'Angry Brides' takes aim at India's dowry tradition
Source: Agencies |
January 17, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Anger at the practice of demanding dowries, which can lead to violence against brides, has prompted a takeoff of "Angry Birds" called "Angry Brides" that highlights the illegal practice still prevalent in India.
Dowries - such as jewelry, clothes, cars and money - are traditionally given by the bride's family to the groom and his parents to ensure she is taken care of in her new home.
The custom was outlawed more than five decades ago. But it is still widely practised, with the groom's family demanding even more money after marriage, leading to emotional and physical harassment that can drive the woman to suicide.
In the worst cases, she may be murdered by her husband and his family, often in so-called "stove burnings" where she is doused in kerosene and set on fire.
"The Angry Brides game is our way of throwing a spotlight on the nuisance of dowry," said Ram Bhamidi, senior vice president for Shaadi.com, a matrimonial website with 2 million members.
"According to a 2007 study ... there is a dowry-related death every four hours in India. We condemn this menace and have consistently run campaigns on social media to help create awareness of the issue."
The name of the app available on the group's home page (www.facebook.com/shaadicom), is a play on the popular "Angry Birds" game. Its home page shows a red-clad, eight-armed woman resembling a powerful female Hindu goddess. The caption reads: "A woman will give you strength, care and all the love you need ... NOT dowry!"
Players try to hit three dodging grooms - a pilot, builder and doctor. There is a wide array of weapons to choose from, including a stiletto shoe, a frying pan, broomstick, tomato and loafer.
Grooms have a price tag, starting at 1.5 million rupees (US$29,165). Every time a groom is hit, his value decreases and money is added to the player's anti-dowry fund, which is posted on their Facebook page.
Dowries - such as jewelry, clothes, cars and money - are traditionally given by the bride's family to the groom and his parents to ensure she is taken care of in her new home.
The custom was outlawed more than five decades ago. But it is still widely practised, with the groom's family demanding even more money after marriage, leading to emotional and physical harassment that can drive the woman to suicide.
In the worst cases, she may be murdered by her husband and his family, often in so-called "stove burnings" where she is doused in kerosene and set on fire.
"The Angry Brides game is our way of throwing a spotlight on the nuisance of dowry," said Ram Bhamidi, senior vice president for Shaadi.com, a matrimonial website with 2 million members.
"According to a 2007 study ... there is a dowry-related death every four hours in India. We condemn this menace and have consistently run campaigns on social media to help create awareness of the issue."
The name of the app available on the group's home page (www.facebook.com/shaadicom), is a play on the popular "Angry Birds" game. Its home page shows a red-clad, eight-armed woman resembling a powerful female Hindu goddess. The caption reads: "A woman will give you strength, care and all the love you need ... NOT dowry!"
Players try to hit three dodging grooms - a pilot, builder and doctor. There is a wide array of weapons to choose from, including a stiletto shoe, a frying pan, broomstick, tomato and loafer.
Grooms have a price tag, starting at 1.5 million rupees (US$29,165). Every time a groom is hit, his value decreases and money is added to the player's anti-dowry fund, which is posted on their Facebook page.
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