Susee speaks : on Carnatic music mutations

Friends- I want to summarize my thoughts upon watching this video. For those who are familiar with him, TM Krishna gained notoriety with his self-professed theories on equality in music amongst various controversies.

I want to address his takes on music by way of two aspects:

1.  Religion

First of all, in my opinion, any music created in the name of God is sacrosanct and must be preserved in its original form. There have been musical prodigies in both the East and the West, who have made this world a better place by enriching our lives with their amazing creations. Let me put it this way. I would definitely want the ancient Gregorian chants, the Mass and Requiems to be referencing only Jesus and not Muruga or Hanuman. As much as I want the ancient Tyagaraja compositions to retain only Rama and Annamacharya kirtans, Krishna. This has nothing to do with equality of religions. Rather it is about preserving the sanctity of every religion and giving everyone of them the due respect. 

2.  Genre

It doesn’t require a genius to figure out that all kind of music are man made creations using his/her own expressive abilities during the observation of any act or form - be it nature, deity, or anything that appeals to our senses.

In that respect, there are so many genre - Classical, Jazz, New Age, Hiphop, R&B, Soul Music, Rock, POP, Rap, Gana, the list goes on. I agree that one should not be considered superior to another. People are drawn to one or more kinds depending upon their own preferences. However, certain cherished traditions are better off, being adhered to. While it is a noble thought to have Carnatic music reach the slums, and I welcome that, not every kind of music fits all kinds of ambience. For instance, a song laced with profanity has no place in a temple or church. I would be inclined to listen to Carnatic/Classical/Jazz music when I go to Music Academy in Mylapore, or Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center in New York. I would prefer a less formal atmosphere to listen to other kinds of music. This doesn’t mean that I consider one better than the other. Atmosphere, my friend!

When one person deliberately tries to mix up genre and deities to make it as a homologous melting pot, it is wise to examine his intent - whether it is towards genuinely contributing to progress or fomenting trouble just to gain publicity.

When I think of TM Krishna, I could immediately think only of Ravana in a mild form - more so, as he brought out his birth background. The latter, born a Brahmin, learnt all scriptures, performed intense penance and even got boon from Shiva, but lost everything due to his pride, arrogance and Adharmic actions. I leave it for you to come to your own conclusions.

Ottha Seruppu Tamil movie review

*ottha seruppu*

————————

By Venkat Raghavan

I saw this movie over the weekend.  At my friend’s place.  His son recommended we watch it, and when he put this on screen I had no clue what to expect.  The official title is *ottha seruppu size 7.*

The movie is produced, written and directed by Parthiban.  And acted. 

Wait.  That is what he does usually.  Isn’t it? 

*There is no other actor.* 

In the visuals.  Only Parthiban.  In the *entire movie the only human you see* is Parthiban.  There are a few other characters, but they are not shown, you only hear their voices.   The setting for the entire movie is one room in a police station.  A table, a chair (which the character barely occupies) a mobile phone, a walkie talkie radio of police, a camera recording the interrogation, a file, a few papers, a wash basin and a paper kite are the only props.   There is a window which the actor walks to occasionally as he demonstrates more histrionics.

Giving away no spoilers, the 105 minute movie is about interrogation of the murder suspect Parthiban.  He is a poor security guard in an elite city club arrested for murder.  Due to the high profile of victim, Deputy Commissioner and Asst Commissioner are involved in the interrogation in addition to the Inspector.   The scenario; the police want the suspect to detail the murder act and also establish the motive. 

Seeing just one actor on screen could be tedious.  That too a middle aged scruffy looking Parthiban may not be one’s idea of immensely watchable.  Parthiban’s biggest victory here is he sustains your interest throughout, a win for him as a writer, director and actor.    The movie doesn’t lose the grip at any time; the frame at no point moves out of this room, even as the suspect narrates the scene there is no flashback visual, it is _all described verbally_ maintaining the tempo. 

The suspect at the beginning seemingly is pleading innocence, but that is a deception and soon it is clear that he is actually confessing to the murder detailing the modus operandi.  When the police seem satisfied with what they heard, there is a twist which the suspect introduces and the interrogation prolongs.  When that part is done, there is another turn.  To the total annoyance and utter frustration of interrogating officers.  The poor simpleton suspect is not after all stupid.   In one of the earlier scenes, when a cop asks why a gullible guy like him should get involved in a murder crime and get trapped like this, Parthiban asks naively if it is not the cops who are trapped?  When the miffed cop asks him to explain, Parthiban says he feels bad for the cops who are staying overnight interrogating him leaving their families trapped in their jobs.   But we come to realise later what he actually meant. 

It is almost a flawless movie, though the ending may be debatable.   In Tamil we have a few experimental movies being made nowadays, but in the degree of experimentation it would be hard to beat this.   A single sandal (without its pair), utterly insignificant and most dispensable.  One doesn’t give a second look.  But Ottha Seruppu is not.  Give it a watch.

Super Delux movie review

*SUPER DELUXE* 

By Venkat Raghavan

Tamil Movie I saw last night)

*A game changer is several respects.*

-A movie with three subplots.  Three stories that run concurrently seemingly unconnected which for their conclusion and the characters’s redemption *cross each other’s path* 

- The movie which is overtly sexual, where motives, actions and behaviors are lecherous; where dialogues are bold and explicit YET surprisingly has no, absolutely NO woman sexual exposure.  (For a movie that would get anyway a big A certificate, the director uses no glamour!)  

- A movie which is co-written by three great “parallel” filmmakers/directors of our times Mysskin, Nalan Kumarasamy and this movie’s Director Kumararaja! 

- A movie that uses yester years POP for the thematic and background songs.  Disco Dancer, Macarena and many Tamil movie ones.  Of our times. 80s!!!

-A movie that has a “paint” effect to its cinematography.  Most of the movie has low lighting.  The colors accentuate the setting.  For instance, an accidental diviner from Tsunami whose dwelling is blue, the female protagonist whose house is deep yellow and reddish hues etc.  Many shots recede to a narrow angle as we get to see the proceedings from a narrow alley or a corner. A metaphor for metaphysical relationship we have with the world -in that limited, where our perception and actuality vie with each other.  

A movie with no songs or fight scenes but a run time of nearly THREE hours!!   Even otherwise a slow movie, but contrastingly happening on every frame.  

The genre of the movie is hard to say.  There is crime, an understated humor that props from the absurdity of situation, emotions of people that arise from jolting events!   Is it a crime, humor or drama.  Just let us say a dark movie.  

A movie with an incredible casting.  *Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha, Fahad Fazil, Ramya Krishnan,* even if they are not superstars, artists who command huge fee and a standing in the industry.  All of them portraying characters that are negative, dark and vulnerable. 

Imagine Samantha, (the leading heroine in Tamil and Telugu until her marriage recently) playing a promiscuous woman who has an encounter when husband is away! 

I am not giving anymore on the movie as it would take away the surprise elements that are strewn throughout the movie, despite its slowness.   At the end, it is a movie that goes beyond its scope of cinema and tells us to view the whole life differently.  A bit of edification.  

I am sure many of us may not be comfortable in our seats while watching this movie.  It is a “in your face” movie.  

*But this is a milestone movie in Tamil.* I would be surprised if it doesn’t walk away with top honours at the national level.