Since childhood, Pātra (पात्र) & Pātrata (पात्रता), are two words which I have often heard in various contexts. Pātra (पात्र) loosely translates to vessel. And, as per my visualisation, the word represents a vessel which acts as a conduit. And, the word Pātrata (पात्रता) means worthiness. If you assimilate all the above ideas, it's easy to decipher that developing Pātrata or "worthiness", entails, becoming a medium of conduit (Pātra) for labour, technique & knowledge.
My intention is not to explain you the association of Medium, Pātra (पात्र) & Pātrata (पात्रता); If you have read the above lines, you can start understanding where I am coming from. This would aid me in expressing my experience of watching Kantara - a 2022 movie.
I used to watch a lot of movies & gorge on books like cups of coffee. Now, I hardly read any book & don't have any interest in movies. I only watch a movie or pick a book, if they are not just a book/movie, they have to express something which is beyond articulation/presentation.
One Such Movie is 'Kantara'.
Kantara is a spiritual experience.
I have seen many movies which I could rate much higher than Kantara. Make no mistake, Kantara is an outstanding piece of work. That being said, it's not going to be your all time favourite. As this is not a movie, it's an experience. The production of the movie was probably one of the only ways to showcase & give you a glimpse of the divine experience of Būta Kōlā.
I am neither capable nor would attempt to explain you the intricacies of Būta Kōlā or daiva kōlā. I would just try to give you my experience & emotions after watching Kantara.
It is said that the performers become a medium for the deity, while performing Kōlā. This is where resonance happened. The concept of Pātra (पात्र) & Pātrata (पात्रता), which is so internalised in me, clasped me & I just needed to watch this movie.
All our life, we grow up from a kid to an adult, so what remains constant, where are we in the body? Rather who is the body, who is the owner of this vessel or Pātra, called body?
Is this body, just a medium for expressing & demonstrating all our emotions, knowledge, skills, beliefs, ... you get the drift?
There is a reason, I so love Murakami's stories. Most of his works have a theme where the fantastical happens through a medium. Of what I have read of Haruki Murakami, this theme comes very much alive in 'Kafka on the Shore'. Yes, that's certainly not the best work of Murakami. It's just an experience in itself.
So, this is the theme of Kantara, which captivated me!
I have always believed in developing worthiness, rather 'Pātrata', before desiring anything. This sounds glib!
In order to invite something/someone in your life, you need to make space for it. Imagine a ridge or a ravine like surface, if you pour a large amount of water, the amount of water it holds, the way the water overflows, the appearance of the surface of water all depends on the exact shape, that's exactly what Pātrata (पात्रता) of a Pātra (पात्र) mean, in my head!
We have often come across stories of success, where a lot of causes/people contributed & made sure the person concerned, crosses all hurdles to accumulate the laurels. They are being conduits of success.
That's Kantara for me. A mystical experience!
