In the 21st century the 12th century sparkle 'Sri Dhanamma Devi' is significant because of the revolutionary thinking of a woman of substance. The forethought of Dhanamma, her principles, equality and communal harmony she focused is commendable. Director Chindodi Bangaresh who has given 'Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai' musical film that has given national award for music director Hamsalekha and playback singer S.P.Balasubramanyam (for Umandu Gumandu - classical and Hindustani mixed song) once again given a well thought 'Sri Dhanamma Devi' the contemporary of the 12th century social reformer Sri Basaveshwara.
Born to Ananthayya and Sirasamma of Umarani village is Lingamma - the original name of Dhanamma (Anu Prabhakar). For the travelers of North and South India Umarani was a stop over point. At this place the Sharana philosophy saint Virayya stays for some time and learns the life style of Lingamma. Lingamma the ardent follower of Lord Shiva prays for the power to destruct the evil things through her eyes. This is called 'Drushti Yoga'. From this time Virayya becomes the mentor for Lingamma. To know more about the leaders of Sharana philosophy Lingamma travels the places where Allama Prabhu, Basavanna and Akkamahadevi are living but on the way she finds a patient struggling. She stops at this place and gives all necessary aid for her. This humanity of Lingamma is what touches the senior Sharana leaders. The main stress of Sharana philosophy 'Kayakave Kailasa' (Work is worship) Lingamma follows to the extreme. For such a magnanimous thinking of Lingamma it is Sri Basavanna who calls her as 'Dhanamma Devi'.
Dhanamma marries on a condition that the poor people of her village and surroundings also should get married in mass marriage. Humanity to the core Dhanamma takes up traveling from Kashi to Rameshwara to preach the sharana philosophy. This is the woman of the 12 th century who lived for 50 years donating good things to people. She is now the presiding deity at Guddapura village of Bijapur district Karnataka. She was the light in life of innumerable people.
Handling the 800 years old subject of a woman social reformer director Bangaresh has brought in the miracles made by Sri Dhanamma Devi. The length of the movie he could have brought down. The music and lyrics in fact explains the preaching of Dhanamma Devi.
It is a life time best performance from actress Anu Prabhakar who is in the role of Sri Dhanamma Devi. The involvement of Anu in the role her expression and diction of Kannada is tremendous. At an early age Anu has done a role that is double her age. Hamsalekha gets wonderful applaud for making this a musically interesting film. The songs are very melodious, touching and meaningful.
Good support is also extended by Shivadwaj, KSL Swamee (Ravee), Ramakrishna, Jayanthi, Srinivasamurthy and Yashwanth.
The art direction and cinematography has been very carefully handled by Palani D.Senapathi and B.S.Basavaraj respectively.
Not only for the Veerashaiva community 'Sri Dhanamma Devi' worth watching by all devotees.
Scoring 7/10
