Sati
(Sati)

Sati is set in the early nineteenth century before the Sati Act and when Brahminical Hinduism bad reached its nadir. Uma, a mute Brahmin girl, lives with her uncle’s family as she is an orphan. Since Uma has a faulty horoscope which indicates to widowhood, the family find it impossible to get ber married off. According to a custom prevalent at the time, Uma is given in marriage to get her married off. According to a custom prevalent at the time, Uma is given in marriage to a tree. The tree that she is married to was Uma ‘s childhood companion and the film is about the relationship between two mute creatures : the girl and the tree. However, Uma is taken advantage of by a resident school teacher. She becomes pregnant causing great embarrassment to the family. Then one stormy night, Uma, who had been banished from the family quarters to the cowshed, takes shelter from the storm under the tree. That night the girl and the tree are struck by lightning and killed together. In the morning the villagers find the girl lying under the tree, blood all over her forehead like bridal vermilion ; ironically it is her mute husband and friend, the tree, which saves Uma from her shame. It is the only symbol of virility in a society full of cowards.