Best of Tamil 2019
Written and directed by Rajiv Menon, with A.R. Rahman serving as music director, SARVAM THAALA MAYAM is a tribute to South Indian Carnatic music as seen through the eyes of Peter Johnson, a young Dalit man.
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When we first meet Peter, he is bunking out of his final accounting exam to catch the latest Vijay movie- first show, first day. He plays the drums as Vijay’s die-hard fans dance in the street. With accounting out of the picture, Peter decides reluctantly to learn his father’s trade. Johnson makes hand crafted mridangams, double-headed drums used to accompany a Carnatic music performance. Johnson takes great pride in his work which has been passed down to him. When Peter delivers a mridangam to an important player at a classical concert, he gets a chance to observe Vembu Iyer, a mridangam legend, close-up. Peter is captivated by Iyer’s musical magic and wants to learn from him.
Unfortunately, there are several roadblocks in Peter’s way. Peter is a Christian, Iyer is a Hindu who plays music as a form of worship. Peter is from a lower caste, Iyer is high caste. Iyer sees Peter as undisciplined, and to learn the mridangam one must be extremely disciplined. Iyer doubts that Peter will be able to give up everything to pursue his art, but Peter has found his life’s passion.
I thoroughly enjoyed this journey into Chennai’s Carnatic music scene. Along the way, I gained an appreciation of what it takes to become skilled at this instrument. STM also shows the struggle of a traditional artist as the culture moves on to more modern forms of music.
The film is centered around the relationship of the master (Nedumudi Venu as Iyer) and his disciple (G.V. Prakash as Peter), and both are a joy to watch. Actor G.V. Prakash, a nephew of A.R. Rahman and a composer himself, brings great authenticity to the role. Supporting actors are equally brilliant; Vineeth as Iyer’s assistant who bullies Peter, Kumaravel as Peter’s humble father Johnson, Aparna Balamurali as Sara, Peter’s hesitant love interest, and Dhivyaharshini as the scheming reality show hostess.
A.R. Rahman’s songs and background score add to the gentle flow of the movie, especially the uplifting and rhythmic title song Sarvam Thaala Mayam (rhythm is omnipresent).
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