Taste of Cherry

Taste of Cherry , Ta'm e guilass,a 1997 Iranian film directed by Abbas Kiarostami , starring Homayoun Ershadi as the Protoganist Mr.Badii who travels through the suburbs in search of person who could bury him in exchange of hefty amount. He meets a soldier , an afgani student , then finally zeroing on a Azeri taxidermist. It is the travel of the life ultimate decision makes interestingly wry and a collage of roughly described philosophical notes. 

Ershadi looks perfect for the role where most of the scenes are close up shots on him , at least in first half , when the travel reaches its reason. One could say acting was in his nature or at least this role. I was stumbled upon seeing one of the perfect prolific acting of the Character Mr. Badii.

Abbas , plainly believing on his making challenged the audience proving his ability of being wry and yet same time philosophical.

There are long shots, dead silence , no background music, exceptionally pictured hilly regions, long shots zeroing on Ershadi. Man its sheer belief of what the script materializes is in question, and its proved.

Taste of Cherry , is indeed a master’s work, winning 97’s Palme d’or Cannes, for its spectacular portrayal of Cinematic excellence.

Top Ten Movies : Move No 3

Dominated by British over a good period of 3 centuries and the way colonization was spread , English became profound language. Today daily choir in Economic background is sung in English. I m not here to sing any of that now , when I take on my third best film watched in Tamil Cinema, I had to spread my views beyond the silver screen. This movie stands in elite list not because of making, its magnificence of a debut directorship, its portrayal from a director who is from first family of Indian Cinematography , the Balu Mahendra school of Directors. I m here to put forth my views on the plot before taking on its execution.

IT life , Livelihood spread across the GEN-X folks who live on this economic exploitation. The Life style of we so called people who exploit the least available resource and make a meaning of it. IS this wrong? We strive hard for this , when we earn this we enjoy this. Its fine.

Now as in every strata of life , there is a thin line between are we living the life without endangering others. Endangering the others society. Freedom is what I can do without touching the freedom of others.

Katrathu Tamil (Learnt Tamil) is a movie directed by Ram , close associate of Balu Mahendra , who deals the life of Prabhakar as his sumblime plot explaining the endangers of a Native Mother tongue learnt and teaching graduate, the imbalance of such a person with the society , thanks to economic exploitation.

This story neatly pictures the wrong side of our society, as said the thin line is crossed maniar times by many people. This story has a love story as a back drop , Life of Prabhakar from Childhood who loses his family to a tragic accident , completes his schooling with good grades , becomes Graduate in his mother tongue , works as a School teacher. His life till then though had lot of difficulties goes on plain path. The atrocities of the society towards such a person whose livelihood is questioned by meaner society turns him to an aggressive brutal man , making him a , in one way a representative of those endangered people questioning the norms of this society. With a backdrop of his love for Anandhi , the story transforms from a village , life of him through meanest times, travel to Maharastra for his love, life in Chennai , his encounters with the Manipulated society . He goes on a brutal rage , becomes a killer , of all he resembles as a single man whose questions even you and me can’t answer.

This movie throws a tide full of questions which I see unanswered in the mirror when I see every morning. The questions that has no answers which gives me sleepless nights. His life , though a fictional one, gives an questionnaire whose answers has been buried in these so called Life.

What makes me to pick this movie as one of the best of Tamil Cinema?

Its rage. Rage of showing a Movie as a cinema. Making a movie that every Tamil Cinema fellow will , be proud of. If I say What Mani ratnam has done for more than twenty years he has done in one film. If you call this as exaggeration so be it, there is some truth in these lines.

Capturing the strong poignant plot , in midst of rage , throwing the society in the corner and in some way hanging the society with brutal screenplay, amidst a soft plain innocent love story. This is a mark of veteran. Not only a veteran but of a genius.

Every time is see this movie as was on Friday evening, this movie killed my last remaining conscience , and sir , please take it from me, you will think twice before exploiting the species called human in the name of todays next generation , in the name of language , in the name of show off.

To some extent some pro side may argue, we have worked hard for this and we have right to enjoy, not at the cost of exploiting the society. If there is anything remaining in your hanged conscience after watching this movie, Yuvan would have made sure its killed with its splendid music. True Gene-product of Raja.

