Manikarnika (2019)
It is not a documentary, so do not expect factual accuracy. It is quite alright if you see the screen Jhansi Rani letting her hair down, getting into the groove and dancing with the villagers. At least they got the Mahishashura Mardini version of Queen Laxmibai right. Her unabated rage in fighting the tyranny of British can best be compared to the unstoppable fighting machine of Durga overpowering the Buffalo Demon of Mahishashura seen in the Mysore tradition. Living true to the feminine force of Nature which gives life and takes, Jhansi Rani has remained the Indian icon that spread nationalism and empowered women the world over, at least in the Indian diaspora.
The 21st century has seen countries that used to be under the yoke of colonial powers in the previous centuries suddenly open their eyes to realise that their masters never left their shores. They had continued their grip on the newly developed economies through their web of deceit, control and mass hypnotism. Through remote control means with the aid of media, be it print or digital methods, via Hollywood and lately through social media and fake news platform, they are always one step ahead from the rest of the world. Hence, now more than ever, there is a need to rekindle the nationalistic spirit amongst the post-colonial population to combat these seemingly invisible tentacles that control our mind, money and soul.
Laxmibai, Queen of Jhansi, born Manikarnika, was an impressive figure during the First Independence War of India also known the Sepoy Mutiny. She married the King of Jhansi when the East India Company was hot on their heels, expanding their territorial control by instigating feud amongst local princes and inciting political ambitions within the members of the royal courtyard. The Queen's 4 month-old infant mysteriously died and so did the King soon after. A relative's son was adopted for ascension to the throne later. This was deemed illegal by the British who had by then enacted 'Lapse Doctrine' where a territory without a proper heir became British control. Jhansi is given an annual allowance and is expelled from her palace.
She returned with a vengeance after careful planning. Her image of riding on horseback with her toddler tied to her back and brandishing a sword is immortalised on metal statues around India. Trying to defend the city Gwalior from the British Army, she succumbed to her wounds. Not wanting to be captured by an enemy she decided to indulge in self-immolation. Some accounts insist that she was just cremated after her death as per her instructions.
Even before the movie hit the theatres, it, or specifically its heroine, Kangana Ranaut, created a hype in the media. Perhaps it was intentional. As they say in showbiz, any news is good news to stir curiosity amongst its viewers. In an interview, she had apparently threatened to expose the Bollywood mafia on their stance on nepotism. Her directorial direction was also the topic of discussion in the media circle. Excellent at creating a mountain of a molehill, they made an issue when Ranaut apparently took the helm to finish off some loose ends on the final product. Sensationalism or not, Ranaut, a multiple award-winning actor, managed to pull the role of Jhansi Rani very well. This angry 32-year young woman managed to bring to the celluloid screen the story of a gutsy 22-year-old monarch who had the guts to say no to the technically advanced invaders and to give a run for their money.
Interestingly, the first battle against the British was fought jointly to the chant of ‘Bajrangi Bali’, ‘Ya Ali’ and ‘Har Har Mahadeva’. All occupants of the land who had been ever welcoming of sojourners raised in unison against the evil and greedy invaders who had nothing but plundering in their minds. The Indians, on the other hand, had thought of everything - philosophy, the art of living, symbiosis with Mature, arithmetic, space exploration and perhaps even black holes in space. Not the Black Holes of Calcutta that the invaders thought of to subjugate their subjects.
Funny how every time history is invoked, it is often construed as a nidus to start communal violence. It used to be a unifying factor.
N.B. During World War 2, many young Malayan Indian women volunteered during Netaji Chandra Bose's recruitment drive to join Rani of Jhansi Women's Regiment of the Indian Army. It aimed to overthrow the British Raj with Japanese assistance. It was one of the very few all-female combat regiments of the Second World War on any side.
It is not a documentary, so do not expect factual accuracy. It is quite alright if you see the screen Jhansi Rani letting her hair down, getting into the groove and dancing with the villagers. At least they got the Mahishashura Mardini version of Queen Laxmibai right. Her unabated rage in fighting the tyranny of British can best be compared to the unstoppable fighting machine of Durga overpowering the Buffalo Demon of Mahishashura seen in the Mysore tradition. Living true to the feminine force of Nature which gives life and takes, Jhansi Rani has remained the Indian icon that spread nationalism and empowered women the world over, at least in the Indian diaspora.The 21st century has seen countries that used to be under the yoke of colonial powers in the previous centuries suddenly open their eyes to realise that their masters never left their shores. They had continued their grip on the newly developed economies through their web of deceit, control and mass hypnotism. Through remote control means with the aid of media, be it print or digital methods, via Hollywood and lately through social media and fake news platform, they are always one step ahead from the rest of the world. Hence, now more than ever, there is a need to rekindle the nationalistic spirit amongst the post-colonial population to combat these seemingly invisible tentacles that control our mind, money and soul.
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| Died at 29; Immortalised by history. |
Laxmibai, Queen of Jhansi, born Manikarnika, was an impressive figure during the First Independence War of India also known the Sepoy Mutiny. She married the King of Jhansi when the East India Company was hot on their heels, expanding their territorial control by instigating feud amongst local princes and inciting political ambitions within the members of the royal courtyard. The Queen's 4 month-old infant mysteriously died and so did the King soon after. A relative's son was adopted for ascension to the throne later. This was deemed illegal by the British who had by then enacted 'Lapse Doctrine' where a territory without a proper heir became British control. Jhansi is given an annual allowance and is expelled from her palace.
She returned with a vengeance after careful planning. Her image of riding on horseback with her toddler tied to her back and brandishing a sword is immortalised on metal statues around India. Trying to defend the city Gwalior from the British Army, she succumbed to her wounds. Not wanting to be captured by an enemy she decided to indulge in self-immolation. Some accounts insist that she was just cremated after her death as per her instructions.
Even before the movie hit the theatres, it, or specifically its heroine, Kangana Ranaut, created a hype in the media. Perhaps it was intentional. As they say in showbiz, any news is good news to stir curiosity amongst its viewers. In an interview, she had apparently threatened to expose the Bollywood mafia on their stance on nepotism. Her directorial direction was also the topic of discussion in the media circle. Excellent at creating a mountain of a molehill, they made an issue when Ranaut apparently took the helm to finish off some loose ends on the final product. Sensationalism or not, Ranaut, a multiple award-winning actor, managed to pull the role of Jhansi Rani very well. This angry 32-year young woman managed to bring to the celluloid screen the story of a gutsy 22-year-old monarch who had the guts to say no to the technically advanced invaders and to give a run for their money.
Interestingly, the first battle against the British was fought jointly to the chant of ‘Bajrangi Bali’, ‘Ya Ali’ and ‘Har Har Mahadeva’. All occupants of the land who had been ever welcoming of sojourners raised in unison against the evil and greedy invaders who had nothing but plundering in their minds. The Indians, on the other hand, had thought of everything - philosophy, the art of living, symbiosis with Mature, arithmetic, space exploration and perhaps even black holes in space. Not the Black Holes of Calcutta that the invaders thought of to subjugate their subjects.
Funny how every time history is invoked, it is often construed as a nidus to start communal violence. It used to be a unifying factor.
 |
| An equestrian statue of Lakshmibai in Solapur, Maharashtra. |
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