So, what I am about to say is that
no writer holds back from writing about
his own personal experiences at some point.
Likewise, he could have used something
he has seen or heard or closely observed
as a setting for a story.
MT is now a synonym for modernity in Malayalam literature.
The thoughts, the actions and the emotions of his characters
have a timeless quality because of their modernity.
When I was young,
people who did not behave in a conventional manner were called ‘modern’.
During a certain period, those who believed in modernity
desired to deliberately break free of bonds
associated with conventional relationships.
However, it often happened that
they ultimately found comfort only in such relationships.
You would have understood which story I am speaking about,
wouldn’t you?
Wafting over the Thaannikkunnu hill
And over the banks of the silvery Nila river
O come to me, my lonely dreams
As you wander continually over my mindscapes
Wafting over the Thaannikkunnu hill
'KADALKAATTU' (Sea Breeze)
Carefully!
Velayudhan, didn’t they bring the urea yesterday?
They did, Thamburatti.
There, they’re spreading it under the coconut palms.
Amma, can I have an areca-nut?
Yes, go that way.
- Babymol! Don’t run, walk slowly. - Okay.
Go girl, go girl, let’s go and get The sheafs of grain
Babymol, come here!
I’m coming.
We could plant some areca-nut saplings
in that empty space on the north.
The man in the Agricultural office was saying
that a new sort of sapling has come.
When your father was alive,
that space used to be full of coconut palms.
They were all destroyed by disease in the shoots.
I remember…
If you like, we can plant some colocasia and tapioca as well in the eastern field.
Let Keshavettan, my husband, come, Chennappa.
We’ll ask him and then decide.
Now throw that away!
Don’t mix them all up, keep what you plucked today apart.
- Alright. - Keep those separately.
Looks a lot less this time around.
Keep those that side.
Yes, right there.
There’s a little too much, right, Gopala?
A little, yes.
Abubakkar and Suleiman came a while ago asking for coconuts and areca nuts.
Keshavettan will come this Saturday. We’ll see then.
He hasn’t been here for a month now.
It’s only an hour’s drive by car to the office.
But what’s to be done,
he can’t stay here because the salt-laden breeze makes him breathless.
And he has no free time at all with all the work in the office.
He’ll come for sure this Saturday.
What are you thinking of, Keshav?
Nothing. Just enjoying the moment.
There’s this breeze here which I never tire of enjoying.
I wish I could stay here forever...
And I can’t get enough of you, my love.
Our happiness should never cease, like these waves.
Someday...
When leaves start to fall
- There’s a wave coming! - We lay by each other
Our love is forever
Keshavetta! Get up!
Why did you wake up so early, Keshav?
It’s not fair!
It’s 8.30, my dear Margaret,
I have to go.
Please don’t go! Please!
I told you,
I have a meeting today.
I have to go,
Tell them some excuse.
I’ll come in the evening.
Oh, you’re here.
- Yes, Sir. - Good.
Francis is on his way tomorrow to sign the dealership agreement.
So do keep things ready.
Okay, Mr. David.
I’ve prepared the final deed.
The auditors will be here next week.
I know. Mr. Subramaniam had called me this morning.
Tell the accounting team to work overtime if it’s necessary, okay?
Mathews, I'd like to see you in my office now.
[Phone rings]
Hello!
This is me, Keshavettan, Bharathi.
Are you busy?
When am I not busy, Bharathi?
Just a little while ago, the Manager Sahib came and asked
is the file ready, are the company files written up.
Not a minute’s respite!
Hello. What’s up?
Anything particular?
It’s nothing. Will you come here at least this week?
That is, if you’re not too busy.
Let me see, I’ll come if I can.
Is your cough better now, and your breathlessness?
Are you taking your tablets regularly?
However busy you are, don’t put off taking your medicines.
Yeah, okay, okay.
Amma, my medicine!
When you come, bring Mol’s medicine from town...
the one the doctor prescribed last time.
I’ll bring it. I’ve kept the prescription in my purse so that I don’t forget.
I’ll try and come by evening on Saturday.
Don’t call me every now and then like this when I’m so busy.
Put the phone down now.
Father is coming on Saturday.
[Phone rings]
Hello.
Have you seen my heart?
It’s lost in the meadows
Faraway from town,
Under the stars
You and I...
And the lips talk, Someday…
I'm waiting for you.
You won’t have to wait that long, my darling.
I’ll be there in the evening.
Lost in your love
Since we kissed
Faraway from town,
Under the stars
You and I...
And our lips talk, Someday…
- Good evening, Sir. - Good evening.
- All well, Sukumaretta? - Yes.
Someday...
We grow old together
See all the seasons
With the wine and a song
Thank you.
Drink this asavam, Mol. It’s an ayurvedic medicine.
