Whether it be as a comedian, actor, songwriter, or overall digital superstar, Bhuvan Bam has made his presence felt everywhere. The thing is, sometimes, he makes it look all too easy, even when it might not have been so. To be the man he is today, he’s had to undergo several transformations in the face of insurmountable odds.

Most men go through their entire lives, unaware of patriarchal conventions that demand a certain solitude, and unnecessary stoicism. These are among several other mental burdens that men are usually condemned to. They may be great traits to possess as a part of a larger, more colorful emotional tapestry, but as the cornerstones for masculine conventions, they’re acutely lacking. It's truly heartbreaking as its effects are so deeply ingrained in men for generations, it becomes harder for us to grow out of them. 

© MensXP

The 19th of November brings with it ‘International Men’s Day', and for the occasion, MensXP collaborated with India’s biggest Digital Content Creator, Bhuvan Bam, to talk about the various misconceptions and cultural tropes that he, and by extension, other men fall prey to, as part of the brand’s #DontManUp campaign. 

The centerpiece to this collaboration is MensXP and Bhuvan Bam’s poignant video, where the digital icon bares his heart in a poem bound to tug at the heartstrings of men fed-up with flawed narratives like 'Men Don’t Cry', 'Toughen Up', or 'Be The Man Of The House.' This heartfelt piece is meant to highlight the insurmountable pressures in the lives of men from an early age. 

“पर दर्द तो हमें भी होता है 

दुखी हो तो मर्द भी रोता है

हाँ हमारे लिए कहना ज़रा मुश्किल होता है

बचपन से सीखा है ना man up, मर्द बन, लड़का होके रोता है?!

दुख दर्द बाँटने का हमारे पास वक़्त नहीं है

और जो ऐसा करे वो लौंडा सख़्त नहीं है” 

In the poem, Bhuvan expresses his remorse at the haplessness of many men, bridled silently by regressive expectations that make it difficult for men to acknowledge their sorrows. He admits that it does get difficult for men to express their feelings, but he quickly goes on to point out some generational adages for such an inability. The ceaseless demand to ‘Toughen Up’ and ‘Man Up’, has harmed men more than we realize. 

© MensXP

A man crying is unfortunately considered an absurd anomaly, a muse for ridicule in fact. But why are men expected to stiffen up their upper lip when things get tough? How do we let go of such redundant cultural hardwiring?   

Being the premier progressive Men’s lifestyle platform in India, MensXP explores these questions through the #DontManUp campaign.

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