BHARATHAM

BHARATHAM 1991

( Being Bharathan)

STORY LOHIDADAS

DIRECTION SIBIMALAYIL

Since the mid-1980s he has directed around forty films. Before becoming an independent director, he assisted eminent directors such as Priyadarshan and Fazil. Films such as Cheekeran oru chillu (1986), Thaniyavarthanam (1987), Kireedam (1989), Dasharatham (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Maalayogam (1990), Bharatham (1991), Sadayam (1992), Kamaladalam (1992), Akashadoothu (1993), and Chenkol (1993) defined the way Malayalam films were made, especially in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Many of his films have screenplays by A. K. Lohithadas. It was through his film Bharatham, Mohanlal-one of the greatest actor in Indian cinema-got his first national award for best actor. Sibi Malayil is also the president of the Film Employees’ Federation of Kerala (FEFKA).He is also the chairman of a film institute named ‘neo Film and Broadcasting School’ at Kochi.

This movie won three National Film Awards that year; Best Actor (Mohanlal), Special Jury award for Raveendran’s music, and Best Male Singer (K. J. Yesudas) for the song “Rama Katha Ganalayam”. On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, Forbes included Mohanlal’s performance in the film on its list, “25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema”.

Bharatham is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the Ramayana from Bharath’s perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story. It is out and out a musical movie as the main characters are musicians! It is a feast for music lovers!

Movie

In the opening scene we see Kaliyur Ramanathan teaching music to his student who is none other than his own brother Gopinath. We see them singing on the stage ” Rajamarthangi” in Maya malava Gowla Ragam ( Balamuralikrishna and Jesudas) and we hear thundering applause at the end of the song! After the concert the troop was taking rest. But Ramanathan was enjoying his drink in another room with some friends. This is a daily routine about which the whole family is concerned. They knew he is getting addicted to alcohol.

Ramanathan is married to Ramani (Lakshmi) who is his own uncle ‘s daughter who is the percussion artist., and has a son Appu . Gopi started accompanying his brother during concerts and they both sing together and the whole crowd enjoyed it .When they went late that day the whole family was worried especially his wife Ramani. Gopi somehow managed the situation but Ramani could guess there is something wrong. Gopi had to tell the truth, about her husband ‘s addiction to alcohol!

They have a sister Radha who is not able to talk and the whole family is concerned about her. Ammavan has another daughter Devi, who is in love with Gopi. But Gopi wants her sister to get married first. Their mother Devaki is a kind hearted soul and love her children and Ramani without any condition! Ramanathan is a loving father too, always gets gifts for the family whenever he has money.

Gopi works in a government office as a clerk but his heart is in music only. He always accompanies his brother.Once when Ramanathan could not sing because he went to the concert in an inebriated condition , Gopi is forced to take over and it was such a huge hit with the mass!It was Sri Vinayagam in Hamsadwani.

Gopi’s music, which was hidden behind his brother’s charisma now flows out in full strength. Naturally Ramanathan was very uncomfortable and started feeling jealous.Everyone in the family was accusing gopi for embarrassing Ramanathan for taking over without asking his permission instead of appreciating him for handling the situation. Only Radha and her mother were supporting him.

Taking this as an insult, Raman starts hating his brother and tries hard to recover from alcoholism. He becomes more addicted to alcohol. He asked him not to play Thampura for him as he has grown as a great musician now. His morale is shattered when organizers of the Thyagarajaa Aaradhana select his brother over him to perform. This makes Raman angry. So Gopi decides to stop singing. But on hearing this Raman understands his mistake and asks Gopi to sing at Thyagarajaa Aaradhana.

Gopi took the blessings of everyone and gave such a scintillating performance in Thyagarajaa Aradhana festival.Everybody unanimously agreed that he surpassed his father.His son ” Rahuvamsapathe” in Sankaraparanam was the highlight of the festival.Ramanathan attends his brother’s concert in a drunken state but is able to appreciate his brother’s talent. With a longing to get rid of the alcoholism and perform a concert with his brother, he sets on a pilgrimage, but was never to returned.

Meanwhile a Good Samaritan Ajayan who lost his wife in an accident was willing to marry Radha. The whole family was rejoicing.Gopi, getting to know that Raman is killed in an accident, is forced to conceal this truth because of their vocally disabled sister’s marriage. He didn’t want to spoil the festive mood of everyone.Gopi gets lot of moral support with Devi, who also knows about the truth. Gopi’s trauma reaches penultimate when his family comes to know about Raman’s death and that Gopi was concealing it. Everything ends fine when the family understands his intentions.

The acclaimed soundtrack of this movie was composed by Music Maestro Raveendran Master for which the acclaimed lyrics were penned by Kaithapram. All the songs of this movie were instant hits.
1 “Gopangane” K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra Naatta Duet song picturised on Mohanlal and Urvashi.
2 “Raajamathangi” (“Dhwani prasadham”) M. Balamuralikrishna, K. S. Chithra, K. J. Yesudas Raagamaalika (Mayamalavagowla, Thodi, Arabhi, Kanada) Title song. Picturised on Nedumudi Venu and Mohanlal.
3 “Raghuvamshapathe” K. J. Yesudas Shankarabharanam Kacheri performance by Mohanlal.
4 “Ramakadha” K. J. Yesudas Shubhapantuvarali Sentimental performance by Mohanlal.
5 “Sree Vinayakam” ravindran, K. J. Yesudas Hamsadhvani Kacheri performance by Mohanlal and Nedumudi Venu.
6 “Bharatham” Kallara Gopan, Sangeetha Not picturised in film.
7 “Nagarina” M. G. Sreekumar Not picturised in film.
8 “Dhwani prasadam” K. J. Yesudas Mayamalavagowla End credit song. Picturised on Mohanlal.

The scenes not to miss

1. When everyone in the house was accusing Gopi for continuing the concert Gopi feels so guilty. He asks his mother was it not his responsibility to save his brother’s reputation ,for which the mother says he should have taken his permission to do so. That is mother!
2. When the Saba secretary decide to invite Gopi , Ramanathan ‘s face shows gamut of emotions , shock, anger, disappointment and denial!

1. When Ramanathan finally blessed him to go and perform in Thiagaraja Aradhana Gopi says he gives himself as Gurudhakshina.
2. After hearing the news about his brother’s death Mohanlal’s action touches new heights. He performs the final ritual alone in ” Baratha Puzha” and his helplessness in making Appu his son do the final rites with heavy heart.
3. Gopi goes to the police station to confirm the death of his brother. When the police brought his brother’s dress with his shoes Gopi broke down hugging the shoes. We really feel he is none other than the Barathan of Ramayana bringing Rama’s Paadukaas.
4. 
5. When everyone in his house was accusing Gopi for the death of his brother only Ramani says ” I know you more than anyone else “

Many parts of the movie reminds us of Ramayana’s Barathan. Mohanlal proves that he is always no 1. Nedumudi Venu, Laksmi and Urvashi have given their best. Watch it in YouTube!

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