From time immemorial, people have tried to steal the Kadambas’ treasure.
On one such night, the thieves disguised themselves as Bedas and
struggled to cross the Kadambas’ fortress with the stolen treasure.
No matter how far they ran, they kept returning to the same spot.
It was Maaramma's powers at play.
The land was protected by Goddess Maari.
If the Maarigallu (Statue) is here, the fort's door is on the other side.
I'm scared.
No need to be scared. Let's go!
After a lot of failed attempts, they started running again.
But they ended up in the same spot.
They were stuck in the loop of time.
Maari's illusion...
The belief that Maari was protecting the treasure.
The fear that Maari won't spare those who steal the treasure.
What happened to them in the end?
MAARIGALLU - MAARI'S GUARDIAN STONE
Mayura Sharma’s capital of the Kadamba clan was Banavasi, near Sirsi.
Our Kadambas raised Karnataka’s banner of pride across South India.
The Kadambas were the first kingdom of Karnataka.
In ancient times, it was called Vyjayanthipura.
From the 4th–5th century, the Talagunda Shantivarma's
Sanskrit pillar inscription tells us about their rule.
The Halmidi village inscription also holds a lot of such information.
During the Kadambas’ reign, Kannada was made the
administrative language for the first time, Sir.
About twenty kilometers from Sirsi, there’s a village called Banavasi.
That village was the capital of the Kadambas.
We found all these artefacts there.
Also, about twenty kilometers from Banavasi, there’s a place called Maarigallu.
It lies deep inside a dense forest.
I was the one who 'invented' that village, Sir.
We’ve found many markers, such as pots and other items used by the Kadamba kings.
We'll find more, Sir.
Sir, excuse me?
There used to be a fortress there.
It was known as the Maarigallu Fortress.
The proof of the fort’s existence...
Is this map you’re looking at, Sir.
Sir, I didn’t give up on this.
I dug, unearthed, and turned the ground upside down to find this proof.
- Very good. - Thank you, Sir.
Sir, when will the new team join the Maarigallu project?
You’ve gone deep into the details of the Maarigallu project.
Go deeper.
Continue.
Erm.. But Sir.
Man, why did he say that?
Sir?
- Sir, I have a daughter. - Okay?
I need to get her married.
In my thirty years of exp...
Not as long as yours, Sir.
Wherever I’ve worked, city or village, I’ve worked hard and sincerely.
If you can get me posted anywhere near Mysuru,
I’ll find a groom for my daughter and get her married.
Please?
Please do this for me, Sir.
Here's an idea, Marigowda.
Since you’ve done everything so far, finish this too.
Listen, meet the local MLA.
Your job will be done.
Not like that!
This way! Keep going!
Firm steps!
Stop it guys!
Varada, come what may, we have to win the Bedara Vesha competition this year.
Not just winning.
We'll make sure the Master's flag flies high.
How long will you keep serving the Master?
Let's get out from his shadow and do something.
Will our self-esteem fill our tummies?
Master is like God to us.
Think about winning the competition first.
- Acts like an idiot. - God knows about winning.
I don't trust these peacock feathers at all.
They're extremely flimsy.
Let's hope the feathers don't fly away when you dance.
Why are we discussing this?
The sellers will get them for us. Not really an issue.
The sellers stopped ever since the forest department started troubling them.
Why are you getting worked up now?
- Like I don't know the forest enough? - Exactly.
Coward!
Getting worried for no reason.
[FOLK SONG]
Enough now.
- Do you know our origin story? - Tell us.
The origin of Siddhis.
You know, Vascodagama?
He cheated us and got us from Africa.
After he was done with his work, he had to return home.
- He abandoned us in the forest. - We know man.
We managed to get to the cities.
If you think about it, we're not slaves.
We are rulers.
Rulers!
We are kings man.
What can be done? Our fate after all.
I'm a slave at the Master's house.
- It's not your bad fate. It's ours. - Why's that?
How many times will you tell us the same story?
- A boring story! - I wasn't joking...
[BULLET FIRES; MEN SCREAM]
How was that, Sir?
Your aim is phenomenal!
- How about you aim for his head? - Oh no.
Oh no. Sir, don't!
Sir, we'll fall at your feet.
- Please don't hurt us. - Keep quiet man.
What's wrong, Sir?
Move! What is it?
What?
Are we animals for you to shoot down?
Tell me the truth.
Where did you get all of those peacock feathers
Oh. That?
We didn't just get it.
We picked it one by one.
