CHAOS OF CAPITALISM IN SOCIETY

Adam Smith, the Scottish pioneer of Political Economics, observed: “The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations.” But, he perhaps forgot that often aspirational poverty is itself a product of personal finances, familial compulsions and societal structure.

“ಪ್ರವಾಹ” (‘Pravāha’, which means ‘Flood’) is a 2004 Kannada film, which explores the link between rural poverty and urban influx. It also delves into the exploitation of the under-privileged and the reasons for rapid urbanization. The social drama found favour with critics; it won awards and garnered accolades too.

Marappa (Achyuth Kumar), a village potter, is in the clutches of local loan-sharks and landlords. He struggles to eke out a living with his hereditary profession, because the demand for his clayware is on the wane. In the ebb and flow of life, Marappa’s wife, Ramakka (Mangala) and son, Siddarama (Rohith Bhat) also bear the brunt of penury.

Marappa’s traditional craft of pottery too is on the decline due the onslaught of plastic and people gravitating towards durable utensils. The domino effect of a debt trap and dwindling income exacerbates Marappa’s poverty and makes him vulnerable to economic exploitation. He takes to the bottle to bottle up his frustrations.

In the meantime, circumstances force Siddarama to flee his village. After migrating to the city, does the family manage to come out of the mopes in life?

Director PR Ramadas Naidu’s story is mawkish and somewhat timeworn. But, his screenplay makes up for the thematic deficiency. He has portrayed the systemic decay of traditional handicrafts and artisanship, courtesy ultrafast industrialization; and, juxtaposed it brilliantly against moral decadence in society, courtesy unbridled urbanization and concomitant materialism.

In short, the narrative predictably gives you the mopes.

Maestro L Vaidyanathan’s music is apt; veteran S Ramachandra’s cinematography is topnotch. Editing is fine.

The ensemble cast is superb on the acting front. Achyuth Kumar’s versatility is on full display. GK Govinda Rao, HG Somashekhar Rao, Rohith Bhat, Mangala and others have all done their bit.

The film is a reminder of what the great economist, Joseph Schumpeter warned, ‘economic progress, in capitalist society, means turmoil.’

I rate this social drama: 7.5 on 10!