Thaniyavarthanam

Thaniyavarthanam (English: The Repeating Rhythm) is a 1987 Malayalam drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mammootty as school teacher Bala Gopalan, Thilakan as the uncle of the matrilineal family, Mukesh as Gopinathan, and Kaviyoor Ponnamma.[1][2][3] Thilakan won Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor.

Thaniyavarthanam
Poster designed by Gayathri Ashokan
Directed bySibi Malayil
Produced byNandakumar
Written byA. K. Lohithadas
StarringMammootty
Thilakan
Mukesh
Asha Jayaram
Philomina
Kaviyoor Ponnamma
Music byScore:
Johnson
Song:
M G Radhakrishnan
CinematographySaloo George
Edited byL. Bhoominathan
Production
company
Nandana Films
Distributed byTharangini Films
Release date
  • 14 August 1987 (1987-08-14)
(Kerala)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Upon release, it received critical acclaim. The film discusses a variety of topics such as superstition and orthodoxy in rural Kerala, attitudes towards mental illness, the difference of attitudes between people of different generations, and the decline of once-proud Nair "joint families". It was actor Thilakan who recommended Mammootty for the lead role (Bala Gopalan).[4][5][6][3]

Plot

The story is set in a rural village in Kerala. Bala Gopalan (Mammootty), a school drawing teacher in Government service, has a serene life, with two children, a wife, a mother and a younger brother - Gopi (Mukesh) and an younger sister. He is part of a declining, yet proud, Nair joint family in the village. Elder members of the family are rooted in superstition and orthodoxy.

Balan has an uncle, locked up in a dimly lit room in the house, who is mentally challenged. The belief among the family is that one male from each generation will go mad as a person from some past generation had sinned by throwing the idol of goddess in a well. He was cursed by the goddess and became a lunatic. This curse is supposed to pass down through generations. Balan's uncle finally dies and the talk of the village became - "Who would be next - Balan or Gopi ?"

One night changes it all, when Balan has a terrible nightmare. The whole house is woken up in the middle of night. The elder members of the family suspects that Balan is turning mad. The news somehow gets out. Villagers start suspecting Balan of following the footsteps of his ancestors into madness (because Balan's uncle (Babu Namboothiri) also fell mentally ill with a nightmare).

Now the village evaluates and judges each and every move he makes; he is soon deemed mentally ill. His actions are misinterpreted. He applies for an extended leave and transfer from service. Even some members of his family suspects that he has gone mad. The situation affects Balan and turns him confused. Gopi, progressive and educated, consults Balan with a medically qualified physician. The physician declares him sane. But village doesn't agree.

In the meantime, Balan's wife is forced to leave the house with their children. The family fixes the marriage of his younger sister while hiding the fact the she has a "challenged" elder brother. Eventually, Balan is admitted in an asylum and undergoes treatment. He is released after a few days - both mentally and physically broken - and confines to the dark room his uncle once lived. Balan seems to be surrendered to the society.

Balan's mother (Kaviyoor Ponnamma) eventually poisons him - on the day of the ritual for forgiveness from the goddess - to free him from the world.

Apart from the main story line concerning Balan the movie also makes a subtle sketch of the life of people in a "matriarchal" society. The uncle of Balan (Thilakan) enjoys so much influence in the family affairs that he becomes a catalyst to the hero's slow but steady decline to lunacy.

Cast

Soundtrack

The music was composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan.

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1SreejayadevaK. J. Yesudas
2SreejayadevaM. G. Sreekumar
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See also
  • Mental illness in film
  • List of films featuring mental illness

References
  1. "Thaniyaavarthanam". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  2. "Thaniyaavarthanam". malayalasangeetham.info. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. "'Thaniyavarthanam' producer now sells dosa batter to eke out a living". OnManorama. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  4. "An Actor Par Excellence: 5 Mammootty Films That You Must Watch". The Quint. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  5. "Mammootty sets out on historical journey with 'Yatra'". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  6. "Mammootty reveals his reason to choose 'Peranbu'". The Week. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
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