A tryst with the mythological
M.L. NARASIMHAM
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Breathing life into a mythological is no easy task.
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SPIRITUAL MESSAGE Actor Suman and Pinky Sircar essay many roles.
Art directors do have a large say in the making of mythologicals. Not only in the set design, but also in the selection of costumes, ornaments and armaments they have to do a lot of work out along with the director.
Art director Sishtla whose work won much appreciation in Bapu-Ramana's mega television serial Sri Bhagavatham has created a true-to-life dilapidated cave set at Ramoji Film City for Karthik films' Sri Sathyanarayanaswamy directed by Nagesh Naradasi.
Suman dons the title role as well as eight other mythological roles. Pinky Sircar plays his consort and will be essaying roles ranging from Goddess Lakshmi to Saraswati to Parvathy and Sita.
Cinematographer Vijay was checking the lighting before the take on Chandramohan who is in the guise of a Sidhapurusha. The Sidha lives in a cave and for him God is omnipresent. In the scene being shot, Lord
Vishnu (Suman) appears before the sleeping Sidha and wakes him up. Instead of being awestruck, the Sidha gets annoyed at being disturbed from a deep slumber.
Vishnu says that he is hungry. The Sidha had just one fruit with him. He gives the fruit to Vishnu. When Vishnu is about to eat it, an old woman's voice is heard from outside begging for food. Suddenly the Sidha grabs the fruit from a stunned Vishnu.
At this point the director calls, `cut.' Suman and Chandramohan share a light moment as the unit relaxes for a few minutes in between the takes.
"In the next sequence, Vishnu asks the Sidha why he took away the fruit which he was about to eat. The Sidha replies that the God can get something to eat in the form of prasadam in any temple, but where does the
poor woman go for food, who will feed her. There are some interesting episodes like these in the movie," discloses Nagesh. He had earlier directed a mythological serial, Chandralekha for a private channel.
"Many perform the traditional Sathyanarayana vratham but most of them are not aware of the reason behind the swamy's avatar. And also the picture we worship during the vratham is that of Vishnu and not that of Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy. After a thorough research on the subject, I wrote a story (with dialogue by Burra Sai Madhav) that brings out many
interesting facets about the incarnation of Sathyanarayana Swamy. And 30 per cent of the devotees who visit the Lord at Annavaram are Punjabis," informs the director.
Suman besides playing Sathyanarayana Swamy dons the roles of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara and Lord Rama and as Viprudu, a yogi and a devotee. "Perhaps it is a record of sorts to act in nine roles in a mythological. I am blessed," feels the actor who was largely accepted in the roles of Lord Venkateswara and Rama.
The shoot is about to commence. Vijay alters the filters as his assistant checks the lighting with the meter.
"I am using different filters and lenses for different positions. In one scene, which we shot earlier, I had to film in such a way that the Lord is helping his devotee, the Sidha, draw a yantra, and he should not be visible to his devotee.
But the audience should see him. When the devotee turns to his side, he should disappear. I shot the scene in just one continuous flow that surprised even the film's editor
(Venu). We changed the filters in a jiffy to make the shot possible without graphics. When the director has a clear mind of frame, it makes the cameraman's job all the more easier. He explained to me in minute
detail before going to the shoot."
`Vandemataram' Srinivas scored the music for the six songs, three poems and three slokas. "The seven-minute song on how to perform the vratham written by Burra Subrahmanya Sastry and rendered by S.P.B. is the highlight. No wonder if it is played in every home during the puja," says the director.
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