Source: FilmiBeat
Introduction
Movie’s Name - Daatu
Directed by - K Shivarudraiah
Genre - Movie
Language - Kannada
Plot Synopsis
An artistic movie portraying life in South India in the pre-independence period. This film, released in 2009, depicts the struggle faced by a woman in an orthodox society. Dharma Konda by Mysore Ashwatha is the basis for the story.
About the Director
The Kannada filmmaker K. Shivarudraiah has won the Karnataka State Film Award twice for his best director performances, which include Chaitrada Chiguru (1999) and Maagiya Kaala (2011). Daatu was also directed by him in 2008. Next, Shivarudraiah directed the Kannada drama Maarikondavaru, in which Sanchari Vijay, Samyukta Hornady, Sardar Sathya, and Sonu Gowda play pivotal roles.
Source: CelPox
About the Movie
The film stars Roopa Iyer, Dattanna, Girisha Lokesh, Rajesh, and Veena Sundar as the lead characters and is a great piece of work. Women are depicted as struggling in an orthodox society for no fault of their own. In the end, it argues that humanity is beyond practice. An international festival for images of women in Zimbabwe awarded this film the Best Depiction of a Woman award in 2008.
Psychological Analysis
The movie gives us a glimpse of traditions practiced before independence. From casting to costuming, from lighting to direction, from scripting to dialogue, the team has put its best foot forward. A story of four women, including the lead Sharada, is told in the film. Sharada, a pious woman, turns out to be a non-believer in religious practices after suffering a hard incident for no fault of hers.
Sharada's sister-in-law who formulates all the practices according to her comfort level is apparently representative of women who have a justification for everything they do. Sharada's mother-in-law is a puppet of societal practices. Her family's reputation is always her foremost concern. It has been followed in our society for decades. A family's reputation must take precedence over comfort.
Lastly, Sharada's maid explores her interests and then realizes her mistake, thus correcting it. During the movie, there is a scene in which a husband accepts his wife after she returns from a relationship with another man. She would have realized it was a mistake to leave her husband for another man. As you can see, acceptance is subjective.
We may have a hard time believing how restrictive society can be of women in viewing the movie. The unsafe world we lived in for women may even shock us. Women are treated as per society's demands as shown in the film.
Source: Chitraloka
Society is depicted as a mixture of individuals with varied personalities. Religion can't be tagged as either good or bad from any perspective. In the movie, humanity is portrayed beyond every practice. This climax makes the path of the universe (Vishwa path) appear to be better because it allows wide perspectives of humanity to be explored. It is chosen by people who value humanity over practices.
Therefore, the movie reflects what a society is and how people choose to lead it according to their vision.
Famous Quotes
In this movie, the person who played the lead role, Roopa Iyer, speaks highly of her character.
“Taayi, neevu ee burka hakkondu oorolage hogodu sari alla taayi, adanna nange kottubidi taayi”
During the scene in which she escapes captivity by wearing a burka, she is helped by Dattanna (an Islam follower). Upon reaching her village, she is told by Majid Khan to take off the Burka immediately, as her villagers would not accept her in that costume. As she returns the burka, she expresses her gratitude to Majid Khan.
In this dialogue, Roopa Iyer says that society's survival needs are simpler when compared to what society demands.
“Serirai mauja mathakke, bannire vishwapathakke..
Daatu ella moudhyagala”
(Team up with humanity, follow the path of the universe
Transcend every superstition)
Social harmony and wellbeing are key themes of the movie which are based on humanity.
The Bottom Line
Contrary to commercial films, art movies are sober to watch with a meaningful message. Although they have a limited budget, they deliver the best results. Many art movies are aimed at award recipients. A great example is Daatu.
A fascinating look at the social status of the pre-independence era, or a story from yesteryear worth watching if you like social history. A critical overview of religious practices among our ancestors can be gained from watching this movie. All eras were committed to liberation and happy life, which can also be understood in the end.
You can watch this movie on Hotstar.
My Ratings for the movie - 4 on 5
Written By - Dr. Nayana Shree Suresh
1 Comments
Beautiful movie. Novelist Shri S L B is well known for his dealing with inter religious issues and making his characters question the outward issues of blind belief with various religious practices in which the women is always expected to comply with male dictated norms . Good attempt by Director and his team. But, to appreciate the view point of author S L B we should honestly and tirelessly work towards becoming a civil society first, then only the larger audience and our citizen's would be able to look at equality amog all citizens, gendar parity and move away from male dominated thinking .
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
Thanks