“The real ugliness isn’t in someone’s complexion. The ugliness lies in the mind of the beholder.” This powerful reflection from Sarada Muraleedharan, Kerala’s Chief Secretary, encapsulates the painful reality of colourism that still plagues India. Despite her excellence in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Muraleedharan was subjected to a biased remark about her skin colour, triggering a much-needed conversation about deep-seated societal prejudices.
Colourism: A Deep-Rooted Social Bias
In a heartfelt post shared in March 2024, Muraleedharan opened up about her lifelong struggle with skin-tone discrimination, revealing how, as a young girl, she once wished to be born “white and pretty.” Her post resonated deeply with countless others who have faced similar biases in various facets of their lives. From schoolyards to boardrooms and even matrimonial ads, India’s obsession with fair skin is pervasive and inescapable.
As shocking as it may seem, the market for skin-lightening products in India is expected to reach a staggering Rs 20,500 crore by 2030. This reflects not only the demand for these products but also how deeply embedded this bias is in Indian society. In fact, 70% of matrimonial ads from women’s families highlight fairness as a desirable trait, underscoring the bias in the choice of life partners.
The Legacy of Colourism in India
Ironically, many of India’s revered deities, such as Krishna, Shiva, and Ram, are depicted as dark-skinned in ancient texts. Yet, through colonial influence and skewed ideals, light skin has come to symbolize beauty, worth, and success. The entertainment industry, too, has perpetuated these ideals, often casting fair-skinned actors in leading roles, while others undergo digital alterations to fit the mold of ‘ideal’ beauty. Actress Poulomi Das, who faced exclusion from a major role due to her skin tone, is a prime example of this systemic bias.
The Gendered Nature of Colourism
While colourism affects both men and women, its impact is most severe on women. In addition to navigating professional challenges, women are judged on how well they conform to visual stereotypes. This relentless pressure to meet beauty standards, based on skin colour, undermines the professional success and personal confidence of many women across India.
The Roots of Colourism: A Historical Perspective
Understanding why colourism persists requires looking back at India’s history. Sociologist Vivek Kumar suggests that the division between the Aryans and Dravidians, along with colonial subjugation, laid the foundation for the bias against dark skin. Furthermore, Professor Radhika Parameswaran from Indiana University argues that the obsession with fair skin has intensified with the advent of social media, which continues to reinforce harmful beauty ideals.
Fighting Back: Voices of Change
Despite the pervasive nature of colourism, change is possible. Assistant director Snigdha Nair’s short film *You* is a powerful example of how individuals are reclaiming their narrative and fighting back against internalized shame. Nair’s poignant words, “It’s not a deformity, it’s normal,” encourage us to embrace our natural selves, regardless of skin tone.
The Truth About Skin Colour
At its core, colourism is based on a fallacy. Dark skin is not an aberration; it is, in fact, our origin. Our ancestors evolved dark skin to survive the harsh sun, while light skin is more vulnerable to skin cancer, with fair-skinned individuals being up to 70 times more likely to develop the disease. The truth is simple: the problem is not the skin colour itself, but the way we perceive it.
Breaking the Cycle: Moving Beyond Bias
To move forward as a society, we must stop allowing our biases to dictate our perceptions of beauty and worth. As we challenge these ingrained prejudices, it is vital to start early—within schools and communities—so that future generations can learn to value individuals for their humanity, not their complexion.
Ultimately, the real ugliness lies not in a person’s skin, but in the eye that refuses to see their humanity. It is time to confront our biases and reshape how we view beauty and success in India.
