TOPIC OF THE BLOG:-
This blog is part of an assignment for the Paper 205A - Cultural Studies - Sem - 3, 2023.
NEW HISTORICISM: CONTEMPORARY FICTIONAL REPRESENTATIONS IN FILMS OF INDIAN HISTORICAL FIGURES
Table of Contents:-
- Personal Information
- Assignment Details
- Abstract
- Keywords
- Introduction
- What is New Historicism?
- How can we apply New Historicism to Film?
- Historical Figures and Film
- Ashoka - Film: ‘Asoka’ (2001)
- Rani Padmini (Padmavati) - Padmavati (2018)
- Mangal Pandey - ‘Mangal Pandey: The Rising’ (2005)
- Rani Lakshmi Bai - Manikarnika (2019)
- Strength and Limitation of applying New Historicism to Film
- Strengths
- Limitations
- Conclusion
- Works Cited
Personal Information:-
- Name:- Pooja Anilbhai Bhuva
- Batch:- M.A. Sem 3 (2022-2024)
- Enrollment Number:- 4069206420220005
- E-mail Address:- poojabhuva2002@gmail.com
- Roll Number:- 15
Assignment Details:-
- Topic:- New Historicism: Contemporary Fictional Representations in Films of Indian Historical Figures
- Subject Code & Paper:- 22410 - Paper 205A - Cultural Studies
- Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar
- Date of Submission:- 27th November, 2023
- About Assignment:- In this assignment, I am going to discuss how we apply the idea of New Historicism to Indian historical figures represented in films.
Abstract:-
In this exploration of New Historicism in films, we discover how it acts as special glasses, revealing the connection between movies and the times they depict. Using this approach, we delve into the social, political, economic, and cultural vibes of the historical settings in films. Filmmakers become cultural historians, contributing to conversations about history through cinematic representations. Examining films like 'Asoka,' 'Padmavati,' 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising,' and 'Manikarnika,' we see how historical figures are portrayed with creative liberties. While New Historicism offers a rich understanding of films within their historical contexts, it also presents challenges. Filmmakers' choices impact how history is perceived, raising questions about accuracy and sensitivity. In conclusion, New Historicism serves as a valuable tool, providing insight into the past through the lens of cinema, yet caution is needed to navigate the balance between entertainment and historical truth in filmmaking.
Key Words:-
New Historicism, Film, Ashoka, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Mangal Pandey, Rani Padmini, Limitations
Introduction:-
New Historicism is like a special pair of glasses we use to look at stories in movies. It helps us see that movies aren't just fun stories; they're also connected to the time when they were made. Imagine you're watching a movie about a brave queen or a strong king from the past. New Historicism lets us peek into the clothes they wear, the words they speak, and the places they live, showing us what life was like back then. It's like a time machine for our minds, helping us understand not only the story but also the world it comes from. But, we need to be careful, because sometimes movies can change the true story to make it more exciting or interesting. So, when we use New Historicism, we're like detectives looking for clues about the real past in the make-believe world of movies.
What is New Historicism?
New Historicism is a theory about stories and history that emerged in the late 1900s, greatly influenced by Stephen Greenblatt. (Mikics) It differs from the usual way people look at stories and history because it asserts that stories are connected to the time and culture they originate from. Instead of considering stories as separate and enduring forever, New Historicism views them as a product of specific historical and cultural situations.When we look at stories through the lens of New Historicism, we're diving into the social, political, economic, and cultural vibes of the time they were created. This approach helps us connect literature to the real-world conditions it emerged from. Social conditions include how people interact, the rules they follow, and who holds power – all shaping characters and storylines. Political factors involve the big governing ideas and events that influence what a story is about. Economic conditions show us the money side – class differences, financial landscapes, and how characters live. Cultural conditions bring in the beliefs, values, and artistic trends of the time, affecting the language, symbols, and themes in stories.
New Historicism was mostly a way to understand power, and it took a lot of ideas from the studies of Clifford Geertz in anthropology, Michel Foucault's descriptions of torture and punishment, and Louis Althusser's ideas about how control of thoughts and beliefs happens. (Parvini) Stories are seen as clues about what people believed in, what they valued, and what conflicts were happening during a certain time. New Historicism says that stories are not just by themselves; they're linked to the society they come from. New Historicism doesn't believe there's just one true history. It accepts that different people and groups can have different views of what happened. Let’s see how this idea of New Historicism can be applied in the Film.
