Definition of beauty

Life is an irony. Every other day, we come across a sardonic event, maybe in its most subtle form that it is hard to recognise it instantly. Contemplating on these with a humorous attitude makes life more enjoyable.

One such fact of life that pops up in my mind right now is the definition of ‘being beautiful’. As it goes ‘Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder’, which I am completely for, else every person on the face of this earth would seem beautiful to each other. This is also the reason why we find some people looking outrageously ridiculous in an attempt to be good-looking. What one person finds attractive will seem unacceptable for another person, and it is not a question of right and wrong because people have their own preferences and they nobody can be critical about one’s personal choices. But does that stop us from passing comments? It is the human tendency to critique and appraise others and it is pretty natural for us to be scrutinised as well.

The perception of people about the aspects of beauty differs significantly and I still cannot really figure out what influences these perceptions. I have always been aware of the Indians’ obsession with fair-skin, though there are many unprejudiced Indians who think being dusky is beautiful.   The myriad of fairness cream advertisements throws fuel to the raging fire and takes the thoughtless people who fall into the trap for a ride. On the other hand, our white-skinned counterparts are in a perpetual attempt to get tanned and would not think twice before shelling out money for the tanning parlours. The funny part is that these white-skinned mortals find the dusky-skinned Asians attractive and vice-versa. The realisation and acceptance of the natural tone of one’s skin may not happen in the near future, mainly because of the lack of awareness of the demand of the other’s attributes. All of us have to understand that there are people from other lands who would be ever ready to switch shoes with us.

I have my favourites in all ranges of complexions and I will not be dishonest in saying that beauty only lies in the heart and not on the skin. But beauty without brains would be a major disaster and the stupidity and immaturity may turn out to be so overpowering that the beholder would gradually change the outlook of his insight. Hence, beauty does lie in the eyes of the beholder!