Fakethabazi festival in Noida addresses patriarchy with healthy humor and creativity

On November 17, Delhi-NCR witnessed an unconventional and thought-provoking event as young minds gathered in Noida to celebrate “Fakethabazi,” a festival aimed at addressing societal issues with a playful twist. The festival, themed around patriarchy this year, encouraged attendees to reflect on their own fakeness while promoting authenticity and humility.

Derived from the words “Fake,” “Tha” (Hindi for “was”), and “Bazi” (indulgence), Fakethabazi uses humor and creativity to highlight the contradictions and pretenses of modern society. Organized under the larger initiative, Faketha, the festival blended performances, discussions, and workshops to create a vibrant and engaging experience.

The event brought together students, musicians, artists, journalists, and social media creators to explore the nuances of patriarchy. Performances by groups such as Manzil Dramebaaz, the Aavaan Project, and the all-female band Webhor added color and energy to the gathering. Activities ranged from comedy and drama to parody and panel discussions, alongside meme workshops and renditions of Kabir’s poetry.

Fakethabazi draws its inspiration from cultural and philosophical icons like Kabir, Ghalib, Charlie Chaplin, Mahavir, and Buddha, all of whom critiqued societal norms and hypocrisies in their work. The festival embraces their ethos while offering an accessible and humorous take on serious issues.

Ankur Jain “Suhaniyo,” co-founder of Fakethabazi, highlighted the event’s playful approach, stating, “We’ve been organizing Fakethabazi for a couple of years across various cities to discuss serious issues in a fun and engaging manner.”

This year’s tagline, Aankh par patti yaar ki – patriarchy (“Patriarchy: the blindfold of my love”), captured widespread attention. Explaining the theme, Suhaniyo added, “Many discussions about patriarchy are inaccessible to those who practice it daily. Simplifying it as a ‘blindfold’ makes the concept easier to understand.”

Team Faketha members echoed the festival’s commitment to respectful critique. “Under Fakethabazi, we don’t troll anyone but respectfully mock societal issues,” said Neelakshi Dwivedi. She noted how this year’s all-male panel discussion humorously highlighted the dominance of men even in conversations about women’s rights. Another team member, Alisha, shared, “We mimicked patriarchal practices to send a message of equality.”

Since its inception in 2023, Fakethabazi has hosted chapters in cities like Indore, Bhopal, Sagar, Jabalpur, and Delhi, evolving from a social media initiative into a youth-led movement. “The philosophy of Faketha is simple: ‘Fake – tha’ (that which was fake). Through Fakethabazi, we promote humility, humor, and humanity,” said team member Mayank Parichha.

While the festival’s name has drawn comparisons to poetry platform Rekhta, Suhaniyo clarified its distinct mission. “Some people think we’re a parody because our name rhymes with Rekhta, and we share a lot of poetry and shayari on our page. But our mission is clear: tackling serious issues with humor—always with humility.”

With its unique blend of wit, art, and critical reflection, Fakethabazi is growing into a significant platform for youth-driven dialogue and change. The festival’s message of embracing authenticity and fostering societal introspection continues to resonate with an ever-expanding audience.

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