Sri Sri Madhabdev, an animation film by Manju Borah, is an excellent effort to showcase the biography of a colossal figure in Assam’s history. The people behind this animation film, makes an honest effort to put the versatile life of the Vaishnavite saint on celluloid within a time frame of around two hours, spanning from the time frame of his birth to later years of his life, through his period when he was almost a shadow of his master (guru) Mahapurux Srimanta Sankardev.
The animation quality is top notch, and unique, and can be compared with the best, though there could still be scope for improvements in certain patches, specially when certain conversations take place in a few scenes. For students of animation, this could be a good lesson to start with and improve upon. The technical team and the animation departments, led by Jiten Das, must be complimented for making the product very invigorating indeed.
The narrative is quite compact and Borah’s experience and deftness is on display. The subject is well researched and a lot of references are given about the sources on the lives and times of that period. It is well paced, though certain ingredients could have been amplified. At least one borgeet, for example, could be have been appropriately rendered in full, with explanations. The narrative about Kabir is definitely praiseworthy. Another important aspect is about the relationships between Madhabdev and Chandsai, the Muslim disciple of Sankardev. However, the narration on voice-over could have been more descriptive on certain parts; for example, Chandsai’s background could have been elaborated. This would have connected the children, youngsters and others not versed on the Vaishnavite culture. Further, in certain parts, the scenes are abruptly cut, and the narrative proceeds in some other direction.
Tarali Sarma has scored the music subtly and with originality, maintaining the spirit of traditions. The dialogues by Ismail Hussain is definitely praiseworthy. Overall, given the limitations and advantages of animation, and the state of Assamese films, this is a better filmography than compared to Sam Bahadur (on the life Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw), and Atal (on the life of ex-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee).
(All views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own)