When arurag Kashyap thanked Madurai Trio in his GOW, if anyone of you guys would have watched any of these movies, Don’t miss this one. If at all anyone asks me to rate one best movie of these 10 , it would be this, at least a top contender.

Top Ten Movies : My List : Movie No 2

Always there is a fascination for stories that are fictionalized epics and when it is screen played in the perfect sense in celluloid , it makes one not only feel awe , but which becomes close to one’s heart. In my next film of Watch and Post Top Ten Tamil Films ever , I watched Yesterday , Thalapathi (commander) . One of Mani ratnams Classic and For me The best.

Mani uses pages of Epic Mahabharatha , He Uses Karna , His protagonist in his Next of movie series which deals with Nallavana Kettavana (Goood-bad) Theme. For me this movie is among top not for the story or the performance , as it could only be great when you pull out pages from the Epic or cast great actors. For me what pleased is the Making , its execution and the way the character of every individual is portrayed. Thalapathi is story of Surya , the abandoned child of an unwed mother , finding a friend in Devarajan , a local gangster. It’s a story of Friendship , more poignantly it’s a story of Lost love, of Mother son relationship, a meaning to a never sung lullaby.

Mani Portrays the epic battle of emotions in thalapathi where Surya is belted against lost love, friendship , emotions wanting of a mother’s love. If Mani strongs on what he visualize of , Santhosh Sivan gives you a vivid performance behind the lens which is treated with at most magnificence. 

The prologue shots of minor gal giving birth to Surya , the travel of just born , Black and white shots , silhouettes against sun , the midas touch of Lensmen in potraying the beauty with rawness. It’s just trait of a mastery. 

Some of the best performance has come in this movie, I could watch Rajni to play an Actor role than of a star , a super star , after Mahendran’s Mullum malarum. Most remembering performance is still that of Srividhya and when you have casting like Amrish Puri , Mamuka , Bhanu Priya , nagesh, Charuhasan , its just the plot enhances. 

Music Gives you a blend of soothing memories, it makes you dance, emote and when Maestro gives a life to scenes , it kills your innermost conscience. These BGM’s profound hymns the story from a Local thug war into a collage of emotional melodrama. 

For me this movie is more than a story of Friendship, it a story of unload , un sung lullaby and it’s about the unparalleled beauty of a character of Surya. 

8 more to come….

Top Ten Tamil Films : My List : Movie No 1

What started as informal discussion among blogger friends , the TOP Ten Tamil Film List is now what i m working. My Plan is to watch the TOP TEN FILMS in next ten days(started this tuesday), one per day and post my thoughts (minimal) on the film.

I have made an self imposed criteria on this. There cant be no more than two directors whose films should be there more than one.

SO two directors max or having 2 films, remaining , one each. This shall give varied competition. Thought on Covering the entire era shall be planned and here goes my list.

Movie No 1:

Name Apoorva raagangangal ( Rare Melodies)

Director : KB

Starring: Srividhya,Jayasudha,Kamal,Major Sunderrajan,RajniKanth

Exceptional Screenplay Powerpacked performance. Deals with Relationships with Abnormal Age differences Challenging social Norms.

PS: These movies are not rated to top 10 but Ten Best FIlms

PSS:No review or thoughts just liners.

HAT

Now a days , i made a point to wear hat ... some call it looks good , some wont... just i believe in my inner voice when i see the mirror and yeah , i made a point to stand before the mirror before leaving out , for few mintutes and self dictate few items to do today... this helped me to attain self described productivity... yeah Self Described Productivity was introduced when i realised no certification Hike Appreciation can wither my attitude, this SDP makes me sleep well...

ok sorry i was talking about my hat, a Nike one which has dri-fit inscribed on it... wearing a hat makes on bald soon... who said... wearing a hat makes one feel composed , i say... this is also a part of SDP , may be an annexure ... why i m talking about hat now... yeah i will tell u ...

what makes you to wake up in the morning? an alarm , fart of your roomie , watever... none was my case... i sleep when i want i get up when i want... but the word want goes wanting to define... isnt ? working in Self Customized shift , when having a Laptop and option to connect to client VPN is a boon ... another Annexure here... you code much faster with less errors when you listen to Bombay Jayashree and you can use the time in office in sending status mails monitor work , sometimes to get Indian Food and eat ...

