Sheetal Sheth pens a children's book about Raksha Bandhan in 'Raashi's Rakhis'
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, author Sheetal Sheth shares her children's book "Rashi's Rakhis" exploring the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan. The story challenges patriarchal norms within cultural practices by having the young protagonist, Rashi, request a rakhi (protective bracelet) from her brother—defying the traditional expectation that only boys need protection.
Sheth, a first-generation Indian American, discusses her experience navigating cultural identity and activism. Integrating her desire to evolve traditions to be more inclusive, "Rashi's Rakhis" opens the door for wider audiences to explore cultural heritage while questioning deep-rooted gender biases within cultural and religious practices.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Aug 15, 2024 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
Representation of Hindu Traditions in Children's Literature
Rashi's Rakis by Sheetal Sheth
Sheth's "Rashi's Rakis" explores the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, where sisters tie rakhis (bracelets) on their brothers' wrists as a symbol of protection. The book's protagonist, Rashi, questions the gendered expectation that only boys need protection as they venture out, defying tradition by asking her brother for a rakhi.
Sheth, a first-generation Indian American, integrated her experiences challenging patriarchal roots of cultural practices into Rashi's character. Her goal was to invite wider audiences into her heritage while reflecting her desire to evolve traditions to be more inclusive.
Challenging Patriarchal Norms Within Cultural Practices
Rashi's decision to request a rakhi from her brother serves as a focal point for challenging traditional patriarchal norms within cultural and religious practices. Her family reacts with skepticism, showcasing the friction that can arise when questioning deep-seated cultural practices.
Sheth herself faced accusations of injecting "Western feminism" into a Hindu story from some readers. She sees questioning and updating patriarchal layers within traditions as an act of inclusion and connection to her heritage, not a betrayal.
Navigating Cultural Identity and Activism
Growing up, Sheth grappled with understanding the meanings behind her cultural practices, as her parents often responded with "that's just how it's done." Her book aims to foster greater community, sisterhood, and inclusivity around her cultural heritage.
Sheth believes engaging in the civic process, even when candidates don't perfectly align with one's views, is crucial for driving positive change. By sharing her journey, she seeks to empower others in cultural exploration and activism.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The tradition of Raksha Bandhan has a historical and cultural context that may be overlooked when adapting it to fit modern narratives.
- Some may argue that the introduction of "Western feminism" into Hindu stories could potentially misrepresent the original cultural practices and their significance.
- There is a perspective that sees the preservation of traditional gender roles in cultural practices as a way to maintain historical continuity and identity.
- The skepticism of Rashi's family could be seen as a realistic portrayal of how many families might react to changes in age-old traditions, rather than a simple resistance to progress.
- The act of challenging patriarchal norms might be viewed by some as disregarding the nuances and multiple interpretations within Hinduism that already address gender equality.
- While inclusivity is important, there is a viewpoint that believes in the importance of understanding and respecting the origins and untouched practices of a culture before attempting to evolve them.
- Some may feel that activism and cultural exploration should be approached with caution to avoid the unintentional dilution or misrepresentation of cultural practices.
- There could be a concern that the book, while aiming to foster community and sisterhood, might inadvertently alienate those who hold traditional views and wish to maintain the original practices of Raksha Bandhan.
Actionables
- You can create a personal tradition by inviting siblings or close friends to exchange tokens of appreciation, regardless of gender, during cultural festivals to symbolize mutual support. Start by choosing a festival you celebrate, and instead of following the traditional practices, suggest a new ritual where everyone involved exchanges a small gift or token that represents their commitment to protect and support each other. This could be as simple as a handmade bracelet, a written note, or a shared experience like planting a tree together.
- Explore the roots of your cultural practices by starting a journal where you document and reflect on the origins and meanings behind each tradition you participate in. Use this as a tool to understand your heritage better and to identify aspects that may benefit from a more inclusive approach. For example, if you find a tradition that seems gendered or exclusive, brainstorm ways it could be adapted to be more welcoming to all participants.
- Encourage inclusive storytelling by writing a short story or creating a piece of art that reimagines a cultural tale or practice with a focus on equality and community. Share your creation with friends or on social media to spark conversations about evolving traditions in a way that honors their origins while making them more accessible to everyone. This could involve reversing traditional roles in a story or showcasing characters who challenge norms in a positive way.
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Representation of Hindu cultural traditions in children's literature
Sheetal Sheth's "Rashi's Rakis" brings to light the Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandhan, as the protagonist, Rashi, explores gendered expectations.
Rashi's Rakis book showcases the Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandhan and its traditions
The story dives into the cultural practices that surround Raksha Bandhan, highlighting the traditional exchange between brothers and sisters where sisters tie bracelets called 'rakhis' on their brothers' wrists as a sign of protection. The narrative describes how these celebrations often include spending time with family, dancing, eating, and the brothers offering gifts or sweets in return to their sisters, as a gesture of gratitude.
The book's protagonist, Rashi, questions the gendered expectations of the holiday and seeks to update the tradition to align with her own values
Through its protagonist, "Rashi's Rakis" explores the concepts of protection and gender roles. Rashi questions the historical gender bias suggested by the celebration — that boys need protection as they venture into the world and girls do not. Rejecting the idea that girls have fewer aspirations, or need less protection, Rashi requests a rakhi from her brother in defiance of the norm. The skepticism Rashi faces from her cousins and family friends through their eye rolls reflects the resistance against changing long-held traditions.
