I am analyzing the most viewed Bollywood music videos on YouTube using the Sex Role Perspective. While analyzing with the Sex Role Perspective, I will utilize the items for evaluating masculinity and femininity as presented by Hyde (1995, p. 134), and these specific items will be italicized. In this post, I will be discussing the music video for “Khaab” by Akhil.
Link to video: KHAAB || AKHIL || NEW PUNJABI SONG 2016 || FEAT PARMISH VERMA || CROWN RECORDS ||
Translation of lyrics: https://lyricstranslated.com/khaab-akhil-lyrics-meaning-in-english/
Evaluating Masculinity
- Reinforcing stereotypes
- The main male character sings and plays his guitar in a coffee shop every day alone, receiving tips for his performances. Having the courage and drive to do this portrays him as self-reliant, ambitious, and independent.
- Resisting stereotypes
- The main male character is portrayed as being shy, a stereotypically feminine trait, as he quietly admires the main female character from afar in the coffee shop every day.
- When the main male character realizes that the main female character uses sign language to communicate, he immediately begins learning sign language so he can communicate with her. He then uses sign language while singing his songs in the coffee shop and later has conversations with the female character using sign language. His actions show that he is sensitive to others’ needs, compassionate, and loyal.
- This song is a love song. In it, the male artist sings phrases like, “Be my queen, I’ll be your king,” and “If you get angry, I’ll appease you instantly.” Through lyrics like these, the male artist, who is also the main male character of the music video, is shown to be very affectionate, tender, gentle, and yielding, which are all stereotypically feminine traits.
Evaluating Femininity
- Reinforcing stereotypes
- The main female character seems to be unable to speak and instead communicates using sign language. Choosing to give the female character this disability portrays her as more tender and soft-spoken, as the disability makes her vulnerable in the sense that she cannot express herself to others who may not know sign language.
- When the main male character communicates with her in sign language, the female character immediately opens up. She is warm and cheerful.
- Resisting stereotypes
- The main female character is often shown reading or working on her computer intently. This portrays her as ambitious, a stereotypically masculine trait.
- In general, the main female character does not pay much attention to the people around her, and she has a serious demeanor. In this way, she appears to be independent and self-sufficient.
Shared by: Seela Raj
Image Credit: https://s2.dmcdn.net/v/S4NB51Use4yU372vR/x1080