PERUMAZHAKKALAM (WHILE IT RAINS HARD)

India, 2004, 100 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Kamal.

This is certainly a rain-filled film. It pours down. Of course, it is a symbol for grief, a grief that is almost as unrelenting as the rain.

This is serious Indian drama, not at all in the Bollywood vein. There are some songs, but they are like a voiceover and have lyrics which are appropriate for the action of the film. It is highly emotional drama, perhaps somewhat overcharged for non-Asian audiences, but emotion that is powerfully heartfelt.

And the serious theme? Religious tolerance. Also reconciliation.

The immediate focus is on a Muslim family looking forward to the favoured son returning from Saudi Arabia where he works for a family wedding. The news comes through that he is in prison, charged with killing a fellow-worker. The victim is a Hindu.

The wife of the arrested man is distraught (it is she who is so demonstrably and continually grieving). With the support of the rest of the family, she decides to approach the widow who has the power to sign documents that will pardon her husband. The Hindu family, especially the mother of the murdered man are implacable, fiercely so. However, as the widow has the chance to observe the lamenting wife and think through the consequences of her action or non-action, she undergoes a compassionate change – with dire results for herself from the same implacable family.

This drama of forgiveness and reconciliation on a personal level is an allegory for understanding and reconciliation between Muslims and Hindus, especially for a united future. And, with the image of two daughters of two different faiths playing together, the message is one of hope.

1. The Indian industry? Serious themes? This film with religious and justice themes? Not using Bollywood styles? The use of songs with significant lyrics?

2. The Indian locations, the season, the continued rain and its effect, visual impact? The town, the train travel, the other towns, homes? Authentic atmosphere? Musical score?

3. The title, the seasons, monsoons, the rain, the pessimistic view of life? The lack of hope?

4. The situation: Akbar and the people wanting him to come home for the wedding, his wife and child, the rest of the family? The phone calls, the news about the disaster, the information that he had killed someone? The explanation of the fight, the accident, his killing the Brahman? The arrest, capital punishment? The condition that the widow sign the pardon form?

5. The preparations for the wedding, the family, the Muslim tradition, customs? The bride’s father, the uncle, the members of the family, their concern? Islamic faith and a sense of fate, God’s will? Razia, her anticipation of her husband’s return, joy? The news, her collapse? Her weeping, her grief, sense of hopelessness?

6. The dramatic style of the film, melodrama, highly emotive – especially with the two women?

7. Razia and her travelling to the widow, her hopes, the rejection by the widow, her weeping, looking from the distance, the vengeance of the Hindu family?

8. The Hindus, the religious traditions, the sense of God, fate? Their being bent on vengeance and revenge? The mother and her fierce determination?

9. Ganga and the news of her husband’s death, her attitude towards Razia and the Muslims? Her own children, her grief? Her gradual reflection, the family commenting on Razia’s presence? Her thinking things through, praying? Her decision to change her mind?

10. Razia and the family returning home, the sense of hopelessness? Ganga, her determination, the anger of the family, the support of her uncle? Travelling, arriving at Razia’s house, the surprise? Razia and her being in a trance? The final realisation that Ganga had come?

11. Ganga being rejected by the family, ousted? Having to live alone? Their finally letting her children come?

12. Akbar and his release, the family at the airport, the joy in seeing his daughter, his wife?