LGAAN - post colonial perspective

LGAAN - with post colonial perspective

                                       

                   

LGAAN - the legendry film reflection of British colonial power.  The film is set under the Victorian rules and regulations. May be question arise How can we read this film with Postcolonial aspect ?

Yes, How ? 

Within the film , we have many points from which we can read the film with Postcolonial point of view.  Let's discuss brief about  post colonialism.

Post -Colonial  study is a theoretical structure which gives new perspective to look towards the things and also rejects the dominant western way of seeing things. Means we may say that post colonialism rejects the superiority of western culture.

Colonialism and Imperialism are often used interchangeably . 

It is about changing world . A world that has been changed by struggle . It disturbs the order of the world . It threatens , privilege and power re-forces to acknowledge the superiority of the western culture. Its radical agenda is to demand equality and well being for all human beings on this earth.

Postcolonial study is all about language and power.  In the film we find three major elements through which we can study the film as Postcolonial reflection.

(1)  Land

(2)  Language

(3) Cricket  

          The story revels the burden of  high taxes of villagers of Champaner.  The protagonist Bhuvan (Amir Khan) leads the role of  rebellion against British rules. The captain Russel put the challenge to Bhuvan to play cricket (unknown game for villagers) and win the challenge to reduce the high taxes which is imposed to them.  Villagers become arrogant with Bhuvan because he accepts the challenge of Russel on behalf of Villagers.

       Language plays very vital role.  Under the influence of their language , Indian feel inferior because they don't understand their language and there fore not able to communicate properly. To whom we have to complain when our own king under the rule of British Raj ? How he enjoys their game - with pleasant moment with Britishers  when his people are suffering from drought and Whites exploitation ?

   

Bhuvan argues and  says that ......"We must fight against British colonial rules."  To fight with British rules , they have to use their weapon. Bhuvan takes the game - Cricket as the weapon to free from the high taxes and their exploitation.

 “Cricket allowed the Indians to assess their colonial rulers by western values reflected in the official philosophy of cricket, and to find the rulers wanting…"

Bhuvan said to all that...............

" They have to play cricket not for their enjoyment but for fight against the power."

With these we also find the serious issues of India which is already exist in India- cast conflict. Kachara - the untouchable guy also join the team after much convention of Bhuvan.  Bust with the help of Cricket , they are united to fight against British Raj.

 Cricket : 

In our E-mail group discussion under the name of  " Cricket in India"  we also discuss this game with Cultural aspects Cricket is colonial game. With political liberation of India from British Raj, almost everything that was connected with British Raj was hated. English language being no exemption form it. So, why is Cricket so dearly loved that Indians call it 'Religion' and crickets demi-gods?

There are many questions like...

(1)Why is Cricket so popular in India?

(2)Why are cricketers so rich and popular in India?

(3)Why corporatization of Cricket in India?

(4)Why this much 'money' in Cricket in India?

As a cultural critic, we are suppose to doubt. We have to give some critical insight to the artefact under the scanner. As we know that Cultural Studies takes help of post-structuralist theories, it tends to deconstruct hegemony of one binary over the other, it tends to question the privileged position of one identity over the underprivileged. (Mail discussion)

Cricket occupies a special cultural place, for it is not just a sport with some socio-historical relevance. The only reason the sport even exists outside of Britain is because colonists took it here.  (Cricket: A vehicle for post-colonial pride)

Cricket - the central part to stud the film. Now,  Cricket becomes the most popular game of India though it is not our National game. Cricket - the most popular game of India. Why ? It is said that 'Cricket - is the game of Unity'.  Is it really ? How can we believe that it is the game of Unity because it is taught by whom who divide us ? Cricket considers as 'Religion' and Cricketers are as 'God' in India.  Who - make cricket religion ? Yes, We all.   Unconsciously social force is imposed to us and we accept it without any consideration.

It is not our game though all are crazy for the cricket. Though it is the waste of full day or much time consuming people love to watch it.  Hockey is our National game  yet people  are not interested  in it why ? because  Cricket is considered as Superior than any other games because of colonial influences. Still people are slave of colonial mentality. Still they want to be superior or equal to them, they can't accept their own culture or game. They are still follower of Whites unconsciously. People of India are slave of Colonial Mentality and it is hard to escape from their own mental slavery. Unconsciously, without understanding , they enjoy a lot. 

      In Gujarati text , we have one unit of  "Cricket Na Kaman" written by Bakul Tripathi. It is also described how people  are crazy for cricket. They forget everything even they stop their works and fully enjoy the day as Holiday. When we speak 'The World Cup' is going on, there is no need to say that it is Cricket World Cup means Cricket rules over us  with high position and great colonial cultural influences. As Bahamians have authority of religions or rituals, the same way Cricket has also power to rule over people and that's why it also considered as Religions. Priest , Pandits and any saints are never poor , the same way Cricketers are  more richer than any other players. 

          Cricket is one of them .  But its roots lies in our past - beneath the colonial power of India.   After British empire or influences of it  things are changed.  Even our best are changed. People try to accept western  culture, their thoughts , and way of living life. It is not just or sudden act , but it happens unconsciously to prove the self as they are or the status.