Today's catch was Vanaprastham (aka Pilgrimage) , a 1999 Shaji Karun movie in Malayalam.
With exquisite Kathakali performances, it's the story of a maestro, born in a lower caste, who becomes a renowned dancer. A multilayered story, as is expected from a highly cultured society like Kerala, the movie kept reminding me of the Kenji Mizoguchi movie The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum which was based on a Kabuki artist's life. Vanaprastham, engages with questions of caste, gender, artistic integrity and a complex love.
Mohanlal, I hope my Malayali friends would agree with their repertoire of many more performances than me, has given perhaps his best ever performance, ably supported by Suhasini Mani Ratnam and numerous others.
The film's frames kept reminding me of Raja Ravi Verma's paintings.
Undoubtedly, a modern world classic. It's a befitting addition to Shaji Karun's ouvre who made his name from his debut, Piravi, itself.
I hope it's gets seen by more people. :-))
With exquisite Kathakali performances, it's the story of a maestro, born in a lower caste, who becomes a renowned dancer. A multilayered story, as is expected from a highly cultured society like Kerala, the movie kept reminding me of the Kenji Mizoguchi movie The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum which was based on a Kabuki artist's life. Vanaprastham, engages with questions of caste, gender, artistic integrity and a complex love.
Mohanlal, I hope my Malayali friends would agree with their repertoire of many more performances than me, has given perhaps his best ever performance, ably supported by Suhasini Mani Ratnam and numerous others.
The film's frames kept reminding me of Raja Ravi Verma's paintings.
Undoubtedly, a modern world classic. It's a befitting addition to Shaji Karun's ouvre who made his name from his debut, Piravi, itself.
I hope it's gets seen by more people. :-))
