Within
sixty seven years of Nepali Film Industry has faced several upheavals. Nepali
Film Industry was started with the production of Sattya Harischandra by D B
Pariyar from Kolkata, India. Nepal has to depend upon India in many ways. From
the civilization, culture, religion along with literary development is based in
India. Easy access and availability of sources Nepal has adopted different
things directly or in distorted form by India. We can find the influence of
India dominantly in religion and politics. Literary writing, music and film
industry is not safe from the Indian influence. Sattya Harischandra is the step
stone of Nepali film industry. Ama (Mother) , the first Nepali film produced on
14th September 1951 in Nepal. Later on Nepali Film Industry move
gradually adopting the Bollywood and Hollywood's species in Nepali films.
The
trend to imitate Hollywood and Bollywood films in to Nepali film industry are
seems deflection in the present time. Arrangement of some dancing item songs,
unnecessary and unusual fighting scenes, a hero, heroine, a villain and their
flow was the excellent filmy formula in the past. Trained, educated and
innovative film makers contributed less on such matter and focuses on local
social realistic issues which normal people are facing day to day life in
artistic quality. Social phenomenon are clearly addressed, artistic elements
are fully used and more importance is given to establish the character rather
than star with coherent story are seems the most accepted terms. From the social points of view Nepali culture
and tradition is virgin still to be recognized. There are several issues which
need to be globalized in literary production. Cultural prosperity and original Nepali flavor
in literature is needed to be represented.
New
generation Nepali audience prefer the originality in literature either it is
printed material or audio visual. New innovation and adaptation in Nepali film
industry is seen in those days. New generation moviemakers geared up to make
cinemas with Nepali fundamental original entertainment rather than Bollywood
inspired materials. Literature reveals the socio reality in different sorts.
Underbellies of cities and its stories, bright and dark sides of culture,
reality of tradition, plights of submissive which are rejected into common life
can be revealed into literature. We should not roam around and bring the
adoptive so called superiority for the uniqueness of literary creation rather
there need skill to raise common things artistically.
Ashok
Pyasi Rai writes in Annapurna Post," There seems competition basically in
two things; technology and fundamentality (Maulikata) for the success of films
in the world." We can find those two things in most of the successive
films. It is true that we leg behind for advancement of technology. We have to
borrow the ideas to think about the advancement in information and technology. Ashok
further writes," There is no other option than own originality for those
films industries which can't competition on technology." It is true for
Nepali film industry to accept this social reality.
Khagendra
Dhamala and Dipendra K Khanal gave their concern about the underbelly of
Kathmandu city in their film 'Pashupati Prasad'. "Differentiating from the
religious perspectives, neither focusing on Gods or religious preachers, nor
their teaching, film tells the story of those people who spend their lives on
such Gods".(Yagyash) The minor story about a boy who wants to make place
in heaven for his demised parents on massive earth quake by repaying the debt.
It is the common story of many film that a straight forward man comes in the
city from remote area, struggles for livelihood or to fulfill certain and minor
dreams. Being such common ideas, Pashupati Prasad wins the heart of audience
for its strong storyline, actor's notable performance, credible dialogues and
creditable cinematography.
Pashupati
Prasad comes to Kathmandu to earn money, repay the debt faces several hardships
on surviving in Kathmandu. He came in search of shelter and job for release the
soul of his parents from the debt. Til
Bikram Baniya, who is suffered excessively by his unpleasant job of cremation fuss
him to be recognized at beginning. Later he accompanied Pashupati and manage
him job of collecting coins (Tila) and to collect logs. Syndicate of Bhasme
affects him severely for his survival. The story moves round Pashupati Prasad
and his living as well as earning and the relationship with other characters.
Son
should repay the debt of his parents for the sake of heavenly rest to the souls
of the parents. It is the Hindu religious concept of patriarchy. But this film
is not based on Hinduism. Dipendra K Khanal has excellently represented social
reality bringing all dimensions in to one. Prime concern of Pashupati Prasad is
to earn money. It clearly deals with the capitalistic notion, but Pashupati
Prasad goes away from capitalistic mode of production, distribution and
regenerate surplus. Pashupati is the religious place of Hindus. Several people
pass by neglecting the reality of those characters that have made the periphery
of Pashupati as their way of living. Subaltern characters and their reality are
represented well. Plight, isolation from the mainstream, biasness, and power
hegemony is clearly represented in the film through several sparkle of social
reality.
Powerful
story line and the pleasant dialogue which is the soul of this film make
audience to laugh and it mixes miseries upon the pleasure at same time. "It
is difficult to survive the subaltern in our society and Kathmandu is cruel for
them."(Luitel Gunaraj) Power holders make system for the benefits to
themselves. There is no possibility subaltern to be represented. Unstable
political system, growing of neo capitalist, decreasing on human morality,
unsystematic urbanization, increasing market price etc give excessive torture
to subaltern.
Pashupati
Prasad hasn't raised only the story of subaltern, but it is the sharp satire of
the society. Capitalism is harshly
criticized. Social status and its degenerating values of upper class people are
seen through several scenarios. The middle class ambitious people should feel
the character from their heart. Raising ambitions with the rising height of
building should think from the level of our social reality. The simplest story
gives multiple meaning in Pashupati Prasad.
Pashupati
Prasad is one of the successful films in Nepali Film Industry. It is the best
film of the year 2072. There are several causes to make the film successful.
Subaltern are represented vividly. Social reality is the main them on which
social relationship plays the pivotal role in the film. Director Dipendra K
Khanal has declared the film is about the relationship of the protagonist.
"The character builds multiple relationship as the film progress and
basically, that's what the film is about relationship."(Khanal Depaendra
K; Interview with Republica) Middle class people are kept in proper place.
