Chitra Varga

Political economist John Stuart Mill said, “He who does anything because it is a custom, makes no choice.” As much biting ‘n barbed that observation is as it is sharp and sagacious! “ ಘಟಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ” (‘ Ghatashraddha’ , which means: ‘( The) Ritual’ ) is a 1977 Kannada flick about the customary ostracism of a widow by a society shrouded in orthodoxy…all because of her carnal indiscretions. Based on a novella penned by eminent author and Jnanpith Awardee, UR Ananthamurthy, the drama is a landmark in the ‘Parallel Cinema’ movement of India. Set in the early 20 th Century, the flick no doubt belongs to a glorious era of ‘neo-realism’ in the Kannada film industry. Critics went gung-ho over the movie, which sent juries into raptures too. Little wonder then that it won worldwide acclaim and a spate of awards, including the national award for Best Feature Film. Udupa ( Ramaswamy Iyengar) teaches the Hindu scriptures in his rickety, ramshackle school, which is passing through difficult times...

The English actor, Mark Strong opined: “ When you're making a psychological thriller, what you need to do is have an audience on shifting sand so they're never quite sure where they are. ”  Bang on! “ ಮರ್ಮ ” (‘ Marma ’, which translates to ‘ Secret ’) is a 2002 Kannada movie, which takes that sentiment to an extreme. The thriller weaves complex psychological illnesses like schizophrenia, split personality, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc., into its narrative. Made on a shoestring budget, it was a hit. Recently betrothed to her fiancé, Anand (Anand), Sudha (Prema) mysteriously goes missing for a few days. She returns home later with some injuries to her head. Seemingly suffering from amnesia, she begins to behave spookily, which puts the family on tenterhooks. Sudha, on top, claims to have witnessed a murder; as proof, she shows a button apparently yanked out of the killer’s jacket. She even begins to act like someone possessed and hallucinates about physical at...

“Spying,” as the Russian President Vladimir Putin said somewhat stalely, “ has always gone on since ancient times .” There is something about ‘spying’ and its not-so-distant cousin, ‘voyeurism’ that gives an adrenalin rush to the common man. Perhaps the spooky secrecy that shrouds espionage― besides its association with death and danger― is irresistibly charming. The onscreen portrayal of suave, sophisticated spies too adds to the romanticism of intelligence work . “ ಕುಳ್ಳ ಏಜೆಂಟ್ ೦೦೦ ” (“ Kulla Agent 000”, which literally means, ‘Short Agent 000’ ) is a 1972 Kannada film, which is part spy parody and part spy thriller. The commercially successful movie― an escapade in the Austin Powers’ mold on comical content sans the innuendos― found favour in pop culture too. Kulla (Dwarakish), a puny, pocket-sized bloke aspires to be a secret service agent. He tries to make up for his lack of height by showing up for a recruitment interview wearing stilts under his long trousers. The comical ...

It is tritely said: ‘ Justice delayed is justice denied .’ On the flip side, ‘ Justice hurried is justice buried ’ expresses the contra view. Regardless of the speed, there is miscarriage of justice many times.      “ ಸಾವಿರ ಮೆಟ್ಟಿಲು ” (‘ Saavira Mettilu ’, that is, ‘ Thousand Steps ’) is a 2006 Kannada film that took 38 years to see the light of the day. The hybrid drama, which has elements of suspense, mystery and courtroom in the narrative, was critically appreciated. Based on PV Nanjaraja Urs’ story, the movie has the fine line between justice and injustice for a theme. The female protagonist, Shanti (Jayanthi) is a peppy, young college student from an impoverished family. A romantic relationship blossoms between her and Shekhar (Kalyan Kumar), a lawyer, whom she saves from a vehicle accident. Their love blossoms into a wedding betrothal. A rich brat, Ramu (Mallikarjun) is infatuated by Shanti and hankers after her. But, Shanti spurns his advances. Yet, blinded b...

The Italian polymath, Leonardo da Vinci expressed very eloquently: " Beauty perishes in life, but is immortal in art.” Insightful words that resonate well with us all for sure!   “ ಅಮರಶಿಲ್ಪಿ ಜಕಣಾಚಾರಿ ” (‘ Amarashilpi Jakanachari’, which translates to ‘ Immortal Sculptor Jakanachari ’) is a  1963 Kannada  film on the life of an extraordinary sculptor, Jakanachari, who apparently lived in the 12 th Century CE and is credited with building several Kalyani Chalukya and Hoysala temples endowed with intricate carvings . The biopic was a popular success and was remade in T elugu  ( Amarashilpi Jakkanna ) . Born in a small village, Kaidala in Tumkur District of the State of Karnataka, Jakanachari (Kalyan Kumar) becomes a master artisan.   Shortly after his marriage, he leaves home to dedicate his life to art and sculpture. Deeply engrossed in his work, he abandons his pregnant wife, Manjari (B Saroja Devi). Despite encountering many obstacles, Jakanachari is u...

