Ankur
अंकुर
(1974)
Laxmi lives a poor lifestyle in a small village in India along with her husband, Kishtaya, who is a deaf-mute. Both husband and wife work for the wealthy landlord. The landlord's son, Surya, has to cancel his studies and return home to look after the estate, as well as formalize his marriage to Saroj, the girl he was compelled to get married to when he was very young. Shortly thereafter Kishtaya is apprehended stealing toddy from the fields, is severely beaten, left senseless, and when he recovers he absconds, leaving Laxmi alone to fend for herself.
3 Kinolab Clips
The Trial
A woman is brought to the village council, where the elders make a decision on what to do about her running away from her husband. This scene is important in that it emphasizes the inequity that operates within social systems in India during that time period, specifically in terms of caste and gender.
Duration: 00:02:44
Timestamp: 00:59:36
Contributor: rufus somerby, olivia wenzel, and jake semieske
Shame On You!
After “winning" another man's wife in a card game the night before, the winner goes to retrieve his prize, but the wife refuses, casting shame on both the men and in effect challenging patriarchal structures.
Duration: 00:01:08
Timestamp: 01:21:40
Contributor: rufus somerby, olivia wenzel, and jake semieske
Final Scene
Surya (Anant Nag) beats Lakshmi’s husband (Sadhu Meyer) and Lakshmi (Shabana Azmi) comes to his aid. The scene ends with the discontented locals dispersing and a young boy throwing a rock through Surya’s window.
Duration: 00:03:09
Timestamp: 01:59:50
Contributor: rufus somerby, olivia wenzel, and jake semieske