NEED AND GREED SET THE STAGE FOR EXPLOITATION

“The human race cannot forever exist half-exploiters and half-exploited”, wrote Henry Ford. That statement perhaps is an ideal to aspire for. Reality though is that exploitation...social, political, religious, economic, you name the kind...it is as rampant as ever.

'ಚೋಮನ ದುಡಿ' (“Chomana Dudi”, meaning: 'Choma's Drum') is a 1975 Kannada black-and-white flick based on a novel of the same name, written by Jnanpith awardee, Dr. Shivaram Karanth. It won a plethora of awards at the state, national and international levels.

The film revolves around the male protagonist, Choma (MV Vasudeva Rao), a lower-caste bonded laborer working for a landlord. He ekes out a living with his four sons and daughter on a meager income. He often gets inebriated and gives vent to his pent up fury and frustrations by playing a drum– his favorite passion and pastime. Choma's dream is to own a small tract of land; but, he is ineligible because of his social status, an impediment for land ownership. Christian missionaries too leverage his aspiration; they allure Choma with an offer of land as enticement in an attempt to convert him. But, Choma declines to barter his faith and conscience for land ownership.

In his efforts to repay the landlord and discharge his debt, Choma sends two of his sons to a far-off plantation for seasonal labor. One of his sons converts to marry a Christian girl there; while the other succumbs to Cholera. Back home, his daughter too gets romantically involved with the landlord's accountant; all of which makes for great turmoil in the simple man's life.

Eventually, Choma's debt is written off...but, at what cost? Or rather, price? And, does Choma finally realise his dream of tilling a piece of land?

The answers pan out in a narrative that makes for an unforgettable cinematic ciimax. The movie is a sad commentary on how fragile and fallible humaneness is...and, rare too. Humans invariably sacrifice humanity at the altar of social norms and societal constructs.

The dramatization in the movie is intensely engrossing. Equipped with literary giant, Dr. Shivaram Karanth's emotionally surcharged script, BV Karanth's direction is superlative; so, too his haunting music. Cinematography and editing are adequate. MV Vasudeva Rao's acting is exceptional– the portrayal is deep and touching, despite the muting of mawkishness. The performances of the supporting cast too is impeccable.

It is an all-time classic...perhaps one of the greatest Indian movies of all time!!

My rating: 9.0 on 10!