Okay, so I grew up with a lot of Indian produced media focusing on the myths, tales and epics of the Hindu texts. And I have a soft spot for them out of nostalgia, I can’t help but be a little disappointed in their lack of gravitas.
By that I mean, in all the folklore I read and listened to, there were all these themes. Ambiguous morality (in comparison to the West at least) existential questions, ego versus familial bonds etc etc.
But in all Indian media (that I have seen at least) it’s all presented as cartoonishly simple. Black and white morality, hyperbolic villains, pure chaste good guys. I always felt that the text wasn’t given any justice. There was no meat on the bones, so to speak. It was just happy go lucky pure gods and goddesses vs us filthy humans. Some pure some wholly evil.
Maybe that’s changed. I dunno. But does this rant make any sense?
For instance there was a serial devoted to retelling the folklore and scripture regarding Krishna. But it portrayed Kansa as a moustache twirling bad guy and nothing else. I feel like they could have explored his love for his sister battling his ego instead. That would have been compelling drama. Instead he’s just Dick Dastardly. The series is fun and the performances are funny. But there’s no real meat to it.
If someone knows of some compelling human based drama that is an adaptation of the myths/folklore/scripture feel free to let me know.
I just feel that Bollywood has not utilised the folklore to it’s potential. But I could be wrong
By that I mean, in all the folklore I read and listened to, there were all these themes. Ambiguous morality (in comparison to the West at least) existential questions, ego versus familial bonds etc etc.
But in all Indian media (that I have seen at least) it’s all presented as cartoonishly simple. Black and white morality, hyperbolic villains, pure chaste good guys. I always felt that the text wasn’t given any justice. There was no meat on the bones, so to speak. It was just happy go lucky pure gods and goddesses vs us filthy humans. Some pure some wholly evil.
Maybe that’s changed. I dunno. But does this rant make any sense?
For instance there was a serial devoted to retelling the folklore and scripture regarding Krishna. But it portrayed Kansa as a moustache twirling bad guy and nothing else. I feel like they could have explored his love for his sister battling his ego instead. That would have been compelling drama. Instead he’s just Dick Dastardly. The series is fun and the performances are funny. But there’s no real meat to it.
If someone knows of some compelling human based drama that is an adaptation of the myths/folklore/scripture feel free to let me know.
I just feel that Bollywood has not utilised the folklore to it’s potential. But I could be wrong