Films Illustrating the History of India
 

Thinking of showing a series of Indian films that will help people in Scotland understand better what has happened and is happening there. Any suggestions ?

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

I don't know of any actual 'reliable' films about history.---The history is too long (thousands of years) and complicated. Most of the films about the Raj are just Hollywood style entertainment.
The Indian film 'Lagaan' is a good comedy about British taxation---Obviously the British film 'Gandhi' ---the salt tax.

The Satyajit Ray trilogy very old films are amazing, Pather Panchali the first (keep a box of tissues ready!!) These give a picture of the poverty of early Indian village life.
These all should be available on DVD.

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

You mean ones reflecting your rose coloured view of India and its history.

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

Well you suggest some films then!!---There are a multitude of books!

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

I was thinking of fairly recent history. The Raj and Resistance to it !

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

Well, the film Gandhi is an obvious choice.

This article might be interesting.
Read the last paragraph!!
https://www.theguardian.com/film/fil...viceroys-house

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

Not really the 'history'----that the OP asked for!

The film you mentioned is about a present day slum in Mumbai (the largest city of Maharashtra State). Adapted from the novel by Vikas Swarup.
(Actually the black-market economy that goes on in the largest Mumbai slum --the word "millionaire" is not totally 'out'. Although women, children and elderly there suffer badly.)

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

I used "Ghandi" on a course I taught in the summer of 1991. Long time ago and in a country that no longer exists - The GDR.

Re: Films Illustrating the History of India
 

If you're looking for historical films of India then you need to have a look at The British Film Institutes collection.It starts roughly about 1906 to the late 40s.They are mostly documentaries made as factual films for newsreels. They had an exhibition in 2017 but you can download them i think as there should not be any copyright problems as most are over 70 years old.Then there is one other area you can have a look at and that is Indian cinema in the 50s.Mother India comes to mind. good luck with your quest.