Daijiworld Media Network – Mysuru
Mysuru, Sep 23: Tulu movie ‘Pidayi’ was screened at the Mysuru Dasara Film Festival on September 18.
Produced under the banner of Namma Kanassu by K Suresh, written by Ramesh Shettigar, and directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Santosh Mada, ‘Pidayi’ was released across the coastal region on September 12 and has been receiving excellent response from viewers.
The film has already been officially selected for the Kolkata, Shimla, Jharkhand, and California International Film Festivals. Notably, it created history at the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival as the first-ever Tulu film to compete in both the Indian and Kannada Cinema categories, ultimately bagging the second-best film award. Its selection for the Mysuru Dasara Film Festival has added yet another feather to its cap.
Renowned Kannada actor Sharath Lohitashwa plays the lead role in 'Pidayi', supported by Deepak Rai Panaje, Pushparaj Bolar, Roopashree Varkady, Ila Vitla, Devi Nair, Preethesh Kumar, Anil Raj Uppal, Ravi Varkady, DBC Shekhar, Anita Chandrashekar, and child artistes Monish, Trisha, Dhruva, Niha, and Kushi Shekhar.
National Award-winning cinematographer Unni Madavoor has handled the camera, while two-time National Award-winning editor Suresh Urs, who holds a record for editing the highest number of films globally, has edited the film. The dialogues were written by Ramesh Shettigar and DBC Shekhar. The film has been shot in Mudipu of Dakshina Kannada district and the border areas of Manjeshwar.
The movie features lyrics by Padma Shri Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, five-time Kerala State Award-winning poet from the Malayalam industry; Sudhir Attavara, recipient of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award; and Kushalaksi Kanvatirtha, winner of the Tulu Academy Award. Music is composed by Ajay Namboothiri. A special highlight is the debut of renowned singer Vidyabhushana in playback singing for a film, supported by Medha Vidyabhushana, Vijesh Gopal, Bhavana, and others. Background score, crucial for the film’s silent sequences, has been provided by Kerala State Award winner Deepankuran.
Art direction is by Rajesh Bandyodu, costumes by Meera Santosh, makeup by Binoy Kollam, with Vignesh Kulal as chief associate director. Associate directors include Girish Achar Sullia, Pradeep Rao, and Vishwa Mangalpadi. Ravi Varkady served as team manager, while Deepak Uppal was the still photographer.
For the first time in Tulu cinema, ‘Pidayi’ introduces Kunnita Bhajana (a unique Tulu devotional dance-singing tradition). One Kunnita Bhajana song has music by Sandeep Ballal and lyrics by Yogeesh A S, while another, penned by noted poet advocate Shashiraj Kavoor, has music composed by Shinoy Joseph.
The film’s story highlights the dignity of women. Revolving around the saying ‘Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devataah’ (Where women are respected, there the gods dwell), the narrative unfolds in the household of Bhojanna Mahammaayi, when an educated daughter-in-law enters the family. Her confrontation with the traditions surrounding the muttu (customary event) leads to a satvik conflict, and Bhojanna’s firm decision to uphold the honour of women forms the soul of the film.
‘Pidayi’ has already been widely acclaimed at international screenings in Kolkata, Shimla, Jharkhand, and Bengaluru, and the Mysuru Dasara screening has further strengthened its recognition.