Sri MGR Year 98, 6th February, Friday
This is the continuation to the previous post of Enga Veetu Pillai Golden jubilee. Our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR donned dual role in this movie. Two contrasting characters one a daring and dashing Elango and another coward Ramu.
In all the 115 movies MGR acted as a hero, the character is always daring, and energetic. We always get a positive energy on watching his movies that much he took care for his character. But in Enga Veetu Pillai the character Ramu born in Zamin family is ill treated by Nambiyar grows up as a coward. Whenever the word Gajendran is mentioned and whenever he sees him, MGR shows the fear in his eyes.
In the movie MGR goes to a function without the knowledge of Nambiyar but other people comes to know about his presence, he was garlanded and praised which provokes Nambiyar. The emotions of Ramu is easily detected from the non verbal signs, MGR conveys the fear by clenching his fist, covers his chest and in extreme fear the chin is held down and makes less eye contact with the person. MGR does this perfectly on screen. Check the above images.
After this scene MGR was whipped badly by Nambiyar (wondering how people reacted in 1965) the injury is visible on the front and back of the body. MGR had perfectly reacted to the injuries he had sustained. After the beating when Pandari Bai and the baby touches him, MGR shows the REACTION to pain. The reaction part continues till MGR gives promise to Pandari Bai. See the below images.
MGR reacting to the hug of Baby Shakeela
Though Ramu character is the crux of the story his part is little compared to Elango. The character has very limited scenes to grab our attention. But very wisely MGR does that.
In the movie, on that night MGR gets up from bed and goes to his parents photos and extends his arm and tells that he wishes to join them in their world. He plans to commit suicide by jumping into the well. After he says that he wishes to join them he tries to speak further but he mumbles and gestures what he is going to do.
Baby Shakeela stops MGR from the action and she tells this to her mother Pandari Bai. She tries to comforts him but MGR says why should he want to live, he is not intelligent, he is whipped like an animal,why should he want to live, he has only grown up but he does not know about the world. In the function someone said that one should live with honour but sister, I do not want that kind of life but only want to live like a common man. With the above lines MGR captivates our heart and will make us cry.
Even the cook ill treats Ramu
Another scene where Ramu character scores over Elango is Saroja Devi comes to see Ramu. MGR dominates the whole scene with his submissive character. One such is pronouncing his name.
After coming to know the real plan of Nambiyar, MGR escapes from the Zamin, wanders aimlessly and comes to a hotel, where Elango has just satisfied his voracious appetite and leaves without paying. Ramu takes up the same table and orders his food, the way MGR pushes the plates and eats, the table manners shows his royal birth. Click the below images.
Table manners
After Ramu fells unconsious and saved by Rathna, MGR reacts when Elango’s mother gives him food. He struggles to intake the curd, shows the signs of vomiting and then he gets relaxed when the food settles. The expression only lasts for a second and it proves our Puratchi Thalaivar natural acting talent.
Ramu’s depressed state changes to the new environment he enjoys his life as a farmer and with his new found girl friend Rathna.
Will follow with Elango characterization in the next post.
