The Complexion Poem by Nivedita Dinkar

Why so much hype?
Why so much hush hush?

In this unfair world...
Why is fair beautiful and not Dark?
Why fairness is a benchmark for beauty?
Why our society is obsessed with 'white skin'?

Whereas,

Draupadi, Satyavati, Kali
Or
The Rama, The Shiva, the blue skinned...
Or
The Krishna, the shyam rang...
Or
The Lord Jagannath Puri,
Who is vibrantly black...

Can ever be repainted in Modern India?

It is possible
And not impossible
If the inner darkness is cast out! !
- Nivedita Dinkar