Hritika Mohite Natchathiram Nagargiradhu is a 2022 Tamil movie directed by Pa. Ranjith. The movie encompasses the themes of caste, gender and sexuality and blends into the larger theme of ‘Love’. It is set in Pondicherry, when a motley theatre group comes together to put forth their views on love while discussing the subject of …
De-Casteing Love: Pa Ranjith’s ‘Natchathiram Nagargiradhu’
Jitendra Suna Separation of love and Indian cinema is an impossible task. On one hand, our society abhors love; on the other hand, Indian cinema exploits the conditions of lovelessness that exist in our society. A critical study of 2013 on the judgement of various rape cases in seven district courts of Delhi by Rukmini …
Art of the Oppressed: Politics of Existence
B. Prabakaran Why does Sarpatta hold an important place in Tamil film history? It not only has convincing arguments for Dalits and women but also raises questions against dominant images and ideas. A Tamil film, Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (‘you can do it brother’), released 33 years ago was directed by a prominent dialogue writer-cum-director …
Sarpatta Parambarai: A punch in the face of Savarna Parampara
JS Vinay “Be thy own light- Atta Deepa Bhava” ~ Buddha “You must abolish your slavery yourselves. Do not depend for its abolition upon god or a superman. Remember that it is not enough that people are numerically in the majority. They must be always watchful, strong and self-respecting to attain and maintain success. We …
Synthetic Bodies Against Discrimination in Sarpatta and Toofan
Ajay Pateer Following the innumerable COVID-19 deaths across the country during the second wave, more Indians are getting health conscious than there used to be. There is a noticeable rise in fitness cultures. People can be seen walking, running and cycling on public roads in urban spaces since aerobic exercises help us strengthen our …
‘Life of an Outcast’- A challenge to the popular Hindi cinema
Neeraj Bunkar Cinema is the reflection of the society, which manifests the realities of the actual world. There are multiple methods of filmmaking. In the popular Hindi cinema, caste-based realities are often ignored. In the case where caste is being discussed, it is a high probability that Dalits will be shown as submissive …
Pa Ranjith, Dalits and Land Rights
Pardeep Attri In the last few days, social media was buzzing with the war of two different ideologies over the “controversial” comments made by director Pa Ranjith, famous for movies such as Madras, Kabali and Kaala, on Chola empire and exploitation of Dalits. Pa Ranjith’s remark that rule of Chola emperor Raja Raja I …
Why Pariyerum Perumal made me uncomfortable?
Adhvaidha K Pariyerum Perumal is a recently released Tamil movie directed by Mari Selvaraj and produced by director Pa. Ranjith’s Neelam Productions. The film by upholding anti-caste politics and Ambedkarite ideology was well-received by Tamil audience. After a long wait, I went onto watch the film but ended up being disappointed, as I felt, …
Kaala: Construct of Ambedkarite leadership by Pa Ranjith
Mahipal Mahamatta If we look at the history of more than 100 years of Indian cinema, we will find that Caste has been blatantly sidelined from it. Kancha Ilaiah had staid that mainstream history of India, is a history of the upper castes and there is no space for Dalits and Bahujans in it. …