MoTTa
Total posts: 214
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 Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject: Paithrukam |
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Paithrukam , released in 1993 can be considered as one of the classics in Malayalam cinema. As usual, this one also went without creating much wave in our Box-Ofiice. Directed by Jayaraj based on the script by Kaloor Dennis, Paithrukam can be said in one sentence as ‘A portrayal of the conflict between ideologies and beliefs’.
Paithrukam revolves around a small Namboothiri family, where Narendra Prasad plays the role of a much respected Bhrahmin (Don’t remember the name of the characters as I haven’t seen the movie in recent times.. So I am using the actor’s name J ). Suresh Gopi and Jayaram play the role of his two sons, two extremely different characters. Suresh Gopi, the elder son is an atheistic journalist, who is against the age-old beliefs in Brahmin families. His younger brother Jayaram is a Priest in a nearby temple, and he is the one who follows the footsteps of this father.
Suresh Gopi marries Geetha, who is also an atheist, and starts staying in a house, which is believed to be haunted by ghosts. While cleaning up the premises they destroys the ‘Sarpakkavu’. It is said that if a couple is affected with ‘Sarpakopam’ they wont get the opportunity to have a child. Whatever be the reason, Geetha suffers an abortion and goes back to Narendra Prasad’s house saying that getting a child is more important for her than the beliefs. And she gives birth to a baby boy there.
In the meantime Jayaram falls in love with a girl and says this to his mother. And Narendra Prasad rejects the plan saying that Jayaram don’t have the fate to marry a girl, and can think of it, once he becomes 27. Hearing this, Jayaram decides to go to some other astrologer to know the truth and he says Jayaram that he will die before reaching the age of 27 and it is better not to marry and spoil the life of a girl. And thinks happen as per the horoscope and he dies.
After brother’s death Suresh gopi completely goes against his father and blames Narendra Prasad for Jayaram’s death, by making him afraid by saying he wont leave more than 27 years and all.
This time the people plan to tackle the heavy drought in the village by conducting ‘Athirathram’(Or some yaga, which will cause rain). They select Narendra Prasad for doing this and he agrees. But Suresh Gopi, who is totally against this asks his father not to do it saying this is non sense and make him agree to become an atheist if it doesn’t rain at the end of yaga. The yaga begins. In the mean time Suresh Gopi starts gathering some people against this and starts shouting slogans against Narendra Prasad and the yaga, on the last day. But suddenly clouds fill the sky and it starts raining.
Suresh Gopi realizes there are some things which are beyond the imagination of ordinary men, and goes back home to seek pardon from his father. But he was too late and as Narendra Prasad didn’t want to see the defeated son, he himself get burnt in a closed room. And in the course of time Suresh Gopi follows the path of his father and becomes ‘Brahmin’.
This, for sure is the best role of Narendra Prasad and he won the state award for best supporting actor that year. There are some scenes which stay in my mind such as Jayaram going to the astrologist with his horoscope, pretending the horoscope is of one of his friend, and hearing all the not so good predictions. Another scene is the war of words between Narendra Prasad and Suresh Gopi, regarding how to bring up his child. Suresh Gopi says, he wants his child to follow his path and belief, and Narendra Prasad replys as “Ente makan enne pole aakanamennu njan vaashi pidichillaallo !!!!.” And Suresh Gopi has no words.
You may disagree with the story or script, But you can’t neglect the power of the script and the smoothness in which it is pictured. This is a movie which you cant afford to miss.
Another attraction of the movie is the music. Composed by S.P.Venkatesh and the lyrics by Kaithapram, the movie has some of the evergreen songs of Malayalam, such as ‘Vaalkkannezhuthiya Makara Nilaavil’ ,‘Neelanjana Poovin’ and ‘Seethaa Kalyaana Vaibhogame’. The background song ‘Sivam Sivada gana’, while the Athirathram is taking place during the final moments of the movie, is simply superb.
Njan thanne ezhuthi ondakkiyathaanu.. Thettukal vannittundakum ennu orappanu.. Sahikkuka.. Kshemikkuka.. Abhipraayangal parayuka. 
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