On the Independence day 2018. We watched Hindi movie Lagaan at the Department of English, MKBU. Before the screening Sir has told us that ..’I hope you keep your eyes open and read what is between the lines and hidden within the images So, I tried my best to read most of scenes of the movie and my views on it are expressed here…
Lagaan, a popular Bollywood movie produced and star by Amir Khan, directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar won the audience award at the 2001..movie’s cinematography set in Gujarat and film have melodies song with an excellent story plot. Narrative style of movie is very much linear Or very much Indian style of narrative so Lagaan also repeats the popular motif of Bollywood movies … the defeat of British Colonial rules at the hands of Indians, but situates the struggle for decolonization on apparently mutually exclusive domains—Cricket, an ‘Elite’ sport, and subaltern politics. Thus, movie as a national allegory in which one can see spirit of Nationalism and Bollywood heroism.
Movie opens with the scene of Village Champaner, set in Kutch. The dry land and yellow sky is the reason of long autumn for trees as well as villagers, though the deep faith for nature in name of God symbolically present in watering to Tulsi in very beginning of movie. Farming is main occupation for land owners and therefore, darken sky and clouds is symbol of hope because fields are dry and stomachs going to hungry soon, In a way Nature remains in center. Entry of Hero is also presents with the great idea of Eco friendliness, he is saving animals from hunters, but the notion of saving is in center and it become the Skelton of movie. Saving villagers from Lagaan (Tax).
Before, the plot moves, there is visuals of Village as well as palace where Britishers living. Physical appearance tells a lot, far different and harder life villagers have. When the army of Britishers visits the village With Union Jack, one can see Deep agony or grief in old man’s eyes and anger in youth. It shows that youth want to resist but they have no vision, which lead them that How to Act?. And , Hero do that. When He get challenge from Captain Russell.
When the Raja (King) of Champaner (so called Raja) goes to Captain asking permission for decreasing tax because villagers want to celebrate Pooja in Temple, at that time Captain gaming with him that on the dining table that if Raja eat, meat only then and then captain will decrease the tax, but a pure Vegetarian Hindu Raja firmly refuse even touch to non-veg food. In the whole film we can see character of Raja with Paghadi (pride) , but Has the any pride in be King only as mask of King? Raja is nothing more than nominal head though in heart of progeny as feudal lord. In many novels, especially in Gujrati literature novel’s by Ashwini Bhatt, description of Condition of kingdom and king in those days portrait deeply. How they have to maintain both the side, Britishers and Villagers. Same thing here with Raja he have no any command in his hand and it’s announce to villagers that they have to pay Double Tax this year. Refusal of this by villagers lead them to Raja and There Caption Rusell throws challenge that If they beat Britishers, captain will remove tax for three years and if they loose, he has to go South Africa., and challenge accepted by Bhuvan.
Then, the Team building starts, Bhuvan alone can not play villagers must have to support him. But they are not ready to accept challenge, frightened from defeat. Because price of their defeat puts them in great trouble, in any way they can not pay thrice tax in year. Same condition presents in Movie Mother India, where farmers paying Interest by cost of their life. The moment come in movie where Bhuvan is all alone in his decision and dark night privilege under him, at that time Gauri (Heroine) of film, come and tells that, “ I’m with you.” And than slowly and steadily team building. Under the leadership of Bhuvan there is enough member of team, like A land owning Peasants, Kachra disabled and an untouchable, lakha a Muslim man, Gauri’s father ‘Vaidhji, ’ Guran, villagers’ astrologer or god man and religion boundaries are also transcended as a Sikh ex- Army Man. Optimistic nature, great plan of hero plus ranging of bell is sign of yes in god words make everything possible. Here we can also say that Post colonial India had space for leaders who take responsibility and encourage them. In movie also through the lyrics of song is present…
“Season of flowers will come, what the fear you have? Courage and truth, who wins at the end… victory will be ours.”
In the melodies song we can see two different culture at same time villagers and Britishers, both are quite different. Goodness of Britishers is also highlighted Elizabeth who helps Bhuvan and his team in playing cricket by teaching rules of game, and at last in Game ‘fairness in Justice’ turn the game and when villagers win the game, Britishers in stadium gives them stand up clapping. It shows their broadness in thinking. And character of Elizabeth we compare with Lakha, Elizabeth loves Bhuvan but for Gauri she sacrifices her feeling in other side Lakha who loves Gauri and when he comes to know that Bhuvan and Gauri loves each other, he have negative feelings for Bhuvan.
