Ondanondu Kaladalli: An exploration of the futility of traditional masculinity

 

Toxic ideas of masculinity have always had some elements of violence hidden inside. It is considered that the physical strength of a man is essential to determine his self-worth and the proof comes from acts of violence. In Girish Karnad’s 1979 film, “Ondanondu Kaladalli” he explores the terrifying connection between these two elements of a man’s world. The film is an ode to Japanese Samurai films, while also being a critique of both the ruins that affliction of violence brings and the legacy of destruction that it leaves behind.

Two brothers are at loggerheads with each other to claim ownership over a large stretch of land. The protagonist is hired to lead the battle for one of these brothers against a formidable opponent who has created a reign of terror favoring the other side. A violent saga between these two sides ensues leaving one of them to emerge as the stronger side and thus, ownership. The man who expected to be rewarded for his victory is disposed of without even receiving his dues. The other man who had created this supposed reign of terror is publicly humiliated for one single defeat. Both these characters are thrown away because violence doesn’t seem necessary after it paved the way to the desired destination. Forced out of employment these two men converge and come to terms with the monstrous battlefield that their life of violence has created.

A still from the film

This creation is also threateningly looming over the trajectories of lives for the younger generation in this 12^th century village. The legacy of violence for a younger generation is carefully explored with the help of two characters. One of these characters has vowed his life to violent revenge as that is the only acceptable way, from his perspective to avenge the death of his father. The other character is the son of the strongest soldier from these parts and has grown detesting the idea of hatred and battles. Once the events of the story take place, the traditionally softer man among these two is forced to take to arms to save his father from public humiliation. This however quickly proves fatal for him, showcasing how the world that his father created eventually caught up to contribute to his ruin. The other character who was passionate for violence realizes the nugatory of it all due to the final battle and runs away from it almost immediately.

These characters and plot points are dedicatedly created to showcase the futility of traditional masculinity. There is a transactional nature to how masculinity is treated in this film. Death and destruction fall upon the strongest of these men who were looked upon as valiant men. The film asks audiences if it is worth it to prove masculinity at the cost that it comes with and then answers it with a shot of a man who was once the most feared walking through heaps of bodies in what was a happy village. It is of course, a resounding no.