(A Gem, a write-up from fan girl.)
Deeply upset, the girl asks her father, “Did you find me in Dustbin?”
Kannathil Muthamittal
Gopala Ratnam Subramaniam aka Mani Ratnam uses terrorism or war as an object for exploring human relationships in his movies. The movie Kannathil Muthamittal centres on Srilankan Civil War. The movie Bombay, Dil Se, and Roja spin the issue of Hindu- Muslim and India- Pakistan dynamics. His forte is weaving a love story along with these intricate social issues without disturbing any other factors i.e., his movies convey what they should without any diversions. The viewers, hence, have a connection with his films as I do and this enfolds my love for Mani Ratnam Sir.
A Gem – For all ages
Mani Ratnam’s movies ensure that they portray the spirit of their time period. For instance, Mouna Ragam was a peculiar film of the ‘80s. A ‘90s kid would have grown up hearing “Kaadhal Sadugudu” from Alaipayuthe; not to forget, “Evvano Oruvan” song from the same carries the lover’s turmoil gracefully. The song follows Karthik’s (Madhavan) search for Shakthi (Shalini) showcasing the lovers’ separation and yearning for each other. Karthik (Madhavan) goes in search of Shakthi (Shalini) throughout the song. In literature, rain, storm, and tornados are symbols of separation, pain, and suffering and the cinematography in the movie highlights these emotions. The zen generation will pick, O Kadhal Kanmanii, as their favourite film as it captures the modern-day love and intimacy.
A Gem – “Evvano Oruvan”
Similar to “Evvano Oruvan”, the song “Uyire Uyire” from Bombay stands as the best example that depicts human emotions with nature. In this song, the sound of wind striking Banu’s [Manisha Koirala] face shows how strong her emotions implying the crisis she is facing and her strong will against it. And Shekar’s emotions are shown through the waves of the sea and rain which implies his melancholy state and mourning.
In Kannathil Muthamittal, Shyama meets her daughter Amudha for the first time and along with her adopted parents, Thiru and Indira. Shyama breaks down after seeing her and experiences this new motherly emotion that is portrayed through rainfall in the background. Thiru opens his umbrella-like he opened his hands to Amudha and Indira at the beginning of this movie to show his love and protection
Conversations
Mani Ratnam movies give importance to the conversations happening between the characters. These conversations are aided by the friendship or rivalry between the characters. For example, Agni Natchatharam, the character of Gautam and Ashok, exemplifies a fight between two men. In Iruvar, Anandhan, and Tamilselvan are friends who later turn into traitors. Thalapthi’s, Surya, and Devaraj; Ayutha Ezhuthu, for a change is between three men. The three characters are Inba, Micheal and Arjun. Chekka Sevantha Vanaam is between four men, Rasool, Vardha, Thagu, and Ethi. These men have conflicts between them. The conflicts either turn them into friends or enemies which makes them kill each other.
Not a Sidekick
Though most of the stories revolve around male heroes, the female characters do play a critical role. Their characters emerge with important turning points in the movie and not just as sidekicks to the heroes. In Roja, the character Roja (Madhoo) goes in search of her husband Rishi (Aravind Swamy). They have equal participation, in the movie. Both these characters have equal participation and equal treatment. Likewise, in Alaipayuthe both Shakthi and Karthik share equal roles. The movies would be incomplete without their female characters.
- Moina from Dil Se
- Madhu Anu from Anu Pallavi
- Divya from Mouna Raagam
- Anjali and Chithra from Anjali
- Roja from Roja
- Shaila Babu from Bombay
- Shakthi from Alaipayuthey
- Amudha and Shyma from Kanathil Muthamital
- Ragini from Raavanan
- Tara from O Kadhal Kanmani
I guess he has tried his best to give these women unique dimensions. These characters are tailor-made. They are different, naughty, ambitious, adamant in what they want, loyal, and innocent. The heroine in these movies doesn’t run around the tree where the camera focuses on her eyes and lips and jimiki.
Mani Ratnam and Myth
Mani Ratnam uses myths and legends as a background storyline for the real life like incidents in the films. Almost everyone knows, that Thalapathi traces Karna’s myth from Mahabharata. Remember, Raavan is from Ramayana because Veeraiya abducts Ragini. Roja uncovers the Sathyavan Savithiri myth. Ayutha Ezhutha trails George Reddy’s life, which is played by Suriya. Guru is loosely based on the life of Reliance founder Dhirubhai Ambani. He has directed a lot of political-related movies like – Iruvar, Dil Se, Bombay, Roja, and Ayutha Ezhuthu.
Train
The train is a symbol that Mani Ratnam has an affinity towards. “Raja… Rajathi rajan engal raja”, a song on railway tracks from Agni Natchithiram. In the 90s famous “Chaiyya Chaiyya”, SRH dances on the top of the train in Dil Se. The famous proposal scene from Alaipuyethu. Tara and Adhi meet the scene in the railway station in the movie, O Kadhal Kanamanii. The title track ends and Adhi and Tara meet there. Thalapathy, the mother abandons Surya in the Goods train. In Nayagan, the train sound symbolises, Velu boarding a train to reach Bombay. In Guru, Guru, and Sujata meet in the train. The train places a major role in these movies that depict the journey of life in itself.
Conclusion
Love, friendship, patriotism, and revenge are a few elements found in Mani Ratnam’s movies. A lot of them stand as an example of these genres. He is not known for just a single genre but is renowned for his versatility in different genres and different time periods.
These are a few things which make me adore Mani Ratnam Sir in my life.
Happy Birthday, Sir.
From
Mani Ratnam Fan
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