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Sumaithangi - Part 4 - Other characters

 
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S.Balaji



Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 772

PostPosted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:03 pm    Post subject: Sumaithangi - Part 4 - Other characters Reply with quote

Sumaithangi is a collective performance with Gemini in the lead ably supported by some very good actors..

Besides Babu ( Gemini Ganesan ) , there are other interesting characters to be appreciated ….Ramu is one such……

Ramu ( Muthuraman )is another interesting persona which almost runs parallel …occupies significant screen presence….well crafted role….no children ….an understanding and amenable wife ….the first scene itself describes the character…as he comes with monthly carry home salary and happily distributes to each member, their due share ensuring that they are happy …fulfilling the responsibility of a duty bound senior member …..Muthuraman sweats for the well being of the family….takes care of his ageing Father’s small needs, sister’s basic needs, brother’s education and his pocket money…finally hands over the remains to his wife for running expenses…..
The moment he loses job, this character develops negative thoughts especially on Gemini..even questions his decisions….curses himself on his misfortune…gets into severe inferiority complex mode….feels that he is not being treated the same way he was earlier….struggles to settle down ….starts hitting hard at Gemini at regular intervals questioning his wisdom and sincerity…on few occasions even gives shades of a villain….but the poor character had to be sympathized with…shows his ego / self respect when he denies taking up the job which is worth Rs.150 per month expressing his concern that someone having drawn Rs.500 cannot stoop down to such unimaginable levels…true true….bruised self respect….
But Muthuraman gains strength and sympathy whenever he gives practical opinion on key issues….requesting Gemini to cede the lucrative job ( offered by Balaji ) is one such….in a joint family set up, its ideal and paramount that the lead member is employed so that the family is well balanced……the same guy who jovially asks Gemini whether he is in love with some girl …nodding that he is willing to accept any such plans….soon asks Gemini to accept the Judge’s offer to marry his daughter in the larger interests of the family…again being very practical and sensible….
Repents for having spoken very harshly by the spur of the moment when he chides Gemini that someone always has a free meal….it was momentary frustration vent upon his beloved brother…but on seeing a hurt Gemini walking out , immediately gets tearful and pleads to forgive him and come back home……

Ramu is also emotionally attached to his brother….when he sees the ultimate letter of Gemini , panics and realizes the seriousness of the issue and immediately rushes to V.S.Raghavan and successfully convinces him to re propose Devika …This is a very good move by Muthuraman as he understands that now all that Gemini needs is a new lease of life and only his lover Devika can provide that much deserved peace of mind ….

Ramu is a mixture of various emotions………a role glowingly presented by Muthuraman….very seasoned performance…….

We shall analyze other characters shortly……..
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S.Balaji



Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 772

PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another interesting character is Muthuraman’s wife….most of the scenes where Muthu appears, she is also present equally unless there is a purely personal exchange between the brothers… her presence is quite justified and meaningful …this woman was a classical image of erstwhile Daughter in law concept of yesteryears who practically take up the responsibilities of a Mother after her demise…be it a decision on a marriage alliance or any financial matter or any key decision , these characters had been the driving force then….there could have been a Mother character for the family but Muthu has to be a married guy …Sridhar smartly edits the Mother role and instead uses the Daughter in law to fill the void …..Sridhar nicely runs this wife personality and makes her integral part of the movie….Basically a low profile character but its like Muthuraman’s shadow ….there are some really touching scenes ….she talks from the bottom of her heart on occasions wishing that the whole family should always be together irrespective of any crisis and spend all happier moments together….she doesn’t even sit before her Father In Law , Sarangapani …once she chides L.V. for having spilt the milk vessel…you are not at all responsible…for which LV screams back…this is not out of your earnings…the Sister in law spontaneously reacts….how long will it take for me to say this to you also ( indicating that LV’s husband is also jobless )…but immediately she repents for this impulsive reaction…..when finally LV and her husband leave for good, the same Sister in law is full of tears saying some comforting words ….

