Dweepa

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Dweepa
File:Dweepa (film) poster.jpg
Poster
Directed byGirish Kasaravalli
Produced bySoundarya
Screenplay byNagendra Rao R Mane (Vishnu)
Story byNa D'Souza
Based onDweepa
by Na D'Souza
StarringSoundarya
Avinash
M. V. Vasudeva Rao
Harish Raj
Music byIsaac Thomas Kottukapally
CinematographyH. M. Ramachandra Halkere
Edited byM. N. Swamy
Release date
  • 26 September 2002 (2002-09-26)
Running time
134 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Dweepa (transl. The Island) is a 2002 Indian Kannada-language film by Girish Kasaravalli, based on the novel of the same name by Na D'Souza,[1] and starring Soundarya and Avinash. Dweepa deals with the raging issue of building dams and the displacement of natives. It won two National Film Awards,[2] four Karnataka State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards South.[3]

Plot[edit]

Located in the backwaters of a dam, Sita Parvata is an island slowly submerging due to the rains. The government succeeds in evacuating the residents by giving them compensation for the properties they own. The village temple priest Duggajja, his son Ganapa, and his daughter-in-law Nagi find it impossible to leave their homeland and make a living with the meagre compensation given by the government. They have but a small hut, which earns them a compensation of 25,000. In Ganapa's own words, the compensation can give them food and shelter, but cannot compensate for the love and respect of their people. On the island, they are important people, but outside, they would be one among hundreds of families struggling to make a living. Centered on this complex theme, the film narrates the struggles of the family and how ultimately in the end they manage to continue life on the island.

The 'inner' theme[edit]

As in all of Girish Kasaravalli's films, Dweepa deals with an 'inner' theme: that of human minds that isolate themselves due to former beliefs and convictions. Each character emerges as a representation of different viewpoints. The protagonist Nagi (Soundarya) is portrayed as an optimistic character whose support is hope and only that. The character finally emerges as a symbol of positive thinking and optimism. Ganapa (Avinash), on the contrary, is resigned to his fate and finally, when they narrowly escape submersion, he fails to see that his wife has achieved the impossible. Duggajja (M. V. Vasudeva Rao) withdraws from the catastrophe rather than face it. He is devastated to see his convictions and beliefs crumble before his eyes and, in the end, he clings to his beliefs in desperation. Krishna (Harish Raju) portrays a typical dreamer, who can mesmerize the village folk with fairy tales about the world beyond the isolated island. In short, he encapsulates the fantasy world we tend to dream about.

Cast[edit]

Awards and screenings[edit]

49th National Film Awards
2001–02 Karnataka State Film Awards
50th Filmfare Awards South
Screenings
  • Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, New York
  • 33rd International Film Festival of India
  • Fukuoka Film Festival, Japan
  • Durban International Film Festival
  • International Film Festival of Rotterdam
  • Cinema Vintage Programme, IsolaCinema, KinoOtok

Soundtrack[edit]

Unlike earlier Kasaravalli films, Dweepa had music by Thomas Isaac Kottukapally used throughout.

References[edit]

  1. Vishwanatha, Vanamala (31 May 2014). "The region writes back". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  2. "49TH National Film Award" (Press release). Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. 26 July 2002. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  3. "Dweepa is showered with accolades". The Times of India. 26 May 2003. Retrieved 20 March 2021.

External links[edit]

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