Prarthane Review

What is expected from a discerning journalist that too in Kannada journalism has come out well with deep concern and devotion in handling the subject is seen. Sadashiva Shenoy with long career in journalism from `Lankesh Patrike' has chosen the apt subject of Kannada medium of instruction in schools at stake.

With a leading personality like Smt Sudha Murthy he makes every Kannadiga to sit up and watch this film and know what is happening to Kannada. Like how the slow evaporation is happening for Kannada the other languages in this country is also facing similar situation is his study report in the film. So what is applicable in this film is applicable in many languages of this country.

The winning points of this film are subject, narration and actors for the film. Ananthnag, Prakash Raj occupy the major attention while Smt Sudha Murthy with wonderful diction of Kannada in the climax represent the Kannada speaking people at the world level.

Director Shenoy has not only handled the fate of the Kannada language. He has focused on the culture and losing of it happening in the name of English is politely narrated. This film made in a shoe string budget has not lost its relevance throughout and depicts the socio-cultural-economic arena of life.

Kannada teacher Purushottama (Ananthnag) has greedy wife Shanthi in the house. Shanthi sees the future of her son and with the hand to mouth existence from her teacher husband she is fed up. Shanthi joins computer institute and gets a job to give good living condition to her son Sachin (Master Sachin). On the other hand with no facilities in life Purushottama has a bright student Cheluva (Master Manoj) in his school.

The emergence of an English convent school is an alarm bell for Purushottama. Shanthi admit her son to the convent vacating him from her husband school. Further insult Purushottama meets when he is supposed to bring his son from the convent.

Purushottama good at teaching the plays is in contact with Sahukar Thimmappa (Prakash Raj) gives a good mileage to the rich Thimmappa via plays of Ravana and Bheema. Very happy for correcting his language and helping him in getting scope Thimmappa orders for uniform to the 40 children of Purushottama Kannada school children. Knowing this magnanimity Purushottam ask for further help of a concrete building to his school that is in bad shape. Thimmappa in anger says that school should be kept his name. Such decision is not in the hands of Purushottama. The inspection report of the government also points to the closure of the school for lack of students and good building.

In the rainy season the old building of Purushottama School falls down. What is the answer from the government in such a case is the question remains in the mind.

Versatile actor Ananthnag surely deserves an award. He is too good and very natural in his role. Prakash Raj the top actor of Indian cinema in the role of Sahukar Thimmappa stuns from his dialogue delivery in the get up of Raavana and Bheema.

Pavithra Lokesh is nice and two children Master Sachin and Master Manoj given a splendid performance. There is only one song in this film 'Prarthane' for the prayer of the school from Veera Samarth. S Ramachandra last cinematography is for 'Prarthane' is very attractive in the outdoor locations.

This is a film of every Kannadiga and for other language people there is signal of extinction.

Score - 8/10