REVOLT TO ASSERT THE RIGHT TO RULE

The Doctrine of Lapse was as devious a formula as it was ingenious devised for the British to reclaim paramountcy and usurp direct control over subordinate princely states in pre-independence India. Under the ploy of regulating succession, the British annexed states of monarchs who died without natural heirs. Thus, the doctrine was aimed at regaining direct superintendence over states for imperial gain.

“ಕಿತ್ತೂರು ಚೆನ್ನಮ್ಮ” (‘Kitturu Chennamma’) is a 1961 Kannada film that featured the freedom struggle of the Queen of Kittur, who rebelled and defiantly went to war against the British in 1824 CE. The historical drama won several awards, including the National Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada. As a commercial venture, the period flick attained great success; critics raved over it too.

Rani Chennamma (B Saroja Devi) was trained in archery, fencing, horse riding and other martial arts at an early age. She married Raja Mallasarja (Dr. Rajkumar) in 1793 and begot a son from the wedlock. After the Raja and the heir-apparent son died, the Kingdom of Kittur was thrown into tremendous turmoil. 

To get out of the volatile situation on account of the deaths, Chennamma adopted a son as successor to the throne. This irked British East India Company who invoked the Doctrine of Lapse to claim that the princely State of Kittur had reverted to the crown. The queen was directed to accept the diktat on the regime change.

Chennamma refused to comply with the directive; instead she launched an armed revolt bravely against the British in 1824 to gain freedom. She inflicted an ignominious defeat on the foreign forces in the first battle. The empire suffered heavy casualties; couple of their officers were taken hostage too.

The British then laid siege to the Kittur fort and deceitfully launched another assault. The queen was ultimately captured through sophistry and imprisoned. Thus, she was unable to install her adopted son as the King of Kittur; later she laid down her life in captivity. 

The ace auteur, BR Panthulu’s direction of this flick, a classical masterpiece, is awe-inspiring. GV Iyer’s screenplay is mind-blowing; it matches the melancholy of the story despite the drag of too many song sequences. The slow narration, nonetheless, leaves you with a lump in the throat!

Celebrated music director, TG Lingappa has used a mélange of folk and traditional instruments for his original compositions. The music is light and sprightly at some places; but, heavy and schmaltzy at other spots. Lyrical compositions of GV Iyer are fine. The tracks composed to poet-philosopher Akka Mahadevi’s vachanas (pithy sayings), a definite highlight, are sure to enrapture you.

Technical elements are dated. The sets are deficient in artistic grandeur― the fallout perhaps of a shoe-string budget. Such a pity if indeed the crew had to contend with a dollars-and-cents constraint in the making of this fantastic movie!

B Saroja Devi is noteworthy in her portrayal of the legendary queen, whose life and fight for liberty is a standout in the annals of history. Dr. Rajkumar, the epitome of emotive excellence, is featured in a marginal role. Rajashankar, MV Rajamma, Leelavathi, Dikki Madhava Rao, Narasimharaju, KS Ashwath, Balakrishna and others have all supported well.

Rani Chennamma’s defiance during the freedom movement makes every Indian heart swell with pride, for sure. Her sacrifice, on the flip side, makes the heart bleed.

I rate this biopic: 8.5 on 10!