I don’t want to!
Drink it, you’re a good girl, aren’t you?
- All your pain will go away. - No, it's bitter.
Take it. Amma’s telling you to.
Get up.
Drink it.
Yes, like that, like that.
Father will bring you the the English medicine when he comes.
Take this asavam till then.
It’s not harmful, anyway.
When do you think we can get married?
Mama and Dada said they can’t wait any longer.
Marriage…
Why, my dear?
Aren’t you happy with me?
Yes.
I want this to last forever and ever.
So, make me your bride.
Come on, darling.
Marriage is a kind of bondage.
Let us be free forever.
Are you upset?
Look at me.
Look at me, my dear.
Let’s not waste these precious hours.
[News broadcast on radio]
Madam had called, Sir.
Madam, which Madam?
She said to remind you about going there today
and also about the medicine.
- When did she call? - You were in the bathroom, Sir.
Why did you pick up the phone?
Didn’t you hear what I asked? Why did you pick up the phone?
Haven’t I told you not to answer phone calls that come for me?
It rang two or three times, Sir. That’s why…
Not two or three, even if it rings ten times, what’s it to you?
Donkey!
Caesar!
Don’t bite me!
You’re standing here, Mol,
while Nani Amma’s looking for you everywhere, to give you your milk.
Come and drink your milk.
When is Father coming?
I don’t know. I called but I didn’t get him.
Maybe he’ll be here by dusk. Come inside, Mol.
My father will be here by dusk.
What, you’re not pleased?
Come sparrow, come on, sparrow
Keshavan Sir, isn’t it?
Last week, in the Chamber Hall, you took a class on new trends in the marketing scene.
I attended that class.
My name is Siddharthan.
That class was very useful to me, Sir.
You are really great, Sir!
‘Your class was really useful, Sir.
You’re really great, Sir!’
Where’s Achuthan?
Achu Ettan’s taken Karambi, the cow to the animal hospital.
She’s pregnant.
- Open the gate quickly! - Yes.
Your suitcase?
I didn’t bring it.
Then you won’t be staying for a few days?
[Caesar barks]
Caesar!
[Caesar barks vigorously]
Babymol!
You’ve come, Keshavetta.
Babymol’s having dinner.
So early?
It’s not that early.
Do you want coffee or shall I mix some Horlicks?
Just a glass of water will do.
Will you be leaving tomorrow itself, Father?
No, Mol, I'll be here for a few days.
Sit down there.
Does your stomach hurt these days?
Sometimes. Then Amma gives me medicine.
- What medicine? - An ayurvedic asavam.
Here, biscuits. I brought them for you.
Didn’t you bring my medicine?
Amma said you’d bring it.
No, Mol, I didn’t get it.
I asked for it in many places. It seems it’s not available now.
We’ll have to call the doctor and ask him to prescribe some other medicine.
I’ll call him. I have the prescription with me.
How’s your asthma, Keshavettan?
Do you have wheezing at night?
No. It’s much better.
In the town, there’s no sea breeze to trouble me.
...such a relief!
Are you taking your tablets?
Yes, regularly.
You shouldn’t forget amidst your load of work.
No, I won’t. And I’ve told the boy to remind me as well.
I’ll bring a dhoti for you to change into.
- Aren’t you going to school? - Yes.
Does Master scold you?
Not Master, she’s ‘Teacher’.
How many times I’ve told you, Father.
Uh, oh!
Do you know all the poems in your book by heart?
Yes and Teacher taught us the sparrow’s song as well in the class where we play.
Really? What lesson are you doing now?
- ‘Valavanchi Manjadi’. - What?
‘Valavanchi Manjadi’.
Where are you going?
I forgot to give Caesar his ball of rice.
Do move to the other chair.
There’s a strong breeze blowing through the window.
You don’t want to catch a cold.
The General Manager turned up last Sunday.
That’s why I could not come.
I was worried that you might be unwell.
I even thought of sending Gopalan there.
Then I decided to call you.
That’s why I called that day.
I knew I was disturbing you.
I just needed peace of mind.
I wanted to make a quick visit, but the car was in the workshop.
People came two or three times, for the coconuts and areca nuts.
I said would give them only after you came.
Couldn’t you have sold them?
There’s no point letting them lie there and wither.
As for me it’s the financial year’s end, I don’t have a minute to spare.
We might even have to ask the staff to come in on Sundays.
And suffer their curses as well!
I’ll ask Nani Amma to heat your bath water.
Caesar, it seems they can’t get my medicine anywhere!
Father looked for it all over.
What sort of medicine do you think it could be?
Don’t you give Caesar a bath?
Yes, on sunny days.
Babymol!
Coming, Amma!
Caesar!
[Caesar growls]
Father, Amma said to tell you water’s ready for your bath.
