Girish Kasarvalli’s film Tabarana
Kathe, though made in the 80s, is still very relevant to our times. The film
received Golden Globe award from the President in 1986. In fact, Kasarvalli has
achieved this fete four times to four of his films, perhaps one of the very few
directors to peak such heights. The film has been made available in DVD format
recently and is a worthwhile watch.
Poornachandra Tejaswi
Director: Girish Kasarvalli
Tabarana Kathe is based on the short story by writer Poornachandra Tejaswi. It
narrates the grueling journey of Tabara, the class four government employ, to
claim his pension. However, at each stage there are far too many hurdles than
poor Tabara can ever cross. In the bargain, as fate would have it, he loses his
wife and his mental equilibrium as well.
Just the other day, a minister in
the Karnataka government made reference to this film. He said that government
officials must watch this film and make sure that common people do not end up
like Tabara. One can effortlessly take home the undertones. The red-tapism
which is an essential ingredient for corruption is practiced in government
offices as a matter of routine. Not just the Tabaras, but even the highly
civilised and educated lot also cannot easily crack such stonewalls without greasing
the palms of powers that be! While the rich will have their way without any
qualms of conscience, it is persons like Tabaras who have both to be wary of
their conscience as well as their deprived plight.
The lead actor Charu Hasan as
Tabara is a personification of typical common man. The masterly touch of the
director is visible in every frame – leading actors and the camera in tandem.
- Melwyn Pinto SJ
