THANIYE....

‘Thaniye’ - A usual story, told unusually

The story of neglected and disregarded Old Age is not new for Malayalam cinema. From Padmarajan’s ‘Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam,’ to Jayaraj’s ‘Karunam,’ the theme has been told many times over. The aged parents left to languish alone in their homes even as the sons and daughters migrate in search of better pastures with the threat of an ‘Old Age Home,’ looming darkly before them and the insensitivity of the younger generations towards the sentimental yearnings of the elderly people have provided enough to fire up the imaginations of many directors.

Though the lonely parents of rich non-resident Keralites is often given the tab of Kerala’s latest social malaise, this syndrome is particularly on the rise in certain parts of the State, especially in the Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts, where a considerable number of the young generation has been consistently migrating to foreign pastures. Take the case of Thiruvalla, where, according to some informal estimates, at least one member of every family is aboard.

Perhaps this is what prompted Friends of Thiruvalla, the Doha-based socio-cultural organisation, to support their townsman Babu Thiruvalla in his maiden directorial venture, ‘Thaniye,’ (Alone). With Nedumudi Venu in the lead role, the film tells the story of Georgekutty, an ageing planter spending his old age alone in his sprawling bungalow among his estates in the High Ranges.

One major bane of Malayalam movies dealing with the theme of neglected old age is the proximity to slip into maudlin sentiments and uncontrolled pathos, with weeping sessions lasting several minutes sprinkled liberally throughout the film. However, ‘Thaniye,’ stands apart, with its overall restrained mood and compact tone.

The content, or story, in a nutshell is the usual one – the aged and sick widower left alone among his riches, only son having migrated to the US, greedy relatives and unfaithful servants hovering around waiting for his death, the entry of a kind and gentle home nurse who bring him back to health and the ensuing problems.

What gives a good experience of cinema from this not-so-novel theme is the subtle treatment, which does not plunge into pathos or remain unbearably grim.

Nedumudi Venu as the planter Georgekutty and Lakshmi Gopalaswami, in the role of the home nurse, presents some scintillating moments of acting. The supporting cast of KPAC Lalitha, Asokan, Mamukoya and others are also quite apt for the characters.

The tone of subtlety and discretion is maintained throughout the film. There is no unnecessary digging at the home nurse’s personal story, except for what is being revealed naturally through snatches of conversations. And there is no attempt to follow her, after the planter’s US-settled doctor-son dismisses her. The brusque, but polished manner in which he tells her to leave is also something hardly seen in Malayalam cinema. He even has a neatly wrapped and ribboned gift packet for her, in the typical American way. And there is not even a breath of the innuendos of gossip linking her with the old man that had sent him flying down from the US back home.

Though this is first directorial venture, Babu Thiruvalla is no new face for Malayalam cinema. He has produced a couple of good films, including ‘Oru Minnaminungite Nurunguvettam,’ ‘Amaram,’ and ‘Samagamam.’ He has also associated with the work of Jayaraj’s ‘Kannaki,’ as creative contributor.

Renu Ramanath
renuramanath@hotmail.com