Original subtitles

Suvarnagiri Films presents

THE RITUAL (GHATASHRADDHA)

Meena Kuttappa

Ajit Kumar

Jagannath

Suresh

Ramaswami Iyengar

Narayana Bhatta

Shantha

H.S. Parvathi

Srihari, Gopalakrishna Shanbhag,

Jagadish, Ram Prasad,

M. D. Subbarao, S. M. Shetty,

Narasimha Murthy, Ramakrishna

And: Yajna Narayana Bhat, Prasanna,

Vasu, B. Krishna, B.S. Anantharam

Voices: Rajalakshmi, Shantarama Jois Venkata Subbayya, Neelattalli Kasturi,

Katte Ramachandra, B.S. Ananta Ram, Narasimhan, Jayashri,

Sundar Raj, Nagabharana and Biligiri

Assistants: Shashi, Narayana, M.D. Subbarao,

Ranga, Nataraja, Lakshmana, Lingayya

Filmed at Chamundeshwari Studio, Bengaluru

Exteriors: Murthy Movies, Madras Premier Studio, Mysuru

Processing: Mohan Radhakrishna Chamundeshwari Studio, Bengaluru

Sound Recording: Govinda Swami Chamundeshwari Studio, Bengaluru

Re-recording: Mohan Sundaram HiFi Recording Centre, Madras

Opticals: Rao's Special Effects, Madras

Assistant Directors: B. S. Anantharam, S. Divakar

Make-up: Ramakrishna

Stills: Basavaraj

Production Managers: S. M. Shetty, Umesh, Satish Kasaravalli

Based on the novella by Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy

Music conducted by L. Vaidyanathan

Music: B.V. Karanth

Editing: Umesh Kulakarni

Sound: K.S. Krishnamurthy

Dialogue and Art Direction: K.V. Subbanna

Cinematography: S. Ramachandra

Producer: Sadanand Suvarna

Written and Directed by Girish Kasaravalli

Sage Kanva tells Shakuntala

that Sage Manu talks of eight types of marriages.

Amongst them, four are ideal for Brahmins,

and six are ideal for Kshatriyas.

Accordingly, for a Brahmin, Brahma, Shaiva...

Why isn't Yamuna coming to the temple anymore?

I don't know.

You ought to know. You both live in the same house.

Don't ask me about her.

I hear she isn't well. So I asked.

Please take the arti.

Oh Lord! Forgive my sins and bless me...

Shambhatta from Kudumallige wants to put his son in our Vedic school.

The boy had his sacred thread ceremony two months ago...

Monday is an auspicious day.

So I asked them to come.

Looks it's a liver disorder. Take this. It'll be all right.

See if she needs water.

Hey, come here.

Touch it.

Is it hot enough?

Let's play a prank.

Here's some water.

- Where are you from? - Kudumallige.

- Where's that? - It's quite far. Beyond Thirthahalli.

Then how come you're here?

I came to enrol my son in the Vedic school.

In our Udupa's school?

Of course, we're Brahmins. Some of our boys also study there.

Go left, turn right, and it's right there.

It's a grand old house.

- What's your name? - Rambhatta.

- Thank you, bye. - Bye.

How nice the water is! So warm. Feels so good, doesn't it?

You're right. Nani, why don't you come and join us?

No.

Yamunakka has hot water ready for my bath.

That doesn't matter. Come and bathe here.

We've finished our bath.

Hey Shastry... Shastry! Hey Shastry!

That's your bath done. Go!

Looks like you're finished here. Are you leaving?

- Is this your youngest son? - Yes.

- Any other sons? - The eldest is married with two kids.

Forgive my curiosity.

I have a grown up daughter. You saw her the other day.

I'm worried about her marriage.

She's pretty.

I was expecting someone from Gokarna with a proposal for her.

I mistook you for him.

If you know of a good match for her, please let me know.

We belong to the Gautam Gotra lineage.

Please help me get her married.

You'll be relieving me of a great burden.

She's already 16, you know, and pretty too.

She should have a husband by now.

But she's unlucky. Moreover, as Brahmins...

- Oh! Here's your son. - Son? I'm not even married yet!

I've spoken to your teacher, Udupa.

I've seen his daughter. She'll take good care of you.

Don't cry now.

