Representation of LGBT in Parallel Cinema

Komal Shahedadpuri Sem-2

Department of English MK Bhavnagar University

Lesbian and Gay Relations(with reference of two movies)

FIRE by Deepa Mehta (1996) Bomgay by Riyad Wadia (1996)

Disinterestedness of Husbands

Ashok turns towards Celibacy because of Radha’s infertility.

Jatin interested in Julie, Chinese girlfriend.

Radha’s journey to see oceanYoung Radha try to learn how to see ocean from her mother.

Young Radha finally “see the ocean without looking

First Sign where Sita comes to know about Radha’s Desire.Radha: my mother used to say that the way of a Man’s heart is through his stomach, Apparently It’s a great English saying.

Sita: my mother says that a woman without a husband is like boiled rice, bland, unappetizing, and useless. This must be an Indian Saying.

Radha: (looking quietly passive) I like Plain , boiled rice.

(Fire,1996)

Reinterpretation of age old Myths

Use of Traditions for Erotic Expressions

Erotica between Heterosexual and Homosexual

Radha oils the Sita’s Hair. Julie dressed Jatin’s Hair.

Use of Locations where both found SolaceTerrace, where they usually go to breath freely out of oppression of Marriage.

Nizammudin Shrine where Sita early wish to live together forever and finally at the end they united there.

Controversy with released of ‘Fire’

• Goyal, Delhi chief of Shiv Sena said ‘Fire insulted Radhaji and Sitaji and Ramayana also, it hurts the sentiments of Hindus.’

• Bal Thackeray ,a leader of Shiv Sena party in Bombay asserted that ‘Fire may have international awards but will anyone deliberate on the people are doing by ushering in a wretched culture , also noted that the depiction of Lesbianism was a direct attack on our Hindu Culture and Civilization.

Bomgay directed by Riyad Wadia and written by Raja Rao.Six Segments1) “Opinion”

2) “Underground”

3) “Lefty”

4) “ Enema”

5) “Bomgay”

6) “ Friends”

Class Discrimination

Opinion‘Onions and Opinions are

cheap in BombayThe Gujaratis in neighborhood

want to know why you still single though eligible’

This lines sounds that it about gay living in the flat and has servant named Shantabai who thinks man without wife and kids is nothing.

Underground‘You belong to the… It can’t be said. As in old days the touch of some men is

polluted , today it’s yours, virtues and all.’‘You undress underground and find your Garden of Eden,Eden Gardens abounding in

Adams and serpents’