‘Veeranarayanana Beedu’ Review : Treasure trove of History
Duration: 74 mins
Language: Kannada
Dir: Sushilendra Joshi
A distinct documentary that is informative, entertaining, and well researched. If you want to slake your hunger for the history of Gadag then this is the signpost.
Gadag, a city in the northern part of Karnataka has a proud history and a rich heritage, but most of this is forgotten or hidden under the cloud of modernity. “Veeranarayanana Beedu” is a Kannada performative documentary that makes a sincere effort to remind us of what formed the modern-day Gadag. It talks about Mythology, Gadag’s mountainous topography, various religious sites & Spiritual places, rich literary connections and everything that Gadag can be proud of.
Early into the film we are introduced to the anchor, a wise and curious brahmin man and his benighted sibling who is distracted by the need to escape the banalities of learning. These two brothers who take us on this journey through time depict the inevitable co-existence of curiosity and ignorance. It is these siblings that bring the necessary humour and entertainment to this history lecture.
The 74 minute pilgrimage starts from the Veeranarayana Temple, a temple that stands tall on the land of Gadag from c.11th century. Then, We see the picturesque Trikuteshwara temple and understand what lies under its beautiful architecture. The 74 minutes are crammed with information most of which you might miss, but the major drawcards get your attention. This performative documentary demands the screen time and looks authentic.
Talking about the literary heritage of Gadag, the Protagonist Kavi Kumara Vyasa is introduced during the last 30 minutes of the documentary. This segment serves as a succinct biopic of the celebrated Kannada writer and poet. For anyone interested in knowing about the formative years and the life of the poet this is the most accessible piece of information.
The documentary brings old world aesthetics on to your screens. The decision to interlace entertainment with narration makes it enjoyable. Owing to the fact that this was made in the year 2003, the Youtube version has a few technical glitches but the experience as a whole is very enriching and leaves you with the feeling of epiphany.
