Did you know that the song "Oka Pranam" from 'Baahubali 2- The Conclusion' could be used in the context of the Harry Potter series too? Confused? Let me explain.
Before we proceed, I’d like to inform you that I’ve had this thought for ages and have only recently decided to pen this down as an article. I have tried to keep this as spoiler-free as I could. But you do realize that I can’t keep this completely spoiler-free. Articulating your thoughts and writing them down isn’t as easy as people think. It would be cool if you hit that subscribe button and share this article with your friends.
There are so many cross-overs on the internet. This means the characters of two fictional universes/settings interact with one another. I adore the idea of a Baahubali-Harry Potter crossover, which I rarely see on the internet.
There are precisely seven scenes in the song – each scene signifying a critical event. Seven is a magical number and is especially important in the Harry Potter series. Seven books, seven Weasleys, seven years at Hogwarts, seven players in a Quidditch team, seven Hor… Let’s start, shall we?
The song begins with a hand holding an infant above the water as the music starts. The first line is "Oka Pranam", which means "One Life".
The scene portrays the desperate sacrifice of a woman in the last moments of life, trying to keep the future King of Mahishmati alive as she drowns. If you look closely at the lyrics, the entire first paragraph can be translated to "Did one life and one sacrifice reveal its aim/destiny?"
This paragraph is all you need to know to get hooked on the story. Now, how is this relevant to Harry Potter?
Pay attention to the words “One Life” and “Sacrifice”. Lily and James Potter sacrificed their own lives at the hands of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named just so that their son, Harry Potter, could live.
The second scene in the song is that of a young man climbing the waterfall, which only Gods were said to have mounted. He intends to go to a place where he belongs. He doesn’t know his real heritage yet.
Harry Potter, too never belonged where he lived in the beginning. Constantly abused and mistreated, he never knew of his true heritage. One day, his life changed, just like Mahendra Baahubali’s did. That was the start of his journey to his heritage.
The second paragraph of the song translates to "Did one’s bounds become one’s dedication and ignite the statecraft of fiery war?"
The third scene of the song features Queen Devasena being a prisoner, waiting for her son, waiting for revenge, and dedicating all her time to collecting twigs (you’ll know why if you watch the movies).
For the last 25 years, Bhallaladeva’s tyranny has crossed limits. He kills people he doesn’t like, enslaves the commoner, and treats people like vermin. Watching Devasena being chained infuriates Mahendra Baahubali. On his quest to find out his true identity, he discovered that he had a mission.
Losing his parents at the tender age of one, staying in an abusive household, and losing near and dear ones caused Harry Potter to become dedicated to fighting the war and finishing it once and for all.
This is the start of the hero’s journey. The scene and lyrics portray it brilliantly!
The fourth scene in the song gives you the exact idea of the villain.
Bhallaladeva is ruthless and ambitious. He is deadly powerful, as seen when he is battling the bison. Likewise, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has exceeded the boundaries of Dark Magic.
The fifth scene in the song starts at the same time the third paragraph begins. It features Mahendra Baahubali beheading Bhallaladeva’s son. The lyrics say, “Did the fire in the Yagna begin with slaying? The Heavens are hailing him!
This is the rise of the protagonist. The rise of Mahendra Baahubali! The rise of Harry Potter!
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named tried many ways to come back, including living at the back of someone’s head for a year! However, Harry thwarted his attempts. But when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returned to his body and committed more murders, the fire in the Yagna was ignited.
The slaying of ‘the spare’ marked the beginning of the Second Wizarding War, and Harry had to face serious threats. Mortal danger lurked around the corridors! Here, "Heavens" refers to all of the victims of the Wizarding Wars who cheered from the afterlife along with the survivors and the living witches and wizards.
The sixth scene features Kattappa surrendering to Mahendra Baahubali, who has a foot on the former’s head. The lyrics here roughly mean, “Did the Kingdom welcome you - you who can bring victory and peace!”
Mahendra Baahubali is the crown prince and rightful heir to the throne of Mahishmati. The people welcomed him as he was their savior. Harry Potter was the savior of the Wizarding World and was hailed since his first defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named at age one. Will there be a new era of peace in Mahishmati / Wizarding World?
The fourth paragraph of the lyrics translates roughly to “Did it mold its future by sacrificing itself, and by becoming a chisel? Every blood drop is a bond (by blood relation). “
Does the hero sacrifice something valuable? Does the hero lose people important to him/her?
Harry Potter is a story of love, loss, and sacrifice. James and Lily Potter for their son. Harry sacrifices his own life in the end for the sake of the Wizarding World. He undergoes many trials and tribulations. His future was thus, molded. Does Harry survive in the end?
Relations aren't formed by blood alone. Harry’s only living family (by blood) never treated him well. Loads of people unrelated (by blood) to Harry take Harry into their homes and hearts and give him all the love, care, and affection. While He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named won wars with hatred, Harry did the same with love.
The seventh and final scene of the song shows betrayal. You can fight the enemy in front of you, but what can you do against the enemy at your side who stabs your back?
Betrayal is a major theme in Harry Potter too. Some other major themes include love, life, death, destruction, etc. Not so much a “kid’s book” now, eh?
The lyrics of the song ends with a tribute to Lord Shiva.
Thank you so much for reading!! I have tried to keep my thoughts as simplistic as possible while writing this down (it is quite a maze in my head, but I don’t want this article to get too long for you.)
Feel free to check out my other articles below!!
Keep smiling and be yourself!!