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Jashne-e-Azadi: The untold tragedy
Sanjay Kak’s Jashne-e-Azadi visually captures the fright and terror that reigns the bloodstained Valley. It’s a tragic collage that conveys how Azadi-driven jehadis have ruined the paradise.
ON MARCH 31, Sanjay Kak screened the much-awaited film, Jashne-e-Azadi, in Tagore Hall, Srinagar. The film, despite obvious flaws, is a treat in visual intellectualism and poignantly brings out the Kashmiri pain and pathos. It’s a film that will leave you numb. The deserted streets, dotted only by troops and stray dogs on the most revered national day, August 15, metaphorically drives home how much devastation has the Pak-imported concept of Azadi wreaked in the paradise. In Kak’s realism comes out the neighbour’s nefariousness and the title, Jashne-e-Azadi, acquires a different, ironical ring. It’s anything but jashne (celebration), anything but azadi (freedom) in defiled Kashmir.       
 
The strong point of the movie is that it says it all without explicitly sermonizing or wailing over the wrongs in Kashmir. There is no linear narration. The film itself doesn’t attempt to give Azadi any sense but instead allows the grim situations to bring out the sham sense of Azadi among the Kashmiris.
 
The film’s raw energy flows the ground situations that range from metaphysical fight to venedetta to jehadi terror to revenge. He has brilliantly assembled collage of scenes that capture people’s torment. The director uses symbolism, metaphors and similes to elucidate the Kashmir tragedy.

The documentary moves to and fro in time again and again. But it keeps coming back from reels of chaos and confusion to the central theme or the fountainhead of the people problems — Azadi. It may jar the pristine filmmakers, but this is not made for them. One can find a thousand faults with the film and it may be criticized for not balancing the theme, but does reality need to be balanced. It only depicts reality. The interpretation is left to the audience.
 
Kak has also shown that intellectualism is not only about writing articles, delivering lectures or attending world conferences. Visual intellectualism can be most telling — without sermonizing, without boring and without catering to few intelligentsia classes. How potent can visual intellectualism be this film stands out as an example.
 
Jashne-e-Azadi reminds me of Paul Valery who in History and Politics writes: “History is the most dangerous product evolved from the chemistry of the intellect. Its properties are well known. It causes dreams; it intoxicates whole people; gives false memories; quickens their reflexes; keeps their old wounds open; torments them in their repose; leads them into delusions, either of grandeur or persecution; and makes nations bitter, arrogant, insufferable and vain.”



COMMENTS (17)
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indian
mere news teri censorhip ka kya kehna... Why are still dispalying the raped and your own write up by the name of the other person.
mihir
shame shame shame u still holding. hindu chauvinsts when it comes to kashmir you are all hindus. **** off your secularism
Ghazala
I can't believe that meri news has still glued this piece which the writer claims is raped version. you should show some decency guys out there. have the orginal review or just slap it down
pramod
Merinews hai hai. Down with merinews. you have brought bad name to journalism.
ayesha
I agree with pramod. My friend pramod was saying many great things about merinews but seeing this tch tch! how can merinews do it. Don't you have any editor there. Don't you have any ethics
mahabir
excellent
Tadi Kundu
It is a shame that "meri-news" has distorted an artile to suit its agenda. After all, this was expected... there is no substitute for professional journalism.
Mahesh Kumar Karna
Meri News should be ashamed for its censorious behaviour. If they did not want to publish the review they shouldn't have, but to mangle and distort Inam's review is un ethical and can I say criminal. If this is how Indian media distorts Kashmiri voice, then I am ashamed to be an Indian.
Parvez
I am totally surprised at the behaviour of this man called Inam. I am sure he is an overground terrorist a member of ISI sponsored group may be LeT etc. and is working in the media wing of the organisation. These people are equally trained like the suicide squads and are part of different wings like media wing, finance wing, intelligence wing etc. and are paid no less than the combatants. A normal and sane muslim will never behave like him and never use such filthy language against his countrymen. We need to ignore him and mind our own business.
