HID

I watched Raazi with my sister in a surprisingly luxurious movie theater in the middle of downtown Portland almost a month and a half ago. 

For 7 something dollars, it was an incredible experience. I know I say this after almost every single Alia Bhatt movie, but I'm serious this time---this was the BEST movie I have ever watched. 

The movie is based on a true story about a Kashmiri woman who marries a Pakistani army officer's son to transmit confidential information about Pakistani military strategy to the Indian Army during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. The story was first penned in Harinder Sikka's novel, Calling Sehmat, and was later adapted by Meghna Gulzar to become the ground-breaking cinematic production that it is. I haven't read Calling Sehmat yet, but I will say...Raazi deserves a national award.

There is something about female patriotism that fascinates me. We learn only about the Paul Revere's and George Washington's of the world. Rarely do we learn about the Sehmat's, the Abigail Adams', the Prudence Wrights...

We are aware however, of the once pervasive idea that a woman wasn't capable enough to be involved in anything other that domestic affairs. Female military spies used this bias to their advantage, much like I pretend to be incapable of lifting more than a notebook when my mom asks me to get the groceries from the car. A female spy can probably get away with a lot more than a male spy can, since let's be real...what more does she know how to do besides cook, clean and care for the kiddos? right?

Lydia Darragh was an Irish woman who moved to Philadelphia with her husband in 1753. Twenty four years and five children later, the Darraghs were forced to relinquish their home to the British army. The Revolutionary War wasn't looking too good for the US, and the British had made their way up to Philly. They set up camp across from the Darraghs, and insisted that the family relocate so that their house could be used as a meeting spot. Lydia however, negotiated a sneaky deal, promising to keep the family holed away in the bedrooms. She then hid in the closet every night to listen to the meetings, and one night..sure enough, she overheard the army's plan to surprise attack Washington's troops at Whitemarsh on December 4th.

There are multiple accounts of how Lydia transmitted this information to the American troops but my favorite is that she asked the British to let her go to the shops for some flour, and instead she met with an American officer and handed him a needlebook....with detailed accounts of the planned attack stuffed neatly inside one of the pockets.
Have you guys seen a needlebook? They are glorious little greeting-card sized felt pages sewn together with floral embroidery and hearts and lace and stuff
Can you imagine the look on an American officer's face, when an unsuspecting Quaker homemaker hands him such vital, proprietary knowledge.....in a felt flower lace book?

The December 4th attack on Whitemarsh was deftly shut down by Washington's well-prepared troops. The British went ballistic, certain that someone had leaked their plans....and eventually questioned Lydia among others. But cmon, really? A homemaker, some unsuspecting Quaker woman? Not a chance.


Happy Independence! We have a ways to go, especially with our current state of affairs. But I am proud to be a South Asian woman in this country, with the opportunities that I have. I have truly been blessed, and I am extremely extremely grateful.