Once again here is a gem from Marathi.
Shala (School), a 2011 film takes you back to school and makes you feel nostalgic,
especially if you have had a humble schooling. Set in 1970s India, the film
portrays myriad Indian socio-cultural complexities through the eyes of a bunch
of students.
Mukund Joshi is a ninth standard boy who
‘falls in love’ with his classmate Shirodkar. He is so mad after her that even
as he is good in studies, he registers himself for tuitions just to be with his
girl. One might think this is absurd, and the whole aspect of love affairs in
the high school not convincing. However, the director Sujay Dahake has weaved a
compelling story of love with hardly any grand romanticism and glamour that is
intrinsic to an adult love. Here is a young boy who is so passionate about a
girl and his love for her is pure and precious. Hence it does not seem unwieldy
and artificial at all.
Director: Sujay Dahake
Film Clip
The film is also about the Indian struggle
to keep pace with democratic principles. In 1975 Indira Gandhi declared
Emergency and that brought about tremendous upheaval in the socio-economic and
cultural spheres of India. It affected education as well. The director tries a
bit to depict this part of our history through the eyes of the protagonists.
The school that is portrayed in the film,
of course, is a typical idea of an Indian grand narrative called ‘School’. It
has all sort of characters (call them teachers). There are those who are so
full of ego and think that only brown wrapper is the best for the note books.
There are others who have their own idiosyncrasies that keep them low; while
there are also a few who are more sympathetic to the students.
While the film is hardly a mirror to what
schooling must have been in medieval India, it, no doubt, gives a glimpse into
its influence in society. And, well, the love story of two village teens has
all the characteristics of a fairy tale in a real world.
- Melwyn Pinto SJ
Films based on children in school, especially the ones set in the village background, have mostly been an interesting watch. Village schools and kids experience simple fun, which is foreign and beyond reach to the increasingly materialistic city kids, who are more in tune with trivial things like Nike shoes and play station. Films like Makdee and Shala, reflect the rich experience of village schools, where love, friendship,loyalty and courage rule.
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