For many people in India – now in their early 30s to 40s, or even late 20s – Sunday mornings would start with the sweet song whose first couple of lines are well-etched in their mind, “Jungle Jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai / Arre chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai phool khila hai”. Yes, that was Mowgli from “Jungle Book” running around in bare minimum, jumping from one tree to another with his friends Bagheera, a big black panther, Baloo, a big bear, Ka, a python, and his brothers (wolves) – Akru and Pakru – for company, and Sher Khan, the Bengal Tiger and murderer of his father, and his army of hyenas always on his trail.
So, recently, when the same Jungle Book released as a film, many got excited at the chance of being able to relive a childhood memory. However, as is the case with India these days – with the authority attempting to leave indelible marks on the cultural firmament every now and then – this work of art from Jon Favreau, who gave us Iron Man, ran into an unwanted controversy.
For many people in India – now in their early 30s to 40s, or even late 20s – Sunday mornings would start with the sweet song whose first couple of lines are well-etched in their mind, “Jungle Jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai / Arre chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai phool khila hai”. Yes, that was Mowgli from “Jungle Book” running around in bare minimum, jumping from one tree to another with his friends Bagheera, a big black panther, Baloo, a big bear, Ka, a python, and his brothers (wolves) – Akru and Pakru – for company, and Sher Khan, the Bengal Tiger and murderer of his father, and his army of hyenas always on his trail.
So, recently, when the same Jungle Book released as a film, many got excited at the chance of being able to relive a childhood memory. However, as is the case with India these days – with the authority attempting to leave indelible marks on the cultural firmament every now and then – this work of art from Jon Favreau, who gave us Iron Man, ran into an unwanted controversy.
