TRUE DEVOTION TRANSCENDS RELIGIOUS RITES AND RITUALS

Akira Kurosawa, the legendary Japanese director and screenwriter, once said that films must depict the common problems of humans properly. Depiction is perhaps not enough, if no attempt is made to suggest solutions. The medium of motion pictures vests power that can be wielded to tackle social ills and usher change.

The avant-garde film-makers of mid-twentieth century took this “cinematic social responsibility (CSR)” seriously. So, they invariably embedded profound messages in the narrative of their films.

"ಬೇಡರ ಕಣ್ಣಪ್ಪ" (Bedara Kannappa) is a 1954 award-winning Kannada film, which tries to convey the ideal of “no room for discrimination in devotion” in its theme. The landmark movie perhaps mainstreamed the genre of “Devotional Drama” in Karnataka. A blockbuster hit, the flick was dubbed in Tamil as Vedan Kannappa (1955). It was remade not only in Hindi as Shiv Bhakta (1955), but also in Telugu as Kalahasti Mahatyam (1954) and Bhakta Kannappa (1976)

Based on folklore, the story is about the male protagonist, Kanna (Rajkumar), a rude, rugged tribal, who is ostracised by his community. Left to fend for himself and his wife (Pandari Bai), he roams all over the forest in search of food. Finally, he prays to the Deity at a temple with dedication. Not acquainted with kosher rituals, he worships the Lord ardently, but in impious, sacrilegious ways. In the climax, he gouges out both eyes and offers them to the icon.

The doyen of Kannada cinema, HLN Simha is outstanding with his direction and screenplay. He has lent a raw, rustic finesse to the film, which is consistent with the mood and theme of the plot. The sublime, splendid script is proof positive of the genius of the scriptwriter, GV Iyer.

Rajkumar and Pandari Bai are fabulous in their performances; so too Narasimharaju in his debut. The music composition of R Sudarshanam is blissful– few tracks, with lyrics of S Nanjappa, are evergreen classics.

The flick is an artistic, cultural and historical milestone in the movie industry of Karnataka. It propelled matinee idol Rajkumar's illustrious acting career and spurred the growth of regional films in all of South India.

My rating: 8.5 on 10!


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