At the Kumbh Mela, Monalisa was just another participant, blending into the spiritual tapestry of the event. But the internet transformed her into something she never asked — to be a symbol, a sensation, and ultimately, a victim of misplaced adoration
Amid the spiritual hum of the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where seekers gather to cleanse their souls in the Triveni Sangam, Monalisa Bhonsle, a garland seller from Indore, has unwittingly become the face of a troubling social media saga. The video showcasing her stunning amber eyes, sharp features, and dusky complexion went viral. Her natural beauty and infectious charm compared her to Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” igniting a flurry of online praise.
But what should have been a celebration of her dignity in labour has devolved into a disquieting display of how social media can objectify and harm women. Videos on the internet depicted men harassing her. The increased focus on her has affected her family’s business, and as a result, Monalisa’s father made the difficult decision to send her back to Indore to avoid further disruption.
Her story exemplifies how social media can have a beneficial and detrimental impact on people’s lives and also raises critical concerns about the ethics of online fame as well as viewers’ responsibilities to support, rather than exploit, the people they elevate to celebrity status.
A fine line between admiration and invasion
Suma Harris, fashion entrepreneur, says, “Social media has a tendency to turn ordinary moments into spectacles. What started as a simple appreciation of Monalisa's beauty quickly became a movement that found her business disrupted. Suddenly, Monalisa ceased to exist as a person and instead became a mere ‘aesthetic’ for consumption.”S
Unwanted attention
Her once-bustling garland stall, where customers came to buy malas for prayers and offerings, turned into a backdrop for selfies and reels. Many reels now tag her Instagram account, propelling her to fame and steadily growing her following. The comments section of the viral post was flooded with objectifying remarks and unsolicited opinions about her looks, many turning up at the Mela in the hope of seeing her in person. Camera flashes, hashtags, and misguided curiosity have invaded Monalisa’s life, once defined by daily wages and selling beads.
Dark side of digital validation
Manisha Chordia, a former member of the Tamil Nadu Women’s Commission, notes, “The internet doesn’t pause to ask if the woman receiving the praise even wants the attention. For Monalisa, the ‘Mona Lisa’ comparison might seem flattering at first glance, but it comes at the cost of her safety and peace. This is a form of digital harassment disguised as admiration.”As social media influencers flocked to the Mela to take selfies with her, Monalisa found herself struggling to focus on her livelihood. She’s just trying to sell garlands,” explains YS Malini Reddy.
“The pressure of being seen as an icon, whether of beauty or anything else, is overwhelming for women like Monalisa, whose lives are rooted in survival, not spectacle.” As Malini points out, perhaps this isn’t empowerment; it’s exploitation.
Fame turns nightmare
Social media thrives on aesthetics, often at the expense of humanity, causing the very object of praise to seem inconvenienced. Unlike stars who aim for the spotlight, this young woman didn’t ask for this attention. Hospitality baroness Krithika Subramaniam sees this as a broader cultural problem. “Monalisa isn’t an influencer or a public figure — she didn’t choose this. Beauty can be a blessing, but the way we treat women like her turns it into a curse. It’s no longer about her as a person; it’s about what people project onto her and using her to create a trend.” This digital frenzy has also had real-world consequences for Monalisa. Reports indicate that strangers and photographers have harassed Monalisa, causing her to seek shelter and ultimately send her back to her village. Of course, the irony lies in Monalisa’s significant distance from the very platforms that have disrupted her life. For her, the garlands she sells are not metaphors or hashtags. They serve as her primary source of income. As Suma Harris puts it, “We’ve romanticised poverty and struggle under the guise of celebrating beauty. If you really admire her, why not ask how you can help her instead of turning her into a viral sensation?”
Social media has a tendency to turn ordinary moments into spectacles. What started as a simple appreciation of Monalisa's beauty quickly became a movement that found her business disrupted.” — Suma Harris, fashion entrepreneur
The internet doesn't pause to ask if the woman even wants the attention. For Monalisa, the ‘Mona Lisa’ comparison might seem flattering at first glance, but it comes at the cost of her safety. — Manisha Chordia, a former member of TN Women's Commission
Monalisa isn’t an influencer or a public figure—she didn’t choose this. Beauty can be a blessing, but the way we treat women like her turns it into a curse. It’s no longer about her as a person; it’s about what people project onto her and using her to create a trend. —Krithika Subramaniam.
“The pressure of being seen as an icon, whether of beauty or anything else, is overwhelming for women like Monalisa, whose lives are rooted in survival, not spectacle.” Malini points out, perhaps this isn’t empowerment; it’s exploitation.
