War Poetry

 Hello readers! This blog is written in response to a Thinking activity assigned by the Department of English, MKBU. In this blog I am going to write about the movie "Tango Charlie". This movie also explores the theme of war.

Bollywood has produced a number of jingoistic war epics over the years, but very few have bothered to delve into the mind of the soldier himself. Director Mani Shankar makes an effort to redress the balance with Tango Charlie, an interesting study of Indian terrorism, violence, and valor. Seen through the eyes of introspective military man Tarun Chauhan (Bobby Deol), it follows one man's journey from young army recruit to war-hardened fighter - a trip that's also worth taking by the viewer. The movie is set in the backdrop of the insurgency in Northeast India and portrays the struggles of Indian soldiers as they fight against the militants. The movie stars Ajay Devgn, Bobby Deol, and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles. This movie was banned for release in Assam for allegedly defaming the Bodo community of Northeast India.

What is War Poetry?

War poetry is a form of poetry that focuses on the experience of war, either from a soldier's perspective or from a civilian's point of view. War poetry can cover a variety of themes, such as the horrors of war, the emotional toll it takes on those involved, the impact on families and loved ones, and the political and social contexts of war. War poets often use vivid imagery, powerful language, and poetic techniques such as metaphors and similes to convey the brutality and tragedy of war. Many war poets have first-hand experience of conflict and draw on their own personal experiences to inform their work. 

Some famous examples of war poets include Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Rupert Brooke, and Emily Dickinson. War poetry can provide insight into the human cost of conflict and the lasting impact it has on individuals and society as a whole. The art of war poetry has been around for centuries, and it has captured the emotions, experiences, and the brutal realities of war. It has allowed poets to express their feelings towards war in different ways, some through personal experiences or the experiences of others. On the other hand, war films have also become a popular medium to depict the horrors of war and the sacrifices of those who fought for their country.

Tango Charlie:

Directed by Mani Shankar

Written by Mani Shankar

Produced by Nitin Manmohan

Cast:

• Bobby Deol as BSF Soldier Sepoy Tarun Chauhan 
• Ajay Devgan as BSF Soldier Hawaldar Mohammad Ali 
• Sudesh Berry as BSF Soldier Bhiku
• Shahbaz Khan as BSF Soldier Dev Dixit
• Rajesh Khera as BSF Soldier Constable Sangram Singh
• Suresh Ghera as Manipur BSF Officer
• Sanjay Dutt as Squadron Leader Vikram Rathore
• Suniel Shetty as Flight Lieutenant Shezad Khan
• Tanisha as Lachchi Narayan / Lachchi Tarun Chauhan

Tango Charlie is a 2005 Indian Hindi-language war film written and directed by Mani Shankar and cinematography is by T. Surendra Reddy. The movie revolves around the character of Tarun Chauhan, who joins the Indian Army with the intention of serving his country. He is posted in the Northeast region of India, where he faces the harsh realities of the insurgency. He befriends a local girl, Shyamoli, and learns about the complexities of the region and the conflict. The film starts with a photo-surveillance mission, near the border, by two air force officers Flight Lieutenant Shezad Khan (Sunil Shetty) and Squadron Leader Vikram Rathore (Sanjay Dutt) in a helicopter. 

Tarun is a simple man whose first assignment is to flush out Bodo militants, led by debutant Kelly Dorji, from the dense jungles of Manipur. He is surprised by the knowledge that killing is necessary to win wars. The action and fighting scenes in the jungle are very well shot and the movie initially flows at an acceptable pace. But then we enter Tarun's private life where he goes back to his village and falls in love with Laachi (Tanishaa). Here on, the movie drifts a bit and slows down, and all the buildup at the start goes down the drain.

The diary reading then, is played out in a series of flashbacks, detailing for us the life of the rescued man Sepoy Tarun Chauhan (Bobby Deol) also known as Tango charlie. Tarun is a soldier in the Border Security force, and his first mission is in Eastern India, under the leadership of Havaldar Mohammed Ali (Ajay Devgan) fighting the Bodos. Tarun faces war and the loss of innocence as he realizes its futility. He however displays bravery, and integrity, and continues his missions in other parts of India. Interspersed with all this are the romantic love stories of Tarun and Ali. Lachi (Tanishaa) is the English-speaking, bubbly daughter of the village pharmacist (Tiku Talsania), and a Computer engineer herself. Tarun is besotted with her in spite of the fact that her father will not agree to pay a dowry, much to the chagrin of Tarun’s father.

