Cast: Anandi, Rag Mayur, VK Naresh, Ankith Koyya, Saranya Pradeep, Raasi, Shakalaka Shankar, LB Sriram
Crew:
Cinematography by Aditya Javvadi
Music by Charan Arjun
Editing by Raviteja Girijala
Produced by TG Vishwa Prasad, Krithi Prasad
Written and Directed by Gauri Naidu Jammu
There are many unknown artists in India, who hail from villages and have become local celebrities but never really saw the kind of popularity they deserve in mainstream media. Garividi Lakhsmi, hailing from Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, is one of such artists but her life story has more twists and turns than just being a neglected one. The movie tries to unravel her story and celebrate her. Let's discuss about how effectively they did bring her story to life.
Plot:
Lakshmi (Anandi), daughter of Devudamma (Raasi), loves to sing and learn music from an young age. Her mother gives up herself to God and asks her husband to remarry leaving their daughter with her. Lakshmi feels lonely and Devudamma gets her married at the age of 12. Her husband cheats on her and Lakshmi is completely shattered. But music keeps attracting her and she starts singing.
One day, a Burra Katha artist (Shakalaka Shankar) takes her to the legendary guru (LB Sriram) and she gets trained in singing on stage. But as he tries to take advantage, she moves away but another artist Satti Babu (Rag Mayur) asks to help him when an artist doesn't show up. Soon, she becomes popular as she incorporates folk songs and dances on stage. Then, why did she end up losing it all? Watch the movie to learn more.
Analysis:
Anandi is good as Garividi Lakshmi and she gave her best in performing on stage and when she sings, it feels like she is not just mouthing but really singing the tune. Her emotional performance could have better but she is very good in conveying small variations in her eyes. Rag Mayur is good and his portions work as he took training in performing Burra Katha. All others are good but VK Naresh stand out in the pre-climax and climax portions.
Charan Arjun made use of all the popular songs of Garividi Lakshmi and re-mixed them well to fit the movie theme. He used a very natural voice close to original voice of the artist making it unique while listening to her songs. Screenplay wise director Gauri Naidu Jammu relied more on Mahanati kind of searching the truth but his execution in handling emotions works big time.
As it is a tribute to a living artist who has been ignored and cheated on several times whenever she thought her life is changing, the movie makes use of her story with sincerity. The way, it presents her struggles and her emotional turbulence through the life, is outstanding. The movie is a reflection on how people have been ignoring talents and then there are politics around them that further damage their will to fight or perform.
Technically, movie doesn't too many things but keeps it simple and that works. Production values are very good too. Gauri Naidu collected the fragments of story available and presented it a beautiful style on big screen like a celebration of the artist, she had been. Garividi Lakshmi is a good watch for everyone.
Positives:
Songs
Presentation of Songs
Anandi Performance
Good Screenplay
Production values.
Negatives:
Slight predictability
Slow narrative
Bottomline: Garividi Lakshmi works as a fitting tribute to the forgotten folk artist.
Rating: 2.75/5
Disclaimer: The views/opinions expressed in this review are personal views/opinions shared by the writer and organisation does not hold a liability to them. Viewers' discretion is advised before reacting to them.
