Merku Thodarchi Malai (Western Ghats) - If there's one movie I truly regret not watching in a theatre in recent times, it's this unconventional flick about the mighty Western Ghats and the people who live in it. MTM can be recommended for the single reason of sheer cinematographic genius, if not for the ultra-realistic narration and some very good performances from rookie actors. Developing as a fairly simple plot over the life of protagonist Rangasamy living on the borders of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and his trials and tribulations over his ambition of owning and cultivating his own farmland, MTM's USP is the way scenes progress from dawn to dusk following the people as they brave the mighty Ghats up and down for their living. Their rhythmic lives are captured wonderfully by cameraperson Theni Eswar, natural lighting and BGM lending an apt hand to the originality. Ilayaraja's BGM is concise and effective at best, instrumentation limited to only certain portions - the singing of crickets, howling wind and other ambient forest sounds filling up the space most of the time. The authenticity is further enhanced by the use of debutant performers who resemble and live out the geographic region perfectly. The writer/director Lenin Bharati has come outright direct in supporting his namesake Lenin's ideology - communist movements , possibly during the 70's/80's (though the movie doesn't clearly outline a specific timeline) getting a fair share of exposure as the plot progresses. However the proceedings seems genuine this time as the director albeit very wisely hasn't emulated his malayali counterparts in glorifying communist pop culture with a slew of popcorn rebellion movies that came out recently in Kerala (Mexican Aparatha, Comrade in America et. al) ! The life of plantation workers at both the Idukki/Theni sides of Western Ghats is traced down with the labor union developments and somehow drives an apt sensible message home of the whole labor movement, which started out as a necessity to the downtrodden populace and lost its way along the times! The innocent and good-hearted people struggle as the times change around them with even the Ghats bowing down to the largely consumerist modern world and the windmills dominating the serene landscape. Themes and ideologies apart, MTM is one movie I'd definitely urge for a theatre watch alone (even if the chance seems far less likely now!) - for the landscape itself is the major character of the movie - and the realistic feel of watching the mighty Ghats and its people as if from the nooks and corners of the mountain itself is much more exhilarating and visually appealing than a 3D movie. MTM definitely is another feather in the cap for Tamil cinema - makkal selvan Vijay Sethupathy deserves a pat in the back for funding such an offbeat flick!
Review of Western Ghats
