Thursday, August 30, 2007

What ails thee, Malayalam Cinema?

Malayalam cinema was always substantial.It either had a strong story line or thematised sensibly and realistically on social issues. Or liike Srinivasan's films, faced the quirks of human peronality squarely and presented them with a strong comic/tragic flavour - something only a genius can do succesfully.
The appeal of malayalam cinema was the boldness with which it faced and tackled reality. For instance,when unemployment was a major problem in Kerala, it found its way repeatedly in the movies of the eighties. Corruption at all levels figured repeatedly on and off till the issue reached a saturation point.
Today, the film makers seem unable to identify the issues that trouble the kerala society - therin lies the failure of our cinema. And so they beat about the bush, coming up with inane stuff.
Art is more than commerce and box office. It is serious business. It should provide aesthetic experience which comes only from a genuine and honest effort at interpreting life.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Idea Star Singer contest - the bungling SMS

What does it matter if Isaac Williams got eliminated from the Idea Star Singer contest?

He is the true Idea Star Singer - though destined to be uncrowned as that.

The contestant who beat him to it dissolved into tears.
so did all the other contestants.
and the anchor person .
and – hold your breath- the judge too!! Usha Uthup was heart broken to see him out!
The male judges were struggling to maintain a grip over their emotions.

What greater recognition than the tears of the people on the show, and that of the viewers on the other side? What greater recognition than the disbelief of the judges and who followed the contest closely?

The loser is the winner in this case.

The final winner will win a flat worth 40 lakh, but Isaac’s victory is over the hearts of all.

But something went wrong.

This is the price paid for high tech intrusion into such contests.

The truly deserving candidates should not be left to the mercy of sms