Thaskaraveeran

Sathyan is known as the Tragedy King and Ragini is known as the Tragedy Queen of Malayalam cinema. It's because of the intense roles played by them on the screen with excellence. Who can forget Sathyan in Bhagyajathakam or Ragini in Aalimganam ? However despite this labelling on them, these two stalwarts of Malayalam cinema were equally proficient in comedy too. Today I reviewing a classic black and white movie with these two legends in lead roles which is a hilarious comedy. It's Thaskaraveeran (1957).

Thaskaraveeran is the remake of a superhit Tamil movie - Mallikallan starring M.G. Ramachandran. It tells the story of a youth, Kumar (Sathyan) who has to don the persona of a bandit, Maayavi in order to take on the real baddies directed by Vijayan (Kottarakkara Shreedharan Nair) who is known as a wealthy and respectable person. Kumar aka Maayavi has one more persona and that's of an aged Muslim - Abdul Rahim Khan. The story takes off when the heroine of the movie, Shobha (Ragini) is abducted by the men of a bandit, Vikraman (P.A Thomas) but before she could be taken to Vikraman, Maayavi intervenes and rescues her from them, taking her to his place. He promises her to take her to her guardians (she is an orphan) when the time is right for that. Quite naturally, romance blossoms between the lead pair. After many twists in the story, Maayavi not only reveals his true identity to the police (who is after him and other known bandits since the very outset) but exposes the reality of the villain also before the law-enforcing agencies and the society at large. The lovers unite (and live happily thereafter). Thaskaraveeran is not a great movie but it provides wholesome entertainment which may sound old-fashioned to some but still this logic-defying movie is a decent romantic comedy. Modern directors like Rajasenan seem to have learnt to make pure entertainers sans any logic from such movies only. The movie starts interestingly and despite dragging of the narrative, entertains the viewer through comedy, romance and songs and dances. The romantic track of the lead pair is heart- soothing and the comedy of S.P Pillai makes the spectator laugh time and again.

It appears to be a low budget movie with the beautiful locations in the scenes mostly being created in the studio instead of real outdoor locations. Art direction is all right alongwith the costumes of the characters suiting the time frame (fifties). The movie is unduly long which, I feel, is due to the trend of long movies in that era. Director Sriramulu Naidu has done his job well but he could have done better.

Sathyan is at his romantic best with an admirable comic timing. The great tragedy king has shown in movies like Thaskaraveeran that he could do comedy with no less proficiency than he could do tragedy-stricken and profound roles. Ditto for the tragedy queen, Raginii who with her raw and immensely beautiful looks, has romanced hilariously with the hero and played her part very well in tickling the spectators. Her dance numbers in this movie are considered as classics. Kottarakkara is utterly hateable. Thikkurishi Sukumaran Nair, P.A Thomas, Kanchana, Kundara Bhasi etc. have played their parts satisfactorily. The actor who has generated non-stop laughters for the audience is S.P Pillai who has played the role of a policeman. The biggest strength of this black and white movie is its music. M.S Subayya Naidu has composed music of a lifetime for this movie with gems in Leela's voice. Her unforgettable songs viz. Chapalam Chapalam Chapalamanam (sung with Shantha P.Nair), Kallanoruthan Vannallo (again with Shantha P.Nair), Malar thorum mandhahsam viriyunnathenthinaavam (with shrinivasarao), Aanandhakkaniye, Maayamoham maarathe, Pokalle pokalle, Vannallo vasanthakaalam, Kabhi Khamosh Rehte Hain etc. are a perennial source of pleasure for the music lovers. There's a awesome Qawwaali also in the movie, sung by Raghunath Jadhav and others - Marna Bhi Mohabbat Mein Kisi Kaam Na Aaya. Most of Leela's songs are based on Indian classical Raagas. All the dance numbers have been choreographed in the most impressive manner. It's the music which adds immense value to the movie and covers the shortcomings of the script. Thaskaraveeran has a repeat value due to its comedy, romance and above all, music. Not only the fans of Sathyan and Ragini but movie buffs in general too, will find this black and white movie as thoroughly enjoyable which was a huge box office hit of its time. I unconditionally recommend it to all with my rating of 3.5 stars.