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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Don't mind if they hit the floor': Actor Whoopi Goldberg says she hasn't worn a bra in 50 years; we asked women if we really need them anymore
For five decades, Hollywood actor Whoopi Goldberg has lived free of underwires, adjustable straps, and padding. In a recent episode of The View, which she co-hosts with Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, during a conversation on how bras should be worn, Goldberg mentioned her bra-free existence. 'I don't wear one. I haven't worn a bra in 50 years,' she said, adding, 'It's too uncomfortable, and I don't mind if they hit the floor. They're mine.' This came after Behar, 82, said she feels like 'letting these girls loose,' and, turning to Goldberg, said, 'She liberated those girls a long time ago.' Hostin, then, called bras 'torture devices'. These comments illuminated a truth many women whisper about in fitting rooms but rarely discuss openly – the complex, often fraught relationship between women and undergarments that the society insists they need. From boardrooms to suburban playgrounds, some women are questioning whether the discomfort, cost, and daily ritual of wearing bras serves them – or simply uphold outdated ideas of propriety and femininity. As we peel the layers of myth and reexamine early conditioning, a more nuanced picture emerges of what women actually need, want, and deserve when it comes to supporting their bodies on their terms. 'I hate wearing bras. They're extremely uncomfortable and restrictive,' Vatsala, 25, told 'That said, I do think they're sometimes necessary, especially for back support.' For Garima Johar, the relationship is more complex. 'Bras are empowering, especially as someone with a fuller bust,' she said. According to her, the right bra gives structure to her outfit and boosts her confidence. 'A well-fitted bra shapes my silhouette. It makes me feel put together –– even sexy,' she admitted, adding, 'But underwires can be awful, and comfort is hard to find.' At home, however, it's another story. 'I go braless most of the time since I work remotely. It's liberating to be free of straps and underbands when I don't have to wear them,' said Johar. Shruthi, 32, expressed her dislike for the garment. 'Bras are quite uncomfortable, especially for heavier chests. The straps dig into the shoulders and cause pain. But they're also necessary when you're active because they provide support and help prevent discomfort during movement,' she said. According to Pooja Vaidya, vice president, product development at SOIE, a women's innerwear brand, most women wear the wrong size — 'usually too-loose bands and too-small cups.' She said, 'It's not their fault. Most of us were never taught how to fit ourselves properly. And many women continue wearing the same size for years, despite body changes.' 'Growing up without a mom and being raised by my grandmother – who never wore a bra herself – I struggled to figure out the right bra size and material,' said Shruthi, mentioning that shopping for one felt intimidating and overwhelming. 'I was also very active in sports, but because I wasn't wearing the right size or fabric, I ended up with a jogger's nipples, which caused bleeding and a lot of pain,' she said. Bharti, on the other hand, was luckier. 'There's a woman in Gurugram who runs a bra store. She helped me find my correct size, and I still go to her whenever I need a new one,' she said. Garima's experience was different. Growing up, no one really sat her down to explain how to find the right size. 'Even today, I feel awkward buying bras in physical stores. Online shopping gives me more privacy and options, and I find that much easier,' she said. Dr Kekin Gala, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Narayana Health SRCC Hospital, Mumbai, told 'Wearing the wrong bra size can lead to poor posture, neck and shoulder pain. A bra that's too tight can cause skin irritation and even breathing difficulties. Bharti admitted to feeling societal pressure to wear bras in public. 'Living in a small town in Haryana, it's not acceptable to go braless. I don't let it affect me much, but if I have to open the door for a delivery, I quickly change into something 'decent',' she said. For Shruthi, the stigma around bras was more about things like the straps showing and making sure it stayed hidden entirely under the clothes. 'A lot of the stigma was so normalised that I didn't even recognise it as a stigma.' Johar recalled how the stigma was reinforced in her own home. 