The Icons Speak Out: An Iconographic Analysis of Pakistani Animated TV Series Burka Avenger

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the non-technological aspects of Pakistan’s 3D animated TV series Burka Avenger. It explores whether Burka Avenger created a new perspective of the social and cultural ideology in Pakistan or instills the stereotypical ideas. For this purpose, the iconographic analysis of Burka Avenger is done while using Panofsky’s (1972) approach of this method. The iconographic analysis of different characters and places is done in three steps; pre-iconographical description, Iconographic analysis, and Iconographical interpretation. The iconographic analysis reveals that Burka Avenger mainly promotes stereotype indoctrination while depicting good and bad elements in Pakistani society. Themes of Banana State, Culturally Accepted Women's Empowerment, Feudal-Clergy Nexus, and Class Divide are explored through iconographic analysis. This series also presents a unique notion of feudal-clergy nexus that exploits masses and works for their nefarious purposes. The findings of this study pave the way for the elimination of disparities and stereotyped views depicted on screen.