Kraurya


Kraurya is a 1996 Indian Kannada language drama film directed by Girish Kasaravalli, based on a story written by T. N. Seetharam about an old woman who has to deal with complex relationships with people of different generations she is put up with. The title in Kannada literally means "cruelty". The cast includes Renukamma Murgod in the lead role as Rangajji, with supporting roles portrayed by Vishwas, H. G. Dattatreya and T. V. Gurumurthy.
The film won two awards at the 43rd National Film AwardsBest Feature Film in Kannada and Best Child Artist.

Plot summary

Kraurya is the story of Rangajji, a widow who loves to tell stories of fantasy to the children of her village. Rangajji's hardships start when her only son dies young mysteriously. Rangajji goes to live with a distant relative of hers, only to receive a cold welcome. Life goes on endlessly for Rangajji. She longs to tell stories to children, but her freedom is severely restricted. While she spends every day in boredom, Murty the youngest son of the family becomes close to Rangajji. Rangajji feels a new lease of life when the eldest son of the family Subbanna decides to go to Bangalore to start his own private business. Rangajji lends the money Subbanna needs, thinking that Subbanna might help her find her husband's close friend Mr.Padmanabiah in Bangalore. Subbanna leaves for Bangalore. After a few months Rangajji leaves for Bangalore along with Murty only to receive another cold welcome from Subbanna. She tries to find Mr.Padmanabiah with Murty's help. When her search ends, she comes to know that Mr.Padmanabiah is no more. Her last ray of hope dims out and leaves her in a state of mental shock, desperation and defeat. She loses her will to live. Murty decides to take her back to the village. But a spate of events during the journey back to the village leaves Rangajji physically wounded. Murty tries to take control of the situation, but a small boy that he is, he fails. The climax of the film shows Rangajji in an unconscious state lying in the police station, while Murty afraid the police might arrest him for murder makes a desperate getaway.

Cast

"Kraurya" is a Kannada word meaning "cruelty". The story and the film deal with the violence of the human mind. The protagonist is a victim of this violence. Girish Kasaravalli contemplates on how humans can wreck other's lives by displaying behaviour lacking humanitarian consideration. We know that something we say can hurt another person. But we still say it. That we know it is just a fact, never a reality. Kraurya effectively showcases this. Sometimes, cruelty of the mind is far more penetrating than cruelty in the physical sense. The former has immense potential to delve deep into human mind and leave the person devastated for the rest of his life, never to rise again. We witness all these through the film. The metamorphosis of Rangajji from a woman bubbling with life and enthusiasm to a lonely woman waiting to die effectively showcases the power and notoriety of human mind.

Highlights

Smt.Renukamma Murgod as Rangajji delivered a world class performance in the film. Kraurya was the most memorable film of the actress. Master Vishwas as Murty won a national award for his role. The film also featured senior artistes like H.G.Dattatreya and Mr. Gurumurty.

Awards and screenings