Saravanan Natarajan
Admin · August 3 at 5:27 PM
Was in Jaipur for the last 2 days on work. As is my wont, and as my close friends know only too well, there is always a song running within even I as go about my routine. And the two days that I was in Jaipur it was ‘Sivappu lolaakku kulunguthu’.
Later while going to bed, I thought about the movie ‘Kaadhal Kottai’, a movie that stole my heart at the time. My thoughts then went to Agathiyan, the sadly forgotten talented film-maker, and then my thoughts went to what in my opinion was his best movie ever…
* * * * * *
Putting aside the disappointment of ‘Madhumathi’ (1993) and showing promise in the modest success of ‘Vaanmathi’ (1996), Director Agathiyan was riding on an unprecedented high soon thereafter. In ‘Kaadhal Kottai’, he told the tale of a love that blossoms through mail, without the lovers even meeting each other. In ‘Gokulathil Seethai’, Agathiyan presented an interesting account of a wayward youth brought to the right path by the patient, persistent efforts of the heroine. Runaway hits of 1996, both movies had interesting storylines narrated with rare sensitivity, their appeal enhanced manifold by the proceedings flowing to a riveting climax. And Agathiyan made history when he became the first Tamil to win the National Award for Best Director for his work in ‘Kaadhal Kottai’.
The critical commendation and commercial success enjoyed by 'Kaadhal Kottai' and 'Gokulathil Seethai' prompted K. Balachander to invite Agathiyan to make a film for his production house Kavithalaya. The movie that Agathiyan set about making was 'Vidukathai'.
* * * * * * *
‘Of more than twice her years,
Seam'd with an ancient swordcut on the cheek,
And bruised and bronzed,
She lifted up her eyes
And loved him, with that love which was her doom…’
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Idylls of the King)
This time around, Agathiyan crafted a tale of a 18 year-old girl and a 41 year-old man falling in love and then coming to terms with their marriage. Anandi is a bubbly college student, fearless and forthright in her convictions. And when her father succumbs to a heart ailment, she shows precocious sagacity in dealing with the loss, at least outwardly.
Neelakantan, a middle-aged ex-army clerk is the new tenant in an outer wing of Aanandi's house. He is a bachelor, and feeling left behind by time, he has divested himself of any matrimonial plans. Though he seems to have accepted his single state with indifference, his agony at his wasted youth reveals itself in an inebriated outburst.
The two lonely souls find their moorings in mutual compassion and understanding. Drawn to each other, they reach the bridge of love that will see them safely across the chasm of the enormous difference in their ages. It is the candid Anandi who expresses her desire to get married to him. And after initial denial, Neelakantan reciprocates her love and they get married.
After an idyllic honeymoon and the initial euphoria of marital bliss, they settle down to a life together. However, Neelakantan's feelings of doubt, inadequacy and self-reproach lead to problems that threaten to wreck their marriage. How Anandi manages to coax him out of his complexes forms the engrossing climax. When love prevails, all has to end well. Their marriage is for keeps.
Agathiyan painted on his canvas a life vibrant in all its idiosyncrasies and complexities. How the inner strength of Anandi comes to the fore when Neelakantan wallows in his weaknesses is put forth strikingly in sequences that form the defining moments of the narrative. When in the end Neelakantan sobs unashamedly in the comforting arms of Anandi and finds his uncertainties dissolving in his tears, Agathiyan leaves us with moist eyes as well, for the movie is a rare cathartic experience.
Agathiyan extracted brilliant performances from Prakashraj and Neena in the lead roles. With the story revolving around the two characters, Agathiyan needed only a handful of supporting artistes and here mention must be made of an outstanding cameo by Janakaraj as Neena’s father.
