TUM NIRBAL KO RAKSHA DO

 



“Dhuki jan ko dheeraj do

Haare nahin woh kabhi  duhk se

Tum nirbal ko raksha do

Reh paaye nirbal sukh se

Bhakti ko shakti do

Bhakti ko shakti do.”

(From the song ‘O Paalanhaare’

Film ‘Lagaan’)

 

I have watched the film ‘Lagaan’ many times over. I am watching it again, now; and I needn’t tell you why…

‘Lagaan’ is a story of resilience. It’s also a story of trust, faith, hope, integrity, teamwork, leadership and, above all, love. Human resolve – what is, commonly called ‘Determination - yes, this goes without saying. And, as Life is, the story is incomplete without betrayal and discrimination… and triumph of earnestness.

The simple village folks of  Champaner are staring at a blank sky… Rains have cheated them… Drought has crushed them… They are unable to pull along… They are gripped with anxiety as they are unable to pay the harsh tax from their British masters…  They are praying…


‘O Paalanhaare, nirgun aur nyaare (2)

Tumre bin humra kaunon nahin


Their plea for a tax-waiver or tax-reduction is met with even harsher  cruelty. Captain Russel throws his sadistic gauntlet… A cricket match: seasoned British team Versus village team… If villagers win, tax will be waived off. But, if they lose, it will be tripled!

What happens then onward is the beautiful, inspiring legacy of ‘Lagaan’…

 


Are we all finding ourselves, now, staring at a blank sky… crushed by our burdens… and, insults added to our injuries? Are we all finding ourselves, now, praying the same song:


“Dhuki jan ko dheeraj do

Haare nahin woh kabhi  duhk se

Tum nirbal ko raksha do

Reh paaye nirbal sukh se

Bhakti ko shakti do

Bhakti ko shakti do.”


Meanwhile, last night, a dear one sent to me this image:



 

As we plead to God to have mercy on us, protect us and give us strength, we should be conscious of how we are dealing with the challenge thrown before us…

Bhuvan and his fellow-villagers prayed hard; but, they had to play hard, too… They did their best and trusted, that God would do the rest…

There will be a happy ending to our ‘Lagaan’, too… Trust.

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic’s.: 1. pixabay 2. Unknown

 

Video: SonyMusicIndia Vevo

 

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