Actress Namitha, who became a familiar face in Tamil cinema with films such as ‘Engal Anna’, ‘Billa’, ‘Azhagiya Tamil Magan’, ‘Englishkaran’ and ‘Pachai Kuthira’, has made fewer film appearances since her marriage. However, the actor continues to stay connected with audiences through interviews and social media, where she has often shared her views on marriage, traditions and the expectations placed on women.
Namitha asks why women alone should wear Thaali after marriage
In a recent interview with Behindwoods, Namitha questioned why several marriage-related traditions are imposed primarily on women. Speaking about the Thaali, bindi and other customs associated with married women, the actor asked why similar expectations are not placed on men.“Why should only a woman wear a Thaali after marriage? Why should only women be expected to wear a bindi and follow certain traditions? Why are all these restrictions created only for women? Why are there no such rules for men?” she questioned.Her remarks have since sparked discussion on social media, particularly around the different expectations placed on men and women after marriage.
Namitha questions one-sided marriage traditions and Varalakshmi Vratham
Namitha also spoke about traditions such as Varalakshmi Vratham, which many married women observe while praying for the well-being and long life of their husbands. She questioned why such practices are generally framed as a responsibility of wives alone.“As a wife, I can fast for my husband and pray for his long life. But is there a rule that says a husband should dedicate at least one day in a year to his wife’s well-being? There is no such rule. Why has society not created something like that? Why are all the rules written only for women?” she asked.
Namitha says scriptures do not make Thaali mandatory for women
The actor further questioned whether religious scriptures actually state that women must wear a Thaali after marriage. “Is it written in the Bhagavad Gita that only women should wear a Thaali? Are these rules mentioned in the Vedas or Puranas? Definitely not,” Namitha said.She argued that several expectations surrounding marriage may have been created by society and subsequently presented as compulsory rules for women. Her remarks have consequently added to the wider conversation around marriage customs, equality and a woman’s freedom to decide which traditions she wants to follow.
More about Namitha on the work front
After a successful career across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, Namitha hasn’t signed new films after the Tamil film ‘Miya’ in 2020.