Dr. Prafulla Roy
I have been following merinews and this writer's articles for quiet sometime. From his 1st article(i guess that talks about a rape incident in Kashmir) the writer seems to convinced of the fact that Kashmiris and Indians are different entities. While I respect the concept of citizen journalism(and simultaneously the freedom of speech), I doubt if it allows people to spread communal disharmony in an open platform. Pirated CDs of Bin Laden is available in grey market. Though I will not refer all them as crap, but mostly these CDs are aimed at spreading communal disharmony and create unrest. Merinews in a way is not very much different from those pirated CD sellers, but in a much more harmful manner. Empowering people doesnt mean giving every citizen to spread messages like this. There are numerous films like Jashan-e-Azadi made in remote corners of India. Every terrorist group has a reason of taking up the guns. Every political party has such a film to show how their oppositions oppreses the poor people. Personally I feel, websites like merinews are fast becoming a voice for Shiv Sena, BHP, and various millitant groups to preach their 'mantra'. I consider it to be dangerous for the thousands of youths in our country. I request the site owners to rethink their acitivities and will suggest the youth communities to keep away from such articles.
raja
Inam.... U r the biggest rascal of India. People like you shall be thrown out immediately...U r a stain for muslims.....Get lost from here...And damn u can not do anything in future...people like you have come and gone and nothing happened....U r a piece of thrash
Pervez Majeed
Mr Inam. U have written me in ur mail, and also here at Meri site, I read ur write up has been distorted. U have every right to protest, u can even sue the Merinews for "butchering" the theme of ur piece. But what pains me is the way u have responded to. The fault goes to Merinews, but u have blamed "Indians." If a particular site has deceived u, why to blame a people or a nation? Ur oft-written "You Indians" will offend many."Indians" are not represented by Merinews, so y u summarily condemn "Indians." U have blamed Merinews of "bias"...but see ur reaction...is it candid? U have reacted in panic and ahve blamed a nation for the fault of a site! Dont be under the impression that I am defending "Indians", I have plethora of questions to ask them when it comes to KASHMIR. But that doesn't mean I have right to bruise,offend or shower invectives on them. I believe that one should have arguments supported by facts to defend ones case. I am patriotic Kashmiri.If anybody blames Kashmiris as a nation, for the fault of some individuals or organisation, I wont simply tolerate. I love my motherland and every inch of it is a sanctuary for me.If any Indian has similar sentiments for his motherland, my religion teaches me that he/she has every right to have them. Islam teaches to have respect for other religions and nations. With Love Pervez Majeed
akpandita
This man Mr Inam has written 45 articles on Merinews almost all on Kashmir with just one theme, that of Kashmiris so called tyranny at the hands of Indian army, their human rights and their movement of azadi from Indian rule. All his articles are devoid of facts and based on untruth and lies carrying the most outrageous and slanderous invectives against India and Indian people.Despite all this his articles have invariably been accepted by Merinews without any editing carrying all his silly remarks in toto. While I appreciate the policy of Merinews to accept articles without any editing, they should at least exercise some discretion to expunge paras containg inflammatory material, falsehood,lies and silly remarks from articles of biased authors like Inam who uses fiction, disinformation and propaganda as a tool to inflame passions in the country and when confronted with facts, go into the worst form of communal frenzy. If this liberal policy of uploading slander on Merinews is allowed to continue, I am afraid Merinews shall not only become boring and tasteless but also incite communal feelings in an otherwise intelligent group of readers.
