Nizhalkuthu is a brilliant movie portraying the highest spiritual message through the story of a mentally traumatized  hangman who feels guilty of hanging innocent convicts.  Though the royal tradition,  patronized the family of the hangman by giving him a piece of land, an annual income and some reward after each execution, he stabs his every   "present-moments" of his life with the haunting "past" professional actions.

     He tries to dissolve his "karmic" deeds through self-destroying alcohol and  not through Self Realization , in spite of his studious prayers to  Kali, the goddess of destruction. The hangman merely repeats ritualistically the kali prayers instead of living the prayer "Oh divine mother kali, it is all your acts...I am just your tool"

further review on nizhalkuthu

http://matrixjourney.com/shadow.htm

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Wonderful review of the movie. Did not watch the movie and but love to watch it.

-cheers

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Excellent work! Both Adoor and the reviewer are to be congratulated!

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Why am I getting an error message when I click on the author's bio link?

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Hello, Lagaan is definitely an excellent movie no doubt but don't you think it portrays clearly that Indians are obsessed with white women ( evidence: Think of movie heros dancing with white women singing songs). And what would make white(s) ( lady in this case) appreciate Indian culture and Hinduism?? Didn't white women take an active role in converting Hindus to Christianity by marrying Hindus or some other way? And postings about Monsoon Wedding by other, Mira Nair probably one of the most anti-indian director ever. Her movies are often exaggerated and give a very wrong impression about India (to foriegn viewers mostly). Besides foriegn viewers seem to like because it is made with scorn for Indian Culture proving western monoculture more right than Indic Pluralism. It is a shame. Karthik

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Hi, i know its a little late to post a comment on this article..but i could not resist. I read the article today for the first time and was touched at the simplicity with which the film has been analysed by you(Geetha). I was absolutely shattered when Lagaan didnt make it at the oscars, but i was proud that it was actually there. I have started thinking that oscars are highly over-rated. most of the movies that win are not even worth a second glance. Kudos to you for writing the article. i hope you dont let the negative comments pull you down.

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A very good article. When I first saw Lagaan I enjoyed it enormously. But it was difficult for me to articulate why I liked the movie so much. One of the reasons as Rajiv mentions is that it "otherizes" the British as opposed to "otherizing" Indians when it comes to the colonial context. Also, it showed the inherent innocence of the Indian masses. Although dirt poor their spiritual & cultural values are extremely strong and sustain them. All in all a good analysis. Even though Lagaan did not win the Oscars it would be great if it does really well when it releases here in May. Monsoon Wedding is also a good movie but not in the same category as Lagaan.

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Geetha: An excellent analysis of Lagaan. I just watched it for the first time this weekend and was absolutely mesmerized. I thought it was a fantastic movie for a number of reasons. I think this is, as you suggest, a breakthrough movie which will capture the imaginations of many in the West. I suppose it was natural that I was most interested in the character of Elizabeth. Her character enables the movie to move beyond a simple good guys vs. bad guys formula (which we get often in lesser movies) and explore the possibility of genuine cross-cultural learning and meaning. Initially, Elizabeth is motivated by her concern for justice and her love for Bhuvan. Her understanding deepens as she enters the lives of the people in the village and even joins in their worship and spirituality. While she has to give up her romantic love for Bhuvan, she continues to have a deep spiritual love for Bhuvan and what he represents (India, etc.) for the rest of her life (as told at the end of the movie). From the Western perspective, she becomes the model of cross-cultural understanding. I was tremendously moved by the scene in which the whole village goes to the mandir to pray before the final day of the match. The bhajan was beautiful and the emotions real. P.S. I also saw Monsoon Wedding this weekend and enjoyed it for different reasons. Perhaps not as symbolic as Lagaan, it was superbly crafted as a movie with a very engaging plot.

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To readers who have showed empathy Many thanks for your support. G.G.D.

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The author shows tremendous analytical prowess, and I enjoyed her insights. My only question is whether all the things she has read into Lagaan were actually intentional on part of the film-makers? In any case I hope it does win the Oscar, if only because it will help enhance the image of India's film industry. I haven't seen all the nominations in the category, but I have seen Amelie, and I can state categorically that Lagaan was a much better film. agm http://www.sulekha.com/authordesc.asp?authid=11582

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