I'll come and bring you home for the festival.

Good boy... Shall I go?

Did I tell you about my daughter's horoscope?

I've sought many alliances, but without success.

If you know of any suitable alliance...

Yamuna, where's Nani? Ask him to come soon.

Nani?

What's this? Crying like a sissy. Be a good boy.

I'll make sweet coconut and keep it ready for you.

Go to your lessons now.

I'll treat you to some sweets later.

Get up, dear. Get up.

Go to your class.

Nani, what's this? Haven't you worn your loin cloth?

Come here. I'll tie it for you.

Hey Nani, how come you're back so soon? Are the temple prayers over?

Where are the others then?

They're on their way.

And you?

I was hungry, so I rushed back.

Come. I'll give you something to eat.

Yamuna!

Godakka is here. Go block her way at the door.

If she asks, say you don't know and tell her I'm not at home.

Yamuna!

- Where's Yamuna? - She's not at home.

- Where's she gone? - I don't know.

Why doesn't she come to the temple these days?

Say: "I don't know".

- I don't know. - I came to see her.

- When will she be back? - I told you, I don't know.

You are good for nothing. Just saying "I don't know" over and over.

Is Nani asleep, Yamuna?

Must be. I sent him to bed.

He's away from his mother for the first time.

He might be homesick. He's quite sad.

That's why I let him sleep next to me.

Once he gets used to it, we can let him sleep next to Shastry.

Those two boys tease him a lot.

We've shown great sympathy to Shastry, him being an orphan,

but he's a spoilt brat now.

I need to speak to him. I will talk to him tomorrow.

Next week, I will go to town and meet His Holiness.

Somehow I have managed to run the school well enough until now.

I hope it continues without any hindrance.

God willing...

If His Holiness wishes, it can be done.

With so few students, how can one run the school?

If only they would give some assistance...

You said the other medicine didn't work. This is sure to work. Take it.

I brought it from Shivapura. Apply it twice a day.

It will induce an abortion.

Don't be stubborn. Take it.

You refuse to take the medicines I bring,

then you fret over gossip in the village.

Listen to me, Yamuna. Take this medicine.

Then you can go back to the temple and the village.

No one will know.

I'll meet you day after tomorrow.

Godakka, can I use the pole to pick some Bilva leaves?

Yes.

Shastry and Ganesha aren't wrong.

You need a ladder even to reach a small plant.

Here, I'll pick them for you.

Did you hear anything from Udupa?

No, I don't think so.

He's been away so long. Doesn't he think of home?

A while ago, he was away collecting donations.

And now he's gone to perform some rituals.

At this rate what will happen to the school?

Why? Upadhya comes to teach.

Great! God only knows what he teaches and what you people learn!

- Does he at least come every day? - Yes.

Lucky you!

How's Yamuna now? Is she okay?

Yes. She's all right.

I've not seen her in days, not even in the temple.

I saw her the other day near the river,

but she avoided me and ran away,

as if I was going to gobble her up.

I heard she's unwell

so wanted to enquire... What arrogance!

Do you know what's wrong with her?

Is she sleeping all the time?

- Has she been vomiting? - No.

Does Udupa know about this?

One time she said she felt giddy. Udupa gave her some medicine.

Is that all? I thought it was something else.

Did you hear that, Gopala?

Poor girl.

She hasn't got a fever, yet her belly is bulging.

Shastry, why didn't Upadhya come today?

He's at the landowner's place to perform the annual death rituals.

Why are you staring at me like that?

Is it true you're not well?

- Who said so? - Godakka.

Why did Yamunakka react like that? Did I say anything wrong?

You poor idiot.

Nani!

Don't go to Godakka's anymore.

Why?

Where else can I find the sacred Bilva leaves?

Get them from the old temple.

But it's far away.

I'm not getting good cards.

I was just waiting for this one.

Open the windows.

Is everything set right? Shall I open the door?

Yamunakka says bring a kilo of red chillis and...

Tell her we're studying.

- She wants it right away. - "Wants it right away"?!

Get lost!

Shastry!

Yamunakka says they're needed urgently.

I've passed the message on,

but if you don't listen she'll scold you.

Don't blame me.

Where's the money gone?

- I thought Shastry took it. - When did I take it?

