B is for Barbie

Prescript: I just had this crazy thought that I could have pulled out my bailout card by posting 'A for April Fool Banaya!' yesterday and gotten away with it. Tchah! Too late.

While I'm on the subject of the gifts Xena received on her birthday this year, I have to share my absolute delight when she unwrapped a box with a Barbie doll inside! Her first Barbie! I was a little disappointed though because after she had examined it, she simply tossed it aside and started playing with her other toys. "It's a Barbie, Xena!" I exclaimed. "You don't want to play with a Barbie?" She didn't. Sigh. Not that I was trying to make her all girly or anything, it was just that I have the most wonderful memories of my own Barbie dolls when I was a kid, and I thought that was something I'd share with Xena.

My first Barbie was such a big deal. Back then, they were one of the most expensive dolls in the market and none of my friends had one. My mom gave me my first Barbie for my 6th or 7th birthday. The doll was literally called 'My first Barbie'. I was amazed at everything about her. She had shiny hair that could be combed and styled, she had stylish clothes and amazing heels that could be taken off and put on. Years later, I read the articles on how the impossible proportions of Barbie dolls can lead to body image issues in little girls. Wow. I guess I never had that problem because I never wanted to be like Barbie; I just wanted to own her and play with her.

The only thing about her body that bothered me a bit was that she was always on tip-toes and couldn't really stand without support. But she was my first Barbie and I adored her. When my friends heard (i.e. I called each one of them and told them), they thronged my house to see her. You know how girls name their dolls? Whenever someone would ask me what my Barbie's name was, I'd be very offended. She was Barbie. What do you mean what is Barbie's name?

Over the years, the obsession just kept growing. I emptied out the entire bottom shelf of my cupboard and set up a complete doll house for her. I used to shampoo, condition (I kid you not!) and style her hair in different ways. (My mom-in-law tells me she's very impressed with my ability to make a neat French braid on my own hair; this is totally because of the years of practice I had on my Barbie's hair.) My mom, who was a pro at the sewing machine, sewed very pretty lehenga cholis and even sarees with golden borders for her! That was also how I learnt how to wrap a saree. I used to remove the thin white rings from the top of old desk calendars, cut and colour them to make spiral bangles to match each of her Indian outfits. I'd also put matching bindis on her.

I shared Barbie and the other dolls with my sister, but once teenage hit her, she stopped playing with dolls. She busied herself with the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew and I had the dollhouse and the contents all to myself!

At some point, I almost had a gudiya ki shaadi for her, but I did a 'Yeh shaadi nahin ho sakti!' when my friend who had the gudda implied that Barbie would have to move to her sasural after the wedding. Nice try, sister. Hmmmph!

I believe I got a few more Barbie dolls over the years but I don't remember much of the others. I only remember my first Barbie and how very very special she was to me.

And that's why I was a little disappointed when Xena didn't take to hers the way I'd taken to mine. But that changed a few days later. I was in the kitchen and she was playing in the living room with her other toys. Suddenly I heard a loud, "Oh no!" from her. "What happened?" I asked. "Barbie needs to poop now!" She said, sounding very distraught. I laughed out loud and went back to whatever I was doing. Suddenly, there was complete silence for a few minutes. Curious, I came out to see what was happening. THIS was happening. Barbie's clothes were off and she was on a 'toilet', apparently pooping.

My joy knew no bounds. Though it was a very unglamorous start, Xena was playing with her Barbie doll! After my laughter at Barbie's state had subsided, I sat down with Xena.

Two can play this game, I think?