Uliyin Osai

Starring: Vineeth, Keerthi Chawla, Akshaya, Kanja karuppu Direction: Ilavenil Music: Ilayaraja Production: SP Murugesan

It is amazing that a man, at whose age most people would consider taking a walk to be quite a task, finds time to write the screenplay and dialogues for a movie while ruling Tamil Nadu. Yes, we are talking about Kalaignar Karunanidhi, the man who never seems to get tired. The last time he wrote a script for a movie was a couple of years ago with Mannin Maindhan. So, what do you expect when Kalaignar writes a script? Of course, not the usual romance and action cocktails that we get to see these days. Kalaignar’s love for Tamil has remained unchanged through the years and Uliyin Osai reiterates the fact.

Set in 1005 AD, a time when the kings of Tamil Nadu were at the peak of the powers, Uliyin Osai can be described as a reminder of how righteous and devout our culture was in the past. The story begins with Raja Rajan I desiring to build a great temple in Thanjavur. He wishes some beautiful sculptures to be installed and sends out his people far and wide in the search of a woman who looks good enough to be a model for the sculptor. The search goes on for quite a while without finding a girl whom the king thinks good enough to be the model for the sculptures in the temple. That is when the prince steps in and offers to find a solution. Indeed, he finds a woman, belonging to a poor shepherd family, who the king agrees is the one on whom the sculptures should be made. The sculpting works begin. But the human mind is fickle and moments when emotions take grip over the self can leave an indelible mark on the lives of people. It is one such incident that changes the course of the story and takes it to an unexpected ending. The mind that knows right from wrong is not able to

forgive the heart that took over in a feeble moment and in a touching manner, punishment is self inflicted. There is also another angle to the story wherein a lady’s love for a man remains unchanged in spite of the fact that he has changed in a way that cannot be undone. In short, Uliyin Osai is a story about all that we should be, righteous, chaste and loyal and above all there is the bond of love that once pledged should not be broken.

Ilaiyaraja’s music is definitely one of the high points of the movie though there are times when one is reminded of his earlier compositions - the experience on the whole is gratifying. ‘Kaalathai vendra oruvan’ in Bhavatharini’s voice is an absolute delight. The caste of the movie consists of Vineeth as the sculptor who has done a fine job. ‘Thalaivaasal’ Vijay makes an appearance in a negative role. Kanja Karuppu, Kovai Sarala and Manorama try to infuse comedy into the movie and succeed at points. Akshaya (Kalaaba Kadhalan) and Keerthi Chawla are the heroines.

Technically there is not much to mention but the art department headed by Mahi has done well with the period sets. Kannan with the camera and Suresh Urs at the editing table have all done a neat job. Credit must also go to debutant director Ilavenil for mature handling of an unusual theme. On the whole, Uliyin Osai is not a film with great merits but is certainly something different from the regular fare that we get. For those who care for something different on the screen this movie is worth a watch. Kalaignar’s dialogues in classical Tamil are a rarity these days and connoisseurs of the language will enjoy it.