|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hanuman draws on rich mythological sources. It presents a visual-aural treat and boasts of world-class animation and loads of drama, writes
Komal Vijay Singh
The festive season this year has brought a Family’s Day Out gift in the shape of a movie on the grand-daddy of all superheroes, Hanuman. Touted as India’s first animation movie, it has to a large extent bridged the gap between childhood and adulthood. As much as the kids, it is the parents or sundry aunties and uncles accompanying children who emerge all excited after viewing the spectacle of Hanuman’s life unfold before them on the big screen. Seldom has a movie for children in India been promoted in such a big way and received so enthusiastically. Many of us have recited the Sundarakand, the chapter in Valmiki’s Ramayana, which describes the exploits of Hanuman. Still others devoutly read Tulsidasa’s Hanuman Chalisa. Few of us really understand what we read. Now, the animation movie, simply called Hanuman, drawing on these rich sources, presents a visual-aural treat. Most adults remember reading about his exploits, as the monkey-god endowed with supernatural powers, in the once popular Amar Chitra Katha comics or watching a comical enactment of them at the neighbourhood Ram Lila. Hanuman has made adults revisit childhood, rustle up memories and wonder aloud, "Hey, I never knew that Hanuman, the eternal bachelor, unknown to him, fathered a son when drops of his sweat fell on an aquatic creature ...Oh, dear, I had no idea that the child Hanuman went to the child Rama’s palace disguised as a madari ka bandar, only to be recognised by the Lord and sent back for a meeting later at an opportune moment." It goes to the credit of the makers of Hanuman who have told his fascinating story from the time before he was born, how he was part of the God’s Grand Design to free the earth from evil forces, to his unparalleled exploits in Lanka and return to Ayodhya with Lord Rama. Lord Krishna’s childhood is a celebrated one as the natkhat Kanha-Kanhaiya. To a lesser extent, Lord Rama is also venerated as Ram Lalla. But not many would claim to know about Hanuman’s childhood pranks and how he was cursed to a state of forgetfulness about the powers bestowed on him by the gods. Hanuman brings to life baby Hanuman in so endearing a fashion as no movie before has done. For kids reared on a diet of Superman, Batman and Spiderman, here comes along Hanuman, who tried gobbling up the sun as a baby and lifted mountains in one hand, vanquishing demons and dragons while wielding a mace. The 100-minute movie boasts of world-class animation and loads of drama. The rich colours, spectacular sound effects, song-and-dance extravaganza make for a fun-filled outing for the family. Shaktiman Mukesh Khanna’s voiceover for the adult Hanuman is commendable as is the one for the adorable, cheek-pullable baby Hanuman. The hummable Akdam Bakdam Kaisi Yeh Tikdam, Hanuman’s childhood anthem, is quite infectious. The movie’s makers have erred a little on the tightly knit narrative and splendour of Hollywood blockbusters Shrek or The Lion King but it will surely earn a place for itself in moviegoers’ hearts. Hopefully, it will lead the way for more animation movies. |
||
|
|
||
