Kannada film KANASEMBO KUDUREYANNERI review

• DIRECTOR Girish Kasaravalli
• ACTORS Biradara, Umashree, Sadashiv Brahamavar, Pavithra Lokesh, Shivaranjan
• RUN TIME 90 mins
• CERTIFICATION U

At a time when fake Kasaravallis flood Kannada’s parallel cinema, the master returns to the arena, re-affirming our faith in art films. Having said that, Kanasembo Kudureyanneri is not the best of Kasaravalli’s works. As always, the film is simple in its content, but does not necessarily ignite you. (Like most of his works did).

Irya is a gravedigger and lives in pitiable condition with his wife Rudri. His belief in his profession prevents him from taking any other labour. But it is not every day that someone dies in the village. His wife takes up the responsibility of earning the daily morsel. Irya dreams of Siddha, his community God, promising him ‘work’ the following day. He believes the village landlord has passed away. But his belief is shattered when he is told there has been no death. His wife’s dream of Siddha's arrival also proves to be false. But the reality turns out to be something different. Irya's dreams are crushed from becoming realities by the manner in which the well-off people in the village use it to re-establish and save their own belief systems.

The non-linear narrative, a first in Kasaravalli films, was not completely essential. Only in two scenes does it have some impact. The technique is not used to reveal different perspectives of the same situation by different people, but only to show some additional information, not visible to the other. The climax seems like an afterthought that does not exactly connect with the original storyline.

Brilliant in Irya’s role, kannada acotr Biradara proves his talent after being marginalised in commercial cinema as a comedian. As convincing is Umashree as Rudri. Veteran actor Sadashiv Brahamavar should pick up an award or two for his role in the film.

Kasaravalli's attention to detail, in all departments, is the reason for the good show by every actor and technician in the film. V Manohar's music is rustic and charming and ‘more’ than what you find in regular art films. HM Ramachandra's cinematography is another major highlight. Kanasembo Kudureyanneri is a good film for serious film aficionados; but it does not ignite you. Not quite a master’s work, shall we add. Yet, it has glimpses of his brilliance.