Kothanodi

Kothanodi, also known as "The River of Fables", is a 2015 Indian Assamese language feature film directed by Bhaskar Hazarika. The movie is based on the folk tales of Assam, India, and features a stellar ensemble cast, including noted actors such as Seema Biswas, Adil Hussain, and Zerifa Wahid.

Kothanodi adapts itself from the popular, traditional Assamese folktales compiled in the anthology titled 'Burhi Aair Sadhu' (Grandma's Tales) by Lakshminath Bezbaroa, relocating them from a children's fantasy realm to a more mature, grim, and surreal context. It fares away from the stereotypical work in the world of cinema, breaking away from mainstream, showing a perfect blend of folklorish tradition and a touch of mythical obscurity.

The narrative of the movie involves four principle tracks, with an intertwining cinematic journey that allows each character to evolve and unfold their destinies in a remarkable way. Each character's story is unique and introduces us to situations ranging from the bizarre to the supernatural, all grounded in the realism of local folklore and cultural beliefs.

The grim folk fables feature an array of women characters, each exhibiting a spectrum of human emotion, morality, and ruthlessness time and again. The widowed wife Senehi (played by Seema Biswas), who harbors suspicion and evil intentions toward her stepdaughter. Doneshwari (Urmila Mahanta), an ambitious woman, assists her husband Poonai (Adil Hussain) in executing a plan that involves murdering infants. Tejimola (Kasvi Sharma), a mysterious girl child who gets treated as an outcast because of her strange circumstances of birth. Finally, Malati (Zerifa Wahid), who seeks help from an eccentric woman (Asha Bordoloi), to fight her husband when he decides to marry their daughter to a python.

Each character in Kothanodi carries a unique shade of psychological profundity. The screenplay delves deep into the psyche of these women, revealing their innermost fears, desires, and decisions that shockingly defy conventional morals. Laced with surrealism, the tales blur the line between reality and fantastical; they bespeak of a society steeped in superstition and bound by rigid customs.

Kothanodi's artistic brilliance reflects through its amazing cinematography. The lush greenery of Assam, the subtle touches of the local household with an Assamese touch, the use of natural light, and the well-captured rippling river, all give the film an aesthetically pleasing, eclectic feel, making it a visual treat for the audience while adding depth to the narrative.

The movie shines in the way it slowly draws the audience into a dark world camouflaged by the stunning green beauty and simplicity of Assam. Kothanodi uses the power of folklore to not only produce cinema but to portray a society that is both beautiful and at the same time, racked by superstition.

The performances of the cast are exceptional and compelling. Seema Biswas, with her intense eyes and restrained performance, captures you, striking a chord with her commanding presence. Adil Hussain, who has known for his aptitude to encompass a wide range of personas on screen, plays a man with eerie calmness and normalcy, which sends shivers down the spine, Zerifa Wahid makes a convincing transition from a supportive wife to a mother torn between social norms and motherly love.

In summary, Kothanodi is a unique cinematic experience that will likely appeal to art-house cinema enthusiasts and those with an appetite for the unconventional narrative. It's a dark, twisted, and surreal drama unravelling strange realities within the socio-cultural fabric of Assam's society. Adhering to the aesthetics of magical realism, Kothanodi showcases the brilliance of folklore narrative and the potential for exploring it in contemporary cinema. It is truly a commendable start to a new wave of Assamese cinema. The film has also marked its presence globally, garnering recognition at various international film festivals. Kothanodi is indeed an exception, presenting a vividly different context to the Assamese folklore world.