The many voices of dissent
VIJAY GEORGE
|
Priyanandanan's `Pulijanmam' highlights the struggle between the oppressors and those who resist exploitative forces in society.
|
OFFBEAT ROLE: Murali in`Pulijanmam.'
He had dared tread a different line with his debut film, `Neythukaran.' Director Priyanandanan is trying to emulate the recognition that he received for the film with his next venture, `Pulijanmam.' The story is being narrated against the backdrop of Theyyam.
In the film, based on a story by N. Prabhakaran, the director's efforts are to intertwine the character called Kaarigurukkal with that of an idealistic farmer Prakasan.
The myth
Kaarigurukkal had travelled to Puliyoorkkunnu to get rid of the anxiety of the rulers. He returns as `Thondachan' in the shape of a tiger. Kaarigurukkal is in search of `pulijada' and `pulivaalu' and on his return, his wife, Vellachi, was supposed to sprinkle `arikkadivellam' and beat him with a broom. But out of panic and fear, she fails to do so and he could not get back to his normal self.
Prakasan is educated, but prefers to live as a farmer and is actively involved in many social issues. Actor Murali, who won the national award for his role as Appa mesthiri in `Neythukaran,' dons the roles of Kaarigurukkal and Prakasan.
The cast
Sindhu Menon acts in `Pulijanmam' as Vellachi in a play and also as Shahanas, who is going through certain problems in her married life. Shahanas has a striking resemblance to Vellachi at several junctures.
Samvritha Sunil is Prakasan's younger sister, a postgraduate student. Vineet Kumar, Sree Raman and Salim Kumar include the cast.
The shooting of the film, produced under the banner of Amma films by M.G.Vijay, was done in Payyannur. Cinematography is by K.G. Jayan and music by Kaithapram Viswanathan. N.Prabhakaran and N. Sasidharan have penned the screenplay and dialogues.
Priyanandanan had announced another film `Athu Mandarappoovalla' in between, but it never happened, "due to a variety of reasons, but has not been shelved as such," according to the director.
He showers praise on the cast and crew of `Pulijanmam' who stood with him, even though everyone was aware of the constraints of making a film, with a limited budget.
Priyanandanan believes that in our scheme of things every individual is becoming separate entities who prefer to stay within cocoons created by them. "But one should keep in mind that along with those who emerged victorious in their lives, history also speaks about those who failed to make it big in the bargain. Regardless of the amount of success one should continue doing whatever we could make an essential difference in the society," he sums up.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