How many peacocks did you kill?
[VARADA LAUGHS]
We didn't kill any.
We just picked up feathers that were on the ground.
Does he not get our language?
Don't you know who we work for?
Let me go. What are you staring at?!
Don't you worry, Daya.
The Master and I are here.
We'll take care of it. Don't worry.
Yeah, right.
Stand straight!
- Shivarama? - Yeah?
Not bad at all.
The roof and walls.
They've been built well, right?
I want to pull down my hay hut and build a tiled-roof house like this.
Also, ask them where the bathroom is?
Ask.
Is this a place to joke around?
Is everything a joke to you?!
Idiot!
Sir, what's the time?
4.30 P.M. Why do you ask?
- Won't you give us snacks or tea? - Exactly. Ask for arecanut.
Arecanut for four of us.
Sir, they want tea and arecanut.
Back at Master's house, they would give us snacks and tea at this hour.
Really?! Want some snacks-tea?
Oh no need, Sir.
Bastards!
Keep quiet guys.
Enough. Master's here.
- You'll have it from him now. - He's here.
Who did you trouble now?
We didn't trouble anyone, Master.
We were just picking up shed feathers for our Beda costumes,
and he’s dragged us here, threatening to jail us.
Sheer arrogance!
The rules have gotten strict now.
Arrogance, right?
The arecanut I'm eating gives a me a great kick!
Do we still have that unruly arecanut tree in the farm?
Only one of it was left behind.
We'll get it removed.
Bedara Vesha is this native's celebration, tradition and a matter of our reputation.
Never mind. Tell me.
When was this rule implemented?
A year ago.
And the tradition?
Must be three or four hundred years old.
Your words are crossing the limits.
So are your rules.
Better to keep it under control.
Else, the outcome will be different.
Mine's the royal blood.
I don't need favours.
Give it here.
What belongs to you, is in here.
Keep it.
- Hey! Let's go. - We don't want the tea.
- We'll visit another day. - Moron, shut up now!
- Goddess! - Oho!
This is the annual garlanding ritual.
Aye! Aye!
A service offered for the protection of this village.
We request you to protect the village from all troubles and hardships.
Oho!
I shall consent! I shall! I shall!
I wholeheartedly accept your service.
I shall protect this village, as it has been entrusted to me, Ballaali!
[PRIMORDIAL SCREAM]
The offerings are delicious.
Maybe we should have gotten more cooked.
How many will you feed? This is enough.
Master, listen.
Somebody was digging for something on my way here from home.
When I questioned them, they mentioned something about inscriptions.
Thefts are on the rise in the village.
Master, could you please go that way and check?
Those scoundrels! Let's go!
This village's filled with inscriptions!
Not one of them are maintained. Ugh!
God knows how many more are there!
Who the hell are you, moving those stones, bastard?!
Are you moving them to make your own graves?
- Leave them alone! - Hey!
- Calm down. - What?!
Who are you guys?
- He's the Master of this village. - Wait man.
This village and even the road's mine.
The air you're breathing is also mine.
- Who are you guys? - Oh!
Is that inscription yours?
We're unable to unearth it. Care to help?
What?! An inscription?
Who gave you the permission?
Who gave you the permission to dig?!
The Archaeology department.
We have the permission.
This land was ruled by the Kadambas.
Rama, his spectacles look so cool man.
Not just this inscription.
We have permission to survey all of them.
You shouldn't disturb us during work.
Master, he's talking nonsense!
- How about I give him four whacks? - Hey. Stop it now.
Do you plan to take these stones and keep it up your ass?
First, we'll keep it in our ass.
If it doesn't fit, we'll plant it up yours!
Hey! You bastard!
How dare you raise hands on a government officer?!
How dare you hit our officer?
If I wasn't for the ritual, I would have thrashed you.
- Oh really? - Oh definitely!
I'm going to knock your teeth down!
- Come at me! - Stop it Varada!
How dare you beat our men in our own village?
What are you doing here? Have you lost it?!
What's happening here?!
Mister! We are from the government.
Why do we need permission?
Hey! Show them the work order - Read it up!
The permit's appropriate, Master!
I can see that.
But.. Erm... Why did you cut the plants and trees?!
Let's file a case for chopping trees.
Wow! Now they're from the forest department.
We're working and a couple of thorns and shrubs have been removed.
You're acting like we've uprooted trees and need your permission.
Master, is he going to unearth those stones to build a fort and rule the kingdom?
