INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS IN FEUDAL AND PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY

Frederick Douglass, the great American social reformer and abolitionist, observed insighfully: “...where any one class is made to feel that society is an organised conspiracy...neither persons nor property will be safe.”

"ಸಾವಿತ್ರಿ" ('Savithri') is a 1980 Kannada film that won widespread critical applause. Devoid of typical trappings of cinema, the social drama is based on Ranganath Shyamrao (Ram. Sha.) Lokapura's novel of the same name, which rivetingly explores caste politics and power dynamics in a village.

The film portrays how innocent naïveté is always an easy prey to wily slickness. When the rich and mighty manipulate, are not the poor and guileless mere pawns? The narrative embraces the mundane rivalry of two mighty landlords and transforms it into the sublime on the silver screen.

The story is about a young school teacher, Malleshi (HG Somashekara Rao), who gets unwittingly embroiled in the murky rivalry between two village elders, Sharanappa and Sangappanna. Filled with filthy animosity, the latter deviously and vengefully conspires against the former. He deceives Malleshi into abetting the abduction of Sharanappa's daughter and his student, Savithri (Ashwini).

Sangappanna persuades Savithri, a minor ineligible for wedlock, to agree to a marital alliance with Malleshi. Left with no other option, Savithri, who also finds her teacher attractive, gives consent to the matrimonial connection. Sharanappa files a criminal complaint against Malleshi, Sangappanna and their accomplices. The dramatic events segue into a gripping climax on celluloid.

TS Ranga's direction and screenplay are incredible. He has injected reams of realism into the film, using a theme that must have played out a zillion times in real life. The narrative is a welcome change from the flimsy, formulaic fare that had always ruled filmdom! Full marks to him for getting the best out of the lead cast and the supporting ensemble.

The film score, particularly the sound effects are eerily melancholic. The gloomy, depressive camerawork in the movie is apt for the situations and emotions therein. Chandrashekara Kambara, the renowned Kannada poet and Jnanpith awardee, has penned the lyrics for the tracks. The dialectic choice for the dialogues is delightful too.

In short, the film is a MUST WATCH.

My rating: 8.0 on 10!