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A documentary on a veteran writer |
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Sunday, 20 April 2008 |
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90 min documentary titled Yellaikalai Vistharitha Yezhuthukalaignan on veteran writer Jayakanthan is to be released on April 24 on his 75th birthday. This is a brainchild of the maestro Ilayaraja, who has also scored the music. Ilayaraja has an admiration for the writer. Ilayaraja used to perform on communist platforms with his brothers Pavalar Varadharajan and Bhaskar, while Jayakanthan was a star speaker.
Ravisubrmanian, director of the film has already made two documentaries: one on writer Indira Parthasarathy; and the other on writer Ma. Aranganathan. Throughout the film, Mr. Jayakanthan, a winner of the Sahitya Academy and Jnanpith awards, lives up to his reputation as a no-nonsense man speaking his mind and contradicting the views he once vociferously articulated. Writer Jayakanthan and maestro Ilayaraja also have their roots in the Communist movement. It is exhilarating to watch Jayakanthan make pungent comments, softened only by the soulful music of Ilayaraja. He answers Ravisubramanian's questions on Communism, spiritualism, God, globalization, writers, criticism of his works and a variety of other subjects. The film also offers rare glimpses into the writer's varied interests. He visits temples. He has faith in God. He enjoys music. He also sings. He tells us that he learnt the veena, though he could not continue the practice. As Jayakanthan's voice trails off, the strains of glorious vasantha tug at our heartstrings. Ravisubrmanian explains vasantha is JK's favourite raga, but Ilayaraja does not know that.
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