THE MARGINALISED: A PRODUCT OF HUMAN PROGRESS?

It is true, axiomatic too, that the disadvantaged indeed do have more to mourn in life, but also to subdue and surmount. 
"ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಹೂವು” ('Bettada Hoovu'; literal translation: 'Flower of the Hill'), a 1985 Kannada film, drives home that point poignantly....and, thought-provokingly too! Based on Shirley Arora's novel, “What then, Raman?” is a family drama that won awards and appreciation. Critics too heaped lavish accolades over it. 
The movie, set in pre-independence India, is about Ramu (Puneeth Rajkumar), a bright, bubbly schoolboy with an endearing smile. Ramu's impoverished parents struggle to eke out a living in a remote village. The sharp as a tack kid though is fond of reading Kannada books; he even goes the extra mile to learn English. His one big aspiration is to buy the Kuvempu-authored Kannada book titled ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’. But, the price? A princely, ten rupees!
Unable to make both ends meet, Ramu's father migrates to the city in search of employment. Ramu is forced to quit school and lend a helping hand to his mother (Padma Vasanthi). He runs errands to earn a little money, part of which he saves diligently...for buying the book– his dream. He sells wildflowers to a white botanist and earns a few bucks more.
Finally, Ramu saves enough to buy the book. But then, there is an unforeseen impediment...a predicament. His option: the joy of owning a treasured book...or, the sorrow of a shattered dream!
What does he do?
Director N. Lakshminarayan has woven magic into a tragic tale, that is a sad commentary on societal disgrace reflected in the burgeoning gap between the have's and have-not's. He marches to a delicate drumroll in the screenplay, while portraying a slice of everday life in all its sullied existence. No stereotyping of misery and melancholy in his books either– he depicts the lives and poverty of the under-privileged with a matter-of-fact honesty and simplicity.
Chi Udayashankar's script is crisply succint; the dialogues have an earthy innocence about them. Music of veterans Rajan-Nagendra is awesome. The camerawork is alright; editing is somewhat slack. Puneeth Rajkumar is exceptional as the child protagonist; he won a national award for his topnotch performance. The rest of the cast, which includes Padma Vasanthi, Balakrishna, and others, lends able support.
The star of the film no doubt is Puneeth. And, the superstar: Shirley Arora...for her tender, touching story!
This flick is one of the best 'children's films' made in India. It is in the same league as the Iranian classic, 'Children of Heaven'. Oh...it is miles ahead of the crass masala movie 'Slumdog Millionaire', which looks silly and childish in comparison.
It is perhaps a “film of a lesser God', for it has not received the recognition it so richly deserves.
A GREAT WATCH...welling up of the eyes likely in the climax!
I rate this family drama: 8.5 on 10!

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