 Bharathi
- the first movie on the life of the great poet Bharathiyar,
packs quite a punch.
The film starts with this phenomenal poet's funeral, which was attended
by only fourteen people.
Why did this happen?
To answer this question, we are taken back to the time when Bharathi
was a small boy. The director Gnanasekaran, has portrayed beautifully
how, even as a small boy, Subramani (Bharathi's real name)
was a child prodigy, with different perceptions and ideas.
Shayaji Shindey's intense eyes, which smoulder with a mix of
anger, frustration, dreams, defiance and passion, his royal swagger
and the entire gamut of his expressions prove that this Marathi actor
has lived the part of Bharathi. In the scene, when he blesses Mahatma
Gandhi's efforts for independence and walks away, saying that
he cannot postpone his meeting, we get a glimpse of the poet's spirit
and defiance.
A few more scenes that stand out in the movie - the scene of his daughter's
wedding, when he says, " Coming down from the level of Bharathi
to that of an ordinary brahmin father, is not such a big task."
Also, the scene, when he asks Goddess Parasakthi to release
him from family worries and tensions.
 Devayani,
as the docile wife Chellamma, provides a perfect foil to the
intense Bharathi, proving once again that she has substance. She portrays
effectively, the turmoil of a conservative lady, married to a revolutionary
husband.
The highlight of the movie is the music of Ilayaraja. The maestro
has used percussion instruments to good effect. The background score
is also excellent. The camera work of Thangar Bachan and the
scenic locales deserve a special mention.In some places the editing
becomes too crisp and lacks continuity. And some of the scenes that
are provided for comic relief, distract attention from the seriousness
of the movie. But as we came out of the theatre, Bharathi's last words,
" I am not conquered by death. I will live on forever" echo
in our minds. A 'must-see' movie.
Author : Hema Rengaswamy |