What's going on? What are you quarrelling about?

Ganesha, come on. Let's go to Shivapura and get the chilli...

To hell with them.

Listen! First year boys, practise writing the alphabet.

Second year, write this table.

A poem for the third year students.

Fourth year, work out the sum on the board.

Come, third year boys.

Whose is this?

Come here.

Come.

It's not "ustava". It's "utsava".

Not S-T-A, but... T-S-A.

'S' after 'T'...

S-T-A... S-T-A.

Utsava!

Who's that?

Nani?

Yamunakka!

- Why did you come? Go back. - Let me sleep in your room.

- Why? - I'm scared to sleep with those lot.

You go to sleep now.

You have to get up early.

Why were you sitting outside?

Didn't I ask you not to make a sound?

Yamunakka, why do you always look sad?

Yamunakka.

For God's sake! Go to sleep.

Must be a ghost.

I'll go to the door and ward it off.

- I'm scared. Let me come too. - Nothing's going to happen.

Go to sleep.

Not today. Go away.

It's been a while.

You didn't come.

You went to Parbhu's house. What happened?

I'll tell you tomorrow. The boys are still awake.

Shall we meet tomorrow then?

If it's possible. I'll try. You leave now.

Welcome!

Is His Excellency through with his errands?

Start your prayer.

What are you looking at me for? Do you find it amusing?

Haven't you learnt your lessons?

Oh, you don't know how to talk either. Silent sage!

What were you doing all this time?

Grazing cattle?

This boy has been here long, he hasn't learnt a thing yet.

You idiot! Look at Shastry and Ganesha. Learn from them.

How can you compare Nani to those bullies?

This boy has only just joined.

He'll need some time.

Of course he will! That's what I meant too.

He'll learn as he grows up.

I don't see any Bilva leaves here. How come?

Nani said he would collect them. But if he had told us he couldn't...

We didn't know.

I'm afraid to go that far to the old temple.

Why? Isn't there a tree in Godavaramma's house?

Go and get them after your breakfast.

Nani.

Don't go to Godakka's house.

Then, dear, if she asks, say Yamunakka has a fever.

Did you understand?

Do you understand? You must say I have a fever.

Frightened, aren't you?

You're scared of everything.

Scared of everything.

You dunce!

You were crazy to think ghosts were knocking at the door the other night.

- Do you know who that ghost is? - Let me go. I'm already late.

Let go. Let go!

Shall I join you too?

Aren't you going to Godakka's house?

Oh! It's you.

How's Yamuna?

Yamunakka does have a fever.

It's a lie.

She's troubled by a ghost.

Ghost! You're speaking in riddles.

I'm telling the truth. Four days ago...

a ghost was prowling around outside the house at night.

Then it knocked on the back door.

Really?

You're very sharp.

Do you know who it was?

- Oh, yes. - Who was it?

It's a secret.

Let it be a secret just between us.

Why would I tell you that for nothing?

Why are we talking here?

Come in.

Come inside.

Go ahead, eat. No one need know.

Unlike the others, you're a boy with principles.

These days, the boys don't follow the expected practices and rituals.

They're spoilt.

Look at the landowner's son!

He's like a stray bull.

Go ahead, eat it. This is made of wheat. It's not forbidden.

Look. Shastry is having it.

Hair.

Is Shastry telling the truth?

Does the ghost come every day?

I had told her to take some medicine.

Is she taking it?

Is she?

Is she?

Wretched boy!

Wait, I'm coming too.

Wait.

I'm coming!

Why did you run away as if you'd been possessed?

She was asking so many questions about Yamunakka!

So what?

Yamunakka will be upset if she finds out.

We won't tell her, then.

- Oh! No. I can't do that. - Can't keep it to yourself, can you?

What kind of a godforsaken place is this?

The same lessons, the same mantras,

the same wretched food, the same widows for company.

Like the flowers that fester in the temple pond.

If I had parents as you do,

I'd never have stayed in this damned place.

Will you touch the holy snake idols right now

without an ablution?

No. If I touch them and then defile them,

I'll be bitten by the snake tonight.

You're such an idiot.

That's why we call you an old superstitious hag!

You believe her even when she says there's a ghost in the house.

Watch me now, stupid!

I'll defile the snake stones, come what may.

