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| K B - A small Tribute (Image source - https://www.tumblr.com/search/k.+balachander) |
What influences the thought process of a growing child? In the late 90s in addition to the parents and teachers, there was another medium that more than influenced the growing child! It was 'the television'. For a child growing in a middle class family in Tamil Nadu, the television everyday had atleast a film or a TV serial either written, directed or produced by K Balachander or simply known as KB. So when one returns from the school, it would be Bhama vijayam running in classic matnee, A roja on Republic day / Independence day or watch Marma Desam on Thursdays, Kasalavu Nesam on Wednesdays, Premi or Kailavu Manasu. This, my readers is 'the influence'. Watch this bit where Crazy mohan talks about KB in a recent Coffee with DD episode. Cant put things better!!
He was, probably, one of the few directors who worked on themes which had strong connection with the day to day life of the common man. The result was that most of his films have gone well with the masses. He made films on subjects to satisfy his own ego unmindful of its success commercially.KB changed the content, context and the actors in the Tamil Film Industry and infused a new breath of life into the movies. He also started the revolution of serials in the small screen. Not many people, had directorial success in both small screen and silver screen. His characters portrayed the nuances of middle class predicament perfectly. Sadly, he is no more. It is indeed a pleasure for me to write about him, a celebration of the cinematic journey of a simple man, from humble origins, achieving monumental success.
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| He never lost in touch with contemporary film making! "He is in conversation with Amir after his Dhobi Ghat" |
Jonathan Swift once said, "Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others." Going by that definition, KB would mean visionary in every thesaurus. Let me give an example. Having been KBed into comedy in Thillu mullu Tamil Cinema, Rajni kanth added comedy to his repertoire, which truely made him connect to the masses. Even Rajni, on the back of successes like Muratu kalai and Billa was not sure of taking up a full time comic role. The way he shaped the career of Kamal Hasan requires a separate post in itself. Its not just Rajni and Kamal, the list of people who got their breaks because of KB is a long one!! Special mention must go to 2 people - Major Sundararajan and Nageesh, the 2 character artists who got to explore and experiment without any problem in his films.
In between KB has won Nine National Awards and innumerable State government and Filmfare awards, for his films, which he made not only in Tamil but also in other languages such as Telugu(Maro Charitra, Aakali Rajyam, Andhuleni Katha) , Kannada( Benkiyalli Aralidha Hoovu),Malayalam and Hindi ( the iconic Ek Duuje Ke Liye).
Lets talk about favorites!! Let me list out my favorite movies and serials Chonologically!! I am going to limit myself to 10!!
1. Server Sundaram
A movie written by BB about how a server( Nagesh ) from being a waiter turns into an actor and excels in his life. Some classic comedy scenes in this movie include Audition Scene, Acting Scene with Manorama. The movie ends on a rather tragic note, a constant feature of his earlier movies!
2. Bama Vijayam
A refreshing satire on the middle class mind set, with uniformly good performance by all the lead as well as supporting actors. Each and every role is to be cherished in the film and this legendary song!!
4.Thaneer Thanner
A movie about deprivation, greed and corruption. Also subtly mocks the system in failing to protect the weak!! Arguably one of the best female performances in Tamil cinema by Saritha. There was a copy of this movie in my college local LAN. For writing this post, I wanted to watch it again, but could not find a copy!! If some one has one, pls do share!!
5. Thilli mullu
Along with Bhama Vijayam the best comedy directed by KB!! I need not write anything, just watch this scene.
6. Varumain Niram sivappu.
KB, the director of this flick has delved deep into the problem of unemployment in the 80's period of India. Easily one of Kamal best in the early 80s late 70s. The license restrictions made unemployment further higher in the country and this story deals with a well-educated youth who is extensively ideal and does not lose his morality for mere survival. A period I have not seen, but heard stories from my dad. There are some melodrama and cliches, but the movie ends on the right note. Pratap potan in another awesome sadist kind of a role!! Thengai Sreenivasan appears for a few incredibly funny minutes, proving that there are no small roles -- only small actors.
7. Achamillai Achamillai
Personally the least favorite of the 10. But I am including this in the list just because of Sarita. Hands down a national award winning performance. It is a moralistic tale of how politics and power can corrupt the best of men. To be honest, the latter part of the movie is a bit cliched but the first half an hour is very absorbing. Sarita, Rajesh and Delhi Ganesh throw in wonderful performances, and VS Narasimhan's melodies remain fresh even today.
8. Puthu Puthu Arthangal
A brilliant tale of search for companionship. The definition of companionship is put to true test in this movie. In the conservative India, not many directors have tested post marriage affair as beautifully as done in this movie. This film features, one of the most brilliantly written on-screen couple, Sowkar Janaki and Poornam vishwanathan!! Add to mix some soul crunching melodies from Raja, this is easily one the most underrated KB films.
9. Jathi Malli
During the time when the caste and religious clashes were reaching their peak, KB came up with a movie that hit the bulls eye in this issue.
