
Image Courtesy : Google Images
61 Responses
That’s a really striking 55 worder. Well done, Shilpa.
Thank you, Shail 🙂
How efficient this flash fiction looks and what a strong message. Wow, Shilpa!
Thanks a lot, Kajal 🙂
Point well made Shilpa. God knows when society will stop applying all colors that it wants violent or otherwise and let her be just what she wants! Domestic Violence is indeed a huge problem in todays India.
Well said, Jayashree. DV is a a big problem and usually it goes unreported. Behind closed doors of homes, women are being tortured, beaten and killed. It is happening in rural areas, towns, cities and in metros as well. In fact it is seen in all social classes and age groups too. The worst is that the victim rarely speaks up about it and her children are scarred for life too! 😐
Lovely use of 55F to deliver a powerful message!
Thank you PI 🙂
Excellent 55 Fiction. Thanks.
Thanks SG 🙂
Powerful words, Shilpa!
Thank you Rachna 🙂
Sad truth sometimes:(
True, a very sad and grim reality! 🙁
My heart did a double take at the last line, Shilps. Love, Vidya
I can relate to your feelings, Vidya. It is just that domestic violence is so rampant in our country and the sad reality is that countless women live with violence and fear and cover up the problem on a daily basis too!
Really powerful…brilliant @Shilpa!
Thank you Rekha 🙂
very well written using the colours as prompt. Indeed its enough to taking it lying down.
Thanks Kalpana. While DV is a crime, the victims are forced to believe that it is their fault. And since their spouses or close family members are involved, they prefer to keep quiet about it and suffer it silently. Wish they realize that they are not alone and that help is available!
Just a wonderful use of colours to denote an issue troubling us for long. A beautifully written piece Shilpa…
Thank you Richa!
The prompts were very well used Shilpa !
Thank you Ruchira 🙂
More and more women are speaking for themselves and shunning these superstitions. I am hopeful that the blues and greys will change soon too.
Yes, there is an awakening and many women are vocal about the crimes committed against them but still there are a lot who prefer to keep quiet about it and suffers the trauma and the humiliation for years altogether!
Can a 55er get better than this? Nope.
Why is my my twitter handle(that I never ever use) finds its place here when I do not even enter it? O-o
Glad you liked this 55er, Shilpa.
No clue about the twitter handle mystery!!
Nice imagery and crisp 55er.
Thanks a lot, Gyan 🙂
So much can be said in so little words
True! When are you gonna write a 55er?
A thought provoking message through colors! WOW…I liked it very much
Glad you liked it, Sheela 🙂 Thanks.
Well said. Engrossing..!!
Thanks Aakanksha! 🙂
In just a mere 55 words you have brilliantly captured the essence of domestic violence. Loved how you weaved colors into your story.
Thanks a lot, Kathy. This post is in response to a prompt where a post should have five different colours acting as adjectives for five important words, around which write-up revolves. 🙂
Strong, very strong post yet again Shilpa. This is one of the ugliest truths ever.
Thanks Pree! True, a very ugly truth which is a sad reality for so many!
Really brilliant take on the prompt! very powerful message.. Loved it Shilpa..
Thank you Seena 🙂
Am in love with these 55 and 100 word fiction! This one esp is soo well writen…… There are times when those blue marks are not on body but on the heart..
Thanks Meena. Yes and the ones on the heart take the longest to fade and sometimes… never!
You are blogsville’s ” wordsmith” shilpa. Excellent 55er.
You are tooo kind, Asha! Thanks 🙂
Wow…Shilpa you have done a wonderful job in just 55 words. Touched.
Thanks a lot, Sugandha 🙂
Very true.
And it is also true that now a days we hardly adorn ourselves with all these, violence or no violence.
Apt message
Yeah… changing times…. 🙂
Interesting use of the prompt Shilpa.
Unfortunately..none of these symbols stop a cruel man from raising his hand on his wife 🙁
Well said, Vinita, while men treat their wives as property what is truly sad is that so many women are stuck in violent, abusive and loveless marriages because it’s a social stigma to be single or divorced. Also, parents encourage the women to stick around with her husband even when they know that he is abusing their daughter!
That’s one reason why self-sufficiency is very important. That will give the courage for a person to stand up to such acts.
Destination Infinity
True, if a woman is self-reliant, she would have the confidence and the courage to move out of such an abusive relationship.
I want to see a day when certain colours are dedicated to menfolk who ill treat the lady.And that colour is black,preferred area is the face.
How I wish someone took the initiative
We would love that too!!
Well written Shilpa!
Thanks a lot, Swapna 🙂
Simple, bold, deep, meaning full but painted with pain!!
Thanks Hemant!