Sunday, March 05, 2023

The Legend

“There is an army behind him… he is not alone…”
“You know who he is”
“Sir you are a true Legend!”

- With supporting actors’ “build-up” dialogues, protagonist Saravanan is constantly projected as a do-gooder, one who fights for women’s rights, works for the downtrodden, wants to serve the people of his nation etc.
 
An antibiotic scientist who refuses an offer to head All India Institute of Medical sciences, Saravanan is back in his village in Tamilnadu after a stint abroad.  He meets his classmate Tirupati whose entire family including his pregnant wife & two children are diabetic. He eventually dies due to unethical medication and Saravanan vows to invent a permanent solution to cure diabetes completely.

He works day and night in his research laboratory, and finally finds a cure for diabetes. But not before fighting arch rival VJ of OJO labs , not before finding a cute sweet lecturer in the village and getting married to her, not before testing our patience in this 2 hour 40 minute action drama.
 
For the uninitiated – Lead actor Saravanan Arul is an entrepreneur and owner of the mighty Saravana Stores. It's a shopping complex chain in Tamilnadu that sells clothing, jewellery etc. Internet mentions Saravanan Arul's net worth as Rs.100-150 Crores. He is literally the face of his big budgeted television ads. The acting bug has obviously bitten him and thus was born, his debut production #TheLegend featuring himself in the lead.

Look like Saravanan Arul's one word brief to directors JD-Jerry was “Make a film for me like ‘Sivaji-The Boss’”. The directors have gone about making an exact copy of ‘Sivaji-The Boss’ roping in the same villain and lead comedian from the film. Writer ‘Pattukottai’ Prabhakar, Composer Harris Jayaraj, DOP Velraj, Choreographers Raju Sundaram, Editor Ruben… The Legend has only and only A-Listers in its crew.


Sachu, Latha, Prabhu, Nasser, Poornima Jayaram, Late Viveik, Suman, Vijayakumar, Mansoor Ali Khan are only few of the supporting actors. The list is endless, infact. The performances are earnest what with Prabhu going overboard making up for Saravanan Arul’s lack of expression in key scenes. By which I mean all scenes. Comedian Viveik had passed away and couldn’t complete the filming and dubbing of the film. So the live sound used in his scenes sound a bit jarring. With Yogi Babu, Late Mayilsamy, Singampuli, ‘Lollu Sabha’ Manohar in the comedy mix, the least the writer and directors could’ve done is avoided the sleazy comedy in the film.

Saravanan has not one but two-two heroines - Geetika and Urvashi Rautela. Geethika is your "Agmark Tamizh ponnu" in half-sarees and sarees who suddenly decides to go "modern" in the 'Thaene Thaene' song.  Saravanan Arul’s decided to go “Pan-India” with the scene where he goes on a trip to the hills to unwind and get over his sadness – a la Rockstar. Pppah! There’s a key twist in this part of the story. Not spoiling it for you but you’re a true genius if you spot the “twist” that appears here and gets revealed towards the climax.

While Velraj’s cinematography looked flashy, tacky at times, Editor Ruben must be lauded ensuring Saravanan Arul’s dancing and action sequences didn’t look dreadful, thanks to his cuts. I genuinely would like to know whether it was VFX or whether it was a 'Saravanan mask' that made him dance, fight and walk like Rajini. Experts and Kollywood insiders, please comment and let me know.




Tamil cinema has had its share of parody films thanks to the ‘Tamizh Padam’ series. ‘The Legend’ could have been fabulous addition to the list of parody films. Unfortunately it isn’t one.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

முத்தைத் தருபத்தித் திருநகை

I was invited to this beautiful Golu this year hosted by someone who I deeply respect and admire. Loved the entire Golu display and loved one of the bommais , in particular.

The Golu Bommai narrates the story of Saint-Poet Arunagirinathar who decides to end his life jumping from the Temple tower. Lord Murugan comes to his rescue, preventing him from taking his own life. He blesses Arunagirinathar who goes on to compose Tamizh religious songs called Thiruppugazh. Take a look at this beautiful bommai featuring Arunagirinathar and Lord Murugan. 

Had written about the Iconic Thiruppugazh, 'Mutthai Tharupathiearlier in Kollywood Kisnan.


There has been a lot of discussion this year, on how Navarathri Golu is strictly for married ladies, women with kids. And that there is no place for those who are divorced or have lost their husbands. I believe Navarathri Golu is a festival to invite people across gender, marital status, class, creed , home and have a good time. It's unfortunate that people are being excluded from a celebration like this.

 I am specifically talking about this in this post because the host of this Golu featuring the Arunagirinathar bommai mentioned she doesn't live with her husband any more. She added that the house they lived in had become toxic and it exuded negative vibes. The pandemic and the lockdown made it worse for her. Thankfully she is out of it now, hosted Golu , invited everyone and was busy attending other Golus. I was quite happy hearing that there are still people in the world who do not care about being பழுத்த சுமங்கலி, பழுக்காத சுமங்கலி and all that. People like you and I reading this, who genuinely want to make it all inclusive, thankfully still exist.

