Jai,Veeru & Basanti go to school

Kitne aadmi the? This is not the menacing Gabbar Singh conducting a maths class for his dacoits in Ramgarh’s ravines, but a possible line from a CBSE textbook.

For the first time in the history of Indian academia, an entire chapter in a school textbook will be devoted to a mainstream Bollywood blockbuster.

Ramesh Sippy’s multi-starrer Sholay has been added to the Broadway course workbook No 5 for Class V students of CBSE.

Published by Oxford University Press, the inclusion of Sholay is a continuation to the chapter on films and film-making in the Broadway book, which is designed to help students communicate effectively and accurately in English.

The National Curriculum Framework 2005 postulates that the multi-lingual character of our society be treated as a resource and school teaching should focus on what the child understands. Since films are an integral part of our culture and Sholay is one of the most influential films, it has been included in the course, said sources.

"The text on films and filmmaking in the course book and Sholay in the workbook is a representation of Indian drama in the life of a child. The choice of Sholay was made because it is a different film in many ways. Besides,we wanted children to be aware of the prominence attached to the Indian film industry," said an insider.

Reactions have been by and large positive. Psychiatrist Harish Shetty believes it is an excellent idea.

"Sholay encompasses the ethos and feeling of an era in a brilliant narrative. It can certainly touch young hearts and minds," he said. However, an academic said: "The negatives may have a bigger influence on children than the positives.... Amjad Khan became more popular than Sanjeev Kumar."

Ramesh Sippy, director of the movie, said: "As captain of the ship, I feel very happy. The film being included in a school syllabus is an achievement in itself."

Source: Sunday, April 30, Sunday Times (TOI).