Name: Kunvarani Nidhi k
s. t. d : M .A- sem (4)
Roll no :11
Batch year:2013-14
Enrolment No:PG12101018
Paper : ‘Mass
communication and Media studies’
Topic : ‘Cinema and
‘censorship’ in India’
Submitted to: ‘Department of English’
Bhavnagar.
‘Cinema’ and ‘Censorship’ in India’
‘Cinema’ and ‘Censorship’ in India’
o
Introduction:
There are both of popular form in the world of ‘Mass-Media’. ’cinema’ basically one of ‘medium’ of ‘Mass-media’. And, ’censorship’, it’s group who take care of the ‘rules’ of ‘cinema’. That’s the simple definition of ‘cinema’ & ‘censorship’. But, ‘oxford English Dictionary’ defines this both of terms in this way.
1).’cinema’(n):
1).A theatre where films are shown.
2).The production of films as an
art orb industry
-‘Oxford English Dictionary’
Thirty-seventh impressions
2012
p.94
2).censorship(n):
An
official who examines books, films etc. and bans anything considered offensive
or a threat to security.
-‘Oxford English Mini
Dictionary’
Thirty-seventh impression
p.83/84
That’s the definition given by ‘Oxford Dictinary’. While,one another
book defines ‘Censorship’ in another way.
‘Censorship’:
Latin censur; censere, to estimate or judge .The office, powers of a
censor. It is the censor ’s duty to inspect books, journals, plays, films to
secure that they contain nothing immoral, libelous, heretical. strict control
of publications is enforced during war time, In normal times censorship often
produces bitter controversy. Milton makes a famous attack on censorship in
‘Areopagitica’:
‘As good
almost kill a man as kill a good book; who kills a man ,kills a reasonable
creature ,God’s image; but he who destroys a good book, reason itself ,kills
the image of God, as it were in the eye. Many a man lives a burden to the
earth; but a good book is the precious life blood of a master spirit, embalmed
and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.’
-‘CURRENT LITERARY TERMS’
A concise Dictionary
A.F. Scott
Published in 1980
p.46/47
while, current writer someswar Bhowmik defines both of terms very well in his book ‘Cinema
& Censorship’-
”The
origin of cinema dates back to the
nineteenth century. Yet for all practical purposes, cinema is a twentieth
century phenomenon-one that has revolutionized the concept and framework of
human expression and framework of human
expression and communication.Initially, the cinematograph (or living pictures,
as cinema was then called) was merely
one more amusement among many such to be
enjoyed, courtesy the itinerant or small-time entertainers who organized shows
at temporary or makeshift venues, most at fair grounds. But, soon, it outgrew
it’s humble origin and shed it’s identity as an object of curiosity. Consequently,
the artisanal system of manufacturing gave way to a large scale and continuous,
system of production for commerce and profit. Cinema graduated to a prime leisure
industry, thriving on mass-entertainment
-‘CINEM,A AND CENSORSHIP’
By SOMESWAR BHOWMIK
Edition:2012
Page:4&5
And, with ‘cinema’ he was also defined another term ‘censorship’.
‘The term
‘censorship’ goes back to the office of the censor established in Rome in 443
Bc . It is derived from the Latin term
‘censere’ meaning “to give as one’s opinion, to assess”. The Roman censors were
magisterial officers who conducted census, regulated the morals and conduct of
the citizens, and finally classified them. These officers were appointed to
oversee or facilitate the formation of a primitive civil society based on
certain formulated criteria, the like of which the earlier Greek civilization had
not seen. so, from the very beginning ‘censorship’ has been associated with some kind of social engineering and formation. But, in
medieval age it’s meaning suffered a significant transformation acquiring an oppressive
connotation. This idea has sustained evenm in this age, giving rise to complicated,
and often critical, negotiations with it’s liberal tendencies.
However, the very nature of this instrument
as well as the norms of modern civil societies precluded its widespread overt
use. such an application has been restricted to specific areas of intense and
collective expression, for example the press( in the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries ).Even in these fields it was
turning out be anachronistic as well as anomalous, and probably would have gradually fallen in to obsolescence at the turn of
the twentieth century.
-From the ‘CINEMA AND
CENSORSHIP’
BY SOMESWAR BHOWMIK
P.4
3).Relation
between ‘Cinema’ and ‘censorship’:
‘cinema’ is the medium where
people go for to fresh the mind. But, in the world of freedom also people are
not free. Because ,there is also one ‘chain’ who always take care of the , some
kind of rules and regulations. In a way ‘cinema’ also not as free as we think. ’censor’
group creates some kinds of ‘boundaries’ for the’ cinema’. In a way, ‘cinema’
& ‘censorship’ both of linked together.