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Please read my earlier posts on Golu



தந்தனத்தோம் என்று சொல்லியே


Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper

Kuratthi Magan

Cousin Balaji, my அத்தை's son, and I have been living in the same city for decades. Yet , somehow we haven't met for years now. The last meeting in 2014 was opposite Kamala mills at Lower Parel, Mumbai where both of us worked. It was a filmi meeting to say "Hey neeeeeee Balaji daaaneee..." . After Upayakusalobaris, we promised to keep in touch, meet etc. and it never happened.  Golu was a good opportunity to meet him and wife and they were kind enough to visit us this year, last weekend.

Balaji's family continues to live in Nagpur. His father never missed to attend any wedding in the family on his wife side. He would travel all the way from Nagpur to Madras to be a part of the celebrations. Balaji and his sister would visit us in Madras every Summer to spend their holidays. Actually , nobody knows him as 'Balaji'. He continues to be 'Bun' Balaji or 'Bal Bal' for us. His love for Mylapore Universal Biscuit Factory's Bun was well known and our Uncle would stock up on buns whenever he'd visit.

During his visit last weekend he shared great memories of his Madras summers remembering the beautiful Mylapore veedu, the endless supply of food and buns, the vetti games we'd play and so on. He narrated this particular incident from the '80s and I am sharing it here.

In Mylai, we had this huge hall on the first floor, where all of us cousins would sleep. Balaji would sleep at the farthest end of the hall. "Apparently", I'd bully him to say the Kuratthi atop the tree on the road would catch* hold of him and take him away in the night. 


Balaji kept repeating on what a bully older sister I was as he was scared to death trying to sleep. Ofcourse, I have no recollection of saying this. I kept asking if it was indeed me and wanted to jog his memory to check if it was my brother or sister who may have said this. He kept repeating that it was indeed me and only me who bullied. Voh my gaad. The husband was quite amused because he thought I was this paavam child growing up and this Balaji came all the way to break this 'Ambi' image of mine and make me an Anniyan.



Vena and Mylaporaaan, the Narikuravas , an indigenous group, sold beads in and around Mylapore. I remember them carrying the Dalda dabbas often,  taking the leftovers post dinner time from home.  This bommai reminded me of them and had bought them in KuraLagam in 2018. I wonder where Vena, Mylaporaan and their families are, now.

*Before outrage Uncles and Aathas take over, I was a poor little kid in the '80s who had associated the Indigenous groups with crimes. Please forgive me and stop your outrage.

PS - As a big fan of Kuratthi Magan, the film, had to use it as a title. The film is Silver Jubilee hit on KTV and Golden Jubilee Super hit on Sunlife. The film stars K R Vijaya, Gemini, Master Sridhar, Jayachithra and ofcourse Kamalagassan in a thundu beedi role, Incase you haven't seen it, I'd urge you to, right away. 
Here's the link.


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Please do read my earlier posts on Navarathri Golu.





தந்தனத்தோம் என்று சொல்லியே


Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper

Monday, October 10, 2022

தந்தனத்தோம் என்று சொல்லியே...

"தந்தனத்தோம் என்று சொல்லியே வில்லினில் பாட... ஆமா...வில்லினில் பாட.. வந்தருள்வாய் கலைமகளே..."

If you sang the above in Thiru. Subbu Arumugam and group's chorus voice, then you'll definitely relate to this post.

This year, while it was fairly easy to explain most of my Golu Bommais including deities, art forms and Influenzas to non-Tamilians, I got stuck at Villu Paattu . I had to leave it at "It's a traditional Tamizh art form where singers use a bow and stick like this one" pointing at this bommai.




We were introduced to Villu Paattu by the Legendary Thiru. Subbu Arumugam. Accompanied by his children, Gandhi and Bharathi, Subbu Arumugam was a regular on Doordarshan in the '70s and '80s.
Stories on Murugar, Gandhi, Ramayanam, Mahabharatam were narrated in a simplified format with tunes that one could sing along. 

(pic - The Hindu)

Here's another picture from my 2004 Golu. I don't quite remember whether Amma bought these or if I had purchased these here, in Mumbai. Most likely, it's Amma.


Subbu Arumugam passed away today. Much before Karaoke became the in thing, it was Subbu Arumugam who brought the sing-along technique closer to us on our TV screens. If not the entire song, we have atleast "ஆமாம்" போட்டு-fied with Gandhi and Bharathi, haven't we?

வாழியவே பல்லாண்டு காலம், சுப்பு ஆறுமுகம் புகழ் வாழியவே...

_
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Please do read my earlier posts on Navarathri Golu.





Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper

Sunday, October 09, 2022

The Vyjayanthimala Pose

We went on a #Pondicherry trip with friends from college in December 2009, if my memory serves me right. On the way back spotted a road-side shop that sold #GoluBommais and I managed to buy a few including the one in the picture in red frock (called "dress" these days).



