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I had a chance to see the movie "Minnaminunginte Nurunguvattom" directed by Bharathan recently. It striked me sad that such simple-minded movies are no longer a part of malayalam cinema! I wondered on how touchingly this master director has portrayed the story and the characters in this movie. And I wonder if such movies will ever come out in malayalam cinema ever again Infact I do remember that my grandparents(Mother's parents) used to live a life similar to the Simpleton Mashu and his Teacher wife in the movie, enacted brilliantly by Nedumudi Venu and Sarada. I remember my grandparents taking me for this movie in 1988 at a local theatre at their native place Cherpu (nearto Thrissur in Kerala) and they discussing deeply with each other after the movie. They were so touched by it and I am sure anyone with some simplicity and humbleness inside him/her will love this movie and will be touched by the storyline and its enactment A brief outline for the movie goes like this: Nedumudi Venu("Mashu") and Sarada("Teacher") are happily retired after a successful teaching life in a village school for several years. They are happily retired in their vast house on the banks of a river(I guess Periyar) with lots of "Parambu"(Land) and Pets like Lovebirds,Doves,"Thattamas"(Parrots), "Pasukuttis"(Cows). Its very interesting to see how naturally both actors act out the characteristics and lifestyle of a retired couple in a kerala "nattimburam"(Village). They live a very simple and keral-istic lifestyle with a old-pensioner friends group for mashu and his unique habits like requiring hot water in uruli(Big pot used in kerala) for taking bath etc. Also its very interesting to see the ayurvedic medicinal habits(Kashayam, kuzhambu, pachamarunnu etc) for Sarada teacher Their only sorrow in life has been the lack of a child and the director beautifully shows their intimate relationship grown over their years together, that too with very simple expectations from each other. Things take a turn when Parvathy, a young college girl enters their life as she comes to stay with them as a paying guest for her college studies. Her father (M S Thripunithura) is a priest and has a terrible temper and a foul mouth. Inspite of this Mashu and Teacher agrees to her stay with them, since she looks a very innocent and poor girl and they see theier missing child in her. Slowly she too becomes a part of their life (As they see her as a god given child for them) and she continues her studies calmly with them. Now as fate would have it, she meets and falls in love with Devan. However she is very scared of her father(M S Thripunithura) and when he comes to know of their love, he tries to take her back to his home. She is very scared and sorrow stricken and doesnt want to go back to her father and cries to mashu and teacher for help. They decide to adopt her and ask her to stay with them permanently. They also supervise and conduct the marriage of her with Devan. She gets pregnant as time passes and all goes well until Devan leaves them to goto America on a new job. Now the pregnant lady gets all the love and attention of the old and graceful couple. Hwer husband comes back on time for her delivery. The tension suffered by the old mashu and teacher(Who themselves dont have any kid) at the time of her sisserian operation is very well shown. Unfortunately, Parvathy dies giving birth to the child, Unnikuttan. Devan has to return to America for his job and now the young child becomes the sole solace for the old couple and they again see Unnikuttan as their lost child Parvathy It is heaven for them to nurture Unnikuttan! and they rejoice in simple pleasures such as seeing the first step of the child, hearing the first word from the childs mouth etc. They conduct all religious functions such as "Chorunnu"(Rice-giving to the child when he is 1 year old), Sradham(Death Anniversary) of Parvathy performed by unnikuttan etc all in a very traditional manner. Bharathan has captured minute details of all such festivities and Unnikuttans simple mischiefs and the old couples enjoyment in bringing unnikuttan up, all in a magically natural manner. There are beautiful acting sequences given by Nedumudi venu when the child falls into the river(Due to a momentary ignorance by him and Sarada) and he takes him on foot to the hospital inspite of his old-age and he and Sarada pleading with the doctor to save unnikuttan Now fate shows irony again as Mashu gets a letter from Devan pleading with him to take Unnikuttan with him to America as he cannot live without his boy. Its terrible mental pain for mashu and teacher to give away unnikuttan but at the same time they realize the plight of Devan as a loving father and are helpless. The final sequence when they part with Unnikuttan is shown in a very touching and sentimental style and this parting sequence is the highlight of this overall magically simple movie. I wish and hope todays directors have the sense to make such simple cinema. I am sure more of such movies in future will appeal to me and my friends group well as many of us still keep that "Guhathurathwam"(Homeliness) within ourself. And I salute the late Mr Bharathan and wish that he be remembered with due respect and reverence. Post a comment in response: |
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