How the Bahubali films glorify Hindutva

by Guest Wed May 24, 2017 7:15 pm

Let us unpack the cultural content of this Indian superhero. First of all, he is, quite categorically, a Hindu. He is a Hindu defined by his caste identity, a Kshatriya. And finally, by showing the Kshatriya superhero leading a Hindu army that vanquishes an invading swarm of barbarians, the two Baahubali films together represent a powerfully imagined narrative of the Hindus as a martial race. If a Hindutva advocate had wanted a propaganda film showcasing the splendours of ancient India, he could not have asked for anything better. But this is not to impute such a motive to the producers, who may well have been unconscious of their project’s subtext.

Some may argue that the religious and caste identity of the warrior hero in Baahubali are incidental to the story. Not really. His character and world view are defined by the Kshatriya ethic. The Hindu ethos of the characters and the kingdom of Mahishmati, where the action is set, is reinforced right through the film. The dialogues, landscape, costumes, and even subplots are steeped in Hindu edicts, iconography, and symbolism — from giant elephants and lingams to ubiquitous Brahmin priests performing yajnas, chanting shlokas, and offering astrological counsel at crucial moments. Interestingly, the film depicts the barbarians who attack Mahishmati as a dark-skinned, aboriginal race. Given that Mahishmati is located in the Indian subcontinent, the story, in effect, communicates that the warriors of an ancient Hindu kingdom led by fair-skinned, Aryan-like, Kshatriya superheroes successfully subjugated an army of the casteless/Adivasis that was much bigger in numbers but short on acumen.

Beneath the expertly paced plot and glossy production values, the subtext of Baahubali glorifies the caste order. It seeks to unite a putative Hindu community divided by caste, not by picturing the elimination of caste divisions, but by exhorting people to rally around the perfect Hindu as embodied by the Kshatriya warrior. Even as it presents the Kshatriya code of honour as an aspirational ideal for all Hindus, it leaves no doubt that the dharma of the lower-caste Hindu enjoins him to recognise the Kshatriya’s right to rule, and to obey his commands.

Superheroes are cultural tropes by which a people relate to their world, to others, and to themselves. The Baahubali films, coming at a time when Hindu nationalistic sentiments are at a fever pitch, constitute a significant cultural intervention.

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-kshatriya-superhero/article18549852.ece?homepage=true

by Guest Wed May 24, 2017 7:22 pm

Due to non-stop irritation and mental torture by my son and grandchildren, earlier today I agreed to see Baahubali II at a nearby movie hall.

I usually don’t indulge in such activities but it had become impossible to live in my own house. Day and night, my son was destroying my peace of mind.

I would be brushing my teeth when he'd suddenly stick his stupid head into the bathroom and ask, appa do you want to see 500 computerised elephants in just one scene? When I'd be watching my DVD of Suhasini songs he'd suddenly stand in front of the TV and ask, do you want to see one thousand bulls running at you in 70mm? I would be finishing my yoga practice and relaxing in shavaasana when he'd come and lie down next to me and say, 3 p.m. do you want to come and see one man kill 40,000 other men in 20 minutes, ticket is only Rs.120?

Bloody fool, why do you want to waste money? I will show you one man kill another man in 20 seconds with one turkey towel, ticket is fully free for 3D show. Now get out of the dining room, buffoon.

http://www.thehindu.com/thread/reflections/baahubali-ii-majestic-kingdom-undone-by-bad-public-works/article18514936.ece?homepage=true

by garam_kuta Thu May 25, 2017 6:34 am

Rashmun wrote:Due to non-stop irritation and mental torture by my son and grandchildren, earlier today I agreed to see Baahubali II at a nearby movie hall.

I usually don’t indulge in such activities but it had become impossible to live in my own house. Day and night, my son was destroying my peace of mind.

I would be brushing my teeth when he'd suddenly stick his stupid head into the bathroom and ask, appa do you want to see 500 computerised elephants in just one scene? When I'd be watching my DVD of Suhasini songs he'd suddenly stand in front of the TV and ask, do you want to see one thousand bulls running at you in 70mm? I would be finishing my yoga practice and relaxing in shavaasana when he'd come and lie down next to me and say, 3 p.m. do you want to come and see one man kill 40,000 other men in 20 minutes, ticket is only Rs.120?

Bloody fool, why do you want to waste money? I will show you one man kill another man in 20 seconds with one turkey towel, ticket is fully free for 3D show. Now get out of the dining room, buffoon.

http://www.thehindu.com/thread/reflections/baahubali-ii-majestic-kingdom-undone-by-bad-public-works/article18514936.ece?homepage=true

Arandavan kannuku irundadhelaam paei

by garam_kuta Thu May 25, 2017 2:36 pm

garam_kuta wrote:
Rashmun wrote:Due to non-stop irritation and mental torture by my son and grandchildren, earlier today I agreed to see Baahubali II at a nearby movie hall.

I usually don’t indulge in such activities but it had become impossible to live in my own house. Day and night, my son was destroying my peace of mind.

I would be brushing my teeth when he'd suddenly stick his stupid head into the bathroom and ask, appa do you want to see 500 computerised elephants in just one scene? When I'd be watching my DVD of Suhasini songs he'd suddenly stand in front of the TV and ask, do you want to see one thousand bulls running at you in 70mm? I would be finishing my yoga practice and relaxing in shavaasana when he'd come and lie down next to me and say, 3 p.m. do you want to come and see one man kill 40,000 other men in 20 minutes, ticket is only Rs.120?

Bloody fool, why do you want to waste money? I will show you one man kill another man in 20 seconds with one turkey towel, ticket is fully free for 3D show. Now get out of the dining room, buffoon.

http://www.thehindu.com/thread/reflections/baahubali-ii-majestic-kingdom-undone-by-bad-public-works/article18514936.ece?homepage=true

Arandavan kannuku irundadhelaam paei

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How the Bahubali films glorify Hindutva

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