Kanchana Seeta - 1977
(The golden substitute)

Derived from Sreekantan Nair's play based on Valmiki's epic, in Kanchana Seeta Aravindan casts Rama Chenchus, tribals from Andhra Pradesh, who consider themselves descendants of the original Rama, the mythological figure.

Seetha appeared in the film as 'prakrithi' (Nature) and Prakrithi is a character in the film. When the emotions of Seetha like pain, sadness, joy and equanimity are manifested through the moods of prakrithi, dialogues becomes redundant. Words were required only for very essentials. I felt I could make the film without dialogues.

Kanchana Seeta alludes to the golden image of Seeta, which Rama sets by his side for the Aswamedha Yaga. The poet Valmiki, moved by this event, composed the story of Rama as an epic. The film also explores Rama's extreme sense of duty that forces him forsake Seeta, contrasted to his intense longing for her. The epilogue shows Rama begin his endless journey, as he walks towards the river holding the fire in his hand.

Seeta is never seen in the film. She is represented here by the spirit of nature and its movements and sounds - the wind rustling in the trees or rain bringing harmony where discord threatens.

Kanchana Seetha won Aravindan the National Film award for best director in 1977.

Direction & Screenplay: G Aravindan
Cast: Ramadas, Venkateshwaralu, Cinna Pullaiah, Keshava Panicker
Cinematography: Shaji N Karun
Music: Rajeev Taranath

Also read :
Aravindan on Kanchana Seeta