4).what are
the laws about ‘cinema’ &’censorship’
In India:
India’s ‘Central board of Film Certification’ first time established in
1951.Which is also known as ‘central Board of Film censorship’. After, the year
2002 finished 50th anniversary of Indian cinematograph Act
1952.But,it’s existence since 1920, under the act of 1918.And, the colonial
predecessor Act of 1952.
But, about that kinds of law against many people or many groups. Because,
they believe that ‘Censorship’s laws are
one kind of ‘chain’ or ‘boundary’ for
the people or viewers in the democratic country .And, they believe that if
censor Board prevents some ‘Art’. Then, one day they all art will die. And, who
will responsible for that. That question comes here.
5).Is it
possibility of power politics in the field of ‘cinema’ and ‘censorship’in
India?:
Sometimes it is possibility of ‘politics’ affects in the ‘censorship’.
Because ,there is the mind of each and
every human-being. But, some have ability to control their biases. While, some can not control biases. And, we can say that they becomes
‘self-centered’. And, that creates
‘politics’ in the field of ‘censorship’.
For e.g while during the very well-known Indian ‘epic’ by Ramanand
sagar’s T.v serial ’Ramayana’. And, In this serial ‘Arvind Trivedi’ who was
recently died away. He was selected as a member of the CBFC for four years. When
he taken charge, he found some opposite idea about ‘censorship’. And, he
himself given his review in opposition to cinematograph Act and censorship guidelines
by he CBFC.
“If one wants to change the guide lines, one has to go through the proper channel , in this case the
parliament. You can’t change the rules
yourself.”
-‘CINEM,A AND
CENSORSHIP’
SOMESWAR
BHOWMIK
P.19
And, one more example that I have read from the same book of ‘CINEMA AND
CENSORSHIP’. while during released of movie jungauraman (war and
peace,154minutes) made by Anandpatwardhan. CBFC told him that to delete all the
scenes which are decided by Censor group.
These are scenes which ‘s necessary and interesting part of ‘war and
peace’.Let see those scenes which Bhowmik also discussed in his book-
1.Delete the scenes showing pakistanis
burning India’s national Flags.(But, nothing was said regarding Indians burning
Pakistan ’s national flag.
2.Delete the scene showing a Buddhis dalit leader objecting to India’s
nuclear tests being conducted on Buddha’s birthday and to it’s codenames
“Buddha smiles.”
3.Delete the dalit song, which says that the killer of Gandhi was a
Brahmin.
4.Delete all references to exposition by tehelka.com in the film.
5.Delete part of an interview by an Indian scientists, especially where
he says, ”china is India’s next enemy.”
6.Delete all speeches by politicians, including those by the central ministers and even the prime
minister.
Suppose above all the scenes can
be deleted from the film. Then, what makes it sense? nothing. It’s remain as either only ridiculous or very much boring
and uninteresting documentary. And, directors all hard. work went on vain .And,
this type of things decreased enthusiasm of many new- commer directors.
But, Anand patwardhan not accept
this as it is. But, he raised voice against ‘censor Board’in high court. Where
he put his argument .And, shown all the demanded 21 scenes which was deleted or
cuts by censor board. For their franchise
he was fight as a democratic nations citizen .Where , all people has
right to speak for ‘Freedom of Expression’.
He shown all scenes demand for the film which was cut out by Censor
Board, ’Film Certification Appllate Tribunal’ has to give allowance to all cts, Which was
before deleted by CBFC that RC be
re-imposed in film again as per the order of high court.
It means that somehow possibility of power politics in ‘censorship’. sometimes
the censor Board also becomes wrong judgemental.
But, after raising voice ‘Anand patwardhan’ [proves India as a democratic nation, where each and every
people has equal right for ‘Freedom of expression’. And, after a week film got
‘U’ certification.
Each and every individual in India has to franchise for the speech. It
is possibility of some times power politics also becomes harmful for the
development of society.
Is it a
‘censorship’ for the advantages in Indian cinema or disadvantages?
If we are putting ‘censorship’ in place of coin , then it shows not only particular one side .But,
if anything has it’s one positive and another negative side also. As per the
idea of Aristotle’s law of ‘possibility’ and ‘ probability’.In a way here also
‘censorship’ must has it’s both of sides :positive and negative also.
