Soak in romance: Watch Padmarajan's Malayalam films, listen to more Indian podcasts
These Indian storytellers offer more diversity in narratives
Dear Reader,
Happy Valentine's Day greetings from India! The perfect season for romance…..
For those who celebrate Valentine’s Day, go watch ‘Hridayam’, a refreshing campus-oriented movie that I loved watching with my teenager.
Check out this song cover by my teenager - this is one of my favourites!
Okay, so let’s come back to reality with a thud!
Have you ever thought about how winters force us to retreat into cocoons?
I find myself reading and contemplating in winters more than any other season of the year.
Sometimes it feels more like a bitter-sweet beginning of the inner child, ready to awaken slowly into the world.
Perhaps this is also a perfect season to contemplate on how to be more creative.
This is a book that I am totally glued to - 'Makante Kurippukal' by Anantha Padmanabhan, the son of Kerala's most iconic film-maker and brilliant storyteller, Padmarajan.
If 'write your heart out' is a golden rule in the craft of storytelling, Anantha Padmanabhan has done it with heartwarming candour. In this book, readers get invaluable tidbits about his father's unusual journeys in life and into the movies that he made, which stand even today as a benchmark of excellence in storytelling.
Most of Padmarajan's 'super hit' films were inspired by the real life incidents he had directly witnessed and then creatively brought forth with masterful storytelling.
Meanwhile, if you are yet to watch Padmarajan's films, you are missing a slice of life!
While Padmarajan's films go way deep into your soul, the reality of how the biases of a patriarchal society treats a woman is hard hitting even as his movies take us towards the journey of romance and its complex contradictions.
Padmarajan's most discussed film 'Thoovanathumbikal', where a man's heart finds its turbulent clashes with his inner longings and desires and he is forced to make a choice that is never really his to claim.
A striking aspect of Anantha Padmanabhan's memoirs is that he delves directly into the shooting of ''Thoovanathumbikal', sharing valuable insights on the shooting as he was present there at the time.
This turns out to be the first film that his father asked him to accompany the film crew and the curious teenager finds himself at the very same hotel where the iconic evergreen characters of 'Jayakrishnan' and 'Clara' meet. In fact, their song sequence shooting takes place at the same hotel.
In my view, Padmarajan's 'Nammuku Paarkan Munthirithoppukal' is perhaps one of the most disturbing yet relevant narratives to watch. In this Malayalam film, he boldly portrays the blossoming of an unlikely romance within the structure of a rigid patriarchal society, where a woman is objectified within the terrifying ecosystem of her dysfunctional family.
[Source: Alchetron]
With masterful storytelling, Padmarajan coaxes the man who wants to set her free to navigate the path rarely taken, one that challenges him (Mohanlal starring as 'Solomon') to break the societal norms on what is 'a suitable girl'.
Even as Padmarajan treated romance differently in this film, the narrative is so tightly focused on showing us our scars as a society that treats women as objects and terrifies them into obedience, particularly within the confines of their homes.
The film urges the audience to ask questions as to how much of our judgements related to marriages pertain unjustly to a girl's 'family status' and 'respectability'.
A filmmaker par excellence, Padmarajan's movies are a slice of the society's evolution, which is why it must be watched, evaluated and debated.
In 'Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam", the master storyteller portrays the loneliness of old age and what it means to be alienated from one's own home and loved ones. The audience is urged once again to ask why the convenience of modern day 'grown up' children play a pivotal role in defining an aged parent's fate.
In India, podcasts are a rage right now.
While I am yet to be convinced about audio books, I find myself steering towards Indian podcasts more than the global ones. The local flavours of most Indian podcasts add to the lure of originality and quality.
History with Saumya is a podcast that has got me hooked from Episode 1.
The episode takes you on a wonderful tour of Lucknow. From little tidbits of information such as how the city got its name to much more to how it became a city known for its delicious kebabs and chikankari, this thriving city's royal past and vibrant culture are brought to life through conversational storytelling. I have yet to meet an Indian who doesn't love wearing chikankari - such an artistic and precious craft it is!
There are more cities that this podcast covers - check out more!
Next I listened to History of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. The glorious state, known for its men and women of valour, is once again brought to life through conversational storytelling. Even though Bhopal is known as the city of lakes, History with Saumya covers the city in a way that it transforms itself into the 'city of Begums'.
So, this week's newsletter wants you to enjoy a slice of History with Saumya.
If you have a favourite podcast, do let me know and I'd love to check it out and cover it in my newsletter.
Before I forget, enjoy Valentine's Day and 'eat, pray and love' to your heart's content.
One of my favourite reads from last year is Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s ‘The Last Queen’.
The book is based on the inspiring life of Rani Jindan Kaur, the last Queen of Punjab.
If you haven’t watched ‘Is Love Enough Sir’, do read the movie review and watch the heartwarming film.
Do drop me a line and tell me in your comments about your favourite romance writers and/or movies!
I'd love to hear from you!