Woman in ghunghat playing guitar sparks social media debate on tradition

New Delhi: A video of a newly married woman, identified by bright red and green bangles, playing the guitar while wearing a ghunghat has gone viral and triggered a wider debate on gender, tradition and agency.

In the clip, shared on Instagram by user arsh__utkarsh on 1 December, the woman performs the song “Ek Din Aap” from Shah Rukh Khan’s 1997 film “Yes Boss”. Even as viewers praised her voice and guitar skills, many pointed out how she repeatedly adjusts the veil covering her face, calling the practice “regressive”.

The reel has garnered millions of views, with several users lauding her as a “rockstar” whose talent shines through despite social constraints. Others, however, questioned why she was required to keep her face covered while performing.

“We still live in an India where ghunghat is valued more than talent,” one user wrote. Another commented: “You’re such a stunner. However, am I the only one hating those patriarchal blank faces of women around? And the way the pallu was pulled so many times. I got uncomfortable seeing that.”

“This reel is supposed to make me happy, but something is not right because watching this something doesn’t feel right,” read another reaction. Food-delivery platform Swiggy’s social media handle also joined in, leaving a brief, approving comment: “ate”.

The video has since become a flashpoint for discussions on social media about the persistence of veiling customs after marriage and the ways in which women’s talents are perceived and showcased within traditional settings.