‘Not right to object daivaradhane depiction on screen’

“I played the role of a Bhuta Kola performer in several plays and have performed similar roles in movies as well. No objections were raised back then. But, we are facing objections of late,” said Basuma Kodagu of Kantara fame on January 11.

‘’It is not right to say that tradition or daivaradhane (spirit worship) should never be shown on screen. But a thorough study is essential before bringing it to the screen,” he said.

Without naming any movie or revealing his personal opinion on whether the depiction of Daivaradhane in Kantara was right or wrong, Mr. Kodagu said, “Earlier, people used to study a subject before criticising it. Nowadays, we don’t see that study; only the criticism thrives prominently.” He was speaking during the session titled “Parade Mele Parampare” (Heritage on Screen) on the last day of the Mangaluru Lit Festival, organised by Bharat Foundation.

“Mistakes are being sought out of sheer stubbornness. The culture of banning has increased, and resorting to bans is an extreme step,” he said.

“Wherever performances are presented before the public, it is natural for heritage to manifest. A critical perspective is essential when incorporating customs and traditions into films. People must have the wisdom to choose what is good,” he said.

Expressing opposition to the use of Yakshagana in advertisements, he stated, “It is wrong to use Yakshagana in advertisements and videos for commercial reasons. Furthermore, Yakshagana should be practised within its traditional framework; disrupting the discipline of Yakshagana for commercial purposes is not right.”

Sharing his views on cinema as a family experience, he remarked, “We prevent children from watching Western movies, but they watch everything on their mobiles inside their rooms. We lack clarity on what exactly needs to be banned. Moreover, the concept of a ‘family movie’ no longer fits perfectly because everyone’s tastes have become different.”

Sriraj Gudi moderated the session.