Ok what makes you to get up , thats important to explain before explaining my hat story, rather concluding...'

In my 7th layer of dream world , i regularly to talk to my last bench friends ... sorry last bench is boring bench ... penultimate benchers in my school... when i was talking to them in my so called dream world, we recollected some of english stories which we read , rather cherished doing english...

yeah coming back to my hat story ... the reason for this post is this and the same is what i was discussing with my friends in the dream world... GK CHESTERTON's On running over one's Hat...

கண்ணம்மா -- என் காதலி By Subramanya Bharathiyar

பாயுமொளி நீ எனக்கு, பார்க்கும்விழி நானுனக்கு;

தோயும்மது நீ யெனக்கு, தும்பியடி நானுனக்கு;
வாயுரைக்க வருகுதில்லை, வாழிநின்றன் மேன்மை யெல்லாம்;
தூயசுடர் வானொளியே! சூறையமுதே! கண்ணம்மா! 

வீணையடி நீ எனக்கு, மேவும்விரல் நானுனக்கு;
பூணும்வட நீயெனக்கு, புதுவயிரம் நானுனக்கு;
காணுமிடந் தோறுநின்றன் கண்ணினொளி வீசுதடி!
மாணுடைய பேரரசே! வாழ்வுநிலையே! கண்ணம்மா! 

காதலடி நீ யெனக்கு, காந்தமடி நானுனக்கு;
வேதமடி நீ யெனக்கு, வித்தையடி நானுனக்கு;
போதமுற்ற போதினிலே பொங்கிவருந் தீஞ்சுவையே!
நாதவடி வானவளே! நல்லஉயிரே கண்ணம்மா!

தாரையடி நீ யெனக்கு, தண்மதியம் நானுனக்கு;
வீரமடி நீ யெனக்கு, வெற்றியடி நானுனக்கு;
தாரணியில் வானுலகில் சார்ந்திருக்கும் இன்பமெல்லாம்
ஓருருவ மாய்ச்சமைந்தாய்! உள்ளமுதமே! கண்ணம்மா! 


PS: Looped to Bombay Jayashree Version ..

Paradesi Songs Reviewed

After working for Raja and yuvan for his first four films , Bala moves on to GV Prakash Kumar in the yet to be released film Paradesi , a Film based on the life of immigrants to Tea estates and their slaved life pre independence era which was penned by Paul Harris Daniel a medical officer who lived in the parts of Valparai. This book was later translated in many languages before Bala scripting it. 

Lyrics are by Vairamuthu.

Who I’m to review a piece which comes from him. But let me aspire at least what I feel about these which for me for sure going to be yet another pearl of Tamil Cinema, Indian Cinema on the whole.

The teaser shattered me with brilliance . from months I’m reading blogs , articles , paper cuttings about these plot. I m doing homework because for certainty I know the plot and lyrical magnificence are way beyond my understanding on this subject and I need to know a lot. 

Avatha Paiyya Rendered by Yasin and Vandana Srinivasan is a melodically marvel gives an hint of a teasing conversational between a couple . Musically it’s a simple melody giving importance to the vocal than the music accompanied with light hearted strings and percussion involved . The veena usage in between saranam and the Ghatam beats gives a pleasant feel accompanied by Vandana’s crushed voice which I loved in Oru Pathi Kanavu (Thandavam). GV has proved yet again he can take a song to any height in his mixing of layers. 

Sengaade is strong. Its toxic. Its harsh. No I m not saying it’s a rocky number. It’s the soul of the film. It’s the number which explains the slaved life the need , the pain , the agony which people endanger when they are asked to leave their home for sake of life food . Madhu Balakrishnan gives us a perfect performance which shall make you be numb. Again GV has played low profile to make sure the agony described in the lyrical magnificence is rightly portrayed. A Special mention to Madhu for his pure power to display the rightful wish of Bala here. 

