Help! Famous female Indian character needed!

[indianwoman]

It's world book day coming up. I can't afford to buy a costume but I do have an Indian shalwar kameez, you know Indian trousers, tunic and scarf. I need to find a book character to say who it is I'm dressing up as!! Can anyone help please?!!

Yasmin from the Yasmin book series.
Amal from Amal unbound

It's a place for misinformation, stereotypes and othering to flourish.

Case in point is that you OP have decided to dress up as a Pakistani woman. She's not Indian. Would you confuse French and Italian cultures so casually?

Good call. I've just read ATWIED as it was the only free book available on Play books and I was on a plane. I don't think I've ever seen a screen adaption that featured Aouda.

Actually, I got given them in The Gambia by an African lady who wore them. And I'm informed that Indian and Pakistani women wear them too. What's the problem?

Ah. I assumed you were of South Asian ethnicity yourself. You’re not planning on darkening your skin I hope?

Please, give me some credit.

@indianwoman I've already explained my issues with the thread. Are you not Indian then? I'd just be wary of cultural appropriation and offending people at the school.

I am pakistani. Yes shalwar kameez is something we share culturally with India. And no, we mostly aren't offended if someone from another wears our clothes...unless you wear brown makeup and use the accent. Then it will be offensive.

For feedback, I wore it as Malala. Everyone liked it and when two Pakistani staff saw it they were really pleased I had worn it and clapped their hands and came right over to me asked me all about where I had got it.