How can we apply New Historicism to Film?
If we are using New Historicism to study Contemporary Fictional Representations of Indian Historical Figures it means looking at the films as more than just art. It means seeing them as important pieces of culture that add to the conversations about history during the time they were made. The films become not just stories on their own but contributors to the bigger discussions about culture and history. Filmmakers play a crucial role to explore this and give justification to the particular idea. Through their films, they contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the past, offering their perspectives on how history is remembered, interpreted, or revised. (GRINDON) Filmmakers can be viewed as cultural historians because, through their cinematic representations, they engage with and interpret historical events, figures, and the broader cultural enviornmen. Movies are like time capsules, capturing and reflecting the world. Filmmakers, as storytellers, create cultural artifactsfilms that go beyond entertainment. Shaped by and shaping society, movies interpret the spirit of their time, known as "zeitgeist." Characters, settings, and plots mirror the attitudes and concerns of the era. Watching movies is like viewing a snapshot of history, understanding how people felt and what mattered to them.
In which ways filmmakers may represent historical figures in films? The visual elements in films, such as costumes, architecture, and landscapes, can provide visual cues about the historical period. For example, a film set in the 1920s might use Art Deco design and flapper fashion. Filmmaker also uses language as a tool to represent particular time through the nobel words they are using.
Historical Figures and Film:-
When applying New Historicism to a film, the filmmaker typically takes liberties to portray the entire story of a particular character, or only the character is present while the entire story is changed.
ASHOKA - FILM: ‘ASOKA’ (2001)
In ancient India, Ashoka, a powerful king born around 304 BCE, initially sought power through conquest. However, the Kalinga War changed him. Witnessing the devastating aftermath, he felt deep remorse and embraced Buddhism's teachings of peace and compassion. Ashoka transformed, dedicating himself to non-violence and ethical rule. His empire, the Mauryan Empire, became a symbol of tolerance and compassion. Through pillars and edicts, he spread messages of respect and non-violence. Ashoka's story teaches that even mighty rulers can change, emphasizing the importance of compassion and peace for a just society.
RANI PADMINI (PADMAVATI) - PADMAAVAT (2018):-
MANGAL PANDEY - ‘MANGAL PANDEY: THE RISING’ (2005):-
RANI LAKSHMI BAI - MANIKARNIKA (2019):-
Conclusion:-
In conclusion, New Historicism is like a special tool that helps us understand movies not just as stories but as reflections of the time they were made. It's like magic glasses that reveal the hidden connections between films and the real world. While it lets us explore history in a fun way, we need to be detectives and remember that movies sometimes change the true stories to be more exciting. Understanding these strengths and limitations of New Historicism in films helps us appreciate the colorful tapestry of stories while being aware of the balance between entertainment and historical truth. So, let's keep watching movies with our magic glasses on and enjoy the journey through time!
Works Cited:-
- Bhansali, Sanjay Leela, director. Padmaavat. Bhansali Productions, 2018.
- GRINDON, LEGER. Shadows on the Past: Studies in the Historical Fiction Film. Temple University Press, 1994. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt14bs6kx.
- Jagarlamudi, Krish, and Kangana Ranaut, directors. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. Zee Studios, Kairos Kontent Studios, 2019.
- Mehta, Ketan, director. Mangal Pandey: The Rising. Kaleidoscope Entertainment, Tfk Films, INOX Leisure Limited, Yash Raj Films, 2005.
- Mikics, David, and Internet Archive. A New Handbook of Literary Terms. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007. Internet Archive, https://archive.org/details/newhandbookoflit0000miki/page/n1/mode/2up.
- Palmer, William J. “The New Historicist Films.” The Films of the Nineties, 2009. SPRINGER LINK, https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230619555_2.
- Parvini, Neema. “New Historicism - Literary and Critical Theory.” Oxford Bibliographies, 26 July 2017, https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780190221911/obo-9780190221911-0015.xml.
- Sivan, Santosh, director. Asoka. Dreamz Unlimited, Arclightz Films, 2001.