Chitra Varga

Good governance is about achieving economic growth without sacrificing social justice. The two though are often at loggerheads with each other.   So, the need of the hour in an egalitarian establishment is a benevolent system that works; and, politicians who stand up for  the displaced; the deprived; and, the downtrodden . “ ಭೂಮಿ ಗೀತ ” (‘ Bhoomi Geetha ’― it means: ‘ Song of the Earth ’) is a 1997 Kannada film. The award-winning movie, set in the post-independence decade of 1950s, has sustainability and balanced development for its concept. It was critically well-received too. Shankar (Atul Kulkarni) is an authoritarian bureaucrat, who believes in rapid economic and industrial development of the nation. Entrusted with the task of completing an irrigation project, Shankar is in a hurry to evacuate residents of a nearby tribal hamlet, which is likely to get inundated once the barrage is built. Rangayya (Lokesh), a public works contractor too is eager to have the lands acqu...

Many have extolled goodness as a virtue. The American writer, Emerson said: ‘ Wisdom has its root in goodness’ . His compatriot, Thoreau wrote: ‘ Goodness is the only investment that never fails .’ Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy even declared: ‘There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth.’ “ ಭುಜಂಗಯ್ಯನ ದಶಾವತಾರ ” (‘ Bhujangayyana Dashavatara ’, which means: ‘ (The) Ten Avatars of Bhujangayya ’) is a 1988 Kannada film that delves into the repercussions of altruism in a modern, materialistic society. Based on the  magnum opus  of novelist, Srikrishna Alanahalli, the social drama won a bushel and a peck of awards for its actors, writer and director Bhujangayya (Lokesh) is a genuine do-gooder in his village, which, unfortunately, is reeling from an acute famine. The incessant failure of the monsoon for several years has alienated him from his ancestral profession of farming. So, he flits like a butterfly from venture to venture for earning a livelihood. ...

The English statesman, Sir Francis Bacon observed philosophically: “ Money is a great servant, but a bad master. ” “ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕರ್ ಮಾರ್ಗಯ್ಯ ” (' Banker Margayya ') is a 198 3 Kannada  film, which is based on RK Narayan's novel, 'The Financial Expert'. The drama not only received rave reviews, but also won a host of awards. The flick deals with the ups and downs in the life and fortunes of a shrewd, streetwise money lender, Margayya (Lokesh). But, consequent to a quirky twist of fate, Margayya loses all his wealth and is reduced to penury. Thanks to a chance meeting with a happy-go-lucky Dr. Pal (Sundar Krishna Urs), Margayya publishes a sex manual. The pornographic book sells like hot cakes and Margayya begins to roll in money again. An ugly fallout of the newfound success is that Margayya's teenaged son, Balu (Sundar Raj) also gets hold of a copy. He soon loses interest in studies; becomes rebellious and takes to an amorous, decadent life. Margayya becomes a...