Just watched "Sankarabharanam" for the umpteenth time on Gemini TV (A week's fest of K Viswanath's films starts today every day). An eternal classic, the film always gives you a message for every season. This time, as my parents, my wife and I were in a trance watching each scene with rapt attention, I noticed a message for the Covid times in "Sankarabharanam". In the pre-climax, as an impoverished Sankara Sastry (JV Somayajulu) walks past the house of his once-upon-a-time percussionist Gopalam (Sakshi Ranga Rao), the former notices the latter trying to tune his Mridangam. Sankara Sastry mildly remarks to Gopalam that his Mridangam is missing a beat. Gopalam then bares out his heart that he has long missed the beat when he deserted the Great Sankara Sastry when he walked out of his "kacheri" in a hasty move - only to regret for the last 12 years. Sastry then consoles Gopalam that it is not Gopalam's fault nor his flaw but the times are such that the crowds can't hear great Indian Classical music. But times won't be so desolate for long, and very soon, good times will roll on and the public will usher in a golden era of good melodious music. Sastry had undying optimism more than the despondent Gopalam about the bad times that will soon be enveloped by sunshine days. And he also gives part of his borrowed surplus to Gopalam to tide over the tough times, even if he himself is struggling to have two square meals a day. Thats the spirit of Optimism and large-heartedness which is needed for Covid times. Be generous in giving to those who are less fortunate than you and never doubt whether good times will come back.
And in the climax, Madhava Rao (Allu Ramalingayya) re-introduces to the audience who have come to hear Sankara Sastry's public recital for the first time in 12 years (which ironically turns out to be his last hurrah). And he says, even in stark poverty and darkest times, Sastry continued to practice his classical music as a maestro will and didn't mind the absence of audience. Instead, Madhava Rao adds, Sastry actually confined himself to the four walls of his house and made all the unseen parasites and viruses and invisible insects and pests his target audience for rehearsing and practicing his performance. Well, that's how Maestros and professionals adapt to tough times. Like the four seasons, the Covid times will be gone before you realize but we must do what we are good at, and take the tidal wave of Covid Scarcity and negativity with a pinch of salt and overcome with optimism. It will then arm us for a better tomorrow - which is just round the corner. Even after forty years, "Sankarabharanam" has a message to be hopeful, optimistic about the future and never waste a good crisis brooding with inaction. Make it count - in ways you become stronger, better and brighter.
