This was just a passing thought when I got out after watching 'Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja', starring the all-time Mammooty, written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair. According to me, the movie, though a trifle long, was definitely worth-a-watch...something new, different and entertaining (finally!) from Mollywood. The budget of the movie was sound in its every scene, plus the performances from Sarath Kumar, Manoj K.Jayan, Suresh Krishnan and Padmapriya were simply memorable. The 'chuttuval' scene was incredible. And bravo for Resul too.
Enough said about the movie, now about the thought that passed (before it completely passes out!). Many ought know about Pazhassi Raja being the sole resistance to the British tyranny. But there's no definite story about how he died...some accounts say he was wounded in the war with Thomas Baber (when his men surrounded him), others say he committed suicide by swallowing the crystal in his ring, thus refusing to surrender to British Rule (this I read in Amar-Chitra-Katha: Freedom Fighters!).
Anyways, now since the movie's out, the image of the Pazhassi prince has been renewed with vigour...the majestic looks of Mammooty, extreme martial abilities and fearless valour (especially the scene when he single-handedly strikes back following Chandu's death!). Not only he, let it be any character whose myth survived the ages, only looking for a script and a producer to be sculpted into a movie...they have been glorified to an extent which even they, looking down from the heavens above, will be wondering, "Damn! Wish I'd been so cool!!!". I mean, wouldn't it be awesome for yourself to be remembered for something you weren't actually responsible for, or for capabilties you didn't actually possess? I'm not saying Pazhassi Raja wasn't a great warrior, mind you! But being the best of his kind? Could or couldn't have been...
It's just being born at the right place and at the right time...in this case at a time before the 1800's(!), when historical accounts lose their accuracy. Definitely in this age, it's impossible to pass out with an achievement that isn't truly yours...with scores of organizations ready to test its authenticity, and multitudinous others ready to sue you with plagiarism laws. You have to be what you embody!
For a good read on Pazhassi, check the following blog;
http://malabardays.blogspot.com/2007/08/thomas-babers-account-of-end-of-pyche_12.html
Enough said about the movie, now about the thought that passed (before it completely passes out!). Many ought know about Pazhassi Raja being the sole resistance to the British tyranny. But there's no definite story about how he died...some accounts say he was wounded in the war with Thomas Baber (when his men surrounded him), others say he committed suicide by swallowing the crystal in his ring, thus refusing to surrender to British Rule (this I read in Amar-Chitra-Katha: Freedom Fighters!).
Anyways, now since the movie's out, the image of the Pazhassi prince has been renewed with vigour...the majestic looks of Mammooty, extreme martial abilities and fearless valour (especially the scene when he single-handedly strikes back following Chandu's death!). Not only he, let it be any character whose myth survived the ages, only looking for a script and a producer to be sculpted into a movie...they have been glorified to an extent which even they, looking down from the heavens above, will be wondering, "Damn! Wish I'd been so cool!!!". I mean, wouldn't it be awesome for yourself to be remembered for something you weren't actually responsible for, or for capabilties you didn't actually possess? I'm not saying Pazhassi Raja wasn't a great warrior, mind you! But being the best of his kind? Could or couldn't have been...
It's just being born at the right place and at the right time...in this case at a time before the 1800's(!), when historical accounts lose their accuracy. Definitely in this age, it's impossible to pass out with an achievement that isn't truly yours...with scores of organizations ready to test its authenticity, and multitudinous others ready to sue you with plagiarism laws. You have to be what you embody!
For a good read on Pazhassi, check the following blog;
http://malabardays.blogspot.com/2007/08/thomas-babers-account-of-end-of-pyche_12.html
