Rathinirvedam
DVD cover
Directed byBharathan
Written byP. Padmarajan
Based onRathinirvedam
by P. Padmarajan
Produced byHari Pothan
StarringJayabharathi
Krishnachandran
Kaviyoor Ponnamma
CinematographyRamachandra Babu
Edited byK. Narayanan
Music byDevarajan
Production
company
Supriya Creations
Release date
  • 8 March 1978 (1978-03-08)
Running time
124 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Rathinirvedam (transl. Adolescent desire) is a 1978 Indian Malayalam-language erotic film directed by Bharathan and written by P. Padmarajan based on his own novel of the same name. The plot revolves around a teenager, Pappu (Krishnachandran), who is sexually attracted to an older woman, Rathi (Jayabharathi).[1]

The story-line of the film miffed many for its sensitive portrayal of the lead as well as garnered appreciation for its narrative. It is said to have redefined the art of movie making in South India, and hence regarded as a landmark in Indian film history. The film was also one of the biggest box office hits in Kerala's history. It inspires similar productions all over South India, even decades after its release.

Plot

The story takes place in a small village surrounded by hills and valleys. Young Pappu, a teenager, awaiting school results to go to college, has plenty of time on hand. His trouble is adolescence, but neither his mother nor his aunt can diagnose his affliction. Everything around him excites and stimulates his sexual curiosity. Twenty plus Rathi, the girl next door, has been chechi (elder sister) to him since he was a child. Unaware of the stirrings of his desire, she dismisses his first overtures to her as boyish pranks. But soon her feelings change.

She is sympathetic to the boy's confusion and goes to the sarppakkavu (cobra-shrine) to keep a midnight date with Pappu. It storms and thunders while Pappu makes love to Rathi. Only then do the storms—the one tormenting him inside his mind and the other raging thunderously on the outside, subside. Aghast at what has happened, Rathi stumbles to her feet but is bitten by a cobra but she goes back to her house and suffers in silence in order to prevent any scandal and the delay costs her life. Next morning Pappu leaves home for college and his new life, but he is changed forever when he sees Rathi's dead body being taken away by a crowd.

Cast

Production

The film was produced by Hari Pothan under the banner of Supriya Films. It was mostly shot in Nelliampathi, Palakkad, Kerala.[2] Director Bharathan had proposed to actress K.P.A.C. Lalitha after the shooting of this film.[3] They remained together till the death of the former.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Devarajan and the lyrics were written by Kavalam Narayana Panicker.[4]

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1"Kaalam Kunjumanassil"P. Jayachandran, Chorus, KarthikeyanKavalam Narayana Panicker
2"Mounam Thalarum"K. J. YesudasKavalam Narayana Panicker
3"Shyaamanandana Vaniyilninnum"P. MadhuriKavalam Narayana Panicker
4"Thiruthirumaaran"K. J. YesudasKavalam Narayana Panicker

Analysis

Rathinirvedam is an incisive portrayal of a teenager's coming to terms with his budding libido that eventually drives him into a tabooed bond with an affable spinster in the neighbourhood.[5] A teenage mind caught in the flux of sexual adolescence is captured beautifully through the lens by the director Bharathan. Steamy scenes restrict the movie to mature audiences. In typical Bharathan style, an unexpected climax leaves the audience in tears. Jayabharathi gives a commendable performance as the titular character in this movie.

Legacy and criticism

Rathinirvedam is regarded as a landmark in Indian film history.[3] It is one of the most sensuous movies of all time, and is said to have redefined the art of movie making in South India.[6] The extremely erotic scenes performed by Jayabharathi sent heat waves across Kerala. Even when some of the intelligentsia predicted the beginning of a new era of parallel cinema, a major section of Malayalis were on the warpath saying that mainstream Malayalam cinema had degenerated to porn. But in spite of the criticism, Rathinirvedam became one of the biggest box office hits in Kerala's history.[7] It inspires similar productions all over South India, even decades after its release.[8] It is also blamed by several film historians for causing the influx of soft porn Malayalam films during the next two decades.

Remake

A remake of the film was made in 2011. It was directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar. Shwetha Menon played the female lead, and Sreejith played the young male lead. Padmarajan himself was credited as the writer.[9][10]

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Nilolsavam to be staged on Thursday". The Peninsula. Archived from the original on 9 August 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  2. ↑ Saraswathy Nagarajan (16 June 2011). "When Pappu met Rathi…". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Emotional reunion". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  4. ↑ "Show evokes the everlasting appeal of Devarajan's songs". The Hindu. 28 September 2008.
  5. ↑ S. Anandan (18 June 2011). "Lacklustre copy of a maverick movie". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  6. ↑ "Rathinirvedam". Rathinirvedam.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  7. ↑ "Can Rathinirvedam remake recreate waves?". Deccan Chronicle. Kochi, India. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 19 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  8. ↑ K. N., Shajikumar (5 April 2010). ""മനസ്സിന്റെ കാണാപ്പുറങ്ങള്‍"". Janayugam. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  9. ↑ "An unusual love story". The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "Rathinirvedam to be remade". Bombaynews. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  11. ↑ "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 2 December 1980 – via Google Books.
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