Sep 01 2024 to Sep 01 2024 11 a.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Kannada with English Subtitles | 113 Minutes | 1993 After the death of the father, a family is forced to move from their home in the forest to the city, where they barely scrape by.

This month’s film featured in our informal film club is Devara Kaadu (1993) “Devara Kaadu” is a poignant Indian film that weaves together themes of environmental conservation, family bonds, and the struggle for survival. Directed by Pattabhirama Reddy, this 1993 drama tells the story of Deva, a young man whose life journey takes him from the forests of his childhood to the harsh realities of urban life, and back again to his roots.

The narrative begins with tragedy, as Deva and his mother are forced to leave their forest home after his father’s death. In the city, they face the challenges of poverty head-on. While his mother works as a domestic helper, young Deva takes on the role of a rag-picker, scraping together what he can to support their meager existence. As he grows older, Deva advances to pulling a rickshaw, a symbol of his determination to improve their circumstances. However, the city’s toll on his mother’s health becomes evident. Her dying wish to return to their native place sets in motion a bittersweet journey. Though she doesn’t survive to see their homeland, Deva ensures her final resting place is beside his father’s grave.

It’s at this pivotal moment that Deva’s true life’s work begins. Honouring his parents’ wishes and memory, he embarks on a remarkable four-decade mission to reforest the barren land they once called home. Through his tireless efforts, Deva transforms the landscape, creating a lush forest where once there was only abandoned earth. “Devara Kaadu” is not just a tale of personal loss and perseverance; it’s a powerful allegory for mankind’s relationship with nature.

The film showcases how one individual’s dedication can lead to monumental change, breathing life back into forgotten lands and communities.

Recognized for its environmental message, “Devara Kaadu” was awarded the National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation in 1993, cementing its place as a significant work in Indian cinema.