Pannayarum Padminiyum, A Tamil Film:The Mysterious Equations of Love

For Non-Tamil Speaking friends, the title roughly translated into "The Landlord and his Premier Padmini"

I am taking the liberty of reproducing the Nobel Prize award acceptance of Prof Nash, whose life was captured in the movie, A beautiful mind.

Quote

Nash: Thank you. I've always believed in numbers and the equations and logic that lead to reason.

But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask,

    "What truly is logic?"

    "Who decides reason?"

My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional -- and back.

And I have made the most important discovery of my career, the most important discovery of my life: It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found.

I'm only here tonight because of you [wife, Alicia].

You are the reason I am.

You are all my reasons.

Unquote

In Pannayarum Padminiyum, the object of affection and unconditional love for an entire village, is an inanimate Premier Padmini which accidentally lands into the Pannayar's(Landlord's house).

Not only do the three principal characters vie for their engagement with the Padmini, but also the little boy down the lane who is putting up a sum of Rs. 5/- to get a seat in the front seat for a promised joy ride in the car.

The little boy grows into a man and buys a snazzy car. He travels back to his town, bereft of any enthusiasm, accompanied by a constant nagging thought of his unrequited desire of having not been able to take the joy ride in the front seat of the Premier Padmini. As he parks his car in front of the landlord's house, aching for a view of Padmini, he just finds the Padmini cruising towards him and stopping just short of him. And finally when he gets the opportunity to sit in the front seat and realise his dreams, watch him disowning his snazzy car.

Forgive me for letting out the beans, but for me the climax of Pannayaram Padminiyum is very creative, unique in many ways, liberating and a celebration of life.

The seeds of the mysterious equations of love remain in the virtues of empathy, understanding, giving and no conditions. In Jayaprakash and Thulasi's relationship are enshrined the magical equations of a successful marriage and relationship.

The charismatic Vijay Sethupathy manages to hold his own against the backdrop of Jayaprakash and Thulasi's power performances.

Justin Prabhakaran, the music director is another great talent to watch out.

Not only is the movie about love but it is also about living and in the present, savouring the dainty little precious things which we take for granted.

If the director could have chopped of thirty minutes especially in the first half, this could have been a greater experience.

For the patient film viewer, the movie blooms in the second half and certainly worth the patience.