inam ul rehman
How shabbily indians will treat being born in kashmir is no longer any myth. indians have always concoted and decieved its own people and the biase has always been there. these indians didn't know what indepedence is but when Muslims fought against the Britishers in 1857 these indians were quick to take credit for it.hindus often used to freight at the sight of Britishers but present Rani laxmshi as the conqueror!Ridiculous to say the least. and there deceit cannot be hidden. if merenews DIDN'T HAVE THE COURAGE AND GUTS TO UPLOAD REVIEW ON JASHNE AZADI WHY DID THEY MUTILATED IT? WHAT WAS THE NEED TO PRESENT A REVIEW OF THEIR OWN LIKING? AND THE FACT THEY ARE STILL CONTINUEING WITH IT TELL HOW ARROGANT AND VAINITY THEY HAVE. BUT DON'T WORRY U HAVE URSELF EXPOSED BEFOR UR READERS AND I AM SURE THOSE WHO THE WATCHED THE SAID FILM WILL VOUCH THAT ONLY AN IDIOT OF HIGHEST STANDARD WILL WRITE A REVIEW OF THAT SORT.... BUT INDIANS GENERALLY ARE OF THIS STANDARD INAM UL REHMAN
inam ul rehman
I PROTEST AND ASK ALL READERS OF MERINEWS TO SUPPORT ME FOR THE UNETHICAL TREATMENT MERINEWS HAS GIVEN TO MY REVIEW. I HAVE POSTED THE ORGINAL REVIEW OF THE FILM BELOW AND HOPE U WILL AS A 'CONSCIOUS' READERS SUPPORT ME
inam
WHAT IS THE WORST PHARSE TO DESCRIBE HOW ENTHICALLY AND SHAMEFULLY U have butchered my write up.But that is expected from u. After all you cannot hide ur bias. but i am putting my review on the same website so that people should c how much bias you have against the kashmiri people. and yes i feel shameful that u have done this unprofessional thing. BUT THANKFULLY U HAVE OPENED MY EYES INDIANS DESPITE TALL CALIMS OF SECULARISM AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ARE THE MOST BIASED, AND DECITFUL PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET Jashne-e-Azadi: we the slaves Inam ul rehman On 15th August Indian army unfurls the tricolour at historic Lal-chowk to celebrate their Independence Day and on this occasion only two things are visible on the streets of Srinagar: Indian army and stray dogs, this is the most telling scene of Jashne-e-Azadi directed by Sanjay Kak. Jashne-e-Azadi made by the son of the soil Sanjay Kak left me numb. Here is film which mocks at the India?s sham democracy in Kashmir without sermonise or patronising anyone. There is no linear narration. And he has defined Azadi not by himself but by the concerned people. It can range from metaphysical fight to revenge. He has brilliantly assembled collage of scenes and let people speak themselves. And in between-you blink and you miss the scene: has first time ever highlighted that the death toll of Kashmir Pandits killed is 200 only. Then, the symbolism, metaphors and similes used by the director are very telling. The documentary moves to and fro again and again. And in the prevailing confusion one thing that is unanimous throughout the film despite chaos and confusion people lounge for Azadi. It may jar the pristine filmmakers but this is not made for them. One can find thousand faults with the film and it may be criticised for not ?balancing? but does TRUTH need to be balanced. Yes there is no mention of Kunanposh Pora gang-rapes by the army. Yes he is silent of Gawkadal and Bijbehra massacres and other such details. But let us give him a benefit of doubt. Because Sanjay talks of those actions where media (read Hindu media) was involved yet nothing came to limelight. He deserves more than bouquets and patting on the back. He has also shown that intellectualism is not only about writing articles, delivering lectures, attending world conferences but visual intellectualism can be most telling?without sermonising, without boring and without catering to few intelligentsia classes; visual intellectualism is today the most potent weapon to defeat the forces of evil. I am the one who is guilty of relishing Indian movies, enjoying songs, loving its actors when the same country has sent my one hundred thousand brethrens in graves. Jashne-e-Azadi reminds of Paul Valery who in ?History and Politics? writes: history is the most dangerous product evolved from the chemistry of the intellect. Its properties are well known. It causes dreams; it intoxicates whole people; gives false memories; quickens their reflexes; keeps their old wounds open; torments them in their repose; leads them into delusions, either of grandeur or persecution; and makes nations bitter, arrogant, insufferable and vain. We have the knack of dismissing brilliant works; ?we already know it?! There is nothing which we haven?t seen, nothing which we haven?t gone through, nothing which we haven?t experienced but there is everything which we have forgotten. It?s a film which must be watched by every Kashmiri. I cannot express the gratitude, but to say, I salute you Sanjay Kak for deifying odds. Your film reminded me slavery, the sacrifices, the sufferings of mothers and sisters! Prune it a little and sent it to every nook and corner of the Kashmir so that we can once again reinvigorate our sapping spirits. And yes it must be talked and circulated to other parts of India as well.
