Marxist Criticism

 

Marxist Criticism 

"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it."

_Karl Marx

(These words are also inscribed upon his grave)

Writing in the nineteenth century Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels located all forms of "Culture"- music, painting, and literature - within a social context. Attempting to provide a theory of the industrialized society Marx and Engels also treated art as an essential component of human life. However, Their main contribution was to locate the so-called "aesthetic" realms such as art within the context of politics, economics, and history. The "Marxist " approach to questions of aesthetics often, therefore, links them with questions of class, economic conditions, and power.

Here is a brief introduction to Marxism

WHAT IS MARXISM

Marxism is a government structure, that was introduced by Karl Marx. Marxism can be labeled as a radical form of socialism and focuses on the class struggle that has always existed in human societies. Marx argued that the warring classes were divided into two groups: the "haves," and the "have-nots."

The Ultimate Goal of Marxism:  Marx believed that the worker's revolution would result in increasing power in the proletariat. This "power" includes seizing control of the factories and being capable of changing the means of production. This "dictatorship of the Proletariat," having felt the pains and anger of being exploited, would control the government and ways of production so that everyone produced what society need, and shared the profits, promoting economic equality. Eventually, in the final form of Marxism, all classes would slowly become nonexistent, and complete equality would be known as "Communism." In communism, the means of production are owned by the people, not by a dictator. Everyone would produce what they could, and in return would receive what they need; everyone is equal.

Some Most Famous MARXIST

• Georg Lukács.
  
  
  
• Karl Korsch.
  
  
  
• Antonio Gramsci.
  
  
  
• Herbert Marcuse.
  
  
  
• Jean-Paul Sartre.
  
  
  
• Louis Althusser
  
  
  

Example of Marxist

As an example, I've taken Paint it Yellow (Rang de Basanti) an Indian Drama film released in 2006 Directed and produced by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra.

It follows a British film student traveling to India to document the story of five freedom fighters of the Indian revolutionary movement. She befriends and casts five young men in the film, which inspires them to fight against the corruption of their own government.

Shot primarily in New Delhi, The film was released globally on 20 January 2006. Upon release, the film broke all opening box office records in India, becoming the country's highest-grossing film in its opening weekend and holding the highest opening-day collections for a Hindi movie. It received critical acclaim, winning the National Film Award for Best Popular Film, and being nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2007 BAFTA Awards.

Rang De Basanti was chosen as India's official entry for the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, though it did not ultimately yield a nomination for either award. A. R. Rahman's soundtrack, which earned positive reviews, had two of its tracks considered for an Academy Award nomination.

Rang De Basanti had a noticeable impact on Indian society. A significant increase in public ire towards government and politicians for constantly being mired in corruption and bureaucracy and their inefficiency in providing basic amenities. Intense political discussions spurred on by the film's influence were observed in these patterns. While commenting on this, writer D'Silva said that the film "has struck a chord somewhere". Besides instigating political thought and discussions, it evoked a social awakening for many. Some discussions rallied on how citizens should support and contribute to non-governmental organizations and exercise simple citizen duties of paying taxes and voting, while others contemplated how to become more responsible towards the country. Unlike other Indian films with jingoistic overtones, many young Indians could relate well to the characters of this film.

1. Influencive scenes from the movie 

Rang De Basanti desh badlega scene

The setting of this scene is a bar where amir Siddharth Soha Sharman Kunal R.madhavan Atul and Alice are Discussing in that scene Alice says Hmare krantikari ke liye desh ki Azadi hi sabkuch hai. where Siddharth says Duniya Mein Jan van dene ke Liye Kuch Nahi hai adds that Bhagatsinh, Ashfaq and Azad inhone Jaan di thi  Desh Ke Liye Kuch Hua? also questions that aaj desh ki Halat dekhi hai is desh ki? aur padi bhi hai? 

Such questions raised by him are still unanswered and unresolved.

Resources

Kesharwani, Piyush. "Rang De Basanti desh badlega." uploaded by Piyush kesharwani, 19 Dec. 2013, youtu.be/BxXXVBA-R7k. 

Mehra, Rakesh omprakash, director. Rang de Basanti. 2006.

Words : 1171