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Kantara: Mainstreaming Primitive Superstition || Acharya Prashant, Vedanta Mahotsav (2022)
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3 years ago
Kantara
Superstition
Culture
Spirituality
Art
Greed
Responsibility
Vedanta
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses a question about the movie 'Kantara: The Legend'. He states that while he has seen the movie, he finds its impact on society to be quite dangerous. This danger arises partly from the carelessness of the filmmakers and partly from the nature of the audience. He explains that the movie had the potential to convey a powerful message about the conflict between nature and human greed. The character 'Sahib' could be seen as representing the capitalist, greedy mind that seeks to consume the forest. However, the movie ultimately fails to deliver this message effectively. Instead, the film has become a torchbearer for superstition, particularly due to its climactic scenes. The movie portrays supernatural events as factual rather than symbolic. For instance, a dancer predicts that the person trying to reclaim the land will face justice on the court steps, and this person is then shown dying there, bleeding from the mouth. Another scene depicts a dancer running into the jungle and disappearing, leaving behind a circle of fire, which is presented as a real event. Acharya Prashant argues that these portrayals reinforce primitive superstitions that have historically harmed India. The movie is essentially recycling and re-serving these harmful beliefs. The speaker expresses concern that the movie is being celebrated by those who are already superstitious, as it validates their beliefs. This trend is mainstreaming superstition, which was once confined to the periphery. He notes the rise of what he calls "English-educated superstition," where modern technology and media are used to promote primitive ideas. He believes this is a very saddening and dangerous development, as it will lead to a rise in mindlessness. The speaker clarifies that his issue is not with the film as a piece of art, which he finds aesthetically appreciable, but with the detrimental effect it has on the masses. He concludes that the only antidote to superstition is spiritual education, which is currently lacking.