'My mother would openly pack my brother's vests for holidays, but when it came to bras and panties, she'd lower her voice and call them 'UGs.' It was always hush-hush,' she said. These experiences aren't limited to a few – they echo the stories of countless women across India. When it comes to wearing a bra, there's been much debate about whether it affects hormonal health, breast development, or menstrual discomfort. Questions also arise about whether certain phases in a woman's life — such as pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause — make bra support more essential. Dr Rahul Manchanda, honorary senior consultant, endoscopic gynaecology at PSRI Hospital, said no: 'There is no evidence that bras affect hormones, breast growth, or menstrual pain. These are governed by internal factors like hormones, genetics, and lifestyle.' He also said that during pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause, many women do opt for softer, more supportive bras due to tenderness or sensitivity, but it's a comfort-based choice. A common concern among many women is sagging of the breasts if they don't wear bras regularly. Dr Gala clarified: 'Scientifically, bras are not necessary to prevent sagging. Sagging is largely influenced by genetics, skin elasticity, and ageing, not by wearing or not wearing a bra.' However, he also said that when it comes to back pain, especially for those with larger breasts, 'wearing a bra can provide support and reduce strain on the back and shoulders.' A post shared by Remedy Blog (@remedyblog) Dr Mandeep Singh, chief oncologist at Art of Healing Cancer, said, 'There is no scientific or clinical evidence to support the claim that wearing or not wearing a bra increases the risk of breast cancer. This has been a common myth, but large studies, including those by reputable cancer research organisations, have found no link between bra usage and breast cancer development.' The decision to wear a bra should depend on personal comfort and the activity involved, according to Dr Singh. 'During exercise, especially high-impact activities like running or aerobics, a well-fitted sports bra can minimise breast movement, reduce discomfort, and prevent strain on the ligaments. While sleeping, wearing a bra is not medically necessary, but some women may choose a soft, non-restrictive bra for comfort especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It's important to avoid tight, underwired bras during sleep, as they may cause pressure or skin issues over time,' he said. 'I'll admit, the industry used to prioritise aesthetics over comfort. But that's shifting. Today, more brands are listening to real women and designing for real bodies. Comfort, inclusivity, softness, flexibility — they're no longer afterthoughts,' Vaidya said. The process of this, according to her, involves listening to real feedback from real wearers. For those who prefer light or no support, it's about soft, breathable fabrics and stretch that moves with the wearer. Despite the growing comfort of ditching the bra at home, many women still feel compelled to wear one in public or during workouts — whether for support, confidence, or social norms. If you're still in a team bra – whether for public wear or exercise – fit matters. Vaidya provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to finding a bra that fits you perfectly:
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
Murder of youth near Pollachi: Five more arrested
COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore district police on Wednesday arrested five more people in connection with the murder of a youth at a centre for persons with developmental disorders near Pollachi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The five arrested have been identified as Kavitha, 53, her husband Lakshmanan, 54, their daughters Shruthi, 23, and Shreya, 20, and Shaji, 27, one of the alleged masterminds behind the murder. Kavitha, Shruthi and Shreya are trustees of the organisation that runs the centre. A senior police officer said the five accused confessed to their involvement in the murder of S R Varunkanth, 24, of Karavali Madappur in the district who suffered from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He was admitted to Yuthira Charitable Trust (Special Children Care and Training Centre) in Rathinasabapathy Puram near Pollachi more than three months ago. The police earlier arrested six people, including the caretakers of the centre, in connection with the murder. The arrests were made after police exhumed the victim's body from a farm at S Nagoor near Nadupuni, where it was buried on May 13 — a day after the murder. According to police, Varunkanth was assaulted with sticks and plastic pipes by some of the accused from May 9, allegedly in response to aggressive behaviour he exhibited.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Conveying the poignancy in Bhadrachala Ramadasu's songs
