‘Tagaru Palya’: A rustic comedy with a good dose of message

by Chetan Nadiger

Film: Tagaru Palya

Director: Umesh B Krupa

Producer: Dhananjay

Starring: Nagabhushana, Amrutha Prem, Rangayana Raghu, Tara, Biradar, Mahantesh, Huli Karthik, Sharath Lohitashwa, Vasuki Vaibhav, Chitra Shenoy and others

There is a constant complaint about Kannada film industry that it does not churn out deep rooted cultures, traditions and customs in its films, unlike other languages. This week release ‘Tagaru Palya’ is an answer to all those complaints.

‘Tagaru Palya’ starts off with some villagers rushing off early in the morning to visit the local deity to offer their worship. The character played by Rangayana Raghu has vowed to the local deity to sacrifice a male sheep if his daughter’s marriage is finalised. But the daughter (Amrutha Prem) is in love with some other guy and is not happy about her marriage being arranged with a total stranger. Her mother accidentally comes to know about this, but could not do anything about it. Meanwhile, the sacrifice gets delayed due to various reasons and ritual takes very long which makes the villagers frustrated. What happens next? Forms the crux of the film.

The film is an out and out comic entertainer with a good dose of message. Of course, the film has its share of its emotional moments too. All these makes the viewers a good watch. The first half of the film engages the audience with humour. Though the films slow down a bit in the second half, it bounces back with a strong climax.

The dialect of ‘Tagaru Palya’ is its main selling point. The director has not only used in one part of Karnataka very aptly but also showcased the villagers’ way of life, culture and customs, which they uphold till this day. When most of the films barely touch the rural side, this film is a relief not only in terms of the environment, but also in understanding the rural beliefs and customs.

Apart from all this, it discusses the fundamentals of relationships and the huge gap between villages and the cities. The character of Rangayana Raghu is a strong believer that villages are fading out slowly and wants his daughter to get married to a well to do family in the city. But by the end of the film, not only he but the audience also understands that bonding is very important than anything and everything else.

The team has been constantly saying that the real hero and heroine of the film is Rangayana Raghu and Tara. It indeed is very true and both have excelled in their roles. More than his comic timing, the emotional side of Nagabhushan is displayed in this film. The biggest surprise is however, Prem’s daughter Amrutha who is making her debut in the film. Amrutha does not have much to do till the climax. But by the end of the film, she impresses with her performance. Supporting actors like Biradar, Sharath Lohitashwa, Chitra Shenoy, Mahantesh, Huli Karthik and others shine in their respective roles.

The technical team has given their best for this film. Vasuki Vaibhav’s music, S K Rao’s cinematography and Madhu Tumbekere’s needs special mention and they gain the attention of the audience with their work.

‘Tagaru Palya’ is a rustic comic entertainer with a good dose of message. Can be watched with the entire family.