Aditi Mittal is arguably India’s best known female standup comic. When she is not playing the hilarious Dr Savitri Lutchuke with aplomb she is calling out social hypocrisy and reviewing bad movies. She is really, really funny and she makes people think. She does one more thing via her Bad Girl videos: she shares the work of other unusual female standups; such as Nidhi Goyal who is blind and then Deepika Mhatre whose day job is that of a maid.
Deepika, offers us unique perspective – about some of our double standards, our hypocrisy, our classism and the lack of awareness of our own privilege. Her thick vernacular accent lends authenticity to her routine and good-natured style takes the sting out of her words. However, there is much for us to reflect upon.
In India, domestic servants are among the most exploited of groups. They have zero job security, no rights or perks and are placed in a position perpetually subservient to their employers. They typically have no option but to listen to the criticism that comes their way. In Deepika Mhatre’s words, “Main aaj bolegi, Madam log sunenge” there is a poignant message from an unheard segment of society. It is for us to hear and perchance to applaud. She claims to be a maid, jeweler (because she sells trinkets in the local train), standup comic… and maybe one day a politician? Why not! She certainly has the charisma to win votes!
Sticker ki Kimat is the title of her routine and she does, in fact, demonstrate how much meaning the ‘sticker’ has for us Indians. We will haggle with a poor vegetable vendor for a few kilos of potatoes, but would not dream of doing the same in an up market mall! We tend to presume that if it cost more, it must be better.
Deepika good humouredly says she is very ‘special’, because there is a separate lift for servants in the building where she works. Many people also still have separate utensils for their domestic help to use. Deepika laughingly speaks about the ingrained classism and casteism that makes so many Indians continue to behave in this offensive and regressive manner.
In her own straightforward way she also points out the double standard that exists in society with regard to gender; particularly married women vis-à-vis married men. She speaks about the many ‘suhaag ki nishani’s married women sport vis-à-vis zero such ‘nishani’s for men. She speaks about the fasts women undertake for their (while making a cheeky reference to the way Bollywood glamorises and perpetuates gender stereotypes) men without any reciprocation. Refreshingly, Deepika wants to have some choices as regards her husband in the next reincarnation. She doesn’t see why she should be stuck with the same guy over 7 incarnations!
Deepika is matter of fact and she puts across her points of view without any rancor. She has a tough, busy life but she takes it all in her stride. She shares some of her experiences with her audiences; we would do well to listen to more than just her jokes.
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