Matrubhoomi

- Tanzam

Introduction

Matrubhoomi; A Nation Without Women is a 2003 Indian film by Manish Jha. The film surrounds some of the specific problems and conflicts created in the society. The film has portrayed gender inequality, foeticide and infanticide, human trafficking, and many such social issues which are mainly the result of the existing dominance of patriarchy and misogyny within the society. Apart from these, many deviant actions have also been portrayed throughout the movie and a blur vision of class and caste discrimination has also been presented to the audience. The main castes of the film are – Tulip Joshi as Kalki, Sudhir Pandey as Ramsaran, Sushant Singh as Sooraj, Pankaj Jha as Rakesh, Piyush Mishra as Jagannath, Aditya Srivastava as Raghu’s uncle, and others.

 Plot

The movie is set in a rural Indian village where the sex ratio has declined extremely. The film starts off with the birth of a girl in the village of Bihar, depicting how a girl child is unwanted in the society through the lack of excitement and celebration among the parents and as well as the villagers. In the next scene, it is followed by the drowning of the infant in a drum of milk, committing infanticide. This opening part of the movie sets an idea about the theme of the movie, by which it becomes clear about the situations faced by a female in the rural or conservative areas in everyday life.

The story revolves around a family, Ramsaran (the Brahmin patriarch), his four sons, and Raghuveer. Ramsaran starts making wedding arrangements for his eldest son, Rakesh, with the help of a marriage broker, named Jagannath. Meanwhile, due to the practice of foeticide and infanticide, an immense decline in sex ratio occurs; for which, it becomes nearly impossible to find a young woman, not only in the featured village but also among the neighbouring villages. 

The absence of women in the society, influence the libido within individuals. In order to fulfil their sexual urges, all the males are often seen to gather at a room during the evening, where they purchase tickets to watch pornographic films in DVDs. The uncouth and aggressive young men of the village are desperate for wives and release their frustration by attending cross-dressed dance performances. The eldest son, Rakesh is also seen to commit bestiality to gain sexual pleasure.

In the meantime, one of the villagers named Pappu, announces his wedding. Though the area is male dominant and follows patriarchy, the absence of young women paved the way of bride price instead of dowry in that community. But at Pappu’s wedding, once the bride price was paid, it turned out that the girl was actually a young boy dressed like a bride. But even after cancelling the marriage, Pappu suffered a loss of money as his almost would-be in-law flee away with it. This represents how the gender imbalance can give rise to such scams and frauds for monetary gains.

The Ramsaran family's life changes when their marriage broker discovers a young woman, Kalki, while strolling in the dawn. Even though Pratap (Kalki’s father) hesitated and refused to accept Rakesh as his son in-law, once Ramsaran put down the proposal of performing polyandry and paying an amount of 1 lakh rupees on behalf of each of his son as bride price, he agreed to it and indirectly became a human trafficker. Ramsaran after paying the bride price of 4 lakh rupees and 4 cows, arranged a fraternal polyandry marriage where Kalki got married to all the four of sons, making her their shared wife. 

The film's climax is a powerful commentary on the cyclical nature of violence and oppression, leaving the audience with a haunting and thought-provoking message. Overall, Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women is a gripping and unsettling portrayal of a dystopian society, highlighting the importance of gender equality and the value of women in society.

Character Development

The character development in Matrubhoomi adds depth and complexity to the film's narrative, making it a thought-provoking and memorable viewing experience. The characters' development is subtle, yet powerful, revealing the complexities of human nature. The characters are multidimensional, with flaws and contradictions that make them relatable and human. They also serve as a commentary on societal issues, such as patriarchy, misogyny, and the objectification of women.

The patriarch, Ramsaran, is a multifaceted character whose development reveals the complexities of patriarchy. His character exposes the ways in which societal norms and expectations can shape and justify oppressive behaviour. Ramsaran's four sons represent different aspects of patriarchal masculinity. Their characters serve as a commentary on the ways in which societal expectations can shape men's behaviour and attitudes towards women. The movie explores how power is exercised and maintained in a patriarchal society, where men hold all the power and women are reduced to mere commodities.

As the story unfolds, Kalki's presence exposes the dark underbelly of the patriarchal society. The family's treatment of Kalki is cruel and oppressive, highlighting the objectification and commodification of women. The protagonist, Kalki, is a complex character who undergoes significant development throughout the film. Initially, she's portrayed as a vulnerable and submissive woman, but as the story unfolds, her resilience and determination are revealed. Through Kalki's character, the movie sheds light on the consequences of a society without women, including the breakdown of social norms, the rise of violence, and the dehumanization of women.

Cinematography

The cinematography and direction in Matrubhoomi work together to create a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that lingers long after the credits roll. The film's opening scene, which shows a barren landscape and a group of men searching for something, sets the tone for the rest of the film. The scene where Kalki is introduced, showing her being sold to Raghuveer, is a powerful commentary on the objectification of women. Likewise, the film's climax, which shows the consequences of the characters' actions, is a haunting and thought-provoking commentary on the themes of the film.

 Interviews

Some interesting points can be accumulated from interviews of the director and cast members. Manish Jha mentioned that he was inspired by the declining sex ratio in India and the increasing incidents of female foeticide. He wanted to create a film that would spark a conversation about these issues. Jha conducted extensive research on the subject, including visiting villages with skewed sex ratios and speaking with women who had been trafficked. Tulip Joshi, who played the lead role of Kalki, was chosen for her vulnerability and strength. Jha wanted an actress who could convey the complexity of Kalki's character. The film's crew faced several challenges during filming, including resistance from local villagers who were uncomfortable with the film's themes. Matrubhoomi faced censorship issues in India due to its graphic content. Some notable interviews with Manish Jha and other cast members can be found in publications like The Hindu, The Times of India, and websites.