Thanks to Sriram V's blog post, I learnt that this particular doll was inspired by the Legendary Vyjayanthimala's pose in the following songs from the '40s and '50s:-




Saiyyan Dil Mein Aana re from AVM's Bahar

Gopalanodu Naan from AVM's Vaazhkai













Amazing how films have had and continue to inspire Golu Bommais. 

Image credit - Sriram V's blog and Screenshots from Youtube videos

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Please do read my earlier posts on Navarathri Golu.



Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper

Idhu Muthuraman Ya

When a friend Swathi Rishi, had visited the Golu in October 2022, was explaining the Influenza (Influencer) bommais to her. Each of them, to me represented one type of influenza - Be it the I-am-single-and-happy-nambunga types or the typical saree types. (Ref earlier post/s)

When it came to this particular doll of a man in glasses wearing a purple shirt and Khaki ‘doLa doLa’ pant, told her that he didn’t quite have a name yet.




“Idhu Muthuraman ya” , pat came her reply.

OMG OMG! Yes indeed, this guy resembled retro Kollywood star Muthuraman and how.
Check this pic of Muthuraman from the epic ‘Sumaithangi’ and you will know how much they resemble each other.




Idhukkudhaan I say - you need mamma Madras friends who appadiye help you with such content. Thanks Swathi for the visit and look forward to more such epic gems from you.

Will sign off with a “Sunlife… Idhu Namma life”


PS - Muthuraman was one of the first “celebrity” deaths I heard as news. Was at school when there was major commotion as Muthuraman’s final journey was going past the main road near the school. Yes, #UselessInformationNobodyNeeds

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Please do read my earlier posts on Navarathri Golu.



Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper

The Saree Influenza

Vanakkam. 

She is Confident. Stylish. Fierce. Y00thful. Also, Body Positivity. Also, Bharathiyar's Poems. Also Blade.
Meet your favourite #Saree #Influenza.

She believes in ethically sustainable eco-friendly brands. She practises conscious living. She blesses this planet with regular 'pre loved' sales of pre-torn XXS Shaani Surunais. 

Sooooo Prettttty ya.



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Please do read my earlier posts on Navarathri Golu.




Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper


Bored Man

“Kannathula Kai Vaikkadha” (Don’t rest your hands on your chin) was one of the many things that was told to us when we were kids. And one has no idea why older makkal said all these. Not that one followed anyway. If you think am going to discuss “toxic parenting”, sorry to disappoint. Head to outrage Aathas’ instagram profiles.

Back to resting the hands on the chin - It helps one control yawning at blade meetings where one can continue to nod pretending to be interested.


This man wearing a green Jubba and white Dhoti carrying an umbrella is , I’d assume sitting in a park looking at
❤️y00th couples romancing
Or
😰Stressed about his loans thinking about how he will repay
Or
🙃 Generally vetti and sitting there to while away his time.

You know who he reminded me of?




#YouRemember

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Please do read my earlier posts on Navarathri Golu.

Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper

Raga Sisters

Here's attempt in making a clay doll. Wanted to make ‘RaGa’ a.k.a Ranjani-Gayatri bommais featuring dolls with contrast pallu sarees. Chose Purple and Green and used the contrast in their blouses.

It was sheer coincidence that when I had completed painting and opened Instagram, saw ‘RaGa’ Sisters post the same colour sarees that was used to paint the bommais’ sarees.


Please do read my earlier posts on Navarathri Golu.

Danceu Papa Danceu Papa

The Reluctant Poser

Twins - Separated at Birth?

Masterji

Harini's Paatti - I met her last in October 2019, if I remember right. Maama (her husband) had passed away, her son and family had moved to UK. She was living alone in Mumbai. Have been trying to contact her with her mobile number and it seems to be switched off. 

Bommaigalil Oru Blooper


Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Kalyana Parisu Sarees

The lady who cooks came home for Thamboolam (Haldi-Kumkum) and said "It's a good omen and whatever happens henceforth will be good" , in Hindi. I didn't quite get her. She pointed out to the Saree I was wearing and repeated the same, adding that it was torn at several places. And so it was a good omen. 🤔

Yesterday, being Day 1 of Navarathri in 2022, i wanted to wear a comfortable, well-worn Saree. Don’t know if it’s my mom’s or perimma’s, this one in the picture must be easily be 30+ years old . Could be 40 as well. I tried wearing it today for about an hour but since it had a lot of wear and 'tear' literally, didn’t want to damage further. So this went back to the cupboard after being air dried for a few hours.



Back to this one - What a beautiful, simple saree this is no? Reminds of me of the inside of Naaval Pazham and the border, strong Kaapi Podi. I just loathe any dress or fabric that is "Jaga Jaga" Jaganmohini but even the simplest of sarees these days is slight "Jaga Jaga" compared to 'Andha Haalathula'. I worry for the day when such "pre loved" sarees will be branded antique and sold on instagramam for koLLai. Actually wait - I might just join the koLLai bandwagon to sell my "antiques".


PS - Btw what is "pre loved"? Call it old saree or 'second hand' Saree. Pre-Loved is seems. What is this? Some 'Kalyana Parisu' hero-heroine who were "pre-loved" before they got married to others?