The Nobel laureate, Alexis Carrel said: " Life leaps like a geyser for those who drill through the rock of inertia. " Inspiring words those are! Wonders are possible when assiduity and tenacity act in tandem.   “ ಬಂಗಾರದ ಮನುಷ್ಯ ” (‘ Bangaarada Manushya ’, or, ‘Golden Man’ ), a 1972 Kannada film, is based on TK Rama Rao's novel of the same name. The drama serves such a heady cocktail of emotions that it strikes a chord with its audience. An all-time, unrivaled blockbuster, it altered the course of Kannada mainstream cinema. It was remade in Telugu ( Devudulanti Manishi ).   The plot revolves around the male protagonist, Rajeeva (Dr. Rajkumar), a well-educated young man, who saves his sister, Sharada’s (Advani Lakshmi Devi) family from financial doom after the death of his brother-in-law and sole bread-winner of the family. He takes up the duty of supporting the bereaved family. An embodiment of simplicity and sacrifice, Rajeeva gets his two nephews, Chakrapani (Srina...

It is often said: ‘ What goes around comes around. ’ Indeed so! As someone said, karma is like a boomerang; and, on top it works in mysterious ways. “ ಋಣ ಮುಕ್ತಳು ” [‘ Ru ṇ amukta ḷ u’ , meaning: ‘(a lady who is) debt-free’ ], a 1984 Kannada film, is based on renowned writer, Anupama Niranjana’s novel ‘Runa’. Critics lauded the domestic drama, which has the karmic theme of ‘how you sow, so do you reap’.  Ramappa (Sundar Krishna Urs) is a corrupt, government engineer. Goda (Bharati), Ramappa’s beautiful wife, is against his nefarious and unscrupulous ways; but, she does not interfere. The couple has a son, Ranganatha (Ramakrishna), who grows to be a volatile, impulsive and rebellious man. The other son is obedient, studious and becomes a doctor. During a visit to his village, Ramappa has a fling with an innocent village belle, Malli (Padma Vasanthi), who begets a son from the illicit affair. Ramappa though keeps the birth of the illegitimate son a secret. Eventually, a conman, Adises...

Norman Vincent Peale, the American author wrote: “ Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that. ” Success though demands more. Flying high calls for drive ‘n determination; passion ‘n persistence; and, effort, energy ‘n enthusiasm. Privilege surely eases the endeavor. “ ಕೇರ್ ಓಫ್ ಫುಟ್ಪಾತ್ ” (‘ Care of Footpath’ ), is a 2006 Kannada film that explores the challenges of the under-privileged. It was dubbed into Hindi, Odia, Malayalam ,  Telugu , Tamil  and English. The social drama won scores of film awards, including the national award for ‘Best Children’s Film’; it was critically applauded too. An orphaned slum boy, affectionately called as Slummu (Master Kishan), is adopted by an old lady who finds him abandoned on the pavement. The boy becomes a rag-picker. One day, a bunch of school children ridicule him. Being called an uneducated brute in derision offends and perturbs Slummu, who now vows to get educated. An uphill battle, no doub...

“ Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything, ” Plato, the Athenian philosopher mused. “ ಮಲಯ ಮಾರುತ ” (‘ Malaya Marutha’ , which translates to, ‘ Wind in the Hills ’) is a 1986 Kannada film that is a masterpiece focused on the rich musical and cultural traditions of South India. Based on Tamil scholar, Valampuri Somanathan’s story and armed with Chi. Udayashankar’s script, the drama is a musical extravaganza. The core plot of the film is a “love triangle”. The male protagonist in the romantic drama is Vishwanatha (Vishnuvardhan), Vishwa for short, a sincere, soft-spoken, soft-hearted student of Carnatic music. Short on talent, the vocalist is tireless in his efforts at mastering the art though. His music teacher’s daughter, Sharada (Saritha) is romantically attracted to him. One day, Vishwa’s teacher dies in a road accident. In an attempt to realise dreams and aspirations, the artistic soul of the teacher enters Vishwa...

It is said that ‘ asceticism ’ is not only about you owning nothing, but also about nothing owning you― a precept that is deep and profound in its philosophical content! Akka Mahadevi is a great ascetic from the 12 th Century CE, who rejected all material possessions and renounced worldly attachments. Belonging to the Lingayat sect, she is a prominent poet of Kannada literature and inspirational woman in the history of Karnataka. Her works include vachana s (literally ‘speech’), which represent a unique form of mystical and devotional poetry that chronicles pithily her experiences on the path towards Divinity and in the pursuit of enlightenment. Vachana s use simple, sincere language; but, they entail great intellectual rigor and philosophical fervor. “ ಶಿವಯೋಗಿ ಅಕ್ಕಮಹಾದೇವಿ ” (‘ Shivayogi Akkamahadevi ’) is a 1987 Kannada movie on the life of the great saint and literary giant, who opted for a path of spirituality during a time of political strife and social reform. The daughter ...