- Let them do their job. - Hey! Enough!
They're artefacts of my lineage and proof of their rule.
It should belong to us!
Oy! Enough fighting! Stop this for now and head home.
- Keep quiet. - He got it right.
Assaulting a government officer will attract a strong police case.
Hope you know that!
Prison. You'll end up in prison.
Erm.. Listen.
- I'm letting you go because I'm kind. - Oh wow.
Forget the inscriptions, even if you find some bones, you have to inform me.
Phani, be it a dog's bone or a chicken's, make sure you dump them all at his home.
How dare he hit me?!
[PHANI] Get to work now!
There's a case on you already. We'll deal with them later.
Get the boys and come to the farm.
The villagers are a strange lot.
So, watch your backs, okay?
Mister, we're from the central government!
Don't roam around in the night.
Maari tends to go out on rounds.
She doesn't give a damn if you're a government man or not.
Master!
- Why do you have such old junk? - Chowda, stop blabbering!
I recently found a mud pot on the river bank.
They gave me Rs. 50 for it. I bought two quarters of booze.
- Really? - Of course.
Next time you find something, bring it to me.
I'll give you Rs. 100.
...Rahasyam!
Lakshmi Rahasya Shaasanadol Ullekhanam...
- What's wrong in it? - College is far from here.
- What has the girl studied? - She's passed her SSLC.
The girl is very sweet.
I've seen her since she was a kid.
Prayed to the Goddess and came.
The groom likes the bride. Do ask her opinion once?
- Son, go on and ask. - I'll ask.
What will it be?
Are you okay with the guy? Think it through.
Okay then.
Look at how shy she got.
The girl also likes the guy.
The groom's in a government job.
So, he’s demanding 10 tolas worth of gold.
I've negotiated and brought it down to 6 tolas.
Oh. Six will do.
Right, Son?
It's lesser by 4, right?
- Sure. - Also...
This isn't my demand.
It's my father's!
All I want is a wedding at a convention hall!
A convention hall shouldn't be a problem. Right, my son?
- Brother? - Yeah?
- What is it? - Come here!
I'll be back in a minute.
Sure. Ask her.
What's wrong?
Did you not like the guy?
I like him.
But their demands are a lot.
You'll be in trouble.
No. Tell them I'm not okay with that.
If you like him, I'll take care of it.
- You don't worry about it. - Brother, listen to me.
- Relax. - Brother!
What's wrong, Varada?
What are you so worried about?
I've got no money in hand.
I'm worried how to make Geetha's marriage happen.
Oh.
Don't worry man. I am with you.
We'll figure it out.
I’ll scrape together ₹50,000 somehow.
No, Daya.
Why not? Isn't Geetha my sister too?
Quit acting up.
That would be a lot of help man.
I'll figure out the rest somehow.
The rest? How much more do you need?
I think I'll need Rs. 2.5 - 3 lakh in total.
Oh. Is it?
- Varada? - Yeah?
If nothing works out...
You can pledge my house documents and...
Hey! Have you lost it?
Think it's okay to pledge his house.
Master's still around. I'll ask.
He'll lend me money for sure.
Hey! Careful!
Okay. Let's finish this and get to work.
The farm? Why do you need me?
I'll go and meet Punya, okay?
Don't get held up romancing. Come soon.
Master?
Madam, isn't Master home?
[SHARMA SCREAMS]
Madam, what's wrong?
He's up there?
- Master? - Oh God!
Master?
Oh no!
Master, what's wrong?
I heard the scream and came looking!
Careful. Madam asked me to come upstairs.
Did you apply oil all over the body and climb the loft?
- Come on sit. - This is for pain relief.
I'd applied it a little more and my leg cramped!
Show me! Where exactly?
Right here? Let me take a look.
Oh. It's swollen already.
My my!
I've never seen such a spacious loft in my lifetime.
Master, what are these old stones and statues doing here?
Nah! Doesn't suit this loft.
Those aren't just stones.
Inscriptions of my lineage.
I wished to collect them all and make a museum in Sirsi.
No wonder you got so annoyed on that day.
It isn't that simple.
My family built this village.
We have something of our own.
So, everybody trusts me.
Yes, Master.
I also have all my trust in you.
I'm here to talk about that.
A good marriage alliance has come my sister's way.
I don't feel like letting it go.
There's no money for the wedding, Master.
Then why are you rushing the marriage?
Not like the girl's very old.
No, Master. I don't feel like letting this one go.
My sister also likes the girl.
