In an unusual blend of Bollywood glamour and agricultural tradition, farmers across two South Indian states have adopted a novel method to protect their harvests. They are installing large banners featuring actor Sunny Leone to ward off the 'evil eye' from their flourishing fields.
From Scarecrows to Sunny Leone: A Modern Twist on Tradition
The practice marks a significant shift from traditional methods. For generations, Indian farmers relied on scarecrows, hanging old clothes, or broken pots to divert negative attention from their crops. Today, in villages of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the focus has turned to a famous face from the entertainment industry.
In Banda Kindi Palle village of Andhra Pradesh, a 45-year-old farmer named Chenchu Reddy took this modern approach. After achieving a successful harvest on his 10-acre plot, primarily growing cauliflower and cabbage, he decided his produce needed protection. He erected a massive flex banner featuring Sunny Leone right beside his fields. Reddy explained his reasoning, stating that the good yield needed safeguarding from the envious glances of villagers and passersby, and the poster serves as a powerful distraction.
The Practice Spreads Across State Borders
This trend is not isolated. A similar incident was reported from Mudanur village in Karnataka's Yadgir district. Here, a local farmer placed a prominent banner of Sunny Leone, dressed in red, adjacent to his healthy cotton crop. Echoing Reddy's sentiment, the farmer attributed the excellent yield this season to his efforts and expressed a desire to prevent it from falling under the 'evil eye'. He noted that the colourful and attention-grabbing poster effectively captures the gaze of people passing by, diverting their focus away from the field itself.
The underlying belief in the 'evil eye' or 'buri nazar' is deeply rooted in Indian rural and urban cultures. It is the superstition that a malicious or envious stare can bring misfortune or damage to something thriving. The concept of using a visual deterrent to 'catch' the eye first is a common countermeasure.
Urban Parallels: From Ganesha to Large Eyes
This rural phenomenon finds its echo in India's urban centres. In bustling parts of cities like Bengaluru, particularly in industrial and commercial areas such as Peenya and Koramangala, shopkeepers and business owners frequently display images for protection. Common talismans include pictures of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, or paintings of a woman with large, striking eyes. These are placed above shopfronts, pubs, and even vegetable stalls with the same intent: to deflect the first glance and any potential negative energy associated with it.
The shift from religious icons and traditional symbols to a contemporary Bollywood figure like Sunny Leone highlights how age-old superstitions adapt to modern popular culture. For these farmers, the vibrant and captivating image of the actor serves as the ultimate modern-day 'scarecrow', not for birds, but for human envy, ensuring their hard-earned harvest remains safe and prosperous.
