MADIKERI, November 17: The release of Bhoomigeetha (Song of earth) here on Friday after experimental runs at Bangalore, Mandya and Mysore, has created ripples in Kodagu.

The film's theme of ``sinking sub cultures and disappearance of Indianness under the wheels of modernisation'' is closely linked with the ongoing struggle of the adviasis of Nagarahole and the demand for a separate state by the Kodagu Rajya Mukthi Morcha (KRMM) which has retained the identity of Coorg culture as its major agenda.

The film shot within a span of 60 days at jungle locations of Muttati Hills, is a free adaptation of the Kannada short story Golla Gokulada Nadathe by LC Nagaraju. Set in 1950s, it uses the story of disappearance of an adivasi culture and the massive destruction of forests owing to the construction of a dam as its theme for propagating the need for preserving various sub cultural identities. A movie which can best be described as `a neo-art film set in a feature format', Bhoomigeetha appears all set to tread a new path in Kannada cinema after nearly two decades. A fast-paced film which delves deep into adivasi culture, it explores the pathetic subjugation of the adivasis by various forces especially the Government in the form of a devious Assistant Commissioner.

For the Assistant Commissioner, displacement and destruction of adivasis is merely an ego problem. And to achieve his end, he uses the obliging services of a contractor, Rangaiah (Lokesh), by manipulating the use of adivasi cultural idioms.

The film also revolves around the tragic love story of two adivasis -- i (Manju Bashini) and Jogi (Umesh) -- who are separated by Govt machinery. Bhoomigeetha is a very personal expression of the tragic cause, circumstance and consequence of man's defiant ignorance of Mother Nature.

The film has evoked touching response from Nagarahole adivasis who have been involved in a sustained struggle over the last two decades against forcible eviction from Nagarahole National Park. ``I was moved by the film. It seems to tell our story. This sort of reaction and response from the mainstream society to the cause of protection of forests and our culture is an emotional moment for me,''JK Babu, the convenor of Kodagu District Adivasi Forum, said.

The film also appears to have lend a voice to the KRMM campaign for a separate statehood for Kodavas.

Bhoomigeetha's message is that earth is not the property of man and man should realise that he is one among the many beings on earth.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.