Lagaan, a popular Bollywood movie produced and star by Amir Khan, directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar won the audience award at the 2001..movie’s cinematography set in Gujarat and film have melodies song with an excellent story plot. Narrative style of movie is very much linear Or very much Indian style of narrative so Lagaan also repeats the popular motif of Bollywood movies … the defeat of British Colonial rules at the hands of Indians, but situates the struggle for decolonization on apparently mutually exclusive domains—Cricket, an ‘Elite’ sport, and subaltern politics. Thus, movie as a national allegory in which one can see spirit of Nationalism and Bollywood heroism.
Movie opens with the scene of Village Champaner, set in Kutch. The dry land and yellow sky is the reason of long autumn for trees as well as villagers, though the deep faith for nature in name of God symbolically present in watering to Tulsi in very beginning of movie. Farming is main occupation for land owners and therefore, darken sky and clouds is symbol of hope because fields are dry and stomachs going to hungry soon, In a way Nature remains in center. Entry of Hero is also presents with the great idea of Eco friendliness, he is saving animals from hunters, but the notion of saving is in center and it become the Skelton of movie. Saving villagers from Lagaan (Tax).
Before, the plot moves, there is visuals of Village as well as palace where Britishers living. Physical appearance tells a lot, far different and harder life villagers have. When the army of Britishers visits the village With Union Jack, one can see Deep agony or grief in old man’s eyes and anger in youth. It shows that youth want to resist but they have no vision, which lead them that How to Act?. And , Hero do that. When He get challenge from Captain Russell.
When the Raja (King) of Champaner (so called Raja) goes to Captain asking permission for decreasing tax because villagers want to celebrate Pooja in Temple, at that time Captain gaming with him that on the dining table that if Raja eat, meat only then and then captain will decrease the tax, but a pure Vegetarian Hindu Raja firmly refuse even touch to non-veg food. In the whole film we can see character of Raja with Paghadi (pride) , but Has the any pride in be King only as mask of King? Raja is nothing more than nominal head though in heart of progeny as feudal lord. In many novels, especially in Gujrati literature novel’s by Ashwini Bhatt, description of Condition of kingdom and king in those days portrait deeply. How they have to maintain both the side, Britishers and Villagers. Same thing here with Raja he have no any command in his hand and it’s announce to villagers that they have to pay Double Tax this year. Refusal of this by villagers lead them to Raja and There Caption Rusell throws challenge that If they beat Britishers, captain will remove tax for three years and if they loose, he has to go South Africa., and challenge accepted by Bhuvan.
Then, the Team building starts, Bhuvan alone can not play villagers must have to support him. But they are not ready to accept challenge, frightened from defeat. Because price of their defeat puts them in great trouble, in any way they can not pay thrice tax in year. Same condition presents in Movie Mother India, where farmers paying Interest by cost of their life. The moment come in movie where Bhuvan is all alone in his decision and dark night privilege under him, at that time Gauri (Heroine) of film, come and tells that, “ I’m with you.” And than slowly and steadily team building. Under the leadership of Bhuvan there is enough member of team, like A land owning Peasants, Kachra disabled and an untouchable, lakha a Muslim man, Gauri’s father ‘Vaidhji, ’ Guran, villagers’ astrologer or god man and religion boundaries are also transcended as a Sikh ex- Army Man. Optimistic nature, great plan of hero plus ranging of bell is sign of yes in god words make everything possible. Here we can also say that Post colonial India had space for leaders who take responsibility and encourage them. In movie also through the lyrics of song is present…
“Season of flowers will come, what the fear you have? Courage and truth, who wins at the end… victory will be ours.”
In the melodies song we can see two different culture at same time villagers and Britishers, both are quite different. Goodness of Britishers is also highlighted Elizabeth who helps Bhuvan and his team in playing cricket by teaching rules of game, and at last in Game ‘fairness in Justice’ turn the game and when villagers win the game, Britishers in stadium gives them stand up clapping. It shows their broadness in thinking. And character of Elizabeth we compare with Lakha, Elizabeth loves Bhuvan but for Gauri she sacrifices her feeling in other side Lakha who loves Gauri and when he comes to know that Bhuvan and Gauri loves each other, he have negative feelings for Bhuvan.
Representation of Subaltern, present through the character of Kachra, belonging from lower caste and untouchable for so called ‘pure’ Villagers. When Bhuvan take him as team Member, others resist their voice against that but Bhuvan shows Kachra’s disability (disable hand) as advantage. The whole plot is somewhere touch the same story line of Kanthapura by Raja Rao. Where the point of Untouchability faced by Murthi and at last all villagers fight together for freedom. And importance of Religion is also in center, Temple of Kantheshwari is in heart of village and temple of Lord Krishna in height of hill. Point of double Colonization is same in both the plot.
In the end, last six by Bhuvan hit the ball out of stadium and give victory and pride for village after a long and interesting match. In the match also, fake representation of Islam through the run out of Lakha. And fairness In justice shows whiteness of white people.