Did you see that? Where are the snakes?

I've often touched them so, not just today.

But nothing happens.

Such stories are cooked up to cover up someone's failings.

Come on. Be bold and touch the stones.

No, I won't touch it. The snake will come.

I'm scared, Shastry.

Leave me alone!

I won't touch them!

The snake won't come.

See, I told you nothing would happen.

Now touch the other stones too.

Go ahead and touch it...

Touch the one at the corner too.

Have you touched them all?

This one? That one?

All of them?

Do you know why I touch them without fear?

I have the mark of the snake killer bird on my palm. Do you have it too?

Then why did you touch the stones?

No use crying now. The snake will bite you tonight.

Oh no! Please don't say that.

If you promise to obey me,

I'll make sure the snakes don't come. Okay?

Yes.

Speak up. Say you'll obey me.

Don't just nod! Say you'll obey me.

Yes... I will.

You must listen to me. You must do everything I say.

You mustn't tell Yamunakka.

Don't cry. Come, let's go home.

Yamuna.

Yamuna, open the door. Why are you avoiding me?

I heard you were ill. So I came...

I'm well. There's nothing wrong with me.

How would I know that?

The boys also told me that you've been unwell.

Go and spread gossip around town.

Why are you shouting at me?

As a neighbour, should I not share in your joys and sorrows?

- Your plight saddens me. - Shut up! Go away.

Well, what's the matter?

I said, go away. Understand?

Don't think I came here to stay. I have my own house.

I just came to see how you are,

not to deliver your baby.

Get out, you wretch!

How dare you call me a wretch?!

I came to see you out of pity

and you call me names

like a whore calling other women bitches.

I thought I'd see how she's doing in her distressed state.

What nerve!

And she calls me a wretch.

Let her rant.

The cat will be out of the bag soon.

She should have realised that...

It will spread like wildfire in the village!

Damn the wretched bitch. Let her go to hell.

Come here.

That Goda is saying all sorts of things about Yamuna.

Is that true?

It seems you told her.

Did you?

Wasn't that you?

Okay. I won't be coming from now on. Revise lessons among yourselves.

You can study on your own. Also, do some revision for Nani.

Let's see. Say the prayers, you idiot.

Haven't you learnt it yet?

Look at Shastry and Ganesha. How well they study!

At least recite your genealogy.

It's not enough to say, I bow before you. Do it.

Nani, prostrate before me also!

If you obey us, you can forego your lessons.

Ganesha!

Ganesha!

Sounds like Ganesha's father.

- Where's Ganesha? - Gone to the temple. Shall I fetch him?

Is everybody well at home?

My father isn't at home. He's gone to Gokarna for donations.

Listen, boy. Pack up your things. Let's go.

What, in this heat? Have some food.

You can leave in the evening.

Didn't you hear me?

Nani... Nani!

Why are you still here? If you want to go home, come with me.

Make up your mind.

I will ask Yamunakka.

Shastry is going home.

Shall I go too..?

Nani, come.

Nani!

Are you not coming?

You can go home from there.

I'll make arrangements.

So you're not coming.

I asked you because you were hankering to go home.

Anyway, I'm on my way.

Nani!

Shastry, wait. I'll join you.

Leave me, Yamunakka. I want to go home.

Shastry, wait. I'll come too.

I'm hungry.

If you were my mother...

Yamunakka? Yamunakka!

We're going for a stroll. Want to come?

Aren't you bored, sitting all alone? Come with us.

Let me ask Yamunakka.

No! She isn't home.

Yamunakka!

Where's Yamunakka?

She must have gone to the woods.

Yamunakka.

What's she doing here all alone? Isn't she scared?

Shh... Don't talk.

Shall I tell her she needn't be scared and that we're all here?

Yamunakka!

Here comes the ghost!

You haven't been here for days. How come?

You sent me away the other night.

You went to Parbhu's house. What did he say? Did you go to Parbhu's house?

Is it really so serious?

Did you try the medicine Parbhu's wife gave you?

Didn't it work? Did you check?

Can you hear them?

Well, will you do as I say?

Don't be scared.

I'm with you.

Don't make a fuss. Be bold.

Listen to my advice.

Tomorrow night, while the prayers are going on at the temple,

be sure to come to Parbhu's. I'll see to the rest.