A).’Censorship’
for the advantages inIndian ‘Cinema’:
‘central Board of Film Censorship’ first time established in India 1951.
‘censor board’ take care of rules decided by legal government.And,as per
it’s rule ‘censor Board’ has to take care of ‘Cinema’ scenes that which should
be allow for the public or which should be cut.
In a way censor Board not only the chain for the ‘Cinema’ or public but
if censor Board not take care of some kind
of rules .Then, any possibility harms the society. But, censor Board group
before release film, sees every scene of film that any scene not harm to the
society. That’s the main aim of this group.
In which some rules are there like do not show much violence, cruelty,
endangering public order, personal thing about any individual, ,pornography or
much sexual scenes, Misrepresentation of cast or religion culture etc. some
rules also .That, before many some rigid thought about somekind of scenes but
after re-thinking censor Board makes
changes in rules.
If Censor board not prevents some kinds of scenes then it is possibility
that ‘Cinema’ owner what they like to present .If it’s a good or bad thing
whatever they like. Then, what happen it’s creates inequality, bitterness,
terrorism all those things comes in society .But, ‘
Censorship’ prevents all those things. That ‘s all are some advantage of
censor Board in Indian cinema. And, as a democratic nation all has a
right of ‘Freedom of Speech’ or expression. But, that thing any one used for
the disadvantage or misrepresentation of the society. Then, it’s must be responsibility of ‘Censor Board’ to put band
on it. e.g. some kind of movie that child can not be able to see, that type of favor of steps really good in favor of society. If
that kind of not band on society then that kind of ‘Films’ really harms to
society.
There are all thanks to censor
Board, that they take care of all those things. In this way ‘Censor Board’
really beneficial for the Indian Cinema.
B).’censorship’
as a chain or disadvantages for theIndian ‘Cinema’:
CBFC many way beneficial also with that harmful also. Because, some
rules of censor Board sometimes not put just band on the ’Film’ or ‘Cinema’ but
puts band on the reality. Mirror that shows the real society that people do not
love to watch. Why should any individual can
not show or bring that harsh reality
in films or cinema? Because ,they shows naked reality of the society.
And that reality perhaps more painful that people do not love to watch in the
world of dreams or in Cinema.
But, real society is not only of good elements or bad .But, combines of
both. That combines in films .If censor Board
cuts that kind of scenes from the film, then that kind of real art do
not get chance to preserve reality of
the society.
And, In India many such great examples in Hindi film ‘cinema’ also. That
very much good, intellect then even band by the censor Board. May be that’s type of films shows
bitter reality of the society. And, perhaps that bitter reality normally people do not love o see in
‘Cinema’.
Examples of Hindi movie which was banded by the censor Board committee. First of all I would like to give
you example of movie ‘Lagaaan’(2002,Hindi) by Ashutosh Gowarikar. And, produced
by Hindi film actor Amir khan. Which was
really reached the pinnacle of an oscar glory that film also band by the censor
Board.
Then, kunal kohli’s ‘Fanaa’ also band by CBFC. It’s movie band din
Gujarat because Gujarati people felt insult through this movie. And, “insulted” by the hero of
the movie Amir Khan ,who supports
Narmada BachaoAndolan.so, that government
put band and forced to cinema owners that do notr exhibit this film.
After ‘Rang de basanti’ directed by Rakesh omprakash Mehra.From the this
film also some cuts done by CBFC that release on 26 january 2006.It’s movie
also given enough money to director. This film was that much famous .Then even it gets cut
before released.
In that way in many movie and specially like ‘Fanaa’movie not released successfully because it shows
true representation of the society. here, ’cesnsorshoip’ becomes ‘Chain’ or
‘Boundary’ for the ‘Cinema’.
And, In this way CBFC their speech or view in Express own way .That’s
the main disadvantage for the ‘Cinema’ over ‘Censorship’.And, In this way ,many
some new creative ideas rotten away because of thought or lack ofspace or freedom. So, there are some
disadvantages for the society and ‘Cinema’ both.
Conclusion:
Above all those points covers the main thing in ‘Cinema &
Censorship’ in India. And, above we can see that what are the laws about
‘Cinema’ and ‘Censorship’ in India, how politics affects in ‘Censorship’ and ‘advantages’ and
‘disadvantages’ of the’Censorship’ in Indian ‘Cinema’.
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