Sant Tukaram’, a Marathi movie was screened here on Thursday on the second day of the film festival ‘Ekagra’ at Antarang Auditorium, Bharat Bhawan organised under the Chhavi series of classical cinema.
Sant Tukaram is a Marathi movie about the life of Tukaram (1608–50), a prominent Varkari Sant and spiritual poet during the Bhakti movement in India. The movie is based on his life and teachings. It showcases Sant Tukaram’s biography, written by Shivram Vashikar and directed by VG Damle and Sheikh Fattelal. The movie was released in the year 1983, having the running time of 131 minutes.
Turning away from courtly Sanskrit towards vernacular rhythms of religious poetry constituted the first major emancipatory movement against brahmanical caste domination.
The episodic plot pits Tukaram (Pagnis) against the Brahmin Salomalo (Bhagwat), who pretends to be the true author of Tukaram's songs.
The first half of the film is rather melodramatic. It focuses on the Tukaram’s family and describes his journey from a common man to saint. The costumes and sets work brilliantly in taking the audience back in the 17th century.
The people took pleasure watching the show giving a huge positive response. While talking to The Pioneer in-charge of Chhavi series Narendra Rai said, “It is really enviable that people of the city are enjoying these shows being screened here. Sant Tukaram too was enjoyed by the audiences.”
On asking about the response Rai said, “People love to watch such movies which are lost somewhere or have their identity in the course books.” Elaborating further, he said, “This is a quality cinema and even youngsters also come in the big herd to watch the classical cinema. We endeavour to promote such movies,” he added.