Rudraveena

Chiranjeevi, Sobhana, Gemini Ganesan, Prasadbabu,
Music: Ilayaraaja
Director: K Balachander
Banner: Anjana productions

On most occasions, I have a hard time picking a Telugu film from the Indian store. Take for instance titles like Iddaru Pellalu Muddula Muggudu, Mooguru Monagallu, Gharana Bullodu, Rowdigari Pellam makes me squirm and give up. So when I spotted Rudraveena, I made a grab for it hoping I was not letting myself in for a complete three hours of waste. And surprisingly enough, I was not disappointed.

The storyline of Rudraveena is not new; in fact it is reminiscent of some of the spate of films of K Vishwanath: the return of the classical music genre reminding us gently that music preserved in its pure tradition is a responsibility of the present generation.

K. Balachander, however takes on a similar theme but with a difference. He raises the question ? Music is divine but what use is it if it disassociates itself with the commoner and the lives of those it touches. It is left to the likes of stalwarts like Gemini Ganesan and megastar Chiranjeevi to battle these issues in the film.

Father, BiIhari Sastry thinks that music is divine and is the prerogative of a select few, (Brahmins in this case). Son Suryam (Chiranjeevi) thinks that music is a part of life and could be adopted to suit the common man. He believes that humanity comes before music and has a showdown when his father stops him from attending to a dying electrician on the way to a music concert. A dejected and defiant Suryam takes the tough job of venturing out of this circle of orthodox Brahmin culture with the help of Lalitha who belongs to a lower caste. (lovely and breathtaking Shobhana). His mission takes on a new meaning as he sets out to reform the village that is ruined with alcoholism. In the end, he is applauded by the Prime Minister for setting up a role model village.

Says Chiranjeevi of the film “Both as a maker and as an actor... I was fighting against drinking and advocating for prohibition in that film. The film won the Nargis Dutt award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. Music by Illayaraja and songs like Lalitah Kamalam Virisisnadhee and Bilahari, Tulasi Dalamulache by Yesudas and K J, Chitra and S P were pleasing with a semi classical touch. Jesudas also won national award for best male playback singer for this movie. Plenty of histrionics here in the acting roles although I thought that comedy scenes were a little too banal. I recommend this film for its decency, its music and its motive. For me it was very refreshing to hear the language of Telugu for a continuous three hours.

This film review is sponsored by Raja and Rana Grocery store in Burlington, MA.

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