Starring : Vishnu, Sunaina, Nandita Das, Saranya Ponvannan, Anupama Kumar
Direction : Seenu Ramasamy
Music : N.R.Raghunanthan
Production : Udhayanidhi Stalin
After his National Award-winning Thenmerku Paruvakatru, director Seenu Ramasamy gives us a sensitive portrayal of the difficult lives of fisher-folk in Red Giant Movies’ Tamil film Neerparavai (Water Bird).
The film begins with some wonderful cinematography by N Balasubramaniyam. His camera captures sparkling shots of the ocean in all its glory, day and night. He and art director V Selvakumar show pride of place on this film.
The story begins with a tender couple’s visit to their ancestral village to fulfill Estheramma (Nandita Das), who lives alone in her home overlooking the restless sea.
Her son needs money but she refuses to sell her home at the excuse that her husband, who went out to sea 25 years ago, has still not returned, and she or he won’t leave until he does.
Soon there may be an explosive discovery that points you to Estheramma’s past. As a tender girl, Esther (Sunaina) had stumbled, literally, into Arulappa Saamy (Vishnu), the son of a fisher-folk couple.
Arulappa Saami, or Arul, spends his time drinking in any respect hours of the day and wandering around aimlessly. He's the despair of his parents Lourdusaamy and Mary (Aruldas and Saranya Ponvannan), the charismatic boat-builder Udhuman Gani (Samuthrakani) and the priest (Azhagam Perumal).
He earns the detest of Sister Benita (Anupama Kumar) who happens to be Esther’s guardian, and the enmity of several others.
Almost the entire of the primary half revolves around Arulappa’s various shenanigans while drunk, and his attempts to come back on his feet. It’s within the second half, as Arulappa tries to make something of his life and discovers how difficult it's to earn an excellent reputation that the tale really kicks off.
It is within the scenes where Arulappa makes an effort to earn the glory of his people who director Seenu Ramasamy and writer Jayamohan (who has also penned the dialogues) shine. The characters describe the ocean and their relationship with it with great emotion and depth that comes only with genuine understanding.
Their lives revolve across the church, and the entire characters are deeply religious of their own way, which adds another dimension to the tale. The political angle could also be touched upon but lightly.
Secondary characters equivalent to liquor-vendor Mother Ebenezer (Vadivukkarasi) and Joseph Bharathi (Thambi Ramaiah) add some much needed humour and colour to the backdrop.
National Award winner Saranya Ponvannan performs effortlessly as Arul’s mother. Samuthrakani is a revelation; he's perfectly cast because the boat-builder and acts with the desired dignity and style. Azhagam Perumal impresses as well, as does Anupama Kumar.
If anything, it’s Vishnu and Sunaina who don’t produce any sparks — they've done exactly as they were told to and nothing more.
The film isn't without flaws. The pace is remarkably slow and the primary half meanders at a snail’s pace. Realism gives method to melodrama in places. Several characters are left hanging lose, with out a resolution.
Except for Para Para, N R Raghunandhan’s music doesn't really linger in one’s memory. All of the romance track on which the entire story is meant to depend, doesn’t really make an impact.
Neer Paravai is a gorgeous record of the lives of a community, their hopes and dreams, and the cruel reality in their lives. Go and spot it.
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