Chitra Varga

Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish writer, aired eloquently: “ An aspiration is a joy forever, a possession as solid as a landed estate, a fortune which we can never exhaust… ” Aspiration, and its alter ego, opportunity, is the starting point of all achievement, for sure. But then, getting to that elusive initial position is often a challenge for the weak and the poor. “ ಕೊಟ್ರೇಶಿ ಕನಸು ” (‘ Kotreshi Kanasu’ , or, ‘ Dream of Kotreshi’ ) is a 1994 National-Award-winning Kannada film that delves into the uphill battles of the disadvantaged…for even the most modest of ambitions. The flick is based on the novel ‘ Kotra High-schoolige Seriddu ’, penned by Sahitya Academi Awardee, Kum. Veerabhadrappa (KumVee); it received a bushel of critical acclaim too. Kotra is a sharp, studious boy from the lower caste. He passes his Seventh Standard examinations with flying colours. And, that sets the cat among the pigeons. It polarizes the village and widens the chasms of caste and class therein. Eve...

Coco Chanel, the French fashion designer said that every girl should know who and what she wants . Just ‘ knowing ’ who and what to want is surely not going to cut it, if she does nothing about ‘ getting ’ what she wants. “ ಮಿಥಿಲೆಯ ಸೀತೆಯರು ” (‘ Mithileya Seetheyaru ’, which means ‘ Seethas of Mithila ’) is a 1988 Kannada film that pundits heaped profuse praise on for its strong storyline and touching theme. The profuse plaudits were richly deserved too, for the moving, meaningful movie emphasizes the importance of breaking the glass ceiling. Visveshwaraiah (HG Somashekar Rao) is a domineering father, who takes pride in his ancestral lineage. The fellow though whiles away his time drinking and gambling. He has three beautiful, bread-earning daughters― Vanitha (Geetha); Kavitha (Akhila Thandur) and Latha (Kalpana Iyer). Visveshwaraiah’s meek, demure wife, Patho (BV Radha) is a homemaker keen on getting her daughters married off. Deferential as they are towards their father, the daughter...

The strongest are those who win battles we know little about. Indeed! “ ಫಣಿಯಮ್ಮ ” (‘ Phaniyamma ’) is a 1983 Kannada film that is based on the work of acclaimed novelist, MK Indira. The drama portrays the struggle of a widow, a victim of prejudice in a sexist, patriarchal social order. It earned abundant appreciation of critics and audiences alike. It also won a legion of state and national awards. The female protagonist, Phaniyamma  (LV Sharada), lives in a small village with her extended family shrouded in orthodoxy. Widowed at the tender age of twelve, Phaniyamma holds progressive views within a regressively ritualistic social milieu. High on courage, conviction and compassion, she even defies behavioral norms imposed. In due course, she proves to be the fulcrum within the family, thus blurring the line between Phaniyamma, the victor; and, Phaniyamma, the victim. Prema Karanth’s direction is refreshingly nuanced . She narrates discerningly and forces you to ruminate ove...