Moral Symbolism and Social Struggle in Pakistani Animation: An Iconographic Analysis of 3 Bahadur

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the non-technical elements of “3 Bahadhur”, Pakistan’s first 3D (three dimensional) animated movie. Using Panofsky’s (1972) three-pronged approach, the film is analyzed iconographically. The analysis of the movie is conducted through Panofsky’s three step method: pre-iconographical description, Iconographic analysis, and Iconographical interpretation. The Ichnographic analysis of different characters, objects, and scenes is done using this approach. This study examines the sociocultural ideologies in Pakistani society through the context presented in  “3 Bahadur”. Three children (heroic trio) named as Amna, Saadi and Kamil embody youth empowerment to solve the social issues by societal uplifting a major theme of the movie. Through the characters of heroic trio, Deenu Chacha, Baba Balaam and Mangu, this analysis navigates the tensions between moral binaries between good vs evil. Themes of youth empowerment, culturally accepted women empowerment, heroism, patriotism, social responsibility, and morality have emerged from the analysis. The study affirms that social uplifting is an enterprise and endeavor to the collective outcome by the collaboration by the members of a particular society. Hence the systematic inequalities are reduced and positive change emerges for the betterment of the disadvantaged community.