In praise of Akbar

Originally posted by: Donjas

Diksha has posted an article about Akbar. I wish everyone reads it.

It was written by a famous journalist Saed Naqvi and has appeared in numerous Indian and Pakistani newspapers.

The points raised in the article are pertinent. Many people don't realize it but Akbar is under continuous onslaught. Yesterday was Akbar's birthday, but who cares? It passed without mention. Contrast this with the birthday of the great warrior Maharana Pratap. That day is called a jayanti and last year Narendra Modi attended the function. Maharana Pratap deserves it but surely Akbar's birthday warrants a mention too.

But frankly speaking, I am not worried about Akbar or his legacy.

You can rewrite history but who is going to read the books. Most people find it a chore. Akbar's image is shaped by stories, legends and recently, audio visual programs.

Articles or books are soulless sheafs of paper. Anybody can write it, but very few have the power to coax you to read it and more importantly to appreciate it.

That is why the movie Jodha Akbar and our serial are so vital. There are those who target Akbar but how will you stop people from visualizing Hrithik when they think of Akbar, of the magic of the divine song Khwaja Mere Khwaja or the pathos of Akbar when Rajat emotes that superb scene at the dargah when Jodha was at death's door or Jodha herself when she wailed over her dead child. These are powerful images and overwrite just about anything.

I know the serial is at times so infuriating, you want to pull your hair out. But even then Akbar has been portrayed mostly positive. He has been shown as brave, fair minded, secular, a good son, a caring husband, a loving father and much more. That is why I crib about disappointing tracks or scenarios but soon I forget all about it and look forward to the next.

This serial is a bulwark against Akbar haters and I intend to support it as long as it exists.