Two weeks ago, when Coldplay released their new video — 'Hymn for the Weekend' featuring Beyoncé — it became the subject of a heated debate. Was it cultural appreciation of India or cultural appropriation for the benefit of the Western gaze?
While the British rock band performed at the Super Bowl halftime show (which took place in the United States on Sunday), watched by millions of Americans and countless others around the world, it was hard not to notice their fascination with the country.
Earlier, acolumn in The Guardian had noted that at the Super Bowl performance, Coldplay should give their song a different visual cue "... rather than trying to make the Super Bowl into a religious festival and a Bollywood extravaganza at halftime," wrote Anthea Butler.
Coldplay didn't quite follow that piece of advice.
The Super Bowl stage was decorated with marigold flowers and colourful garlands during Coldplay's performance. They even wrote the band's name in the Devanagari script on their amplifiers and drum-set.
Watch the video here:
While some loved the India theme, others didn't quite appreciate it.
flowers, rainbows & hindi text? @coldplay is that annoying guy in college who goes backpacking once & acts like he invented meditation #sb50
— RAINA (@RahRahRaina) February 8, 2016
How does the cultural appropriation brigade feel about that drum? (Photo via FB friend) #Coldplay#SuperBowl#Indiapic.twitter.com/B78dE1BnNu
— Rishi Iyengar (@Iyengarish) February 8, 2016
Nice to see "Coldplay" in Hindi/Devnagri script during the #SBHalftime show. #SB50pic.twitter.com/0zWDeZgkYD
— sree sreenivasan (@sree) February 8, 2016
Thanks #Coldplay for bringing some #india to #Super Bowl. #devnagri#typo#hindipic.twitter.com/keTI9x9OcM
— Tarana Gupta (@TaranaGupta) February 8, 2016
Coldplay written in Hindi and all the garlands and colors was such a sweet tribute to my country! #Coldplay#SuperBowl#HalftimeShow
— post script! :) (@Karma_lies) February 8, 2016
WHY IS THERE HINDI WRITING ON COLDPLAY'S INSTRUMENTS??? #SuperBowl#SitDownMan
— Taz Ahmed (@TazzyStar) February 8, 2016
DID U KNO: coldplay in hindi means white man why
— Aparna Nancherla (@aparnapkin) February 8, 2016
I liked Coldplay's hindi theme at #SB50 but we really needed Beyonce to play Kali. pic.twitter.com/pfUSEzI2Lb
— HiRezStew (@schisam) February 8, 2016
Meanwhile, a recent tweet by Coldplay got everyone talking about their chances of visiting India very soon.
3/3 Thank you @beyonce & @sonamakapoor for gracing the video with your angelic beauty. My new mission: bring Coldplay back to India asap. PH
— Coldplay (@coldplay) January 31, 2016
Maybe, Coldplay's love for India is real. Very real.
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