Kerala   

Inner radiance shines through

Atmakatha (Malayalam)Cast: Sreenivasan, Sharbani Mukherji, Jagathy Sreekumar, Bindu Panicker

Director: Premlal

The film was screened in the Indian Panorama section of the ongoing International Film Festival of India, Goa.

Its opening sequence is in itself memorable, bringing out the positive outlook and aspirations of the protagonist, Kochu Baby (Sreenivasan). During a birthday celebration, lights go off, and in the darkness, he appears bearing a large lit candle. To the wonder-struck gathering, he tells, “Enikku kazhchayilla, pakshe ee thiri undakkiyathu jnananu” (I do not have sight, but I made this light).

At this point, Kochu Baby wakes up from the dream. And the next scene reveals that though visually challenged, he earns his living as a candle-maker. He comes out as a cheerful personality who is loved by all around him. He feels deeply indebted to his mother who had trained him in several ways to carry on in life without depending on others. (The mother character never appears on screen, but for the viewer, her presence is palpable.)

The movie takes us through Kochu Baby's romance with Mary (Sharbani Mukherji), who is also visually challenged. They get married and a daughter, Lilly, is born to them.

In yet another poignant scene, Kochu Baby confirms himself that her daughter has sight. When Lilly is three years old, he loses Mary in a road accident. With steely resolve, he takes up the responsibility of bringing up his daughter. Father and daughter shower each other with affection, and life is tranquil again.

Twelve years pass by in this way when tragedy strikes again and Kochu Baby is faced with another battle in life.

The script is by the director himself. Lyrics of Kaithapram Damodaran Nambudiri and Engadiyoor Chandrasekharan are set to music by Alphonse Joseph. Mohan Sitara's re-recording adds to the quality of the movie. Sameer Haq wields the camera.

Atmakatha, produced by Santhosh Pavithram for Pavithram Creation, is an appealing movie.

G. Jayakumar

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