A WEALTHY SOCIETY OR A HEALTHY PLANET

Sidney Sheldon, the American writer exhorted all to: ‘Leave the Earth a better place than when you arrived.’ Profusely profound…a must if a global cataclysm and ecological apocalypse are to be avoided!

“ದೇವರ ಕಾಡು” (‘Devara Kadu’, which means: ‘God’s Forest’) is a 1993 Kannada movie, which delves into the backwash of and linkage between urban influx and agrarian stress. The award-winning, highly acclaimed movie depicts the heartrending story of an impoverished family’s battle for survival.

Range officers drive out an entire hamlet of tribals from a forest sanctuary. Marappa (R Chandrashekhar), and his wife, Kenchi (Kirtana Kumar), lose their home and are resettled in the plains. After her husband dies, Kenchi moves to the city along with her son, Deva (as a child, Prabhu; as a boy, Kantaraj; and, as adult, KT Abraham), in search of greener pastures…nay, two square meals a day.

In the alien, apathetic environs of the city, Kenchi and Deva slog and strive to make both ends meet. While Kenchi works as a maid; Deva becomes a rag-picker. In due course, Deva grows up into a humble and self-effacing young man; he buys a rickshaw for earning a livelihood.

But just as they begin to eke out a decent, dignified living, Kenchi’s health deteriorates and she passes away. Deva then dedicates himself to fulfilling her last wish; and, in the process, he leaves an indelible mark on the environment.

So then, what were Deva’s exploits…his tour de force? That is the film.

Director Pattabhirama Reddy has marshaled the making of a marvelous film― one that is likely to leave you misty-eyed; he is credited for the flick’s core story and its screenplay too. The story-telling focuses on the everyday challenges in the lives of the poor; the illiterate; and, the marginalized. The auteur is subtle in depicting the misery of the migrant workforce.

The narrative cleverly juxtaposes the impact of ineffective public policies and schemes for creating rural employment; and, their fallout― unbridled rural exodus; rampant ghettoization and decadent urbanization.

Konark Reddy’s music does not overwhelm you― the sound effects are apt too. Hotshot editor, Suresh Urs is excellent with his work; so, too Navroze Contractor with the camerawork. The costume design of G Murthy is authentic; his choices communicate well and impart visual depth to the plot.

A heartening aspect of the film is that Reddy has shied away from casting film stars and celebs. Kirtana Kumar and KT Abraham are fantastic in their respective roles― they have both performed with great poise and maturity. The rest of the cast too has fared well.

I rate this ‘family-‘n-society’ drama: 7.5 on 10!