Vishal Bhardwaj’s very creative adaptation of “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” in “Haider” has interesting implications for Aligarh Muslim University. Aligarh is mentioned many times in the film because Haider, the protagonist in the film, is a student of Aligarh Muslim University. At the time of the tragedy in his life he is in Aligarh. In Hamlet, prince Hamlet was a student of Wittenberg University when his father was murdered by his uncle. However, the adaptation does not end there. Wittenberg University in Germany was an important seat for the study of philosophy and religion. Its most famous student Martin Luther initiated the Reformation of Church. In fact, he is the most important name associated with Protestant Movement.
Aligarh Muslim University also started its journey as a sort of reform movement. When Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of the University, thought about modern education for Indian Muslims and when he started many institutions like Social Reformer and Scientific Society, it was a reformation moment in the life of a community caught in the grip of obscurantism and dogma. Aligarh has always prided itself on its English education. The first professor of English at Oxford, Sir Walter Raleigh had already worked as a professor of English at Mohammedan-Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh. Interestingly Haider knows a thing or two about English literature. He knows about the revolutionary English poets.
He would also try to correct the English pronunciation of his beloved who would try to speak English in her typical Kashmiri accent.
In “Hamlet” Denmark is at war with Norway. In a film set against the background of militancy, India becomes something like Norway. However, it is Aligarh Muslim University that represents India in the film. It is the place very unlike the troubled Kashmir of mid-nineties.
For the maternal grandfather of Haider, who insists that Haider studies there, it is the place where his grandson will learn how to breathe freely.
In other words Haider can have access to various discourses without really endangering himself in anyway.
In Aligarh’s liberal culture he will be far away from the effect of militancy which afflicts Kashmir.
That Aligarh represents India in the film is important for two reasons. First, Aligarh, contrary to the popular view, has been a meeting ground of different dialects, languages, religions and cultures.
The diversity of India has traditionally been represented by Aligarh. Second, Kashmiri students find Aligarh a fairly hospitable place. By association India becomes a hospitable place which is ready to welcome Kashmiri students.
In one scene Haider’s mother scolds him for misbehaving with her: “So you have learnt this in Aligarh.” Aligarh Muslim University has been known as a place where boys from feudal families would be sent to learn some culture.
There was a time when it mattered more that they had proper manners than excellent grades.
It is another matter that Aligarh’s many a Kashmiri student like Bashrat Peer, the scriptwriter of “Haider”, would end up the winner who will take it all.
The author is Associate Professor of English at Aligarh Muslim University. He can be contacted at siddiquiasim.amu@gmail.com)
