35 Years of Sindhu Bhairavi — A Timeless Musical Masterpiece of Emotions and Passion
Sindhu Bhairavi was written and directed by K. Balachander, released on 11th November, 1985, 35 years ago. Very few movies have the same kind of impact that they originally had on the audience even several decades after, and without a doubt, Sindhu Bhairavi is one that shall stand the test of time. My love for Ilaiyaraja’s music became intense with this one, so this movie will always be very close to my heart.
Awards This Movie Won:
Suhasini won The Best Actress Award for her role as one of the two female leads in the movie — a well-deserved award, you must admit. Ilaiyaraaja won The Best Music Direction Award for his excellent work in this movie. Without Ilaiyaraaja, this movie would not have become this big a hit and be remembered and loved till date. It must have been a mutually benefitting partnership for both K. Balachander and Ilaiyaraaja, for music is the very soul of this movie. This script must have given the highly innovative music director a fantastic opportunity to explore his creativity and freedom. And Balachander must have been more than proud and impressed with what Ilaiyaraaja offered. K. S. Chithra also won the Best Female Playback Singer award for her work in this movie; again, the songs certainly do leave you mesmerized even today.
The Songs in Sindhu Bhairavi:
It is a well-known truth that famous music directors somehow seem to know well which artist would be the best singer for which song. And Ilaiyaraaja seems to know this art better than anyone else in the field? K. J. Yesudas sings for the male lead, seven out of nine songs. K. J. Yesudas seems to naturally add a devotional or spiritual touch to any song that he sings, and for how godly the male lead character in the movie considers music to be, K. J. Yesudas’ voice fits perfectly well. Similarly, K. S. Chithra also sings two songs that are both rich in quality and also so melodious that they have you hooked. All songs in this movie are penned by lyricist Vairamuthu and there is one song that is written by Bharathiyar. Vairamuthu has also done a wonderful job, making you wonder at times, which aspect of these songs is more impressive — music or lyrics?
The Theme of This Movie:
The movie is about a famous Carnatic singer JKB (played by Sivakumar) who is deeply passionate about music and highly talented. He is married to a naïve, homely woman named Bhairavi (played by Sulakshana) who is conservative, loyal, and knows nothing about music. JKB is blessed with everything he could ask for except one thing — the void that he feels because he has nobody to share his passion for music with, and Bhairavi, similarly has all that she could ask for in her married life, except that she is infertile, when being a mother is what she considers to be the biggest blessing for a woman. The two are truly committed to each other playing the classic husband and wife roles well, but there is something missing in their life. In one of his concerts, JKB meets the second female lead, Sindhu (played by Suhasini), who is just as passionate about music as JKB himself is. Initially, getting together to exchange their views on their shared passion for music, JKB and Sindhu soon fall helplessly in love and get into an extramarital affair. Thus, the movie shows passion in two forms, the lead characters’ passion for art and passion in a deeply fulfilling romantic relationship. I would call it a story that passionately paints passion.
A Wholesome Package of Intense Emotions:
Starting from the beginning, this movie covers almost every possible human emotion that anyone that has experienced love, is artistic, and is emotional can relate easily to. Coincidentally, there is a scene, where Sindhu confronts JKB asking him, “Naatu paadalgal la illadha unarchchigalaa sollappadaadha karuththukkalaa?” (What feeling or expression does folk music not offer?) Yes, true to those words, this movie, like folk music, also offers a wide array of human emotions and thoughts. Ilaiyaraaja is indeed a genius! There is one song where he does a fusion of Tamil folk music and Carnatic music, which is simply mind-blowing.
Comedy in this movie also does not feel forced at all, but comes as part of the whole package with the story, with supporting actors, Delhi Ganesh, Janagaraj, T. S. Raghavendra, and Kavithalaya Krishnan doing justice to their roles. The affection that the husband and wife feel for each other is also natural, lovable, and innocent. Initially, the male lead shows arrogance, irritability, and quick-temperedness when he encounters people, including his wife, who can’t appreciate, respect, and admire music the way he does. Later, when his views are changed, he experiences humility when a poor, illiterate fisherman appreciates his singing. Both the wife of the male lead and the lover of the female lead Sindhu show jealousy and possessiveness when they realize that the object of their affection loves someone else. Sulakshana does a good job in playing the role of an insecure housewife in the second half.
Suhasini displays the attitude of an independent, free-spirited, outgoing woman, characteristic of all female lead roles in women-centric movies by K. Balachander. On one side, like a child, she longs to connect with her mother, as she has never experienced a mother’s affection, and on the other side, as a mature woman who understands and accepts reality, she stands strong, keeps her emotions to herself, and does not reveal to anyone who her mother is. A woman that is fully in charge of her life, no matter what life throws at her — impressive. Could lust be this powerful? There is a song that is dedicated to lust, where the male lead tries hard to get rid of the lust he feels because he is a highly ethical man by nature and also knows that it is inappropriate, yet he suffers in silence as lust overtakes him. There are intense feelings such as guilt, helplessness, shock, sadness, depression, grief, and even addiction used as a coping mechanism to overcome intense pain caused by separation.
Thus, this movie covers every emotion imaginable in love, marriage, and family. Another movie this complete, with fiery emotions, accompanied with songs that are everlasting hits, and rich with passion for music is probably yet to be made in Kollywood.
Now, to read a Feminist Critique of the same movie, Sindhu Bhairavi, check out: https://feminisminindia.com/2020/11/11/sindhu-bhairavi-review-35th-anniversary/
