A 'Love Story' In All Languages: Why South Asians Find Their Fairy Tale In Taylor Swift

“It's you and me, that's my whole world”, and in the world of Swifties, it's Taylor Swift who is their “Mother”. Her sparkling personality and the undisputed aura are unmatched. Her songs about “champaign problems” (problems that may seem trivial to others but are relevant for one) make us feel that we “belong” with her, and we have our own definition of happiness.

Her Voice Against Patriarchy

In the world, where we are taught to fit in with not-so-subtle comments on how to dress to avoid the “male gaze”, who to date, fit in the ‘age-category’ to do certain things, Swift’s "Fearless" music serves as a reminder to “F*ck the Patriarchy” and to be “The Man”.

South Asian nations, especially India, is the production house of patriarchal lifestyle. The “good girl” syndrome is what we are surrounded by. Swift's journey, from scratch, from early childhood to becoming a billionaire, is an epitome of persistence, inspiring millions of people of all ages.

She shows how you can build your own empire if you dare to speak against wrong. In her life, too, being a female artist, she faces discrimination and sexist jokes in the music industry. She said, "A man does something, it is strategic. A woman does the same thing, it's calculated. A man is allowed to react. A woman only overreacts.”

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From facing negative criticism to being “the one they would be worshipping," she has set an example for women to strongly resist patriarchy and not to conform to societal norms.

“The thing that delights me the most about Taylor is her subtle hinting at showing how hard work can help you make a life of your own, especially for women. She has been a testament to how you'll face many roadblocks, but you just keep your head down, keep working, and eventually, you'll find your way.”, expressed Mallika Tandon, a working professional.

The “Serial Dater” Narrative

Taylor, all her life, has been criticised as “she dates everyone”, or “playgirl”, with her every move being calculated. Being a female, most of us have gone through such derogatory statements about our relationships or lifestyle choices. Her re-owning and re-recording her albums is a true testament to getting back control over her life. 

The “Reputation” era is “a goth-punk moment of female rage at being gaslit by an entire social structure”, said Taylor. Her “Look What You Made Me Do” attitude is a powerful move, which is “Better Than Revenge”.

The Eras Tour 

This wasn’t just a tour; it was a historical milestone. The highest-grossing tour, generating a revenue of $2 billion in just ticket sales, she is a tycoon in herself. The self-made woman.

This tour wasn't just about music, it was about going through all the Eras of life - the “awkward” teenage phase, the “crushing over that boy” phase, the heartbreak phase and the triumphs. The dance, the laughter, the friendship bracelets and the madness are still unbeatable.

Thousands of Swifties from all ages, all genders and all communities under a single roof, all dressed up inspired by her albums, show that her aura is infectious. For those who couldn't make it to her concert, the "Eras Tour Movie" extended this communal magic, turning theatres into dance floors for packed crowds and continuing the tradition of swapping bracelets. (I went to the movie too; probably the best three hours I spent). 

The 'Roka' Surprise 

We all have been awestruck seeing the prettiest pictures of our "English ma’am" and "PT Sir’s" engagement. The Indian fans have gone all out, calling this ‘Roka’ and expressing, “Travis Jiju Finallyyyy Made it!!”. Their engagement on Ganesh Chaturthi has been humorously dubbed as 'The Most Indian Auntie Whatsapp Plot of 2025’. 

But that's not it, Instagram is flooding with AI-generated images of Taylor as a “Desi Bride” in a red lehenga with dramatic Bollywood songs. People have finalised the itinerary of wedding ceremonies, including ‘sangeet’, ‘mehendi’ and ‘shaadi’. The “Desi Swifties” have made their Mother Taylor an Indian Bride before GTA VI. 

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Taylor Swift has taught us to "Shake It Off", 'cause the haters gonna hate, hate, hate. She is a reflection of how lives can be uncertain, undergoing different phases, and how to find joy in noise. It's a lesson to live your life on your own terms, because while the critics are busy talking, you are busy making history.

Views expressed by the author are their own.