Telugu cinema and the image: Exploring the potency of an icon

Kumar, V. Vinay (2022) Telugu cinema and the image: Exploring the potency of an icon. Economic and Political Weekly, 57 (9). ISSN 2349-8846

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Abstract

In cinema, using an image that is not part of the story invites the audience’s minds to move and make connections that the film-maker is hinting at. This is an attempt at exploring the potency of an image and to elicit that using an iconic image to layer a story can open it up for multiple nuanced readings. Telugu films over the last three decades have added to the caste discourse very fleetingly and often halfheartedly. In a few exceptional situations, Telugu films have said something caste-conscious and it often tends to be outdated or tokenistic. When an image is placed or used correctly, the power or potency of the image can move people and their passions in ways only cinema is capable of. So juxtaposing Rudraveena (1988) which uses Gandhi’s image powerfully, with Palasa 1987 (2020) and Narappa (2021) that use Ambedkar, brings out a more complex layer to the storytelling.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Kumar, V. Vinay
Document Language:	Language English
Subjects:	Social sciences > Sociology & anthropology > Groups of people > People by social and economic levels > General principles of social classes > Principles of stratification > Caste systems Social sciences > Groups of people > People by social and economic levels > General principles of social classes > Principles of stratification > Caste systems Social sciences > Sociology & anthropology > Culture & institutions Social sciences > Sociology & anthropology > Culture & institutions > Specific aspects of culture > Recreation and performing arts
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru
Full Text Status:	Restricted
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/7401
Publisher URL:	https://www.epw.in/engage/article/telugu-cinema-an...

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