Published by
Webmaster
at 12:33:36 am on November 18, 2006
Cinema is the reflection of our society. It reflects many of the trends, current virtues, social struggles and patterns of living in a society. Culture is the underlying current of a society. It is the medium through which a society thrives on its values and ideology. So, to a great extent cinema and culture are interrelated and go hand in hand. Our Indian cinema portrays the essence of our society,i.e., our culture. The ethnic and traditional values of the Indian society, its cultural diversity and above all, its unity among the varied cultural and religious sects, is highlighted by the Indian cinema. It not only projects but also promotes Indian cinema both here and abroad.
History discusses the importance and relevance of our culture on a global forum. The most significant and influential cultures of the past were: Greek, Roman, Persian, Arabic, Chinese and Indian. Indian culture found its mirror in the form of theatre and then cinema. Cinema of that time portrayed our culture through concepts that were purely Indian at heart. During the times of freedom struggle, cinema was used as a medium to show anger and voice the opinion of our nationalist leaders and parties demanding independence from the British rule. Then, the Indian cinema completely focussed on mythological stories and great epics. Even, the earlist of films made in India were mythological like the first feature film of India- Dada Saheb Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra. The Indian culture was still fighting with many of its social evils. The Indian cinema fought against these evils and portrayed a society that was both desired and achievable.
Bollywood of that time showed the India which was both rural and traditionally rich and vibrant. The traditional values and cultural celebrations formed the basis of the conservative Indian cinema of that time. Films showcased relationships,cutoms, norms and ethics of our culture. From a Bharatiya Nari Tag to a young desi from village who comes to a big city, to the appreciation of India and its great diversity of culture, cinema gave life to the rich blend of the values of our society.
Indian cinema has come a long way since. The Indian culture now portrays the changing face of our society and the cultural mix because of the western influence on it, for e.g., movies like Murder, Aks, Page 3, Corporate, Monsoon Wedding, Rang De Basanti etc. Today, movies dish out what the youth wants and what the youth is inspired from. Again, the cinema reflects our culture. But, with western influence getting a strong hold on young Indian minds, cultural promotion is the vital role of the cinema.
Cinema is a part of the mass media that can greatly influence and affect the concensus of a nation. It should, therefore, be used to preserve the cultural heritage of India. Inspite of the foreign flavour being added to the treatment of a film, movie should not be ethically inappropriate or hamper the sentiments of any Indian. A movie trying to portray the changing trends of the society should learn to keep a balance with what’s trendy and what’s ours.
Indian cinema has been effective in promoting the rich heritage of Indian culture on the world map. The Indian dance, music, tradition have a global audience now. One of the landmark movieS in taking Bollywood abroad is Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna which reflected a modern Indian mind-set. But, again it had the western influence and didn’t sink in the minds of the Indians. People were not ready to accept such a change in the society, as the society reflects any form of cultural shift and culture is one’s identity.
Bollywood has given a new face to our culture with its movies. On a global stage, it has turned the Indian spice into a new international flavour. Many international film festivals have hailed Indian movies as a special class type which can teach a lot about film ethics to the world. Many of the Indian films are getting international screening and being applauded world wide. Even with loopholes in the fusion and blend of the culture, cinema is striving to keep alive the unique culture of our unique land.