Pathetic condition of city dweller, plight, unemployment, state policy to
support and protect capitalistic notion, greedy nature of upper class to earn
money without concerning morality and humanity, neo capitalistic notion are
presented clearly in the film within short duration. We have read made concept
of entertainment by film. Prime intention of film is to provide entertainment
is the shaped concept of audience. But Pashupati Prasad doesn't let audience
divert from social reality. Pashupati Prasad is the Whole society itself. Another
important secret is reveled the film that the formation of Nepali society. From
ancient to modern, post modern social realities are gathered in Kathmandu.
For
the character, Pashupati Prasad is unique on his role. Khagendra lamichhane,
Bipin Karki, Prakash Ghimire, Barsha Siwakoti, Rabindra Baniya, Mishri Thapa
have given justice to the characters they performed. Despite other the story
basically moves around Pashupati Prasad. Without involved in dialogue Barsha
Siwakoti has presented awesome expression in the film which is more powerful
than several dialogues. Bipinn Karki, who is the best antagonistic character of
the year 2072, has given justice to Bhasme. Unique vocal, realistic acting and
transformation on positivity up to the ending wins the heart of audience.
Audience irritates with Mitba while he is found to whip money but later his
social behavior and humanistic work collect sympathy from the audience. Neither
the characters reveal irritation on audience, nor do the adopted fight scenes
where a normal man defeats a gang of powerful villain but the coherent struggle
of the protagonist make audience speechless. Female characters are not seen on
the trade of skin or intended sex but they are placed on the proper acts.
Director Khanal has proved the matter of fundamentality should strong to get
the love of audience. Expert and knowledgeable people should be given the task
for its accomplishment of their excellences. So called established directors
characters are not seen sustainable but the newly arrived director established
the characters in Nepali Film Industry as well as on the heart of audience.
Audience
can observe the quality of any peace of literary production. Imposed analysis
of so called power holders cannot sustain longer. It is seen in Pashupati
Prasad too. Actors are needed to represent any story rather than Stars. Casting
of stars cannot represent the society well. Nepal is multi lingual, multi caste
and multi cultural country. Actors should base according to the characters not
to base on the stars. Story and
characters with the minor subject matter can carry meaningful lesson, which is
purely represented in Pashupati Prasad.
Unexpected
ending with the mute narrative climax is another important and notable
experiment in Nepali films. Audience cannot think the cruel death of Pashupati
Prasad as the upcoming ending. He has worked different sorts of work without
concerning about the supremacy of work rather supremacy of labor. To earn money
by hook or crook is the focus of Pashupati Prasad but we can't find him deviate
from human morality. He has worked different sorts of work but he works and
earns money liable. The cruel nature of city, irresponsible nature and
immorality of higher class people for the sake of money. Comic ending which
shows the victory of truth over false, justice over injustice isn't work in the
context of Pashupati Prasad. It has properly highlighted the positive message
from antagonistic force as well. Revenge turns into philosophical meaning while
Bhasme reveals the truth that all should come here one day later or sooner.
Being the pathetic and tragic ending it doesn't deviate audience towards the
optimistic notion of life. It gives positive message to the audience.
The
ending arouses hamartia to the audience. Despite the protagonist being from the
higher class the film arouses Aristotelian term Hamartia. It is because of the
change on its audience. Most of the audiences are from middle and lower
classes. Heroism is the message not the articulate fight and unrealistic
actions. Characters should represent the society and they have to speak the
language of the society.
Cinematography,
editing, sound, costume design and selection of the characters are perfectly matched
with the story of the film. Supreme hero in the film is its dialogue. Greed,
anger, laugher, miseries, conflict, love hate, pity, sympathy all are combined
into one. "This film is the small window to peep the holistic life on
which there is no heroism of the protagonist rather the defeated , frightened
and deceived subaltern".(Sapkota Taranath) Despite being the successive
and best film of the year 2072 it has
some drawback also. There arise several questions about the role of the gold
merchant, college of Bunu and female identity.
Barsa
Siwakoti is confined into minor role. How she became dumb? Why she reads in the
college of normal student despite her disability? She is seen impressed on
Pashupati Prasad with the dialogue" Why you stole money, If you can stole
the heart of people." to Bhasme while she appears at the first time in the
temple. The story reveals she is dumb at last. It is out from reality. Why the
protagonist can't go beyond Pashupati area? He is well known about Kathmandu is
the capital city and is confined inside Pashupatinath. Same scenarios are
repeated time and again which can make audience boring. Audience need to see
Pashupati Prasad struggling outside even out from Pashupati area. Similar
conversation with the merchant who sells momo, chats in the cart, Mitbas room
cutting chicken and washing dishes are the result of minimal characters and
limited area. It is confessed by Khanal that Pashupati area is the sensitive
area and if anything goes from the track it may arouse conflict. They have shot
it with symbolic sign. Director has followed the trend of mute narration at the
climax as it is used previously his film Jhole. Although the trend is repeated
but the message of muteness is more powerful than the whole film.
These
minor unanswered questions can't degenerate its beauty on cinematography,
storyline, dialogue and its powerful feelings. It is the great achievement of
Nepali Film Industry. Pashupati area is
the most important religious center for Hindus. If our government makes the specific
law to develop Pashupati area and temple we can gain many things from here. We
can make it as the center of religious research. We can open several schools,
hospitals even university from the found of Pashupatinath. But it is being the
way of earning for neo capitalist by mortgaging the subaltern who shelter in
Pashupati area. Pashupati Prasad is the excellent film of Nepali Film Industry
from the side of its artistic representation and the message it conveys. Excellency
is needed for the artistic representation of minor story fundamentally which is
proved through Pashupati Prasad.
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