He's in a government job.
So, it doesn't make sense to let this go.
My family asked if I was okay with the alliance.
I trusted you and said okay to it.
What do you want me to do now?
I need a loan of Rs. 2 lakh. I'll work and pay you back.
Go over there.
- Go by the maze. - I'll get it.
There's nothing but an oil bottle.
Yes. Herbal oil.
The pain's a lot. Bring it.
Bring it! Hurry up!
Okay.
Gentle!
Master?
They want to fix the wedding for next month.
If you say no, I'll be in trouble.
The money tree seems to have bloody dried up!
I actually want to lend you.
But what I do?
My ancestors have only left behind inscriptions.
Also, do you know what is the one common mistake we all make, Varada?
We desire beyond our means.
Need to stop doing that.
Things will be okay then.
I'll see you.
How about a cup of tea?
Somebody told me that tea produces excess heat in the body.
I'm planning to quit.
But their demands are a lot.
You'll be in trouble.
I don't want this.
If you like him, I'll take care of it.
You don't worry about it. Relax.
This story dates back 300-years-ago!
Back then, there was no one to break the arrogance
of the rich and no one to hear the woes of the poor.
Thus, in the hills of Malnad was born a man,
the poor man’s friend, Bedara Bomma.
He would steal from the rich and give it to the poor.
To end their filthy wealth and crush their oppression,
he fought and became the friend of the poor.
It is believed that Sirsi Maarikambamma descended because of him, children.
That is why the Bedara Vesha dance is performed in his memory.
But why wouldn't the rich help the poor during difficult times?
If all of the rich helped the poor, the world wouldn't be in this state.
That is why revolutions took place!
IS THAT WHY BEDA STARTED ROBBING? [IN UNISON]
Also, do you know what is the one common mistake we all make, Varada?
We desire beyond our means.
HEY! WHAT THE HELL!
HEY!
Did you dream of Parashurama?
'We'll get our daughter married. Don't worry.'
'Take medicines before sleep'
Who's here at this hour?
Dammit!
Who is it?
OH NO! IT'S YOU!
- Just because I slapped you... - Sir, please listen to me!
- Are you here to finish me?! - Phani! Get here!
- I'm not here to hurt you! - Phani! Get the gun!
Open the door! I need to talk to you!
- Dammit! I'm not here to hurt. - Get the damn gun!
I needed to talk! Open the door!
I won't hurt you. I'm here to apologise.
- What?! - Yes! To apologise!
Goat mutton!
My admiration for Master made me lose control.
Please don't mind me.
Malnad people's heart is beautiful as its nature.
Damn! I'm very happy now!
- Sir, I don't want it. - Oye! Oye!
- I don't want. - Take it! It's okay!
Just drink it!
With all the stones you were excavating...
What do you plan to do with them?
I will.. sincere... sincerely hand it to the department.
Now...
If you find another stone just like that...
- Will you be able to read it? - What?!
As easy as drinking water.
Not just on paper.
I can fold and read stones too.
I have my doubts, Sir.
You don't think I can do it?!
Are you doubting the people of Mandya?!
Halegannada, Nadugannada, Navya Kannada, Kadamba Kannada, Badami Kannada.
I've read every Kannada there is.
What do you think of me, huh?!
- A challenge? - You think you can challenge me?
What do you have for me?! Give it to me!
I've got my wife's letter too!
I'll read it along with it!
Make some space?
'Majaala Krityam..'
'Horata Madhya Gatanaada Raajan'
'Sampath Sakalaadi Maarikoteyol Adagisi Podaan'
'Aa Rahasyam...'
'Lakshmi Rahasya Shaasanadol Ullekhan Gaidaan'
Sir, could you please explain what's written here, so I can understand it?
- Please don't mind me, Sir. - Well...
The last king of Kadamba...
In this...
Died. Coins Valuables.
Buried under the Maarigudi (temple).
There's a Lakshmi Rahasya inscription (secret of fortune) where it has the rest of the...
- Sir? Go on. - Written...
Sir, if we find the 'Lakshmi Rahasya'...
- Does it mean we've found the treasure? - Maybe.
Maybe not.
- But, Sir... - Lakshmi Rahasya...
Can a king's treasure be as big as a handbag?
Who is this dumbo?
Idiot!
Hey! Not a handbag!
Elephant, Camels and Horses...
Pearls, gems, diamonds and opaque.
Piles and piles of it.
Filled in bags! They come...
Lakshmi Rahasya!