Friday, October 28, 2005

Veerapandiya Kattabomman


I watched this movie yesterday in preparation for the tamil drama. What a movie! Although I felt it had a little too many songs. Nice music. What impressed me the most was the dialogues and the delivery of Sivaji Ganesan. I now understand why he is raved about, for this movie. Also, I felt great that we have such a great tradition and culture. The movie reminded me of so many things. It is good to see those laid back kingdoms, where things and life were extremely simple - no phones, no email, no internet, no TV, no Cellphones or laptops, no cars, etc. Must have been quite an experience to run such a state. It was sad to note that Veerapandiya Kattabomman was hanged under the British rule. But, his courage and determination were there with him till his last breath. Quite an inspiring character, he was. Very intelligent, great in making balanced decisions, emotionally balanced. He was a man who knew what he wanted and he played it pretty well. It is only a pity that our state is not using the hard earned freedom properly. I am talking mostly about corruption. He was right - the same land gives birth to both the good and the bad - Veerapandiya Kattabomman on one hand, and Ettappan on the other. That's how nature is, I suppose. I am tempted to watch other historical tamil movies now. I'll try my best to get the DVDs and tapes.
Visit this link for an excellent article on this movie. Actually speaking, Veerapandiya kattabomman is regarded as the first freedom fighter since he staged his war with the British more than 50 years before the Revolt of 1857. He was born in 1760 and was hanged by the British on October 16th 1799. It is a wonder how I got to watch his movie very close to his death anniversary. He has lived in the same period as Mozart, I couldn't help but notice. Only Mozart died 8 years earlier. He has been fighting the British, while Mozart has been busy composing his symphonies. Both of them are immortal. VK is right, why would he pay the British any taxes or dues when his family has been ruling the place for 47 generations? That's a very valid point and the British didn't seem to have got that.

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