Debilitating old age, a bent figure, eyes that have already lost the light of vision, a shack for a house and oblivion; this is what an erstwhile theater artist, Rajalakshmi Amma has for herself now.
A splendid rise and a bitter forgotten oblivion is no new thing in tinsel town. It is all a dream once the spotlight shifts elsewhere. When it comes to theater, the state of affairs is worse still.
So, it's no surprise that Rajalakshmi Amma who was an omnipotent presence in the the realm of drama and theaters for 33 years during her prime, remains unheard of in her twilight years.
In her heydays, she was one of those stellar theater artists who had worked with almost all the prominent theater companies of the time. Age has caught up, but has failed to have any affect on the flame of her artistic vigor.
Her long wait to emote at least one more character in her lifetime finally bore fruit with a film by a group of Ottapalam-based youngsters.
Randayiyrathi Paineezhile Oru Kinavu, directed by Radhakrishanan R. K., is also a mark of respect for the actress, now in her late sixties. Old age and the searing hot stage lighting killed her eyesight. But that hasn't deterred Rajalakshmi Amma from putting her best in the movie.
The pinnacle of her enviable skills are on display in the song 'Cheethapennu' from the movie. Starting off with the most unassuming air, the song ends with the most unexpected, stomach-turning suspense.
The song gives a hint of the mood of the film and generates a fair amount of curiosity in the viewers. However, it doesn't reveal much about the character that Rajalakshmi is playing.
Randayiyrathi Paineezhile Oru Kinavu, is the second feature film by Radhakrishnan and his super-young team. Interestingly, the shooting of the film was completed along with their first venture, Onnam Bhagam.
Both the films, which hinge on noir genre, portrays stark realities in society.
Onnam Bhagam, which is ready for its theatrical release is tagged as a political crime thriller.
Vishnu Vijayarajan has cranked the camera for Onnam Bhagam, while its music is handled by Gopu Sadanandan, Ashish Venpala Thomas and Anand Narayanan.
The song 'Chayakkada' from the movie stands out for its ragged style.
The English track, which seems inspired by Bob Marley, has smatterings of Malayalam words here and there and is rendered to perfection by Ashish Venpala Thomas.
Rajalakshmi Amma now recalls some of her plays like Palayam, Pakida, Vellappoocha and so on by the famous Kanchana Theaters in Thrissur. She had also acted in the renowned plays like Rakha Rakshas, Kadamuttathu Kathanar, Naradan Keralathil by noted dramatist N.K. Achary's Kalanilayam theaters. She then remembers the drama Eenam by Edassery Nadaka Arangu and Kannaram Pothi Pothi by Kunnamkulam Geethanjali. Her son Sujin Murali is also an artist who appears in significant roles in Onnam Bhagam as well as in Randayiyrathi Paineezhile Oru Kinavu.