10. Vaname Ellai
My favorite KB movie - the last of the master pieces directed by him. Its the story of a group of 5 youngsters, frustrated by the filth around them, decide to commit suicide in 100 days. But they want to spend the last 100 days to the fullest. It was kind of a first time in tamil cinema, the 5 protagonists, 3 men and 2 women live together without any romance brewing in between. Even if released today it will not be out of place/space. KB has always been a "dheergadarsi". This movie subtly passes on the message of hope. I would watch it over again and again and definitely one of the path breaking movies of Tamil Cinema. Sadly this movie was overshadowed by a couple of other movies released around the same time. "Anamalai and Roja". And oddly all the three movies were produced by KB.
There are many more movies, that did not make it to my list. I have watched almost all the tamil movies KB has been associated with, and definitely leaving out movies like Manmatha leelai, 3 mudhichu, Unnal mudiyum tambi, poova thalaya has been pretty difficult.
KB would be definitely living as long as Tamil cinema exists. But how can I finish writing a tribute without this photo??? Hats off Mr. KB!! Its also an honour for me to write my 100th post as a tribute to KB :).
1. Server Sundaram
A movie written by BB about how a server( Nagesh ) from being a waiter turns into an actor and excels in his life. Some classic comedy scenes in this movie include Audition Scene, Acting Scene with Manorama. The movie ends on a rather tragic note, a constant feature of his earlier movies!
2. Bama Vijayam
A refreshing satire on the middle class mind set, with uniformly good performance by all the lead as well as supporting actors. Each and every role is to be cherished in the film and this legendary song!!
3. Avargal
Arguably the best story written by KB. Excellent performances from Sujatha, Rajinikanth and Kamalhaasan. The movie portrays the emotional struggle of Anu (Sujatha) with 3 men in her life. Kamal is also said to have learnt the art of ventriloquism to portray his character perfectly. The movie keeps you guessing right till the very end and every guess you make ends up being wrong ! Along with Aval Apadithan, this movie portrays the acting brilliance of Rajni Kant. He outperforms Kamal and even overshadows him in almost every scene.
A movie about deprivation, greed and corruption. Also subtly mocks the system in failing to protect the weak!! Arguably one of the best female performances in Tamil cinema by Saritha. There was a copy of this movie in my college local LAN. For writing this post, I wanted to watch it again, but could not find a copy!! If some one has one, pls do share!!
5. Thilli mullu
Along with Bhama Vijayam the best comedy directed by KB!! I need not write anything, just watch this scene.
6. Varumain Niram sivappu.
KB, the director of this flick has delved deep into the problem of unemployment in the 80's period of India. Easily one of Kamal best in the early 80s late 70s. The license restrictions made unemployment further higher in the country and this story deals with a well-educated youth who is extensively ideal and does not lose his morality for mere survival. A period I have not seen, but heard stories from my dad. There are some melodrama and cliches, but the movie ends on the right note. Pratap potan in another awesome sadist kind of a role!! Thengai Sreenivasan appears for a few incredibly funny minutes, proving that there are no small roles -- only small actors.
7. Achamillai Achamillai
Personally the least favorite of the 10. But I am including this in the list just because of Sarita. Hands down a national award winning performance. It is a moralistic tale of how politics and power can corrupt the best of men. To be honest, the latter part of the movie is a bit cliched but the first half an hour is very absorbing. Sarita, Rajesh and Delhi Ganesh throw in wonderful performances, and VS Narasimhan's melodies remain fresh even today.
8. Puthu Puthu Arthangal
A brilliant tale of search for companionship. The definition of companionship is put to true test in this movie. In the conservative India, not many directors have tested post marriage affair as beautifully as done in this movie. This film features, one of the most brilliantly written on-screen couple, Sowkar Janaki and Poornam vishwanathan!! Add to mix some soul crunching melodies from Raja, this is easily one the most underrated KB films.
9. Jathi Malli
During the time when the caste and religious clashes were reaching their peak, KB came up with a movie that hit the bulls eye in this issue.
10. Vaname Ellai
My favorite KB movie - the last of the master pieces directed by him. Its the story of a group of 5 youngsters, frustrated by the filth around them, decide to commit suicide in 100 days. But they want to spend the last 100 days to the fullest. It was kind of a first time in tamil cinema, the 5 protagonists, 3 men and 2 women live together without any romance brewing in between. Even if released today it will not be out of place/space. KB has always been a "dheergadarsi". This movie subtly passes on the message of hope. I would watch it over again and again and definitely one of the path breaking movies of Tamil Cinema. Sadly this movie was overshadowed by a couple of other movies released around the same time. "Anamalai and Roja". And oddly all the three movies were produced by KB.
There are many more movies, that did not make it to my list. I have watched almost all the tamil movies KB has been associated with, and definitely leaving out movies like Manmatha leelai, 3 mudhichu, Unnal mudiyum tambi, poova thalaya has been pretty difficult.
KB would be definitely living as long as Tamil cinema exists. But how can I finish writing a tribute without this photo??? Hats off Mr. KB!! Its also an honour for me to write my 100th post as a tribute to KB :).
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| KB with two of his favorite prodigies!! |
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