Heidi Klum rapped for Hindu fancy dress costume

By Suzannah Ramsdale on Wednesday 5 November 2008

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Marie Claire celebrity: Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum has come under fire for her scary guise as the Hindu Goddess Kali at her Halloween bash.

The Project Runway host has upset members of the Hindu community with some calling for her to make a public apology.

'Goddess Kali is highly revered in Hinduism and she is meant to be worshipped in temples and not to be used in clubs for publicity stunts or thrown around loosely for dramatic effects,' said Rajan Zed, an American Hindu priest.

'Hindus welcome Hollywood and other entertainment industries to immerse themselves in Hinduism, but they should take it seriously and respectfully, and not just use the religion for decoration or to advance their selfish agenda.'

Guests at the supermodel's celebrity-packed party didn't seem to have a problem with the outlandish outfit though, awarding their hostess the Best Costume on the night.

We're sure Heidi didn't mean to cause any offence!

SEE ALL THE PICS FROM HEIDI KLUM'S HALLOWEEN PARTY

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Wednesday 5 November 2008

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I am a Hindu, and I personally feel as though not many people have really taken the time out to dress up as someone from the Hindu religion. I think it's great that Heidi Klum went out and tried new things. There is nothing to be offensive about the picture. How many people can do what she did? How many have? However my roommate and I were discussing how, isn't it the same thing as dressing up as a "Nun/Sister" or "Jesus" on Halloween. We go to an all girls catholic school and a lot of girls decided to dress up as Nuns. No one made a fuss. Therefore, this picture should not be considered offensive to anyone because I think she looks amazing and it took a lot of time to make her look like that. More people should dress up and be whoever they want to be.
Comment by Neha V. on November 05 13:44

It is ok to dress up as some Hindu goddess but here depicting as some sort of ghoulish figure is really insensitive to Hindus and disrespectful of their Gods and Goddesses to say the least. Why don't I see any Christians wearing Jesus as a demon or monster during Halloween. I am sure that will be considered disrespectful. If Heidi or whoever genius would have thought of becoming Ravana or other "bad" characters from Hindu mythology - I am sure it would be ok. But to do what Heidi did shows that these idiots do not want to understand other people or their religion. I bet if she would have depicted herself as Prophet Mohammed in Halloween costume, by now fatwahs would have been issued and she would be running for her life. SO she is getting away cheap and we all hope she will apologize for her insensitivity and lack of understanding.
Comment by Vinay on November 05 16:26

I think it's great. Countless people have dressed up as Jesus and the Virgin Mary throughout the years and those costumes aren't even interesting. The faithfulness of Heidi's costume shows a level of respect for the culture that I'd have trouble criticizing - all of the traditional iconography is present and done with painstaking attention. Heck. People might actually say "Wow. That's cool. I wonder what all the stuff on her costume means?" and then actually start looking into things like the Gospel of Ramakrishna and other Vedic materials that would actually enrich that person's understanding of Hindu culture.

Apparently, some people just want to turn any notice into an opportunity to be martyrs.

I say "Jai Jai Kali Ma!" and thanks Heidi for this spectacular effigy of the Black Mother.
Comment by G.G. Holland on November 05 18:17

I am Hindu and I think it is a DISGUSTING DISRESPECTFUL act of hers. She HAS made out as if our goddess is some sort of monster when she clearly is not. Neha, if you were a decent hindu you would see what the hell she has done. How the hell can you think its okay for her to turn Kali into a demon??? As soon as I saw the photo of her in the metro early hours of the morning, it made me fume. I read somewhere how her so called PA suggested it and her like a stupid cow that she is goes and says yes without even thinking about it. My ass she is 'facinated' by India. If she knew anything at all about India, she would know not to do this. Plus on top of that, she has made the whole world who is not a Hindu to think that she is a demon. Neha you need to fucking wake up!!!! She better say sorry or I hope OUR goddess does punish her for her cheap pathetic act.She makes me sick. AND ONE MORE THING, LOTS PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING- FOR THOSE WHO THINK HINDUS ARE OK WITH THIS!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Natasha on November 05 20:27

Natasha, you need to lighten up, girl! Heidi's costume was accurate in every detail. If you think the costume depicted Kali Ma as "a demon", do an image search on Google for Kali pictures, and tell me what the Indian depictions of Kali Ma are. Instead of jumping up and down and stomping your feet every time someone does something like this, be glad when someone like Heidi brings an accurately portrayed Hindu figure into mainstream western consciousness.
Comment by Vivek on November 16 15:27

I was going to say the same Kali is the goddess of birth, death and re-birth. Heidi's costume seems pretty accurate to me. Natasha Id reccommend 'dealing with the emotion' by Ajahn Brahm its on youtube I reccommend it in a genuine way i found it really calming. I dont think anyone should get angry or frustrated over something like this. I think it may be a good thing after all it draws awareness to the hindu religion. I am thinking of dressing as Krishna to a party next weekand. I dont think he would be angry with me, if anything people will ask why I dressed like that and I will give them my philosophy of life and death and rebirth. Try not to get too stressed its not what living is about there is alredy far too much anger in the world we all need to love one another.xXx those kisses were to you Natasha :)
Comment by simon on November 11 23:21

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