ROMANCE IN THE AIR

Saw Viratta Parvam.... While romance is relit by the poetry and the literature, the cause for naxalism or who and what they were fighting was lost. Before I write a little about it met some old pals at Amar Devulapalli's home. He makes you climb two flights of steps but being the perfect host, makes up for it. 

Then there were the boys including Sattibabu, Madhu, Divakar and Tiger, aka Srinivas Reddy, aka Seenu. When Amar and Tiger get together you must be there with your filled glass and 'listen', which is a skill, believe me. You can only learn. 

Between the two of them they carry an era of reporting, colourful, informative and full of dates and names. And it is always filled with beer, nights filled with drinks, afternoons of scooter rides into forests. Fascinating and I come away awed each time by the sheer depth of information these two guys have. 

I am going to be quick about this, because my friend said I was too long in my previous blog. I was discussing Viratta Parvam, which is a small item about Sarala, a girl who got carried away by the aura of naxalism, read literature and searched her way into a dalam, where she was considered as a covert operative and died a miserable death. 

The hardships of the revolutionary outfit is quite obvious, but as you follow the heroine's quest it makes you believe that there was a lot of ground support for the naxals. And probably one of the reasons for the cops to be so in your face with their presence and their handling of people. I believe the cruelty of the cops was over the top, even against women. It is always fascinating to hear from the horses' mouths, so to speak. Hail to my colleagues.

About Sai Pallavi and her acting skills. These days all actresses perform very well even without makeup. The movie is just that, the romance of a girl who has read inspiring literature. She has no angst against the system, but 'love' makes her believe..... My passion for poetry, revolutionary or otherwise has been revived. 

Romance was already in the air, because I am reading the English version and Vol I of Ponniyin Selvan. It is difficult, but I am feeling the cool breeze.... 

While Virata Parvam is at least watchable for various reasons, Adivi Sesh's Major is such a disappointment. Patriotism will have to be redefined. 

Apparently based on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's life, martyred during the 2008 Mumbai seizure, I am wondering if the producers really took permission and did they show the script to the family. This is a film, but then so was `Uri'. After that film, you come away thumping your chest for the nation. 

Adivi Sesh apparently selects his script. He chose one which is fascinating, irrespective of the various versions. But when it comes to depicting the family, they have gone out of line.

But the ultimate in romantic poetry is the Marathi film Chandrmukhi.....poetry which makes you yearn, a love which makes your heart skip a beat.....it is all there. For some time, because soon politics comes a sullies the beauty of it. Or so you think. Romance keeps its flag flying high......