Shruthi S. Bhat made a statement with both intent and content right at the outset of her concert, which was devoted exclusively to the compositions of Bhadrachala Ramadasu. It is rare to come across a kriti in Bhairavi as the opening number of a concert, and rarer still when it includes a niraval segment. Accompanied by G. Kailasapathy on the violin and G.N. Bhuvan on the mridangam, Shruthi presented this endowment concert under the auspices of The Music Academy at the Kasturi Srinivasan Hall. Shruthi's voice was in fine fettle from the very first note, as she opened with the shloka 'Srirama sitagaga' from the saint-poet's 'Dasarathi Sathakam' in Bhairavi. The full range of the raga's facets emerged even in the short rendition, which was a prelude to the composition 'Rama dayajudave'. The refinement lingered through the rendition of the song, particularly in the niraval and kalpanaswaras at 'Rajeeva dala lochana', creating immersive bhakti. Rendered with zest 'Bhadrasaila rajamandira' in a lilting Kuntalavarali was sung zestfully, offering a lighter and contrasting shade. Chakravakam was the first raga Shruthi explored. While the delineation stayed true to the raga's mood and structure, it occasionally veered into repetitive passages that could have been more tightly sculpted for greater coherence. Kailasapathy's version on the violin complemented that of the vocalist. Here, Shruthi narrated a moving anecdote from the life of the 17th-century composer, which related to the kriti 'Abbabba debbalaku' in Misra Chapu. Ramadasu, a staunch devotee of Rama, had been imprisoned by the Mughal ruler Tana Shah on charges of misappropriating funds to construct the Bhadrachala Rama temple. In this composition, he pleads with the Lord: 'I promise upon your feet, please do listen. I have not laundered a single penny to anybody'. After listening to his prayers, Rama and Lakshmana appeared as messengers, paid the money, and secured Ramadasu's release from prison. The song was rendered with the poignancy the context warrants, and the swarakalpana at 'Prema tho' displayed synchrony from the ensemble. 'Hari hari nama' in Kanada carried forward the devotional fervour leading into the main suite in Kamboji and the best-known composition by Ramadasu in the raga — the evergreen 'Emayya Rama' in Khanda Chapu. Shruthi began by hitting the high notes shortly before ebbing into the lower octave, and then gradually shaped the melody, revealing its splendour through gamaka-laden phrases. Kailasapathy's presentation was equally rich with melodic depth. The rendition of the kriti was replete with Kamboji's grace before Shruthi rounded off with niraval and swara exchanges at 'Paramatmudu ani ninnu' in the charanam. Bhuvan's rhythmic support was steadfast throughout, and his tani was marked by verve and tonal precision. A shloka, 'Sriramachandra karunakara', in Yamunakalyani was followed by the song 'Naraharideva', and the concert concluded with a mangalam in Madhyamavati.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Conwoman splurged money on luxury car
COIMBATORE: A 21-year-old failed Kollywood actress, her mother, brother and a con man posing as her father were arrested by the cyber crime cell of the city police on Thursday for cheating a Germany-based software engineer of Rs 41 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Police identified them as Shruthi P alias Mythili Venkatesh, who was the lead actress of the unreleased Tamil movie 'Aadi Pona Aavani', her mother Chitra alias Amutha Venkatesh , her younger brother P Subash and K Prasanna Venkatesh, who were staying in an apartment near Nava India. 'A native of Kattuvalavu near Edappadi in Salem district, working in an automobile company in Germany, had posted his profile on a matrimonial website in May 2017. Shruthi contacted him posing as Mythili Venkatesh and proposed an alliance. They shared mobile numbers and she sent a lot of photos to him. Using the flight ticket sent by the love-stricken man, she travelled to UK, where they met. He spent lakhs of rupees on her. He also visited Coimbatore and spent time with her,' a police officer said. When Shruthi told him that she was undergoing treatment for brain tumour and her mother was also under treatment for heart ailment, he gave her Rs 41 lakh in several instalments between May 2017 and January 01, 2018. However, when he approached her for conducting betrothal ceremony, she told him that her skin would be affected due to camera flashlight and conducted the ceremony without taking photographs of the event. The automobile exec, who later sent some photos of Shruthi to his friends, had the shock of his life when they alerted him that the girl, along with her family, had duped several youngsters. He approached the city crime branch police, who registered a case against the four and arrested them on Thursday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Police also seized a car, several documents and bank transaction details from the house. The crime branch (CCB) had earlier registered a case against Shruthi for cheating K Santhoshkumar of Paramathivellore in Namakkal district of Rs 43 lakh following the same modus operandi. 'The family has been using the same modus operandi to cheat youths hailing from rich families. Shruthi had earlier cheated Sasikumar from Namakkal district of Rs 22 lakh, Sundar from Nagapattinam of Rs 15 lakh, Arul Kumararaguru Raja from Chidambaram in Cuddalore district of Rs 20 lakh and Rajkamal from Dindigul of Rs 21 lakh. The family is facing cases in Chennai and Nagapattinam,' a police officer said. The city police requested people to be cautious while seeking alliances through matrimonial websites.
