An activist for the rights of differently-abled persons from Bagalkot district is producing a movie on the life of 19th century social reformer from north Karnataka, Devaraya.
In an exclusive interview with dna, Ghanashyam T Bhandage, who lost his legs to polio in childhood, said the insensitivity of Sandalwood towards the physically challenged motivated him to take task of producing movie Ingale Marga.
The movie will focus on the struggle of Devaraya for the emancipation of Dalits. Devaraya was born in Ingale village near Chikkodi in Belgaum district in July 1889. Influenced by Buddha, Basava, Jyotiba Phule, Devaraya, who was two years older to BR Ambedkar, started a social reformation movement in the region. Quitting his job of a teacher, he launched street plays to spread awareness among commoners. He strived to eradicate the Devadasi system, which was rampant in the region in his age.
“The novel Devaraya, written by Dr Sarjoo Katkar, who has penned over 60 books in Kannada, influenced me a lot. After reading it thrice, I approached Katkar to seek his permission to produce a movie,” Bhandage said.
Vishal Bharadwaj agreed to direct the movie, which involves veteran actors like Sidhendra Prasad, Shivani, Ashok Badardinni and Ramesh Pandit, Bhandage said.
The aspiring movie maker and hyperactive social activist hails from family involved in silk business in Bagalkot. After completing his degree, Bhandage tried various businesses including watch repair and running an STD booth.
“My college mates treated me as their friend and never allowed me to develop an inferiority complex,” Bhandage said. He participated in International sports competitions for the physically challenged, including wheelchair race, javelin throw and discuss throw, in England in 1995 and in Australia in 1999.
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