Guess who wrote to Old Malayalam Cinema ?

Kiran Vergis in Kakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal

Old Malayalam Cinema received a mail from a character from an unforgettable film that was released 22 years ago.

A certain Murli wrote in a cryptic note at the Kakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal (1988) post, that almost hid a note of glee in that. It read,

Onam and Onathumbi from Old Malayalam Cinema.

Odes to the Dragonfly

Dragonfly Pix Credit : Jkadavoor

I am yet to be made aware of another regional community that attaches so much significance to the presence of  an insect, specifically,  the picture wing dragonfly, when it comes to their greatest celebration  that represents a new beginning, gaiety, mirth, hope and above all the warmth of homecoming. Our little Onathumbi has been so ingrained in our Onam celebrations, that it is but natural to find its reflections in Malayalam Cinema too.

Songs from Kakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal (1988).

There were three songs in the film, written by Bichu Thirumala and set to music by Ouseppachan.

Kakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal (1988)

There is no other film that weaves a story around childhood and sibling love  like Kakkothi Kaavile Appoppan Thaadikal (1988), in Malayalam, written by Fazil and  directed by Kamal , and looking at the way things are progressing, there never will. Kamal calls it the movie closest to his heart, Vipin Mohan (legendary cinematographer) says there can be no film like this, ever. It doesn’t have a single superstar of the times, no sky-high budgets, no glitz. All it has  is a beautiful story of separation, independence and the inevitable reunion, deftly woven around a myth that stays sacred in the collective consciousness of one’s childhood – everything that is embodied by an appoppan thadi ( Grandpa’s beard a.k.a Calotropis Gigantea) !