There! So now you know how "pious" she is.

It will be done in secrecy. Come tomorrow night.

No one will ever know.

Come tomorrow night.

Snake!

Where?

Look there!

I'm scared. Let's go home.

Shut up. It's just a rat snake.

Cobra!

It's because this bitch has defiled the place.

Yes, God has sent the snake.

Yamunakka!

There's a snake! Cobra!

Yamunakka!

- The door is shut. - Well, get it opened.

Yamunakka, open the door.

Yamunakka!

Yamunakka!

At least send the boy out.

You're ruined anyway, but don't spoil him too.

Yamunakka... Yamunakka!

Nani, if you want to go home, come out!

Open the door and come out.

At least send Nani out.

You can go dear, if you like.

Nani!

Yamunakka!

To hell with her! She won't open the door.

Gopala, tell her our decision.

Yamunakka, the whole village knows about you.

All the village heads are assembled at the temple.

They've decided to excommunicate you and make you an outcast.

We've also informed Udupa.

In the meantime, don't enter the temple and defile it.

Do you understand?

Udupa is likely to come today. So is your father.

We're all waiting for them.

They've all decided that she has sinned.

So they'll perform her Ghatashraddha!

You shouldn't be with her. Come along.

I won't come.

I won't!

Catch him!

Let go of me! Leave me alone.

Yamunakka!

Yamunakka...

Madam!

Yamunakka!

Madam!

Madam!

Tell madam to get me my food.

- Yamunakka isn't at home. - Then won't I get my food today?

I'm telling you, she's not at home.

Come with me. Let's go look for her.

Kateera! You're Kateera, aren't you?

Yes, sir. I'm Kateera.

Let me see, hold my hand.

How can I, sir? I'm low caste.

I'm scared, hold me...

No, sir. Please don't touch me.

If you want, hold this torch.

I'll follow you.

Yamunakka!

Lift her up, Kateera.

Kateera!

How can I touch her, sir?

Yamunakka!

Why don't you let me die, dear?

Are you badly hurt?

No, it's just a bruise.

Can you walk?

Can you walk far?

Where to?

You shouldn't ask where.

If it's to the same place, I'm not coming.

No. It's somewhere else. Shall we go?

You will come, won't you? Come, let's go.

Parbhu, get me some more toddy.

This isn't strong enough to give a kick.

Come in.

They're here.

Why are you so late?

Didn't I tell you to come before it gets dark?

And to add to it, you've brought this boy!

They're here.

Come in.

You stay here.

Now take a deep breath.

Now breathe out slowly.

Oh, Parbhu!

Parbhu.

Who's that?

Oh! The young priest there!

Young priest!

Yamunakka!

Get him away.

Carry him out.

Yamunakka! Yamunakka!

Here.

It's milk, not toddy.

Parbhu!

Hey, Parbhu!

- Kateera... Kateera... - Who's that?

- It's me. - Who's "me"?

If you make another sound, I'll kill you.

- Who was it? - What?

I thought someone called me.

Kateera, I think you've already had your fill.

So no one called me?

Idiot.

Don't make a sound.

You shouldn't be afraid.

What's this? Don't you understand?

- What are you waiting for? - I'll take care of it.

Let's make this our secret.

I'll leave town in the morning and catch the first bus to my village.

This all must be hushed up.

Of course. You don't have to tell me!

After all, it's our responsibility.

They aren't anywhere to be found.

Go and search for them!

They're approaching. Come, let's hide.

Hurry up, Nani. Let's go home.

Nani.

Look, Yamunakka! There's blood on your sari.

Shastry, Gopala... the two of them are right here.

Yamunakka, they're getting closer. Let's hurry up.

Let them come.

I can't walk anymore, dear.

Grab him...

No. I won't come... Leave me alone!

Yamunakka! Yamunakka!

Nani.

Come, let's go home.

So you're leaving.

It's sad the Vedic school had to be closed down.

It shouldn't have happened to such a pious person... like Udupa.

There's no one to look after him now.

God willing, my daughter's horoscope will align with his...

I'll ask Udupa after few days.

Look, here comes my daughter!

Hey Yamunakka!

GHATASHRADDHA

Translation: S. Ramaswami, S. Joshi (Day for Night)