Rang De Basanthi
Dr.Venugopal Gouri
BHMS,MD
Associate Editor, Medicina Futura Homoeopathica
Organizing Secretary, The Andhra Pradesh Homoeopathic Association, Hyderabad.
91 9246372625
The study of history is replete with instances of achieving liberation through several means but we can take pride in the fact that ours is the country that has lead to many a nation bow their heads in reverence as we won it through peace and non-violence. There were several episodes though in the long-fought struggle when events like the Jallianwala Bagh where several innocent people lost their lives. What that also meant was that many a youngster with a conscientious mind was swayed emotionally and rightly so on some occasions and in their effort to make a mark on the struggle towards the cause walked into the gallows with a smile and a sense of achievement and purpose. Rang de basanti directed by Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra is one such film that delves into the lives of our freedom fighters, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Ramprasad Bismil and their contemporaries. But it doesn’t stop there as the characters that play these roles are forced to think about an unfortunate event in one of their friends’ lives as his MiG 21 crashes and the young Air Force officer is killed. It forces them to think differently as the callousness of the Government drives them to righteous indignation and they avenge the death of their friend and more importantly do something for their country to fight the malice of corruption.
Well, Homoeopathic medicine always has an ace up its sleeve and takes into account the psyche and the temperament of the individual in the pursuit of finding a remedy for a malady. The study of the characters in the movie make an interesting study not just because of the fact that the emotional sequences make a poignant picture but also because when such instances and individuals are encountered, the Repertory and Materia Medica of Homoeopathy is replete with rubrics that can help understand them better and offer a solution for the angst and agony.
This is a story of conscientious individuals standing for a cause and it is their heart that dictates the mind. A sense of responsibility is top on the mind that drives these young lads. They are out to endure the struggle with uncompromising principles to achieve swaraj which may sound difficult if not impossible with their efforts. They pursue this with the highest degree of attachment. It is as if their lives are dependent on achieving freedom. All these symptoms are typical of Aurum metallicum the metal which insists the person to work towards a goal that is much beyond his capacity. They are in stages of despair on some occasions in pursuit. The call for swaraj is a highly moralistic and a matter of principle for them. They are scared of not attaining attention of the British Raj and can be depressed and fall into a state of guilt. It is as if the whole society is looking towards them to perform. They are not scared in the pursuit of dropping the bombs in the court in the presence of the Judge and earn his wrath and pushed into jail. The suicidal tendency of Aurum is to the fore as they go on a fast unto death to be recognized as political prisoners. They are well aware that gallows is the way for them but embrace it with gleefully as death does not scare them. They may show shades of Coffea when they work towards their goal just to achieve but not necessarily for any recognition. To some extent like Coca when being on top is the only solution to be appreciated by the people around them. But these remedies do not necessarily have the moralistic attachment to principles and the thought of death too. Added to that Aurum likes these young guys are highly honest, responsible and trusted. They value appreciation but do not seek fame or money. For that matter it is not even anxiety or sympathy towards their countrymen but more as a sense of duty and responsibility that drives them.
But the sense of duty and responsibility to do things right in these conscientious individuals is also high in Carcinosinum and they portray many a trait of this wonderful drug. It is as if the writing on the wall is nothing but of death and they show desperation in taking the life of the Home Minister of the country knowing very well that they would soon end up with death punishment. They do not mind finishing themselves to perform their goals. Just like the cancer patient who may not be sure of life and is always flirting with death the individuals who are treated with Carinosinum also exhibit such symptoms. There is a sense of dejection in the young individual like Karan, the son of the industrialist Rajnath Singhania who is brought up under strict parental control and dislikes his father but still lives off him though with little hope. There are many expectations on his future and his father is hell bent on seeing the child follows his dictum that brings in a sense of dejection, desperation and pessimism in this young lad much like Carcinosinum. This usually well mannered graduate is sensitive to reprimands and gets offended easily as he is unable to pursue his subjects in his studies. The humane nature is totally forgotten as he knows that his father is very much involved in the scam that has brought down the life of young Air Force Officers riding the MiG 21’s and eventually takes the life of his own father only for the sense of righteousness. This of course is much after he has all the bottled up emotions and looks resigned to fate. It is a pendulum’s sway of emotions as otherwise Caricinosinum’s middle name is kindness!
