An intense cinematic journey

Film - CHANDAN SARMAH

Joseph Pulinthanath of Tripura belongs to the batch of lesser known but committed filmmakers who keep hopes of serious regional cinema alive.

His debut film, Mathia (2004), was the first from Tripura to have been selected for the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India, 2005 and won the Best Film award at a festival in Poland.

Pulinthanath has recently completed his second film, Yarwng (Roots) and this 95-minute feature film in Kokborok bears all the signs of the committed efforts of a serious filmmaker.

Yarwng depicts the lives of ordinary people striving to preserve their humanity in the face of abrupt social change and economic desperation.

The protagonist, Sukurai, has just learnt that his wife Karmati had once been the fiancée of his jhum companion Wakhirai.

Karmati says she and Wakhirai were to be married but on the night before their wedding a newly built dam submerged her village and separated them forever.
Wakhirai moved out along with his family and his ailing father died on the way. Wakhirai tells Sukurai that his meeting Karmati is just a co-incidence.
Sukurai, himself a victim of the same catastrophe, suggests a reunion between Karmati and Wakhirai.

Karmati goes to Wakhirai’s house but finds him missing. But the poor woman is ready to face her destiny bravely and keeps waiting.

Like any other good film, Yarwng, too, scores for its compact and mature script.
The director, with his command over the language of film, has skilfully avoided melodrama and knitted the storyline with plain narrative treatment and subtle, cinematic drama.

The specific visual design of the film and the use of low-light shots both during the day and night has not only complemented the theme but also infused passion.
Mostly shot outdoors, the film contains a series of excellent nocturnal visuals.
Talented Meena Debbarma in the role of Karmati has put in a splendid performance. She is especially impressive in the silent scenes where she has shown her superb acting skill with brilliant facial expressions and intense eyes.

Actors Nirmal Jamatia (as Wakhirai) and Sushil Debbarma (as Sukurai) are equally impressive.

Pulinthanath has used folk tunes as the background score to telling effect. Yarwng is unquestionably a cinematic piece the entire region can be proud of.

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