AN ODE TO CARING, COMPASSIONATE WOMEN

Gina Carey, the American filmmaker, once said: 'A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.' Well...if so, a caring woman goes a step further and 'looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink and a smile.'

"ತಾಯಿ ಸಾಹೇಬ" ('Thaayi Saheba', which translates loosely to 'Mother Madam') is a 1997 Kannada film, which won the 'National Award for Best Feature Film'. Based on a novel of the same name penned by Ranganath Shyam Rao Lokapura, the period drama traces the lives of women in the family of a rich landlord, and a freedom fighter to boot, during the pre- and post-independence India. It delves into traditional inheritance rights and matrimonial customs of Hindus against a larger canvas of the evolution of land ownership rights in India.

The female protagonist Narmada Thayi (Jaimala) is the second wife of Appa Sahib (Suresh Heblikar), who has a mistress, Chandri. Appa Saheb begets a girl child from the illicit relationship. The childless couple adopt the son of Venkobanna, a close relative. Venkobanna consents to the adoption with the ulterior motive of usurping the property of Appa Saheb through the inheritance rights of his son.

Post-independence, Appa Saheb decides to support the government's move on land reforms. This upsets Venkobanna, who sees his meticulous plan of usurping property vanish into thin air. One day, Appa Saheb heads out for a pro-farmer agitation never to return again. All diligent efforts of Narmada Thayi and Chandri to trace Appa Sahib go in vain. Venkobanna helps Narmada handle monetary affairs.

Meanwhile, Thayi Saheba discovers that her adopted son, who has come of age, is in love with Appa Saheb's illegitimate daughter and his sister in the eyes of law. She tries in vain to convince her son not to go against custom and tradition. On top, it was impermissble under law for her to cancel the adoption. Neither is there a provision under statute for someone else to adopt Chandri's daughter. She also gets to know that betrothal of the two siblings in wedlock is punishable under law.

How does this pickle pan out?

Does Thayi prevail over her adopted son? Or, does the get what he pines for?

Director Girish Kasaravalli uses vignettes from everyday life as motifs for his women-centric films. His genius is evident from the very first frame; the handling of complex, interlinked issues is effortless. He is detailed and deliberate in his story-telling. The narrative, with its labrynthine twists and turns, unfolds leisurely, but rivetingly against the backdrop of personal laws and property rights in India.

Girish's screenplay is equally fascinating! He surely is one of the GREATEST film directors of all time...not just of Karnataka or India, but the whole world. Indeed he is in the same league as not only Ray, Sen and Gopalakrishnan, but also other icons like Ozu, Fellini and Kurosawa who inspired him.

The camera work of HM Ramachandra is TOPNOTCH. The acting of the entire cast is exceptional. Jayamala has outdone herself with a STELLAR, STERLING rendition. Technically too the film is right up there at the top. The flick has some of the most touching moments– some heart-warming, others gut-wrenching– captured on celluloid.

The result: Pure mesmerizing magic!

A MUST WATCH for all 'serious cinema' enthusiasts.

I rate it: 9.5 on 10!