Watch Sant Gyaneshwar

Sant Gyaneshwar is a 1982 Indian Marathi-language biographical drama film directed by Anant Mane. The film tells the story of Saint Gyaneshwar, a 13th-century Indian saint, poet, and philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Marathi literature. The film begins with the birth of Gyaneshwar to Vithalpant and Rakhmabai in Alandi, a small village near Pune. Gyaneshwar was the youngest of four siblings and showed signs of being a prodigy at an early age. He was a gifted student and displayed a remarkable talent for writing and poetry.

As the film progresses, we see Gyaneshwar's spiritual journey and his quest for knowledge and enlightenment. He meets his guru, Nivrittinath, who initiates him into the Nath tradition of Hinduism. Nivrittinath is impressed by Gyaneshwar's intelligence and devotion, and he becomes his mentor and guide.

With Nivrittinath's guidance, Gyaneshwar begins to write his masterpiece, the Bhavartha Deepika, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita in Marathi. The Bhavartha Deepika is considered a seminal work in Marathi literature and is admired for its simplicity and profound insights into the human condition.

In the film, we see how Gyaneshwar's work becomes a symbol of liberation for the oppressed peasants, who were denied access to knowledge and power. The Bhavartha Deepika gave them a sense of identity and pride, and it became a rallying cry for social change and emancipation.

The film also showcases some of the miracles that Gyaneshwar performed, such as bringing a dead cow back to life, walking on water, and curing a leper. These miracles were not seen as supernatural but as a natural consequence of Gyaneshwar's enlightenment and his deep understanding of the universal principles of love and compassion.

In the latter part of the film, we see Gyaneshwar's tragic end. He was falsely accused of blasphemy by the orthodox Hindu priests, who saw his teachings as a threat to their authority. He was excommunicated from the community and forced to live in isolation. His death, at the young age of 22, was shrouded in mystery, and it is believed that he attained samadhi, the state of oneness with the divine.

The film features an outstanding cast, with Sudhir Dalvi playing the role of Saint Gyaneshwar, Kanan Kaushal playing the role of Rakhmabai, and Mahesh Kothare and Dev Kumar playing the roles of Gyaneshwar's elder brothers, Nivruttinath, and the main villain, Bhanudas.

Director Anant Mane has done a masterful job of recreating the medieval world of Maharashtra, with its lush landscapes, colorful costumes, and rich music. The film's cinematography is stunning, and the music by Hridaynath Mangeshkar is soulful and evocative.

In conclusion, Sant Gyaneshwar is a masterpiece of Marathi cinema and a tribute to one of the greatest literary and spiritual figures of India. The film is an inspiring story of a young man's quest for knowledge and enlightenment in the face of overwhelming odds. It is a must-see for anyone who is interested in spirituality, literature, or Indian culture.

Sant Gyaneshwar is a 1981 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.