NO LIBERTY OR FRATERNITY WITHOUT EQUALITY

Prejudices are deep-rooted in every community...be it, color-, caste-, creed- or class-based! It is paradoxical though that in India the establishment perpetuates caste system in every walk of life.

"ಶಂಖ ನಾದ" ('Shankha Nada', which translates to: 'Tone of the Conch') is a 1986 award-winning, critically-acclaimed Kannada movie based on writer, Dr. AV Vani's literary work. The political drama has peaceful class struggle and political equality as its theme; it uses satire to dramatise the story-telling.

The flick starts with a government servant instructing Shekhara Sampige (Ramesh Bhat) to obtain a caste certificate from the Panchayat office in his home town of Sampige.

Shekhara visits the village and meets the panchayat chairman, Dasayya (Aravind), who belongs to an under-privileged section of the local community. Despite heading the local administration, Dasayya, and his wife Yenki (Abhinaya), are routinely subjected to oppression and discrimination. Hence, every effort of Dasayya to improve infrastructure is stymied. Due to the political impasse, there is no development, which indeed is detrimental to the interests of the people.

So, Shekhara hatches a plot to solve the imbroglio. How it all pans out has political drama and intrigue woven in.

Director Umesh Kulakarni has created a fine flick, albeit rustic, rough-hewn, that gives a close-up view of local politics and community dynamics. His messaging on gender equality and political justice for the marginalised sections is praiseworthy.

Veteran Ramesh Bhat has put in a memorable performance; the other cast members too have fared creditably. The editing, camerawork and screenplay are so-so; yet, they do not erode the cinematic appeal. C Ashwath's music is good.

On the whole, the film is about a society wherein a person's merit and body of work prevail, not his class!

I rate this offbeat gem: 8.0 on 10!