Singaravva

Colour, 35 mm
India, 2002, 120 min
Section: Another View

Synopsis

Singari is the daughter of one of three wives of the corrupt and covetous Gowda. He first marries her off to a corpse just to acquire the property of the deceased, then, for similar motives, to the maharajah Desai, an impotent, smug pervert. Desai’s mother longs for a grandson to continue the line, but Desai is unable to function properly, even on the wedding night – he usually faints just at the mere sight of a woman’s thighs. Singari longs for motherhood and a fulfilling partnership, thus, in her despair, she turns to the local shaman who promises that she will become pregnant without conceiving. The shaman, however, turns out to be a conman and coward, like all the men at Desai’s court. Mariya is the exception who avenges the death of his sister at the GOwda´s hands. He kills him and thus saves Singari from losing all the property Gowda had planned to take from her. But other trials await...

About the director

Talakadu Srinivasaiah Nagabharana (b. 1953, India) has made around 30 films, various TV programmes, films and series for children, a number of documentaries, and he is also a stage director and actor. His films focus on rural environments which preserve the rich cultural heritage of India; important themes include woman and children, love of the land and the conviction that things need to be called by their proper names. Selected filmography: Grahana (1978), Anveshane (1980), Banker Margayya (1984), Aasphota (1987) (state prize for Best Film), Santa Shishunala Sharifa (1990), Mysoora Mallige (1992), Chynnari Mutta (1993, musical), Naaviddve Eccharike (1995-96), Junamada Jodi (1998) and award-winning Nella (2001), the story of a tribal girl successfully struggling against oppression, tyranny, and cancer. Twelve of his films were honoured with various awards.