Jogwa

''Jogwa - The Awakening'' is a 2009 Marathi-language drama film directed by Rajiv Patil and produced under iDream Productions & Screenplay by Sanjay Krishnaji Patil. It stars Upendra Limaye and Mukta Barve while Priya Berde, Vinay Apte, Sharvani Pillai and Kishor Kadam essay supporting roles.

The film received five awards at the national film awards for 2008. National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues, National Film Award for Best Actor for Upendra Limaye, National Film Award for Best Music Direction for Ajay Atul, National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Hariharan for song "Jeev Rangla" and National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Shreya Ghoshal for the same.

It contains strong romantic elements, that explores the life of a rural people from Maharashtra who are the devotees of Goddess Yellamma, known as "Jogtin" (female) and "Jogta" (male) and are treated as slaves viewed with a mixture of semi-respect.

Jogwa actually means alms given to a person, usually known as a Jogta or a Jogtin. They are forced by the society to give up everything and serve God. A jogta has to give up the fact of being a man and suppress all his desires. A jogtin is expected to give up herself, she cannot get married, have children or have a life of her own.

This tradition was followed in the rural areas in the ancient times and like any tradition was flexible enough for those in power to misuse it. It is known to be still followed in some villages in Karnataka. Jogwa is a love story between jogta played by Upendra Limaye and jogtin played by Mukta Barve.

On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, ''Forbes'' included Upendra Limaye's performance in the film on its list, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".

Plot

The story of Jogwa is about Tayappa (Upendra Limaye) and Suli (Mukta Barve), who are forced by their families to become jogtins, a practice where they have to dress as women, beg for alms, and serve a deity. Suli becomes a jogtin because her hair has a knot, and Tayappa is compelled to act like a girl because he has blood in his urine. They both meet others like them and form groups. Living this way affects them mentally, and they lose their courage. Through their troupe, they learn about the lives of jogtins.

Yamnya (Kishor Kadam), a male jogtins endure sexual abuse from young men at first, but some eventually find comfort in it and see it as their only source of pleasure aside from alcohol. The female jogtins often turn to prostitution, facing betrayal and despair, with many resorting to suicide. Yamnya warns Tayappa that he'll come to enjoy the attention from men as his femininity becomes fixed in his being. Tayappa is deeply affected by these words. He reflects on his loveless marriage, where his wife feels unfulfilled due to his lack of emotional connection. She eventually leaves him for another man. Along the journey, many young jogtins, including Suli, are deceived by men and end their lives tragically (except Suli). Suli becomes pregnant and is expelled from her home after undergoing a forced abortion.

A social worker tries to raise awareness in the village against harmful practices and superstitions, but the jogtins and villagers attack him and force him to leave. Suli and Tayappa can only watch helplessly as they cannot intervene.

Eventually, Tayappa is also kicked out of his home. He shares his feelings with Suli, who happily agrees to marry him. They both decide to get married. When the villagers find out, they try to force them back into being jogtins. Suli and Tayappa fight against this pressure and ultimately succeed in marrying each other.

Cast

Soundtrack

The Marathi music duo Ajay–Atul composed varied compositions including romantic and traditional Gondhal. The song "Jeev Rangla" was awarded a National Film Award in 2010.

Track listing

Critical reception

The film is already internationally acclaimed, praised by critics and audience alike and won awards like Best Director Award, three prominent awards, 12 nominations in various categories at the Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar 2009 along with 13 nominations for depiction of culture and society and First Special Jury Award and Audience Choice Award at the Pune International Film Festival.

''Jogwa'' received critical acclaim, with praise for Upendra Limaye, Mukta Barve & Kishor Kadam's performance. Talib Shaikh of '' MouthShut.com'' called the film "A different unusual yet great social cinema". Janani Rajeshwari S. in her review in ''Verandah'' called the film "Jogwa’ remains one of the most poignant films by director Rajiv Patil that touched upon such a tradition with utmost finesse and subtlety." Chetana Gavkhadkar of ''MarathiMovieWorld'' called the film "It comes out strong against superstition". ''The Times of India'' described film as "breaking away from tradition".

Awards

* Got 37 Awards out of 60 Nominations before its commercial release.
* Zee Gaurav Award 2009 Got 12 Nominations.
* 8 Maharashtra State Film Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor & Best Actress.
* 9 Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor & Best Actress.
* 7 V. Shantaram Awards for Best Film.
* 7 Sanskruti Kala Darpan Awards for Best Film.
* 5 Maharashtra Times Awards for Best Film.
* International Film Festival,Pune Awards For Best Film.
*Marathi International Film & Theater Awards- Best Actress - Mukta Barve
*Marathi International Film & Theater Awards- Best lyricist - Sanjay Patil
*Marathi International Film & Theater Awards- Best Cinematography - Sanjay Jadhav

References

External links

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{{National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues

Films featuring a Best Actor National Award–winning performance
Films scored by Ajay–Atul
Best Film on Other Social Issues National Film Award winners
2009 films
2000s Marathi-language films