Sheetal Sheth's personal experience as a first-generation Indian American influenced the development of the book
Sheth’s background as a first-generation Indian American is a vital component of her storytelling. She conveys through "Rashi's Rakis" her own childhood experiences, where questioning the patriarchal roots of Raksha Bandhan felt nec ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Representation of Hindu cultural traditions in children's literature
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore the themes of inclusivity by creating a small book club with friends to read and discuss stories from diverse cultures. Choose books that challenge traditional roles or celebrate different festivals, and use these discussions to deepen your understanding of cultural nuances and the importance of inclusivity.
- Start a tradition of crafting your own version of rakhis with friends or family, regardless of gender, to symbolize unity and support beyond the traditional brother-sister bond. This can be a way to honor the spirit of Raksha Bandhan while adapting it to reflect modern values of equality and solidarity.
- ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Challenging patriarchal norms within cultural/religious practices
Rashi’s decision to ask her brother for a rakhi in a book serves as a focal point for challenging traditional patriarchal norms within cultural and religious practices, reflecting ongoing conversations on modernizing traditional values to align with contemporary beliefs about gender equality.
Rashi decides to ask her brother for a rakhi (bracelet) in the book, defying the traditional one-way exchange
Rashi, the protagonist, upends the traditional belief that girls should do less than boys and therefore need less protection by questioning the custom of rakhi, which traditionally involves only sisters giving bracelets to their brothers. Her decision to ask her brother for a rakhi is met with skepticism from her family and community.
Rashi's family and community react with skepticism to her nonconformist approach
When Rashi acts against tradition, her family and community members express doubt and skepticism with dismissive gestures, showcasing the friction that can arise when someone challenges deep-seated cultural practices.
Sheth faced similar pushback from some readers who accused her of injecting "Western feminism" into a Hindu story
Sheetal Sheth, facing criticism akin to Rashi's fictional experiences, encounters pushback from some readers and social media commenters. They accuse her of being influenced by "Western feminism" and question her connection to her Indian heritage. Sheth responds to this criticism by sharing it publicly, eliciting support and rebuttals from her followers.
Sheth believes it is important to critically examine the patriarchal layers within cultural traditions and update them to align with modern values
Sheth recognizes the historical and patriarchal layers ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Challenging patriarchal norms within cultural/religious practices
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Cultural traditions serve as a link to the past, and altering them might lead to a loss of historical context and meaning.
- The concept of "Western feminism" may not be universally applicable or relevant to all cultural contexts, and imposing it could be seen as a form of cultural imperialism.
- The rakhi tradition symbolizes a brother's duty to protect his sister, and changing this could be interpreted as undermining the cultural significance of the roles within the family structure.
- Skepticism towards change in traditional practices may stem from a desire to maintain social cohesion and stability within a community.
- Criticism of Sheth's approach could be rooted in the belief that there are other ways to promote gender equality without altering traditional practices.
- S ...
Actionables
- You can start a book club focused on literature that challenges traditional gender roles to foster discussions on cultural norms and modern values. Gather a small group of friends or community members interested in reading and discussing books that explore themes of gender equality and cultural evolution. For example, select a book each month that portrays characters defying gender expectations or that sparks conversation about the balance between tradition and contemporary values.
- Create a personal tradition inventory to assess and update your own practices. Take an afternoon to list down the cultural or family traditions you participate in, then reflect on how they align with your current values. For each tradition, consider if there's room for a more inclusive or updated approach that still respects the essence of the practice. For instance, if you usually celebrate a holiday in a certain way, think about how you can tweak the celebration to be more inclusive of different family members' beliefs and lifestyles.
- Engage in role-reversal exercises during family gatherings to promote emp ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Navigating cultural identity and activism as a first-generation Indian American
Growing up as a first-generation Indian American, Sheth grappled with finding her cultural identity and fostering activism that was inclusive of her heritage.
Sheth's experience growing up with questions about the meaning and origins of cultural practices is reflected in the book
Sheth recalls her childhood, shadowed by questions on the meaning and origins of her cultural practices. She often sought answers from her parents, who would typically respond with, "that's just how it is done." This response reflected a lack of deeper understanding of the traditions, as her parents followed them because they were customary. Sheth's curiosity and the lack of satisfying explanations from her parents are central themes captured in her book.
Sheth sees her book as a way to foster greater community, sisterhood, and inclusivity around her cultural heritage
By documenting her experiences, Sheth aims to create a stronger sense of ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Navigating cultural identity and activism as a first-generation Indian American
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Start a personal cultural diary to explore your heritage by writing down traditions you follow and researching their origins. This can help you understand your cultural practices better and create a more meaningful connection to them. For example, if you celebrate a particular holiday, write about how you celebrate it and then look into its history and significance.
- Engage with your local community by volunteering for a civic organization or initiative that resonates with your cultural values. This will allow you to contribute to positive change while connecting with others who share your heritage. You might volunteer at a cultural festival or join a group that advocates for community issues important to your cultural background.
- Create a small discussion group with friends or family to share stories and pers ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