Potta Kalliyum Mullu Thechathum

Pothu Ozhugumae Paalu

Kaalam Kaalama Azhuthu Theethutom

Kannil Illayae Neeru

Vaatum Panjathil Kokku Kaalapol

Vathi Pochaiyya Vaazhvvu

Kootam Kootama Vaazha Pogiroam

Kooda Varuguthae Saavvu

The spophiticated life we are living may be its difficult to fathom the agony of these people . May be to be born free from these agony is itself a blessing the nature has given to us. 

Velayatha Kaata Vittu Vilayanda Veeta Vittu

Velanthiya Veyili Janam Veliyeruthae Ohhho…

Vaazhvodu Konduvidumo Saavvodu Konduvidumo

Poagum Desai Theriymalae Vazhi Neeluthae

Uyirødu Vaazhvathukøøda Širu Thunbamae

Vayirødu Vaazhvathuthaanae Perum Thunbamae

Ah… just stood up and salute the master .

Pøllatha Vithiyin Mayaikka Pørømae Panjam Pøzhaikka

Yaar Meelvathø Yaar Vaazhvathø Yaar Kandathu

Paalam Paalama Vedichu Kadakkuthae

Paadu Pattavan Bhøømi

Vedicha Bhøømiyil Pøthaikka Paakuthae

Kaedu Kettavan Šaami

Puliyan Køttaiya Avichi Thinuthan

Pøzhachu Kidakkuthu Maeni

Panjam Pøzhaikkavum Pasiya Theekkavum

Pacha Bhøømiya Kaami

This one is for sure so heart tearing one , particularly the rendition was so apt and nurtured. 

Kaadugalae Kalligalae Pøivarava

Kaalødu Šarala Kizhikka Kannødu Puzhuthi Adikka

Oørthandiyae Oørthediyae Oørpøguthae

Karuvaelam Kaadu Kadanthu Kaløøthum Maedu Kadanthu

Oørsaeralam Usurseruma Vazhi Illayae

Kanthani Paecha Nambi Šanam Pøguthae

Nadugala Køøtikøndu Nari Pøguthae

Udal Mattum Muthaleedaga Oru Nøøru Šanam Pøraaga

Uyir Meelumø Udal Meelumø Yaar Kandathu

Pøtta Kalliyum Mullu Thechathum

Pøthu Ozhugumae Paalu

Kaalam Kaalama Azhuthu Theethutøm

Kannil Illayae Neeru

Vaatum Panjathil Køkku Kaalapøl

Vathi Pøchaiyya Vaazhvvu

Køøtam Køøtama Vaazha Pøgirøam

Køøda Varuguthae Šaavvu

The vagabonds who depart the soil and yeah their soul in search of food , slaved work , life , with entire family , aged , women who carry pain in their wombs , children … the visuals come in front of my eyes and whats most grueling fact that Bala’s Visuals will be more grueling which shall make this piece of work a master piece. 

Vairan when given a zone of literal thinking , he can sweep you with his mastery work.

The master is called a master when he extracts the best from his team. Bala has done numerous times and its again here. This is my personal favorite. 

This song will make you feel the pain, it extracts the agony the sadness , the rage . Pragathi of Super singer is here to stay. The start alap sets the mood from which Prasanna takes a jump. In this Song GV has more scope for re recording and experimentation with instruments. He has never let the opportunity miss and yeah its superb. The ease with which the percussions blend with the strings is awesome to hear. The resonance of voices kills the innermost living breath in you making you just keep your eyes wide open and gaze at white washed wall. 

Just before “Paazhpona Veedu Kaalpona Aadu” when Pragathi starts her saranam the instrumentation are nothing but a mastery one. Music teases on you . This is my personal favorite.

Paazhpona Veedu Kaalpona Aadu

Onnodu Onna Thunai Aanathae

ThaaiPola Nenju Thaalatha Anbu

Mazhai Thanniyodu Maasillayae

Vali Sollavae Illayae Vaai Mozhi

Kaneerudhan Yaezhayin Thaai Mozhi

Engo Thavikkum Un Pillayae

Ingae Uravvu En Pillayae

KaiKonda Nellu Uliaagum Boadhu

Kaththazha Soarum Soragumae

Undana Sontham Udaigindra Boadhu

Illatha Sontham Uravaagumae

Oru Jeevano Uravilae Saeruthae

Iru Jeevano othayil Vaaduthae

Kaneer Thudaikka Aaal Illayae

Kaalam Nadkkum Kaal Illayae

Thannai thane… When other tracks give the enduring pain suffered by the vagabonds this is a semi devotional folk number on Lord jesus sung by Gana Bala. GV has moved away from traditional to folky style proving an experimentation here. 

