Welcome Guest! You are here: Home » Life & Style

Jamia hosts gender critical analysis of India's Oscar pick 'Laapataa Ladies'

The Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women's Studies (SNCWS) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized an online film discussion analyzing noted film maker Kiran Rao’s directed and critically acclaimed Indian film and India’s Oscar entry 'Laapataa Ladies' through a gender-critical lens

Thursday November 21, 2024 5:11 PM, ummid.com News Network

Jamia Millia Islamia: The Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women's Studies (SNCWS) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized an online film discussion analyzing noted film maker Kiran Rao’s directed and critically acclaimed Indian film and India’s Oscar entry 'Laapataa Ladies' through a gender-critical lens.

The event brought together scholars and students to examine the film's portrayal of women's agency and identity in contemporary India.

India's Oscar Entry

'Laapataa Ladies' has been nominated as India's entry for the Best Foreign Film Category at the 97th Academy Awards.

Set in rural India of 2001, the film ingeniously uses the premise of two brides accidentally swapping places during a train journey to unravel deeper narratives about women's identity, autonomy, and resistance within patriarchal structures.

What appears on the surface as a comedic tale of mistaken identities transforms into a nuanced exploration of how women navigate, resist, and sometimes subvert societal constraints.

Jamia analysis of the film

Poet, Author and Translator, Dr. Saba Bashir from the Department of English, JMI was the resource person while Prof. Bulbul Dhar James, Honorary Director of SNCWS and Head of the department of Political Science chaired the session.

Dr. Adfer Shah from SNCWS coordinated the event, which was supported by student volunteers Shubhangi, Zoyba, and Vaibhav.

“What is particularly striking about 'Laapataa Ladies' is how it transforms specific cultural contexts into universal themes of identity, freedom, and self-discovery", Dr Saba Bashir said while lucidly dealing with all the aspects of the film from gender to social structure to language aspects.

"This isn't about airing dirty laundry, it's about contributing to world cinema with stories that are authentically Indian yet universally human”, she added.

“The true celebration here is of our cinema's evolution - its ability to be critically aware while being artistically compelling, to be locally rooted while being globally relevant", she said.

Prof Bulbul Dhar James in her opening remarks argued about the relevance of such cinematic works.

“The international recognition of such narratives reflects not our shame but our courage as a society to confront our challenges through art. It's a testament to our ability to engage in self-reflection while maintaining our cultural dignity", Prof Bulbul said.

"When we tell our stories with honesty and artistic integrity, we're not seeking validation but participating in a global dialogue about human experiences”, Prof Bulbul addded.

"Indian socio-cultural context"

The discussion focused on the film's treatment of gender dynamics and social stereotypes in the Indian socio-cultural context.

The discussion on the film also examined 'Laapataa Ladies' as a mirror to Indian society, where the seemingly simple story of mistaken identities opens deeper conversations about women's voices, choices, and visibility in contemporary India.

The film's artistic treatment of serious social issues sparked meaningful dialogue between academics and audiences.

The event was a testament to the role of media in driving conversations on critical societal issues and the importance of academic spaces in analyzing these narratives through a gender lens.

The online format enabled wider participation, fostering an inclusive dialogue between the expert and the participants about the intersection of gender, media, and cultural narratives.

The discussion generated by the participants critically analyzed the film's portrayal of gender issues, especially in the Indian socio-cultural context. The film, which delves into gender dynamics and social stereotypes, served as an engaging medium for exploring broader themes of patriarchy, identity and women's agency.

The session reflected the university’s commitment to fostering conversations around gender equity and representation in media and culture. The engaging format, expert insights, and the interdisciplinary focus made it a valuable learning opportunity for students, academics, and the wider audience.

Dr Adfer Shah, PR SNCWS and the coordinator of the film discussion introduced the theme and argued:

"Lapataa Ladies skilfully subverts conventional narratives, showcasing women's agency through nuanced humor, intersecting gender with class and regional identities, and highlighting rural women's resistance strategies, ultimately offering a powerful critique of societal norms."

The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Adfer Shah and the Student Coordinator Zoyba.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.

 

....

..