Cinema
The Ritual
ಘಟಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ
Girish Kasaravalli · 1977
Synopsis
In a village in Karnataka, Udupa runs a Vedic school where Brahmin boys live. His daughter Yamuna, a widow since childhood, lives with him. Nani, a new pupil aged eight, becomes deeply attached to her, and it is through him that we see the young woman break the rules of orthodox Brahmin society and the community close ranks against her.
Context
It was the director's first feature, drawn from a story by U. R. Ananthamurthy, which he adapted himself; the music is by B. V. Karanth. Shooting took place in difficult conditions because of its subject. Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project and the Film Heritage Foundation restored it in Bologna with the support of the foundation of George Lucas and Mellody Hobson; it was presented at Venice Classics in 2024.
Who it is for
One hundred and eight minutes in Kannada, with no French release. The film observes without comment, in natural light and on location.
Prizes and reception
National Award for best film in 1977, the first of its director's four; counted by critics among the great Indian auteur films of the 1970s.
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