“Ashes are not Merely the Waste”: Exploring Existentialism in Deepa Mehta’s Earth
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21015/vtess.v10i2.925Abstract
Existentialism, as a philosophical movement, maintains that man is helpless, frustrated and alienated in this absurd, chaotic and meaningless world but, according to Sartre, he has the option to drag himself out of that void and chaos by utilizing his freedom of choice and power of his action. He can do so by being committed and responsible. Thus, he can define his existence and give meaning to the meaningless world. This study explores these aspects of Sartre’s Existentialism in Deepa Mehta’s (1998) classic Earth, which unpacks the bitter reality of Indian partition, its causes and long lasting effects. The people of the two divided countries were thrown into hatred and enmity, which caused a real existential challenge in the forms of uncertainty, fear and doubt. This is what Deepa Mehta, with remarkable courage, portrays on the big screen. At the same time, she pleads and advocates for a better and inclusive society by showing the past and horrible conditions during partition. She seems to urge the people of India and Pakistan to end enmity and uproot hatred by taking up the right choices and proper actions. This study finds this Mehta’s existential quest quite relevant to the contemporary but permanent severity and tension lurking at the border of once-one nations.
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