There is a circular nature to life where each of our actions is followed by a reaction or consequence, which may not always be possible to predict or presume. At the same time, it is hard to explain one’s true motives behind doing something and connect it with the chain of reaction that follows. Chaitra is a delicate piece tugged right in the centre of this ambiguous sphere of life. To shed light on this same social ramification, the movie uses an incident that happened with a mother in the small town of Maharashtra during the festivities of 'Haldi-Kumkum', where she was dishonoured in front of everyone.
Director Kranti Kanadé takes inspiration from the short story by writer G. A. Kulkarni of the same name to bring forward this tale of self-worth with a touch of melancholy. He showcases a festival about marital bliss where women come together and wish for the long lives of their husbands and then subsequently rob the primary character of it. The striking Sonali Kulkarni becomes a perfect muse for the director to present a range of emotions such as repulsion, drive, fulfilment and grief.
The transformation of Sonali’s character from being discouraged and dishonoured to rising above the barrier as a confident and proud woman displayed on screen through the change in appearance was designed and staged remarkably by Costume Designer Shilpi Dasgupta and Cinematographer Mahesh Muthuswami. As she sits in the centre of the dark room, capturing the entire focus with her magical presence, she dresses herself for the ceremony with a beam of light falling on her from the top.
There is an inherent simplicity and old-world charm put forth subtly by the Production Designer Sunil Shinde and Art Director Kranti Kanadé with their use of brass ornaments for serving refreshments to the guests and bicycle rickshaw as a means of commute. This element also acts as a key indicator to show the class divide in the way two households have been shown. While one is gushed with amenities and grandeur complementing their contentment and arrogance, the other is relatively dull and broken addressing their half-measured sense of self by the society.
Amidst the murky exchange of words, animosity and rebuttal, the music composed by Bhaskar Chandavarkar provides stillness and gravity to the entire act with its gentle use of strings, sitars and flutes. It helps to tie those many dots this film provides for the audience to make sense of this poignant tale about the inevitable repercussions of human acts. Not only does this short film draw you into the drama, commenting on the social struggle, but also guides you through the nuances of human interaction and ultimately leaves you shattered with its tragic climax.
Comments
Post a Comment