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Caught in the web of progress FILM REVIEW

Nagaram

It is only befitting that the film Nagaram hit the theatres at a time when the scourge of infectious diseases is looming large over the State. Directed by M.A. Nishad, the film documents vividly the plight of villagers who have to b ear the brunt of lopsided development and urbanisation. The screenplay and dialogues are by Rajan Kiriyath.

The story by Nishad tells the tale of a remote village, Sivaramapuram, on the outskirts of Kochi. The village folks are at the mercy of Ponnayan Thevar (Kalabhavan Mani), who virtually rules over the village. The others in the village include Mayamma, an anganvadi teacher (Lekshmi Sarma), the generous Chintamoni Ammal (Seema), Poomkody (Nitya Das), and a couple of others.

Meanwhile, the Kochi Corporation is beset with the problem of disposal of waste. Lalgudi Nannappan (Salim Kumar) who has been entrusted with the work fails to honour the contract.

Nannappan strikes a deal with Ponnayan Thevar and dumps truckloads of waste at Sivaramapuram. Gradually, the village transforms into a dumping pit. Death stalks the village. . Radhika (Gopika), a journalist, daughter of the Mayor, comes to the village urges the villagers to resist the dumping of waste.

commercialisation. ‘Mutharam kunnin meethe,’ a lilting melody sung by K.J. Jesudas, deserves special mention. The lyrics of Gireesh Puthenchery and Asha Ramesh are set to music by Mohan Sithara. The cast includes Biju Menon, Thilakan, Rajan P. Dev, Jaffar and Baburaj. Sadathh’s cinematography of the countryside is captivating.

G. JAYAKUMAR

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