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In quest of the real metrosexual

Shah Rukh Khan in a petal-strewn bath tub, a fairness cream for men, a 10-day festival for metrosexuals — whatever happened to the traditional rugged man

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Shah Rukh Khan in a petal-strewn bath tub, a fairness cream for men, a 10-day festival for metrosexuals — whatever happened to the traditional rugged man

Thought metrosexuality was old news? Shah Rukh Khan in a petal-strewn tub should tell you otherwise. So should the latest fairness cream for men. And as long as Narcissus lives in our books and our memory, we'll know looking good, being sensitive and pampering one's self has never been the woman's prerogative.

The metrosexual, then, is here to stay. To evolve. To grow. Want more proof? Mumbai is currently playing host to country's first ever festival for the metrosexual. Called Met-Fest, the event is a 10-day exploration-cum-celebration of this new urban phenomenon called metrosexuality.

Himanshu Verma, CEO of Red Earth India, who put together Met-Fest, aims to set the record straight about the metrosexual man saying it is much more than men getting facials, manicures and wearing pink. "The idea was triggered due to sheer frustration about how the media projected metrosexuality. Some said it was old news while others believe it is the 'in' thing. We are going beyond all the superficial aspects and showing how metrosexuality is a convergence of different sexualities," he says.

He delves into defining different aspects of men and masculinity. "We are talking about urban men, and going into various aspects of their lives we don't really pay attention to or raise questions about," he says.

To reinforce his belief that fashion is not the only thumb rule people should follow to define a metrosexual man, the exhibition will explore it through art and culture. There will be displays of paintings, photographs showcasing gay men in Exiles and religious masculinity as well as studio portraits of iconic men in The Missing Ling. A series of monologues titled What the **** is Metrosexual? aims to clear the confusion about a man's identity including whether he is metrosexual and if he is, is that good or bad. A feature film titled Men, Muscles and Masculinity is about masculinity as perceived by men in various age groups. Discussions on subjects such as Footpath Pornography will highlight the contents of books sold on the roadside and have subjects varying from pure sleaze to sexual advice.

Why is there a sudden need to define men or their sexuality and clarify what masculinity is all about? Do men feel threatened about their position in the society? Says Sanjay Srivastava, who will coordinate the talk on Footpath Pornography, "It's more a reflection than a threat. Finally, men are realising it is society that has made men behave in a certain way. Whether it is that they have to be the breadwinner, that they must be tough and not show emotions. Now, they are open to finding hidden aspects of their masculinity."

According to Srivastava, masculinity is acquired, and society by and large thinks men superior to women. "So if a man has learned to be superior, he can also be sensitive."

So can we now define metrosexuality as a form of masculinity where a man is okay with being sensitive and emotional, and takes care of himself, and be done with it? "Not at all," says Ashim Ghosh. "Metrosexuality is an evolving term, and cannot be restricted to one definition."

Ghosh is the man behind the photographs featured under the title The Missing Ling in MET-FEST. "The current definition of masculinity comes from the west and it is not necessary we buy whatever they say, we have all the rights to explore masculinity in different ways," he adds.

Ghosh, through his photographs, showcases masculinity in various aspects in India - in the religious context, in the context of a patriarchal society and as man as an iconic figure representing society.

Now, if metrosexuality is indefinable, are its origins untraceable too?

When Shah Rukh Khan appeared on TV screens soaking in a tub sprinkled with rose petals endorsing a soap brand long associated with film heroines, girls and boys shrieked 'Eeeewww…he is so gay!' while some said SRK is the true metrosexual Indian man.

Now what we need to find is the fine line that differentiates metrosexual from a homosexual.

A post on an blog says "It is annoying to see metrosexuals because they are just straight men trying to behave gay." The popular perception may have been to portray gays as well-groomed, cleanliness freaks, great cooks and style icons (read 'effeminate') as all these do not go with the phrase 'boys will be boys'.

But now that the macho man is acquiring the above mentioned skills, he is also finding himself having to defend his sexual preferences. Instead of screaming, "I am not gay," he now declares, "I am metrosexual." Maybe the blogger is right.

Shows in the US like Queer Eye For The Straight Guy where five gay men teach a straight man how to have a better wardrobe, how to choose the best wine and cheese, how to move on the dance floor, how to take care of his skin and how to have better posture and body language, strengthen the argument because the show is about homosexuals turning heterosexuals into metrosexuals.

Verma hopes Met-Fest will explain metrosexuality as part of the spectrum and not as an individualistic trait. Says Rohit Dubey, director, Men, Muscles and Masculinity, "We are showing a mirror to society so they know the real world as against a patriarchal world they perceive."

Says Srivastava, "It is an automatic assumption that masculinity means heterosexuality. Also men are burdened with being a 'man'. Perhaps the Met-Fest will help them renegotiate their roles in society."

So the next time you see Aamir Khan in Dil Chahta Hai asking Saif Ali Khan to 'be a man', and you think of Saif in various roles and not just as He-Man, Met-Fest can call itself a success.

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