TITLE
- REFLECTION OF INDIAN CASTE SYSTEM (UNTOUCHABILITY) IN INDIAN CINEMA
Table of Contents
Contents
Page
1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………..
1
2. PURPOSE OF THE
STUDY………………………………………………... 4
3. LITERATURE
REVIEW……………………………………………………... 8
4. STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEMS……………………………………... 11
4.1 Government Initiatives……………………………………………… 11
4.2 Rigidity of Caste System (Untouchability)………………………. 12
4.3 Contemporary Cinema……………………………………………… 13
4.4 Cinematic
Review…………………………………………………… 15
5. DESIGN OF THE
WORK………………………………………………….. 16
5.1 Empirical Research: Case Study………………………………….. 16
5.2 Research Setting…………………………………………………….. 17
5.3 Literature Search…………………………………………….………. 17
5.4 Review of Similar Work……………………………………………... 18
5.5 Production of Research Work…………………………….…..…… 18
6. RESULTS……………………………………………………………………
21
6.1 Findings……………………………………………………………….. 22
6.2 Limitations…………………………………………………………….. 24
7.
CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………… 25
8.
BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………… 29
9.
FILMOGRAPHY………………………………………………………….… 31
1. INTRODUCTION
My
motivation for attempting this research is the caste system of India and its
reflection on the Indian cinema. Caste is a contentious theme in India and it
has been reflected in the Indian films since 1930 and still practicing. Caste
is a term which is derivative from a word Casta (origin: Portuguese). Caste can
be defined as an inflexible social system in which a social ladder is
maintained generation after generation and allows little mobility out of the
position to which a person is bornThe unique caste systems arrived regarding
the immigration of Aryans basically from the North India in around 1600BC.
Throughout the Vedic age, Manu, the originator of this prehistoric Hindu or
Aryan civilization instituted the latest social classification, portraying an
arrival to religious ethics from a former and acquisitive civilization. He
establishes four social classifications based on four major goals of both
person and civilization. A social categorization system of four diverse classes
(varnas) was consequently devised so that the individual pursuit could have an
even and structured living in the society.
The derivation of the caste system is in Hinduism, but it
has influenced the entire Indian society. The caste system in the spiritual
structure is mainly a simple distribution of society into four castes allocated
in a hierarchy. But communally, the caste system was more complex, with much
extra castes and sub-castes and other categories.
The term Jati is used
to depict caste in the Indian society. The word jati is a
derivative of a Sanskrit word Jata,
which means “birth” or “brought into existence,” and signifies a type of life
verified by origin. This jati explains any group of belongings that have
generic features.
There are various jatis all through its individual convention and civilization.
These diverse jatis are conventionally ordered in hierarchical classification
and fit into one of the four fundamental varnas which is derived from a
Sanskrit word, which means colours.
According
to the Varna scheme, there are various kinds of categories of caste and are as
follows:
Ø The Brahmans, which are frequently
recognized with pastors, saints and the educated category
Ø The Kshatriyas, which are related
with leaders and soldiers comprising landlords, etc.
Ø The Vaishyas, which are related with
viable living for example, businessmen etc.
Ø The Shudras, which are the manual
worker
At the outset there was Shudra caste and later on various
sub divisions of caste were instituted after the formation of Indian
constitution in 1950. The first category is called Scheduled Castes (SC) which
is referred to as untouchables. The second category is Scheduled Tribes (ST).
This category includes did not accept the caste system and preferred to inhabit
deep in the jungles, forests and mountains of India. The third category is
called as Other Backward Classes (OBC). This category includes former
untouchables who converted from Hinduism to other religions.
Caste System has been an unfastened aspect of Indian cinema
and has more than often echoed the overriding beliefs and dogmatic ideologies
of their respective periods. Indian films have demonstrated to be sculpting the
social structure that is majorly followed in the country and sensitive issues
are treated perceptively and delicately. It is not astounding then that the
Indian cinema has been so indisposed and unenthusiastic in covenanting with the
caste system. The foremost endeavor to pact with the subject was from the film
Achhut Kanya (Untouchable Maiden) in 1936. In the same vein of most films that
have dealt with caste since, it framed the topic in a Romeo-and-Juliet tale
of star-crossed lovers, undone by the gossip and intolerance of their
families and surrounding community. Commencing from this standpoint, reflection
of caste in Indian cinema may perhaps be observed as a multifaceted occurrence
that amalgamates a multiplicity of beliefs and events that depends upon the
period to which the film belongs.
Many Indian film directors like
Shyam Bengal produced films like Nishant and Ankur, which focused on the
subjugation of the caste system. These films shadowed a deeper insights of the
viciousness of the Indian caste system which is been practiced in the rural
areas of India. There are also many films and film makers which have been
discussed in the research that reflected the caste system such as BhavaniBhavai
(1980), a Guajarati film directed by Ketan Mehta, Dr.
Baba sahib Ambedkar (1999), directed by Jabbar Patel, Sujata (1959), directed by Bimal
Roy, Lagaan (2001) and Swades (2004), directed by Ashutosh
Gowariker,
Aakrosh (2010), directed by,
priyadarshan, etc.
I like to watch movies since my
childhood and have analyzed the change in the Bollywood’s movies in today’s’
time. The era of my movies stared in the year of late 90’s and still pursuing.
I have analyzed that the caste system is a most popular and common concept
which film makers are employing in their films. Some periodic films also
reflected the caste system like Lagaan (2001), Swades (2004), etc.
The major issue which I had discussed in
this research is how the subject untouchability has been concentrated in Indian
cinema. It discusses various film reviews from 1930 to 2010 in which the
reflection of Indian Caste system can be seen as well as the reaction if the
audience who comes to watch these movies just for entertainment. Considering
various critical and questionnaire analysis of data and case studies of various
Indian films and film director’s history would benchmark the effect of
untouchability in Indian cinema. As untouchability or the Caste system is the most
controversial issue in India, its effect had also reflected even on the Indian
cinema. My research would explore various factors due to which the Indian
cinema had been portraying the caste system in the films. More
specifically this research will investigate:
Ø The
portrayal of caste system in Indian films of today and of previous eras
Ø The
change in the pattern and approach through which caste system is portrayed in
today’s films from the previous films
The research will review many movies
which are focusing on the Indian caste system and the perception of the
audience on viewing these films. In India films are most important source for
entertainment. Indian people watch films only for their entertainment. Mainly
the people watch movies which have a fairytale, action, or comedy. They just
want to relax and enjoy their time while watching movies. As India is the
biggest country for cinema or entertainment, so there are 1200 films which are
released every year.
To
read more…….
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