Senner Thana by Gangai Amaran. Is what would have been a midas touch had raja accepted to sing, but his brother is no different or no less. This can be regarded as the best of Gangai Amaran. Multiple listens makes me feel it is a best choice.

Pandaikku Oru Paathi Aavi Pochae

Attaikku Sari Paathi Ratham Pochae

Enga Maelu Kaalu Vaerum Thola Pochae

Athu Kankaazhi Serupukku Thotha Pochae

Hey Oosi Mazhaiyae Oosi Mazhaiyae

Enga Udalodu Uyir Soodu Athupochae

Hey Uutha Kathae Uutha Kaathae

Enga Poorviga Poarvaiyum Pothu Pochae

Thegathil Ulla Elumbukku

Oru Veri Naayum Thora Naayum Mothuthae

Vaanathil Vazhum Nenjamo

Than Maarapai Thaaramal Oaduthae

Uyir Kaapathum Theivangal Kan Møøduthae

Paambukku Pasi Vanthathae

Oru Širu Køzhi Ènnagum Køøtilae

Yaanaiyin Perum Kaalilae

Širu Kaalangal Ènnagum Kaatilae

Ival Uyir Kaatha Oru Šøthum Paripønathae

It also as high scope of instrumentation involved with priya giving a Solo humming. The percussions give a gentle way to the strings and the Baritone (lack of word) voice gives the song a nice feel.

Overall this album is just an prelude for the mastery work to be displayed. This movie runs on high expectation when Bala joins hands with Vairamuthu. Lets wait till Dec 21 to see another meaning of Indian Cinema.

Happy Blogging.

Talaash

Talaash , a new film on town starring Aamir khan , Rani , Kareena , Shehnaz and Nawasuddin of the few names I have known. Its written and directed by Reema Katgi. Zoya , Farhan and Anurag Kashyap have supported in screen writing. Aamir Farhan and Ritesh Sidwani get to produce the film and Ram Sampath holds the music department Mohanan and Anand finish the technical crew holding lens and in editing.

It’s a suspense thriller , it’s a drama of solving a mystery case . Aamir playing the role of a COP get to solve the mystery.

Cinematically , the script is as such. Provide the suspense till interval block and clear the suspense in later half. This makes the film a thrilling first half and the steam loses in second half. Reema Katgi has done an exceptional scripting if not the best. This is a movie for a one time watch and don’t watch if you know the ending. The loss of single child of Aamir-Rani Marriage and the relation of a sex worker Rosie played by Kareena , a Ghost translator (any specific word?) play a part to solve the case and also to clear the mental confusions in Aamir’s head. 

Acting wise, the best of pick is neither Aamir , Kareena Rani or even shehnaz it was Nawasuddin . He has come over as a matured actor who knows what he needs to be done. He has continued an excellence he has displayed in GOW. 

Some scenes which talks about mental instability of a normal human being is clearly displayed. With scenes do talking and crisp dialogues Reema and Team have done great work. What it lacks is the inability to change to give a new dimension rather I would say , to fall for a escapism and give a traditional ending. When people expect a doosra from you give a straighter one. A person who sits through the first half would expect some new dimesions in second half. When you serve him a same old wine in a pretty decent glass it becomes worse.

The Voice over songs are too good it gives the mood of a scene and so is BGM. Ram sampath has proved he knows his job , job is to elevate a scene to a new level.

If you are expecting a perfect thriller , you get be fooled, if you want to see a neatly executed thriller , you have your money. Also the point where you identify the thread is where it makes you feel bored. More early you find who is what , more early you get bored. 

3 outta 5 for a neatly executed first half and a okish second half.

And yeah we all Know Taal had Ash in it :P Taal-ash