Sadly, ‘Vidukathai’, a Diwali release of 1997, did not find any takers and came a cropper at the hustings. I still recall that Diwali- ‘Rakshagan’, ‘Thedinen Vandhadhu’ and ‘Janakiraman’ were the movies that we friends rushed to see ( for attractions that now seem insignificant 😊 ), and only after watching them in quick succession, did we deign to see ‘Aahaa’, and that too only because it was released in Prarthana. Though I wanted to watch ‘Vidukathai’ after reading the reviews, not one of my friends was willing to indulge me by his company. We did watch ‘Porkaalam’ in due course, but finally when I made my way all by myself to Nagesh Theater to watch ‘Vidukathai’, it had already been consigned to the cans. It was many years later that I chanced upon upon a VCD of the movie in an obscure shop in Sharjah, and seeing it, I realized what I had missed. But then perhaps, it was all for the good, for I doubt if I could have appreciated the cunning subtleties and heartwarming highpoints of the movie way back in 1997…
* * * * * * * .
Presenting here a joyous song sequence…Goa is the Eden where our Adam and Eve seek out their honeymoon. Neelakantan and Anandi are on a voyage of discovery, discovery of themselves and of each other. Shy overtures, sidelong glances, half uttered endearments progress to frank conversations, bold appraisals, heady partying, candle-light dinners… the works..
Beverley Nichols said ‘Marriage is a book of which the first chapter is written in poetry and the remaining chapters in prose.' But Agathiyan begs to differ- he avers that while this meeting of the two hearts is new poetry indeed, each succeeding day would usher in poetry afresh for this special couple- no prosaic prose for them! Deva crafts a tune that is sheer poetry in itself- hark at the gentle flow of the tune mingling so delectably with a waft of the joys of a Goan carnival in the second interlude when the pair party aboard a ferry. Chitra entices as always, while the underrated Krishnaraj is scintillatingly soulful.
Song: Idhayam idhayam inaikirathe
Film: Vidukathai (1997)
Vocals: K.S. Chitra & Krishnaraj
Lyrics: Agathiyan
Music: Deva
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ZpykFkZmI
Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/2115882381776810/
Admin · August 3 at 5:27 PM
Was in Jaipur for the last 2 days on work. As is my wont, and as my close friends know only too well, there is always a song running within even I as go about my routine. And the two days that I was in Jaipur it was ‘Sivappu lolaakku kulunguthu’.
Later while going to bed, I thought about the movie ‘Kaadhal Kottai’, a movie that stole my heart at the time. My thoughts then went to Agathiyan, the sadly forgotten talented film-maker, and then my thoughts went to what in my opinion was his best movie ever…
* * * * * *
Putting aside the disappointment of ‘Madhumathi’ (1993) and showing promise in the modest success of ‘Vaanmathi’ (1996), Director Agathiyan was riding on an unprecedented high soon thereafter. In ‘Kaadhal Kottai’, he told the tale of a love that blossoms through mail, without the lovers even meeting each other. In ‘Gokulathil Seethai’, Agathiyan presented an interesting account of a wayward youth brought to the right path by the patient, persistent efforts of the heroine. Runaway hits of 1996, both movies had interesting storylines narrated with rare sensitivity, their appeal enhanced manifold by the proceedings flowing to a riveting climax. And Agathiyan made history when he became the first Tamil to win the National Award for Best Director for his work in ‘Kaadhal Kottai’.
The critical commendation and commercial success enjoyed by 'Kaadhal Kottai' and 'Gokulathil Seethai' prompted K. Balachander to invite Agathiyan to make a film for his production house Kavithalaya. The movie that Agathiyan set about making was 'Vidukathai'.
* * * * * * *
‘Of more than twice her years,
Seam'd with an ancient swordcut on the cheek,
And bruised and bronzed,
She lifted up her eyes
And loved him, with that love which was her doom…’
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Idylls of the King)
This time around, Agathiyan crafted a tale of a 18 year-old girl and a 41 year-old man falling in love and then coming to terms with their marriage. Anandi is a bubbly college student, fearless and forthright in her convictions. And when her father succumbs to a heart ailment, she shows precocious sagacity in dealing with the loss, at least outwardly.
