Cinematizing Patriotism

Abstract

Since its inception in the late nineteenth century, Cinema has been a dynamic medium. Cinema s newlinedynamism, it s capacity to arrange and rearrange time and motion, thus reveals its dimensions newlinethat are deeply social, historical, industrial, technological, philosophical, political, aesthetic, newlinepsychological and often personal. newlinePatriotism and Indian cinema has a deep rooted connection. Since its inception Indian Cinema newlinehas been a harbinger of patriotism, valour, universal peace, aesthetics and grandeur. With the newlinechanging socio-cultural and economic scenario even the nature of patriotic films in India has newlinechanged. newlineSince its inception Kannada Cinema and Tamil Cinema has been projecting / depicting the theme newlineof patriotism through the films eulogizing the freedom fighters, rebelling against the corruption newline/corrupt, religious harmony, fighting terrorism / terrorists and taking the reins of the corrupt / newlineinept / discriminatory / undemocratic government in one s hands. newlineThere has been a change / alteration in the trajectory of the theme of patriotism in Kannada and newlineTamil Cinema in last seven decades. Patriotism manifested / displayed itself during the initial newlineone a half decade of independence through the ultra-patriotic films eulogizing the patriotic kings, newlinequeens, freedom fighters, their sacrifices and imbibing their ideals. In the 1960s and 1970s the newlinetheme of patriotism transformed itself into the anti- China / Pakistan tirade. newlineIn the 80s the theme of patriotism manifested itself through criticizing the unjust government newlinemachinery, the corrupt political leadership. In 90s and the new millennium theme of patriotism newlinewas displayed through / via the issue of militancy / terrorism and the appeal for peace / unity and newlinetolerance after the religious riots. In the new millennium the theme of patriotism was depicted through the moral and economical corruption that has set in the political and executive class, newlinefighting terrorism from within / outside the country. newlineAn empirical study under the light of the aforementioned explanation the claim in the hypothesis newlinethat the theme of patriotism in post-independence Kannada and Tamil Cinema has changed / newlinemodified / altered gets validated. This change / modification and alteration has been initiated / newlinefuelled by certain socio-cultural, economic, political and religious issues /events / incidents and newlinefactors within India newline