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...

Religion, the opium of the masses, has played a pivotal role throughout the history of mankind. Rites and rituals, th e heart and soul of religion, has always polarized human opinion. While some say ritual is a spiritual psychodrama, others think it nurtures our sacred relationships. ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರ ( ' Samskara' , which means “Ritual”), a 1970 Kannada movie, is often considered to be a trailblazer in the history of parallel cinema. Film buffs and critics waxed lyrical on this offbeat flick that hogged the limelight and won awards like blue blazes, including the “Swarna Kamal” for Best Feature Film. Based on a novel of Jnanapith awardee, Dr. UR Ananthamurthy, the film revolves around events that unravel within the Brahmin community of a remote village. The protagonist, Praneshacharya (Girish Karnad), is devout, orthodox and celibate; he is held in high esteem. The antagonist, Narayanappa (P. Lankesh), also a Brahmin by birth, harbors iconoclastic views and indulges in immoral deeds,...