Neelakantan, a middle-aged ex-army clerk is the new tenant in an outer wing of Aanandi's house. He is a bachelor, and feeling left behind by time, he has divested himself of any matrimonial plans. Though he seems to have accepted his single state with indifference, his agony at his wasted youth reveals itself in an inebriated outburst.
The two lonely souls find their moorings in mutual compassion and understanding. Drawn to each other, they reach the bridge of love that will see them safely across the chasm of the enormous difference in their ages. It is the candid Anandi who expresses her desire to get married to him. And after initial denial, Neelakantan reciprocates her love and they get married.
After an idyllic honeymoon and the initial euphoria of marital bliss, they settle down to a life together. However, Neelakantan's feelings of doubt, inadequacy and self-reproach lead to problems that threaten to wreck their marriage. How Anandi manages to coax him out of his complexes forms the engrossing climax. When love prevails, all has to end well. Their marriage is for keeps.
Agathiyan painted on his canvas a life vibrant in all its idiosyncrasies and complexities. How the inner strength of Anandi comes to the fore when Neelakantan wallows in his weaknesses is put forth strikingly in sequences that form the defining moments of the narrative. When in the end Neelakantan sobs unashamedly in the comforting arms of Anandi and finds his uncertainties dissolving in his tears, Agathiyan leaves us with moist eyes as well, for the movie is a rare cathartic experience.
Agathiyan extracted brilliant performances from Prakashraj and Neena in the lead roles. With the story revolving around the two characters, Agathiyan needed only a handful of supporting artistes and here mention must be made of an outstanding cameo by Janakaraj as Neena’s father.
Sadly, ‘Vidukathai’, a Diwali release of 1997, did not find any takers and came a cropper at the hustings. I still recall that Diwali- ‘Rakshagan’, ‘Thedinen Vandhadhu’ and ‘Janakiraman’ were the movies that we friends rushed to see ( for attractions that now seem insignificant 😊 ), and only after watching them in quick succession, did we deign to see ‘Aahaa’, and that too only because it was released in Prarthana. Though I wanted to watch ‘Vidukathai’ after reading the reviews, not one of my friends was willing to indulge me by his company. We did watch ‘Porkaalam’ in due course, but finally when I made my way all by myself to Nagesh Theater to watch ‘Vidukathai’, it had already been consigned to the cans. It was many years later that I chanced upon upon a VCD of the movie in an obscure shop in Sharjah, and seeing it, I realized what I had missed. But then perhaps, it was all for the good, for I doubt if I could have appreciated the cunning subtleties and heartwarming highpoints of the movie way back in 1997…
* * * * * * * .
Presenting here a joyous song sequence…Goa is the Eden where our Adam and Eve seek out their honeymoon. Neelakantan and Anandi are on a voyage of discovery, discovery of themselves and of each other. Shy overtures, sidelong glances, half uttered endearments progress to frank conversations, bold appraisals, heady partying, candle-light dinners… the works..
Beverley Nichols said ‘Marriage is a book of which the first chapter is written in poetry and the remaining chapters in prose.' But Agathiyan begs to differ- he avers that while this meeting of the two hearts is new poetry indeed, each succeeding day would usher in poetry afresh for this special couple- no prosaic prose for them! Deva crafts a tune that is sheer poetry in itself- hark at the gentle flow of the tune mingling so delectably with a waft of the joys of a Goan carnival in the second interlude when the pair party aboard a ferry. Chitra entices as always, while the underrated Krishnaraj is scintillatingly soulful.
Song: Idhayam idhayam inaikirathe
Film: Vidukathai (1997)
Vocals: K.S. Chitra & Krishnaraj
Lyrics: Agathiyan
Music: Deva
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ZpykFkZmI
Discussion at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1018417744856618/permalink/2115882381776810/
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