Sant Tukaram (Sant Tukārām), also known as Saint Tukaram, is a 1936 Marathi film, produced by Prabhat Film Company, based on the life of Tukaram (1608–50), a prominent saint and spiritual poet of the Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra, India. The film was directed by Vishnupant Govind Damle and Sheikh Fattelal and it featured Vishnupant Pagnis in the lead role of the saint Tukaram which was of a biopic genre.
Saint Tukaram is most known for his Marathi Abangas (dohas), which are a rich inheritance of Gatha – devotional poetry, and he was crucial for laying the groundwork for Maratha nationalism. He emphasized community-based worship through spiritual melodies known as Kirtans. During the era of Tukaram in the 16th century caste played havoc in society. Saint Tukaram trained the masses through his Abhangas that Vedas and Shastras say that for offering service to God, caste does not matter. Caste is inconsequential.
Shivaji Maharaj – the Great Maratha Warrior looked up to Saint Tukaram as one of his spiritual Gurus; Shivaji Maharaj offered him diamonds and opals, but they were refused by Tukaram because he felt they would become an impediment to his devotion. Tukaram’s writings had widespread influence on Marathi language, culture, literature, and spirituality. Tukaram was a devotee of Vithoba (Vitthala), an avatar of God Vishnu also called Krishna.
We often say that an actor lives a role till he shoots for the movie. An actor gets into the skin of the protagonist. After the movie, actors come out of the role and move on to another role. But, Vishnupant Pagnis who played the role of Tukaram couldn’t pull out himself from the role of Tukaram. He used to be dressed as Tukaram. The actor had to sing Abhangas of Tukaram because those days the actors had to sing also for the role they played. Vishnupant Pagnis was a good singer too. Therefore, Abhangas sung by him in the movie became popular among the audience.
This movie was technically the best movie of that time. To give an example, in the last scene, Tukaram’s corporeal visit to Vaikuntha (abode of Lord Vishnu), the Pushpak Vimana (aeroplane) comes from the sky to carry Saint Tukaram. The design of that plane, the flight of that plane spreading its wings towards Vaikuntha, all these minute details were well shown in the movie. Seeing the Pushpak vimana, mannerisms and looks and Tukaram’s dialect were very shot – they almost looked real. Viewers would cry in the cinema hall. Also, in the scene of Tukaram’s meeting with Chatrapati Shivaji, the viewers would get stimulated and stunned.
Here comes the dilemma: Vishnupant couldn’t come out the role, he got so rooted in the role that he started living the life of Tukaram. He truly was a soulful actor. He created a different world out of it. The movie ‘Sant Tukaram’ was showered with praise. But Vishnupant Paganis, the actor who made this movie reach the peak of popularity, was nowhere in all this. The movie also made a lot of money at the box office. As per the practice of those days, the producers went to meet Vishnupant Paganis to pay his honorarium. Due to his role as Saint Tukaram, Vishnupant was respectfully called ‘Maharaj’ by all. “Maharaj, please take your remuneration” said the producer, placing the wallet in front of him. Vishnupant refused to accept the honorarium with a calm smile. The makers were confused. They coaxed him to accept the honorarium stating that it was a handsome amount. But Vishnupant Pagnis said “The role of Tukaram Maharaj, who lived a selfless life all his life, made me immortal, how can I accept remuneration for that role? This role has given me a lot beyond the remuneration. So I will not accept the honorarium.” The producers couldn’t say anything further; they respected the sentiments of Vishnupant and left.
The original photograph of Saint Tukaram Maharaj is not available anywhere today. But the photo of the role of Tukaram played by Vishnupant Paganis was and is worshiped with devotion in every household. Vishnupant continued till the end in the guise of Saint Tukaram, the role that people showered love on. It was as if the personality of Saint Tukaram was absorbed in him.
Vishnupant Pagnis had also acted in movies like ‘Sant Tulsidas’, ‘Narsi Bhagat’, ‘Mahatma Vidur’ etc. He had also sung the song ‘Vande Mataram’. But, after Sant Tukaram, he put a full stop to his career. He died in 1943.