The most bizarre scene in the movie is when Ali leads a team of BSF officers to guard a landlord in a remote district of West Bengal. The landlord's daughter, Shyamoli (Nandana Sen) is to be married, but he is under threats from terrorists and the BSF is deployed at his house. After operations in remote villages of Andhra Pradesh and in the riot-hit areas of Gujarat, and the romantic scenes in between, the action shifts to Kargil, which also happens to be the climax scene. Ali dies after a grueling battle while successfully defending a bridge, while Tarun goes after the escaping enemy and manages to kill the 50 - odd terrorists near the border single - handedly.

The movie explores the themes of loyalty, duty, and sacrifice. It portrays the emotional and psychological impact of war on soldiers and their families. The movie also highlights the need for understanding and empathy in resolving conflicts. Throughout the movie, Tarun and his fellow soldiers face numerous challenges, including ambushes by militants and the emotional toll of being away from their families for long periods of time. The movie also highlights the impact of war on civilians, including Shyamoli and her family, who are caught in the crossfire. One of the central themes of "Tango Charlie" is the idea of duty and sacrifice. The movie portrays the soldiers as individuals who are willing to risk their lives for their country and their fellow citizens, even when faced with great danger. The movie also explores the emotional and psychological toll of war on soldiers and their families, highlighting the need for support and understanding.

"REAL SOLDIERS ARE NOT BORN, BUT BRED"

Adding a new and much needed dimension to the traditional Indian war epic, Tango Charlie is a brave attempt at examining war and what it means to different people. Above all it presents the idea that real soldiers are not born, but bred. 

Another important theme in the movie is the idea of empathy and understanding. The movie portrays the conflict in the Northeast region as a complex issue, with no easy solutions. The soldiers are shown trying to understand the motivations and perspectives of the militants, in an effort to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Every character in the movie has a purpose. And all actors play their parts extremely well, though Ajay Devgan and Bobby Deol rise above them all. 

The message of war and peace in "Tango Charlie" is complex and nuanced, and the movie portrays both the horrors of war and the hope for peace. On one hand, the movie depicts the harsh realities of war and the toll it takes on soldiers and civilians alike. The soldiers are shown facing brutal attacks by militants, and the emotional and psychological toll of being away from their families for long periods of time is also depicted. The movie shows how war can lead to loss of life and destruction, and how it can perpetuate cycles of violence and conflict. On the other hand, the movie also highlights the importance of understanding and empathy in resolving conflicts. The soldiers are shown trying to understand the motivations and perspectives of the militants, in an effort to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The character of Shyamoli, a local girl who befriends Tarun, represents the hope for peace and reconciliation between the warring parties. Through her character, the movie suggests that it is possible to find common ground and work towards a peaceful resolution to conflicts. The movie highlights the horrors of war while also offering hope for a peaceful resolution to conflicts. It suggests that understanding and empathy can play an important role in resolving conflicts, and that it is important to strive towards peace even in the midst of violence and conflict.

Soldiers have fallen on the battlefield without really knowing why they were fighting, and for what. Absurdly, wars are always fought in the name of peace. Whatever the compelling reason to fight, it is ultimately the soldiers on both sides who die - in some strange land, in some horrible way, with no one really to mourn for them, except for their immediate family, or perhaps a posthumous investiture ceremony. The main protagonists of Tango Charlie represent these brave fighters who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of our safety and security without any expectation of any award or reward. 

Conclusion:

Tango CharlieThe movie tries to glimpse into the life of soldiers, and the sacrifices they make. Overall, "Tango Charlie" is a powerful and moving film that explores the complexities of war and the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families. It offers a nuanced and thoughtful portrayal of the conflict in the Northeast region of India and highlights the need for empathy and understanding in resolving conflicts.

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