School Ramayana

By Susmita Sameera

School Ramayana introduces three children—Rama, Prema, and Gunda along with their families, neighbours, and most importantly, their school. The land on which the school stands was once donated for the village’s betterment. Now, the donor family's next generation—a local goon and heir—seeks to reclaim it.

The school is in disrepair. Teachers show little interest in education, instead flirting and stealing groceries meant for mid-day meals. The headmaster, too, is involved in scams. Into this dysfunctional setup arrives a newly appointed special teacher. The film revolves around whether he can bring change to the school and the village.

From the title, one might expect a children's film focused on school life. But the narrative spans through a wide canvas of village life—alcoholic fathers, gambling youth, worried mothers, and young lovers eloping. School children on the brink of adolescence begin to explore love, while villagers face harassment from goons and the grim reality of farmer suicides. Amidst this, nostalgic moments like classroom scenes, birthday chocolates, and morning drills occasionally bring the story back to its educational theme.

While the film carries a well-intentioned message about improving government schools, it suffers from an overload of themes and misplaced scenes. Poor comedy and scattered focus dilute its impact. Though it highlights several issues children face, the narrative frequently veers into broader village concerns. As a result, the return to the theme of education in the climax feels rushed—more like an afterthought to wrap things up. The appearance of poet Doddarange Gowda delivering a powerful message on education adds depth and sincerity, but with a more focused structure, this moment could have resonated more deeply.