Saturday 18 February 2023

War Poetry

 Hello everyone, I'm a student of the Department of English,M.K.B.U. This blog is a response to the thinking activity given by Megha Ma'am. In this blog I'm going to write a basic information of war poetry and it is mainly focused on one Bollywood movie 'Tanhaji', and in this blog I'm going to do analysis on this movie,which is based on war. 




What is war poetry? :- 


The First World War had a far-reaching effect on English poetry. It provided a new source of inspiration for the poets of established reputation and brought to public notice many poets, particularly among the young men who fought in the war. Moreover, it serves as a great social document. There can be no clearer reflection of the changing national attitude to the war than that found in war poetry. Broadly two phases of the national attitude can be distinguished in war poetry. The first was one of patriotic fervour, almost of rejoicing in the opportunity of self-sacrifice in the cause of human freedom, and a revival of the romantic conception of the knight-at-arms (Albert). Many poets who lived and served throughout the war had this patriotic fervour of the early years unaffected. But as the carnage went on increasing and there was no hope of its end, other poets arose with the declared intention of blasting this romantic illusion of the glory of war by a frank realistic depiction of the horrors, savagery and futility of war. This realistic attitude to the war was at first cried down as unpatriotic, but it has stood the test of time better than the romantic attitude of the early years. The poets of the 1914-18 war divide themselves into two groups- romantic war poets and realistic war poets.


The types of war poetry depend upon the perspectives of the people writing it. There is patriotic poetry, which honours the sacrifice and bravery of the soldiers who fight for their country. Anti-war poetry sees no glory in war but only destruction and suffering. Witness poetry is written by those who experience the effects of war first hand but are not participants in the fighting. The poetry of soldiers describes the experience of fighting in a war.



Wilfred Owen,Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brooke are considered romantic Poets who mainly wrote patriotic poems.Wilfred Owen,Siegfried Sassoon,Rupert Brooke,Isaac Rosenberg,John McCrae,Laurence Binyon and Charles Sorley ,these Poet's are considered as realistic poets who mainly wrote Anti-war poetry.



Here are some Bollywood movies, songs, and music which describes the theme of  war:-



Tanhaji Movie  :-


Introduction :-




Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior" can be considered a war movie. It is a historical action film based on the life of Tanaji Malusare, a military leader in the Maratha Empire, and his fight against the Mughal Empire to reclaim the fortress of Kondana. The movie includes battle scenes, strategy and tactics of war, and highlights the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers.


Historical Context of this movie :-


"Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior" is based on a historical event, specifically the Battle of Sinhagad that took place in 1670 AD. The movie is a dramatised retelling of the story of Tanaji Malusare, a Maratha warrior who led a successful mission to capture the fortress of Kondana (now known as Sinhagad) from the Mughal army.


Tanaji Malusare was a trusted lieutenant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. According to historical accounts, Tanaji and his troops climbed the steep slopes of the fortress using ropes and ladders, and fought a fierce battle against the Mughal forces led by Udaybhan Rathod.



Plot Overview of the movie :-




"Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior" is a 2020 Indian historical action film directed by Om Raut and produced by Ajay Devgn, who also stars in the lead role of Tanaji Malusare, a legendary Maratha warrior from the 17th century. The movie also features Saif Ali Khan, Kajol, Sharad Kelkar, and others in prominent roles.


The movie is set in 1670 when the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sends his trusted commander Udaybhan Rathod (played by Saif Ali Khan) to capture the Kondana fort, a strategic location that would give the Mughals control over the southern part of India. In response, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (played by Sharad Kelkar) appoints Tanaji Malusare to lead the charge and take back the fort from the Mughals.


The movie is a grand spectacle with elaborate battle scenes, breathtaking visuals, and stunning VFX. It also showcases the culture and traditions of the Maratha Empire, their values and customs, and the bravery and sacrifices of their soldiers. The film was widely appreciated for its direction, performances, and technical aspects, and was a commercial success at the box office.


Themes of this movie :-


  1. Patriotism:- This theme centers around Tanaji Malusare's deep love for his country and his people. Throughout the movie, he is shown as a loyal and committed soldier who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his homeland and his fellow Marathas. The theme of patriotism is also expressed through the character of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is depicted as a wise and just king who inspires his people to fight for their freedom and their way of life.


  1. Sacrifice:- This theme is closely related to patriotism and heroism, and refers to the willingness of the characters to put their lives on the line for a greater cause. Tanaji Malusare, in particular, is shown as a selfless and courageous warrior who is willing to risk everything to protect his people and his land. The theme of sacrifice is also expressed through the character of Jijabai, Tanaji's mother, who gives her blessing to her son's mission despite the danger it poses.


  1. Heroism:- This theme is closely linked to the other themes of patriotism and sacrifice, and refers to the qualities of courage, bravery, and nobility that are displayed by the characters. Tanaji Malusare is the primary hero of the movie, but other characters such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Suryaji Malusare, and others are also shown as heroes in their own right. The theme of heroism is often expressed through the battle scenes, where the characters demonstrate their courage and skill in combat.


  1. Conflict:- This theme refers to the historical conflict between the Maratha and Mughal Empires, and the struggle for power and control over the Indian subcontinent. The Mughals are depicted as ruthless and oppressive invaders who want to dominate and subjugate the native population, while the Marathas are shown as brave defenders of their land and their way of life. The theme of conflict is often expressed through the battle scenes and the political maneuverings of the characters.


  1. Cultural Heritage:- This theme refers to the importance of preserving one's cultural heritage and traditions, and the need to resist external forces that threaten them. The movie portrays the Maratha Empire as a rich and vibrant culture with its own traditions and customs, and shows how the characters are willing to fight to protect and preserve them. This theme is often expressed through the scenes that depict Maratha customs and traditions, and the characters' reverence for their cultural heritage.


Overall, these themes are interconnected and work together to create a rich and complex narrative that celebrates the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism of the characters, while also exploring the historical context and cultural significance of their story.


Conclusion :- 


This movie is based on the war between Maratha and Mughals and in this movie the Hero sacrifices his life for his nation. So , we can consider this movie as a war movie.




Word Count :- 1262

Images :- 

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