inam ul rehman
READ THE ORIGINAL REVIEW: AND IF MERINEWS DOSN'T PRODUCE THE ORIGINAL TEXT WITH 7 DAYS I WILL BE FORCED TO TAKE LEGAL HELP.... INAM UL REHMAN Jashne-e-Azadi: we the slaves Inam ul rehman On 15th August Indian army unfurls the tricolour at historic Lal-chowk to celebrate their Independence Day and on this occasion only two things are visible on the streets of Srinagar: Indian army and stray dogs, this is the most telling scene of Jashne-e-Azadi directed by Sanjay Kak. Jashne-e-Azadi made by the son of the soil Sanjay Kak left me numb. Here is film which mocks at the India?s sham democracy in Kashmir without sermonise or patronising anyone. There is no linear narration. And he has defined Azadi not by himself but by the concerned people. It can range from metaphysical fight to revenge. He has brilliantly assembled collage of scenes and let people speak themselves. And in between-you blink and you miss the scene: has first time ever highlighted that the death toll of Kashmir Pandits killed is 200 only. Then, the symbolism, metaphors and similes used by the director are very telling. The documentary moves to and fro again and again. And in the prevailing confusion one thing that is unanimous throughout the film despite chaos and confusion people lounge for Azadi. It may jar the pristine filmmakers but this is not made for them. One can find thousand faults with the film and it may be criticised for not ?balancing? but does TRUTH need to be balanced. Yes there is no mention of Kunanposh Pora gang-rapes by the army. Yes he is silent of Gawkadal and Bijbehra massacres and other such details. But let us give him a benefit of doubt. Because Sanjay talks of those actions where media (read Hindu media) was involved yet nothing came to limelight. He deserves more than bouquets and patting on the back. He has also shown that intellectualism is not only about writing articles, delivering lectures, attending world conferences but visual intellectualism can be most telling?without sermonising, without boring and without catering to few intelligentsia classes; visual intellectualism is today the most potent weapon to defeat the forces of evil. I am the one who is guilty of relishing Indian movies, enjoying songs, loving its actors when the same country has sent my one hundred thousand brethrens in graves. Jashne-e-Azadi reminds of Paul Valery who in ?History and Politics? writes: history is the most dangerous product evolved from the chemistry of the intellect. Its properties are well known. It causes dreams; it intoxicates whole people; gives false memories; quickens their reflexes; keeps their old wounds open; torments them in their repose; leads them into delusions, either of grandeur or persecution; and makes nations bitter, arrogant, insufferable and vain. We have the knack of dismissing brilliant works; ?we already know it?! There is nothing which we haven?t seen, nothing which we haven?t gone through, nothing which we haven?t experienced but there is everything which we have forgotten. It?s a film which must be watched by every Kashmiri. I cannot express the gratitude, but to say, I salute you Sanjay Kak for deifying odds. Your film reminded me slavery, the sacrifices, the sufferings of mothers and sisters! Prune it a little and sent it to every nook and corner of the Kashmir so that we can once again reinvigorate our sapping spirits. And yes it must be talked and circulated to other parts of India as well. the oRIGINAL REVIEW BY INAM UL REHMAN
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