Matira Manisha

Based on the novel by Kalindi Charan Panigrahi of the same name, Matira Manisha contrasts traditional and modern values as exemplified by the different attitudes of two brothers towards their inherited family land. Agrarian culture, rural life, traditional family values, Marxist and Gandhian ideals, post-war societal situations, and human relationships are just a few of the subjects that are explored throughout the plot. Matira Manisha received Silver Lotus for Best Odia film in National Film Awards 1967.

Released on: May 6, 1967
Directed by: Mrinal Sen
Produced by: Babulal Doshi
Production Co: Chhayabani Pratisthan
Story: Kalindi Charan Panigrahi
Screenplay: Mrinal Sen
Dialogues: Gopal Chhotray
Editing: Gangadhar Naskar
Art Direction: B. Kalyan
Cinematography: Sailaja Chatterjee
Music: Sri Kumar (Bhubaneshwar Mishra)
Cast: Sarat Pujari, Bhanumati Devi, Prashant Nanda, Sujata Anand, Dukhiram Swain, Bhim Singh, Kartik Kumar Ghose, Rama Chandra Mania, Jadunath Panda, Baikunthanath Mohanty, Natabar Mohanty, Mayadhar Sahoo and others

Songs:

• Rama Bibha Kare Ho Lakhana Para Jaati (Singer: Akshaya Mohanty)
• Rama Hele Banabasi (Singer: Balakrushna Dash)
• Udigale Gendalia Jhadidele Para (Singer: Akshaya Mohanty)

Plot:

The story centres on the rural farmer Shama Pradhan’s family, including his two sons Baraju (Sarat Pujari) and Chakadi (Prashant Nanda), and the disagreements they have over the family home and land after his passing.

On his deathbed, Shama Pradhan assigns his older son Baraju the duty of caring for his younger son Chakadi and asks him to not divide the family’s property and home between the two brothers. Baraju is portrayed as a peaceful individual who garners the villagers’ respect for his idealistic way of life. Baraju’s wife Hara bou (played by Bhanumati Devi) is portrayed as an ideal housewife who is incredibly loving and caring towards Chakadi, his wife Netramani (played by Sujata Anand), and their two children.

On the other hand, Chakadi is portrayed as being carefree and sloppy, content to laze around the village. His wife Netramani insists that the property be divided between the two brothers because she is jealous of Harabou. In an effort to create strife between the two brothers, local troublemaker Hari Mishra also makes attempts.

Chakadi requests the help of his older brother to divide the property between them after becoming distracted by the schemes of his wife Netramani and troublemaker Hari Mishra. Baraju is astonished and conicted between loving his brother and respecting his father’s wishes. In order to honour Chakadi’s request and uphold his pledge to his father not to divide the property, he decides to give him the land and the house. Without remorse or resentment, Baraju departs the residence with his wife and their two kids.

Chakadi feels miserable after Baraju leaves, misses the good old days, and wishes his family and brother were still there. He rushes to Baraju and pleads with him to come back. Chakadi is counselled by Baraju, who is dedicated to the spirit of sacrice, non-attachment, and love, to return home and take care of what he has left behind.

Images credit
Matira Manisha poster courtesy: NFAI