We miss such characters today …

We shall discuss about other good characters next…
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S.Balaji



Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 772

PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Radha ( Devika) ….Intermediate passed , with no further intentions towards career, just supports her Father back home…the initial scenes when Gemini frequents to her house , her eyes are expressive …very curt but witty …pretends to be tough vis a vis Gemini …..gradually falls to the trap…..these are really enjoyable situations…
Though she is totally taken aback by Gemini’s initial decision to sacrifice his love , gracefully attends the wedding to greet her friend Indira Devi ….she shows poise and control over emotions …..when Gemini tries for rapprochement , she refuses with a pinch of salt but stubbornly that gone are those old love days …even advises Gemini to forget and move on……when V.S.R. finds that Balaji will make an ideal husband, she had to accede reluctantly…..however, she is still sympathetic towards Gemini which makes her unsure of future…..but finally when L.V. pleads her to reconsider Gemini, she agrees and convinces Balaji to cancel the wedding proposal….finally she had to face that sad end to her prospects when she identifies a Priest Gemini …a crestfallen Devika walks away from the scene and thus ends the movie….

I liked those scenes she converses with Balaji…very gentle, diplomatic and friendly….a delicate situation well managed….again good screen play by Mr.Sridhar !

One will sympathize with Radha as she equally suffers from the love angle , unsure of her prospect and for even forgoing Balaji’s proposal …this means the poor character ends with a big question mark on her life……….

Mr.Sridhar had left this Radha to face uncertainities…the movie had to end with Gemini’s decision to take a different direction in life…in the process this pitiable character suffers….while Gemini finds solace in spiritual path, Devika ends with a big question mark…..

While in Kalyanaparisu, SarojaDevi marries Nageshwara Rao , in Sumaithangi, Devika is left single….a different approach by Mr.Sridhar…..

A very matured portrayal by Devika……cheerful during the first half and tearful in the latter stages…..
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S.Balaji



Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 772

PostPosted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

L.Vijayalakshmi , the only daughter of the family , starts as a playful woman, falls in love with Gemini Ganesan’s college mate..though she is very affectionate towards both the brothers, she is more attached to Gemini as she finds no generation gap …conveys her love matter to Gemini only first and gets the family’s nod …post marriage , she and her husband had to get accommodated …a bonus which Gemini gets utilized by her for giving bond for her husband’s new employment…Once the pair is established, they move out to be on their own and live happily…
Sridhar again shows his directorial skills on screen play…LV is shown more with Gemini only as she more close to him ….tries her best to reduce the financial burden by limiting her wants….like a passionate sister she requests Gemini to support her husband for the bond money so that they will be independent and this also brings down the load….again, this is not being selfish but only to enable her on her own …..Finally when she leaves in tears, the entire family too feel isolated…..

LV shows her gratitude to Gemini when she pleads him to come back home , requests him to get married soon and settle down in life…but when Gemini respond by saying that the only wish he has now is to die peacefully, she breaks down totally and cries not to say such things….Really an emotional scene….LV shows the warmth and affection of a beloved sister who genuinely wishes her brother to have peace of mind and lead a happy life…these are really touching scenes…

Sridhar makes her role more meaningful…just before the climax, LV pleads Devika to reconsider…and successfully convinces also….

Not sure whether L.V had played any such quality characters before or after Sumaithangi…

Veteran actor Sarangapani too plays a meaningful role…mostly confined to the Easy Chair , this senior actor showed that he was young at heart during the first few scenes …shows his seasoned approach when he accepts the Retd Judge’s offer to wed his daughter….also is very forthright when he rejects V.S.Raghavan’s formal visit to propose Devika….he is very practical….

Sarangapani’s contribution ends here…after that only few scenes he appears and that too as a passive contributor…with very few dialogues…only reactions……a thoughtful work by Mr.Sridhar….

V.S.Raghavan, another seasoned actor gives a good support to Devika whenever she is down ….initiates the job of a duty bound Father…this poor man had to finally rush to Ooty to convince Gemini to come back….All his dialogues are casual and sensible …another realistic portrayal….

Nagesh and Balaji impress playing support roles ….

We will take up songs section and the fabulous contribution by Kavignar
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