Sanskrit plays or anything written in this genre of language, is conventionally considered to be too grave. But exercising the issue of "Transmigration of soul" as it's master theme, #Bhagavadajjukam breaks down this stereotyped tag. It's a screen transformation of the original Sanskrit farce, written in the 7th century CE, sharing the same title. The director, Yadu Vijayakrishnan Parameswaran has left no key unturned to make this tough mission of projecting a vintage play, a bona fide stackholder of silver screen. The arresting cinematography, the regimented colour projection to illuminate that "current of lenient religious tint", the comic reliefs and it's free flowing visual frequency reflect the panache of the entire cinematic mission, accomplished by the director.
2 Reviews
Must watch for all Sanskrit and good film enthusiasts.
arunasthsh5 April 2022
The film is based on the 7th century drama of the same name written by Bodhayanan. Parivraajaka is a Buddhist monk and Shandilya is his disciple. Shandilya comes across Vasanthasena, a courtesan and she dies when Yamadootha accidentally takes her life instead of another's. Seeing the lamentation of his disciple and to teach him a lesson the monk transfers his soul to Vasanthasena. From there is the onset of a sequence of comical events and great satire.
In an era where Sanskrit texts and scriptures are destroyed or lost and not given proper archival and protection, it's extremely heartening to see a film in Sanskrit. The effort of the crew in coming up with such films that reflect our culture and heritage is commendable. The dialogues do not feel monotonous at all and in fact the experience is just like listening to conversations in our mother tongue. Sanskrit films often feel like the ones that come dubbed from other languages where the dialogues sound like speech sans any emotion and the entire film giving the vibe of a documentary. This movie stands apart in terms of naturalistic dialogues and acting. The cinematography, art design, background score everything makes it a beautiful cinematic experience. The 78 minutes long film has a beautiful song as well and some of the shots are too pretty.
Sanskrit is rarely used for day to day communication these days. Even then, this film is the testimony that when artists who are passionate and devoted to true art and language exist, quality and finesse are possible. Selection in the Indian Panorama section of IFFI, Bengaluru International Film Festival, and Kerala State Film Critics Award for best Sanskrit Film prove the same.
In an era where Sanskrit texts and scriptures are destroyed or lost and not given proper archival and protection, it's extremely heartening to see a film in Sanskrit. The effort of the crew in coming up with such films that reflect our culture and heritage is commendable. The dialogues do not feel monotonous at all and in fact the experience is just like listening to conversations in our mother tongue. Sanskrit films often feel like the ones that come dubbed from other languages where the dialogues sound like speech sans any emotion and the entire film giving the vibe of a documentary. This movie stands apart in terms of naturalistic dialogues and acting. The cinematography, art design, background score everything makes it a beautiful cinematic experience. The 78 minutes long film has a beautiful song as well and some of the shots are too pretty.
Sanskrit is rarely used for day to day communication these days. Even then, this film is the testimony that when artists who are passionate and devoted to true art and language exist, quality and finesse are possible. Selection in the Indian Panorama section of IFFI, Bengaluru International Film Festival, and Kerala State Film Critics Award for best Sanskrit Film prove the same.
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