The temperament of the unbridled youth is also much like Causticum where the consciousness of being right and following right things in life is on top of the agenda. They cannot tolerate the State to perpetrate any wrongdoings and are vehement in voicing their opinion irrespective of the fact that they may be hounded. That is what happens as their vigil at the India Gate is foiled by the police and the righteous indignation in them is sparked off further. But in Causticum it is the sympathy that is predominant much like their empathy for Flt. Lt. Ajay Rathod who has lost his life flying the fighter aircraft. Causticum suits many of the aspects of the struggle as the attachment to the cause and sympathy for their friend being the main reasons.
Talking about being friendly, sympathetic and affectionate one cannot forget Phosphorus as these youngsters are filled with the traits of this remedy too. The moot point is that they are sensitive to emotions of their friend’s mother Ajay Rathod. They find accomplishment in standing up for a cause much because of their attachment. All their actions are nothing but the embodiment of love, affection, sympathy and their caring nature. The high energy of the team is evident in their prompt completion of their plan. This is also because there is no iota of any expectation while selflessness is the key and no wonder they are ready to lose their lives in the bargain. The high energy and an emotion for the feelings of others are typical of Phosphorus.
They do show sprinkling of traits of Ignatia when the sad happenings to their people around stresses them and the dejection and despair pushes them into depression. But the bundled up emotions act as a stimulus for them to go ahead. With the typical symptom of Ignatia that is quick in perception and rapid in action. But they are more forlorn and depressed than other remedies.
A sense of oppression by the foreign rulers is that makes them pushed to a corner and if there is one remedy which you cannot keep down for long it is Tuberculinum. They need ventilation and cannot live in a state where they cannot express their emotions and need to pursue their lives as they would like to. They feel cheated and deprived in the political scenario when the righteousness of the young officers is being taken for granted and seek a way out in the form of revenge. Typical to Tuberculinum they are rash, bold and destructive and on this occasions to their lives. They cannot allow their lives to remain stagnant; they work on it with a hectic pace and seek a brighter tomorrow. This is evident in the character of Chandrashekhar Azad the brightest and scheming of all that is played by Aamir Khan in this movie.
If there is a more pertinent study of the state of Bhagat Singh; may be the most expressive but also oppressed and is affected emotionally because his pride, honour and reputation are at stake.
He is in a state of indignation about himself and his countrymen having to bow to the foreign rulers and that is the pertinent symptom that explains him. Staphysagria is a remedy that cannot compromise on its honour. He would keep to himself mostly; burning and trembling inside to a certain point and the valiant deeds are the outbursts that he is unable to contain. This is the role played by Siddharth and in the character of Bhagat Singh and also being the son of the industrialist as Karan, he shows sombreness and is unable to take the rudeness and reprimanding nature of people in his life. He is very sensitive to what people say about him and humiliation spurs him into action.
There is a mental agitation much like Chamomilla but this remedy is driven by stubbornness to achieve what he wants and may not feel like keeping it once he achieves it which is not necessarily the essence of these gentlemen. There is a state of chronic depression or a state of sadness much like Natrum mur as they well on the past events and may show up as irritability, hatred or malice but not necessarily the concrete action seen here. Argentum nitricum may show the concern but the restlessness and anxiety is so predominant that they become impulsive and may get out of the situation rather than confront it. It is the sudden impulse that draws them away from action. This theme is also not about being on the sidelines to wait for the moment and inject the poison but it is the one of confrontation. That takes away Lachesis from the scenario. Pulsatilla has the concern, warmth and love for oneself and others but the softness comes in the way of action. There is a state of bliss in achieving their objective much like Cannabis indica and Opium. The ailments from being abused does sound like Anacardium but there is no confusion as to the action that they need to take up unlike this remedy. Stramonium shows the typical violence, wildness and destructiveness but the sense of purpose is lacking in the remedy unlike here. Nux vomica has the irritability and irascibility and acts more out of that state of mind but not necessarily out of concern. Hyoscyamus too shows the rashness and brusqueness but does not have principles in mind that guide his actions.
The affection, benevolence, courage, mental agitation, ailments from indignation, disappointment, dejection, determination, optimism, emotions predominant with intellect, selflessness, fearlessness and perseverance portrayed by the great souls in real life are much similar to the homoeopathic remedies of Aurum met, Carcinosinum, Phosphorus, Tuberculinum, Staphysagria, Causticum and Ignatia as and when the symptoms correspond to the individual at that point of time. My take is the indication of remedies in the sequential manner that gives better and faster results. After all life is all about being “complementary”. Watch Rang de basanti.
This is a dedication of a Homoeopath to the patriotic fervour of the freedom fighters of our motherland on the eve of our Independence Day on 15th August.
Jai Hind