Kunku

It is a 1937 Marathi film by V. Shantaram. It is a classic social drama based on the novel, Na Patnari Goshta by Narayan Hari Apte. He has also written the screen play of this movie. The film was shot in Hindi & released asDuniya Na Maane.

Shanta Apte in the lead role was supported by Keshavrao Date, Raja Nene,Vimala Vasistha, Shakuntala Parajpye, Master Chhotu. After’Amrit Manthan’ & “Amar Jyoti” it was the third most memorable performance by Shanta Apte.

It was shown in Venice International Film Festival. It was a critical & commercial success. A rare feat indeed. The film is hailed for it’s daring attack on the treatment of women in the Indian Society & depiction of child marriage. It is 2021 & yet besides the overt changes not much has changed. The condition of women remains the same. It remains a current issue.

A young woman, Nirmala rebelling against her marriage with a much older widower, Kaka saheb. It reminds of Deval’s play, Sharada. There Neera is married off to an old widower by her foster parents. The deal is motivated by money.

The college going son flirts with the step mother . The widowed daughter sympathises with her. Being a widow brought in too many restrictions. If marrying a older person was the norm there used to be a widow in every family. With shaved head & the dusty red sari to wear, Alvan.

Kunku or applying the vermillon red ‘Teeka’ on the forehead was a must. A married woman could not forget to put the kunku & the mangalsutra around her neck. The poems & poetry praise it. Manohar Vibhandik’s mother had a round, big kunku always. ‘ Aaichya kapalavarchya bhalya mothya kunkvala

Sarech jan mhanat gol gol rupaya, pan mhanun te tine manipurse madhe thevle nahi….

The kunku has a unique place. It is never taken up by anything else. Imagine a beauty without the ‘Teeka’… the shringar is incomplete. The kunku is not applied only by the widows. They have to sacrifice all the ornaments, luxuries in life & lead a simple life. Generally in puja paath , in the temple or away from the festivities.

V. Shantaram was known for his relevant issues in films & his direction. They are the masterpieces we need to cherish. It remains one of his own favourites forever.