Of Excellence,Thanmatra and Mankind
We are blessed to have some living Legends amidst us who cannot be described using trivial adjectives like 'Fantastic' or 'Outstanding' or 'Marvelous' etc. They actually are the ones who define the very course of their respective crafts .For eg: It would be stupid to say SPB is a great singer. Cause the fact is that he actually sketched the very course of Tamil Film Music for some 15 to 20 years.He is above all such trivial judgements by us mortals.
Proceeding on similar lines i would like to discuss a topics about which i have repeatedly bugged my close friends.But I can't resist blogging about it.
Based on a lot of encouraging reviews from many respectable quarters,One fine day I ventured into a cinema hall playing a movie which goes by the name 'Thanmatra'.The Lead Role(I use the word 'Lead Role and not 'Hero' cause frankly there is no Heroics here) was being played by a gentleman by name MohanLal.What i saw for the next 2 and a half hours was what all one could expect Good Cinema and Good Acting to stand for.
The movie starts off on a pleasant note by showing the routine lifestyle of the most normal of normal families along with their aspirations and challenges.It then starts to gradually build upon a sudden and unexpected illness which plagues Mohanlal and the challenges it poses to his family.It is also punctuated with stunning subplots like a father-son bonding and a very beautiful potrayal of childhood love.
I think most of you will agree that amidst the many Stars,Megastars,Ultimate Stars and few very unique Superstars we have some rare 'Gifted Actors' in our nation.If Mr.Lal is not part of your list yet,I would strongly reccomend you to watch this movie.I have been lucky enough to see few of his movies and each time i find that his best performance always seems to be from the very next movie of his which i am slated to see.
It would be very stupid to compare him with Mr.Ulaga Nayagan because of the vast differences with regard to linguistic,cultural,behavourial and many other parameters between the two neighbouring states.Both are geniuses and Masters of the craft in their own right.But their methods of acting make an interesting point of comparison.For eg:Assume both are required to play the character of a mad man.In case of Kamal you can get a feeling of having closely interacted with a mad man for 3 Hrs.In case of Lal you will start fearing about what will happen if you become mad.This is precisely what happenned in Kerala with a lot of 40 odd year olds rushing to psychatrists to enquire about Alzheimers after seeing Lal play a patient affected with the same in the movie.
The movie makes the viewer shed a drop or two of well deserved tears,not only for the moving storyline but also for the sheer limits of human creativity and excellence in terms of acting and direction.It makes one feel that this is the kind of excellence that mankind must ultimately strive to achieve.
To be contd..
Proceeding on similar lines i would like to discuss a topics about which i have repeatedly bugged my close friends.But I can't resist blogging about it.
Based on a lot of encouraging reviews from many respectable quarters,One fine day I ventured into a cinema hall playing a movie which goes by the name 'Thanmatra'.The Lead Role(I use the word 'Lead Role and not 'Hero' cause frankly there is no Heroics here) was being played by a gentleman by name MohanLal.What i saw for the next 2 and a half hours was what all one could expect Good Cinema and Good Acting to stand for.
The movie starts off on a pleasant note by showing the routine lifestyle of the most normal of normal families along with their aspirations and challenges.It then starts to gradually build upon a sudden and unexpected illness which plagues Mohanlal and the challenges it poses to his family.It is also punctuated with stunning subplots like a father-son bonding and a very beautiful potrayal of childhood love.
I think most of you will agree that amidst the many Stars,Megastars,Ultimate Stars and few very unique Superstars we have some rare 'Gifted Actors' in our nation.If Mr.Lal is not part of your list yet,I would strongly reccomend you to watch this movie.I have been lucky enough to see few of his movies and each time i find that his best performance always seems to be from the very next movie of his which i am slated to see.
It would be very stupid to compare him with Mr.Ulaga Nayagan because of the vast differences with regard to linguistic,cultural,behavourial and many other parameters between the two neighbouring states.Both are geniuses and Masters of the craft in their own right.But their methods of acting make an interesting point of comparison.For eg:Assume both are required to play the character of a mad man.In case of Kamal you can get a feeling of having closely interacted with a mad man for 3 Hrs.In case of Lal you will start fearing about what will happen if you become mad.This is precisely what happenned in Kerala with a lot of 40 odd year olds rushing to psychatrists to enquire about Alzheimers after seeing Lal play a patient affected with the same in the movie.
The movie makes the viewer shed a drop or two of well deserved tears,not only for the moving storyline but also for the sheer limits of human creativity and excellence in terms of acting and direction.It makes one feel that this is the kind of excellence that mankind must ultimately strive to achieve.
To be contd..
posted by Badri at 6:01 AM
4 Comments:
Correctly said Badri "There are ones who define the very course of the craft inddeed." Kamal Hassan, Illayaraja, Pranov roy, Rahul Dravid, to name a few. These breed are one of the reasons for the survival of arts through difficult times. Unfortunately, the masses fail to see them, their skill, their dedication, hardwork, etc. Happy that a few like you are doing the good work of bringing those into light.
I am cursing myself that I had missed Mohan Lal in my life till now, hope to follow him atleast from now.
Nice to see a post after a long time from you, Badri.
Good job Badri. Having seen some sterling performances from Mohu over the years I have always thought that he has been the most underrated artist in Indian Cinema. However I am yet to see Thanmathra and I surely will do soon. As you put it correctly Mohu brings the role he enacts very close to your heart and this is where he is different from a Kamal or a Mamooty who take up a role with more emphasis on the perfection of acting.
Good review Badri. Nice to see you blogging after a while. I havent seen very many Malayalam movies. I have seen Lal's work and I believe he is a rare breed of actors who really make you feel as if you are experiencing what he is.
Ill try to catch up with the movie sometime.
Hey Badri,Good post. I actually read in the newspaper that people have started going for health checkups after watching the movie and it has created a lot of awareness in Kerala about the disease.It must have had an impact on the audience.
I am going to watch this one!
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