Film Analysis: ‘L Jagadamma Ezham Class B’ and its Portrayal of Sustainable Development Goals

Narrative Synopsis

The film ‘L Jagadamma Ezham Class B’ is a political drama situated in the rural setting of Parathuruth. The plot centers on the protagonist, Jagadamma, a formidable and respected Panchayath worker. Her community influence is established through her management of a Thozhilurappu (rural employment guarantee) team, her role as a local moneylender, and her entrepreneurial activities. Faced with rising political tensions within her professional environment, Jagadamma makes the strategic decision to contest a local by-election as an independent candidate. Her campaign is supported by her foster son and the collective power of local Kudumbashree women, culminating in a significant electoral victory.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The film’s narrative provides a substantive examination of several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they manifest at the grassroots level. The story effectively illustrates the intersection of economic empowerment, gender equality, and institutional integrity.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   Jagadamma’s management of the Thozhilurappu team is a direct depiction of state-led initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation through guaranteed employment. This aligns with SDG 1 by providing a stable income source for rural households and with SDG 8 by promoting productive employment and decent work for all.

2. SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

   The narrative is a powerful exploration of female empowerment. Jagadamma’s character serves as a model of female leadership in both the economic and political spheres. The crucial support from the Kudumbashree women’s network highlights the role of female solidarity and collective action in challenging patriarchal structures and achieving equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.

3. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   The protagonist’s journey into electoral politics as an independent candidate addresses the core of SDG 16, which calls for responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making. Her victory against established political forces demonstrates the potential for strengthening local governance (Panchayath) and ensuring that institutions are accountable to the communities they serve.

4. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

   By focusing on a woman’s rise to power from a rural, working-class background, the film implicitly critiques existing social and political inequalities. Jagadamma’s success, facilitated by community support, advocates for the empowerment and promotion of the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of origin or gender.

Critical Assessment

An evaluation of the film’s cinematic merits indicates the following:

• The central performance by Urvashi as Jagadamma is noted as the film’s most significant asset, providing a compelling and commanding portrayal that elevates the material.
• The premise is considered strong, with a clear focus on relevant themes of social and political commentary.
• However, the screenplay is identified as a point of weakness, with observations that tighter and sharper writing could have enhanced the film’s overall impact and narrative punch.
• The film is ultimately assessed as a watchable drama whose thematic resonance, particularly concerning local governance and female empowerment, makes it a subject of interest despite its script-related shortcomings.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article mentions the protagonist, Jagadamma, runs a “Thozhilurappu team.” This refers to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a key social security scheme in India aimed at alleviating rural poverty by guaranteeing the right to work. The mention of “Kudumbashree women” also connects to this goal, as Kudumbashree is a poverty eradication and women empowerment program.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • This goal is central to the article’s narrative. The film features a strong female protagonist who is a community leader (“a strict, respected Panchayath worker”). Her decision to “contest the by-election as an independent” and her subsequent “surprising victory” with the support of “Kudumbashree women” directly highlights themes of women’s empowerment, political participation, and leadership.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The “Thozhilurappu team” directly relates to providing employment in a rural setting. Jagadamma’s role in running this team and also lending “money to locals” points to local economic activities and the creation of work opportunities within the village of Parathuruth.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The story is set within the framework of local governance. Jagadamma is a “Panchayath worker,” and the plot revolves around her contesting a “by-election.” This focuses on the functioning of local government institutions (Panchayats), political participation, and ensuring representative decision-making at the local level.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.
   • The “Thozhilurappu” scheme mentioned in the article is a direct example of a nationally implemented social protection system designed to provide a safety net for the rural population.
2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   • This target is explicitly demonstrated by Jagadamma’s journey. She is a woman who “takes the bold step of contesting the by-election” and “claims a surprising victory,” thereby achieving a leadership position in local political decision-making.
3. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
   • The existence of the “Thozhilurappu team” run by Jagadamma in the “rural village of Parathuruth” is a direct reference to efforts aimed at providing employment, particularly for women, in rural areas.
4. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • The article describes a local “by-election” where an independent female candidate, supported by local women’s groups (“Kudumbashree women”), challenges the existing political structure and wins. This narrative is a clear illustration of participatory and representative decision-making at the local government level.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 1.3:
   • The functioning of the “Thozhilurappu team” and the “Kudumbashree women” group serves as a qualitative indicator of the existence and implementation of social protection and poverty eradication programs (related to Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems).
2. Implied Indicator for Target 5.5:
   • Jagadamma’s victory in the by-election is a direct narrative representation of Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in (b) local governments. Her success signifies an increase in this proportion for the village of Parathuruth.
3. Implied Indicator for Target 8.5:
   • The presence of an active “Thozhilurappu team” implies the generation of employment within the rural community, which can be seen as a qualitative measure related to employment rates in a specific locality.
4. Implied Indicator for Target 16.7:
   • The story of a woman winning an election as an independent with grassroots support implies progress towards inclusive and representative local governance. This relates to Indicator 16.7.2: Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive, as her victory reflects the will of a specific part of the local population.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com