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| 'Maya Miriga' movie artwork |
Story, Screenplay & Direction: Nirad Mohapatra
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| Still from Maya Miriga |
Production Co: Lotus Films International, NFDC
Distribution Co: Lotus Films International
Camera: Rajgopal Mishra
Sound: R. Srinath
Editing: Bibekanand Satpathy
Music: Bhaskar Chandavarkar
Cast:
- Kishori Devi - Raj Kishore's wife
- Sampad Mahapatra -Tutu
- Manaswini Mangaraj - Prabha
- Manimala
- Binod Misra - Tuku
- Bansidhar Satpathy - Raj Kishore
- Sujata Mahapatra -Tutu's Wife
- Bibekananda Satpathy
- Shriranjan Mohanty
- Tikina
Genre: Social, Drama
Note: Maya Miriga (Odia: ମାୟା ମିରିଗ, English: The Mirage, Colour, 120 Mins) is an award winning Odia film directed by Nirad Mohapatra.
Plot: Maya Miriga is concerned with the gradual and irreversible process of disintegration in a middle class joint family living in a small town in Orissa.
Raj Kishore Babu, an elderly head master in a school, lives modestly in a joint family. He has five
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| Still from Maya Miriga |
children: Tuku, the eldest son, who is quiet and dutiful, works as a lecturer. Prabha, Tuku’s wife, is expecting their first issue and is dedicated to the running of the household.Tutu, the second son, is the great hope of the family. Following his brilliant academic career in Delhi, he is assured of a prestigious Government job. The third son, Bulu, clings to the family for his emotional security and is quick to see himself as a failure despite Tutu’s encouragement. The fourth son, Tulu, is the defiant one, ready to challenge the established family norms. Tikina, the youngest one is still at school. The family’s emotional centre is the gentle and worldly- wise grandmother. It is, however, Raj Kishore Babu who lays down the rules. His wife merely wields control over her daughter-in-law, Prabha.
When Prabha gives birth to a daughter, family expectations are let down. But soon enough, Tutu’s final selection for a prestigious I.A.S. job more than makes up for everything. As his newly acquired status demands, he marries above his social milieu. The house is transformed with modern gadgets and new furniture after Tutu’s marriage. Irritations arise, which reflect the beginning of changes in the joint family household. Tutu’s city-bred wife will not follow in Prabha’s footsteps as a traditional daughter-in-law, the role that is expected of her. On the flimsy pretext of her mother’s sickness, she declines to stay with her in-laws while her husband is away on training. Prabha resents the preferential treatment given to the new couple. Soon after the couple leave, the grandmother suffers a stroke and dies the same night.
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| Still from Maya Miriga |
Prabha’s sense of oppression, resulting from the joint family system , increases. She sees others who are better off because they do not need to share their income. Prabha can only express her resentment gradually to her husband, Tuku, as she realizes the deep sense of dedication her husband has towards the joint family.
Raj Kishore Babu retires from his work as headmaster. He is depressed and only finds solace in the company of another retired official. The latter pins all his hopes on the return of his only son who lives in America.
Tulu, the defiant one gets a first class graduate degree. He wishes to follow his brother’s footsteps and study in Delhi. Bulu, the ‘failure’ of the family, realizes that he will be all alone and left completely on his own. The family persuades Tulu to await the return of the successful brother Tutu, who is due to visit the family on the way to his first posting. His wife accompanies him only to collect her dowry possessions. She insists on doing it despite her husband’s embarrassment at her material preoccupation.
Tutu expresses reluctance to help finance his younger brother’s education in Delhi. The father comes down heavily on his favorite son and reminds him of the sacrifices they made to educate him in Delhi. Finally, Tutu, in shame, gives in. The eldest son chooses this moment to slip in the news of his deputation to a post in the State capital.
The disintegration of the family is by now apparent. An uneasy silence follows. In the quietness of the night, and in the privacy of their rooms, the family members recollect the warmth of their togetherness, yet are painfully aware of the impossibility of staying together.
Next morning, Tutu and his wife leave with their dowry items. Prabha, for the first time, declines to light up the oven feigning sickness. The mother has to take on the responsibility of the family. Reflecting on the state of affairs, Raj Kishore Babu ironically asks his two year old grand child, 'will you too leave us'.
Awards & Participation:
- Cannes Film Festival (1984) - Critics Week Section
- Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival - Best Third World Film (1984)
- Regus London Film Festival (28th)
- National Film Awards(1984 ) - Second Best Feature Film
- Los Angeles Film Festival
- Orissa State Film Awards (1985) - Best Director, Best Film
- Locarno Film Festival / Festival Di Locarno
- Hawaii Film Festival - Special Jury Commendation
Reference: Nirad Mohapatra, Wikipedia