[News broadcast on radio]
Won’t the maid spread that out?
Why strain yourself so much?
Did the doctor come?
She came this morning.
And the maternity assistant?
She comes every day.
Come if you’re ready to eat.
Enough.
No fish is available because it’s been raining.
We scrambled some eggs.
I feel rather weak.
Write and ask Aunt to come.
I’ve written to her.
I’ll take leave from next month.
The new sahib’s bad-tempered.
If he doesn’t give me leave when I ask,
I’ll look him in the face, say something rude and just get out.
Don’t quarrel with him.
All we want is that you don’t get into trouble.
If you come back here and your asthma gets worse, it will be a disaster.
To hell with asthma and all that nonsense!
Don’t say that.
You need good health if you want to lead a peaceful and happy life.
How will you manage things here by yourself?
Ammu Aunty will come next week
and I can send Gopalan if I need anything urgently.
Just come here now and then for my peace of mind, that’s all.
Eat all of that.
I’ll serve you more to give Caesar.
I’ve had enough. I don’t want more.
Eat some rice with mango pickle. Shall I serve some more?
The mango pickle is good. I had enough though.
Nani Amma, you can serve my food now.
[Caesar barks furiously]
Enough.
Have you seen my heart?
It’s lost in the meadows
Faraway from town,
Under the stars
You and I...
And the lips talk, Someday…
When you see my heart
Lost in your love
Since we kissed
To you and me...
Forever!
To us!
Keshavetta!
Milk...
Is Babymol asleep?
Yes, she is.
Aren’t you going to bed?
- Untie Caesar, Gopala! - I will.
[The oracle dancing and blessing the family]
Abubakkar, no way I’ll give you coconuts at three annas each!
Give me the right price and I’ll give them to you.
Thamburan, please tell him.
Gopala,
give them to him.
Thank you very much.
'Thamburan’ indeed!
When did Keshavan become ‘Thamburan’?
The ‘Thamburan’ who dreamed of the cold rice and burnt vegetables they doled
out to him in their mercy on the outer veranda of the huge princely mansion.
The ‘Thamburan’ who gazed longingly at the slivers of coconut thrown as
offerings to the deity the hunter-Shiva’s son in the Vettekkaran temple.
The ‘Keshu Thamburan’ who, when their aunt drove them out of the house, had to
walk out with his mother to the palm-leaf hut that was the only refuge they had.
Only one goal smouldered in his mind at these moments,
‘I’ll take my revenge one day!’
Seated in the godown, tirelessly writing accounts
and earning the affection of his discerning employer,
his only goal was, ‘I must somehow succeed!’
Aren’t you going to bed?
Life was a battle...
and I had to survive,
to prove to the world that I’m a self-made man.
So...
self-made men do not marry.
Keshav!
Keshavetta.
Gopalan’s asking for you.
Okay, I'm coming.
Why did you get up early?
I have to go.
I had forgotten that there’s a case tomorrow.
I must meet the lawyer today
and discuss several details.
I’ll come back by evening.
Breakfast is ready.
I’ll serve it now.
Have your bath first.
I’ll ask Nani Amma to get hot water.
Nani Amma…
- Yes? - Heat water for Keshavettan.
Babymol! Get up!
- Will you come back early this evening? - 'NARAYANALAYAM'
I'll see.
Should I speak to the lady doctor on my way out?
No.
I’ll talk to her anyway and tell her how you are.
- Here. - Are you leaving, Father?
Ah, you’re up, Babymol?
I have some urgent work.
I’ll come back by evening.
What should I bring you when I come?
Um, um...
You don’t want anything?
No.
Achuthan! Open the gate.
Sukumaretta!
Is no one here?
No, they’ve all gone out.
Do you know where they’ve gone?
To church, they said.
Church?
They said there was some function there.
All right.
[Singing wedding song]
Hello, Keshav!
Vincent,
meet my friend, Keshav.
Hello, Keshav.
Vincent. Nice meeting you.
Join us for lunch.
No, I need to leave.
I have a few urgent matters to attend to.
Look, Joyce Aunty’s calling us.
- Okay, see you. - Bye Keshav.
Caesar! Father’s come!
Father!
How’s your stomach ache?
I’ve brought your medicine.
My stomach ache has all gone, Father!
Caesar!
Come, Caesar.
You’re early. Shall I make tea?
No.
I have a bad headache.
Let me lie down.
Did you see the lawyer?
Mmm...
Do you have to go to court again tomorrow?
No,
he’ll see to things.
Why don’t I take leave till your delivery is over?
I’ll vacate the house in town.
I’m fed up.
And your breathlessness?
Won’t the sea breeze make it worse?
No, I’m feeling much better.
I can go to the office...
from here.