Sarvam thaala mayam - a short review

Sarvam thaala mayam

There's a reason why most directors choose college students as their protagonists or why the lead characters are backed up with a forced love track in most movies. It's because those subjects are easy to connect with. But, imagine taking the thing you least care about and making you watch it for almost 2 hours straight.
That's where the movie wins. There are a plenty of scenes with just mrindangam and there's a whole 4 to 5 minutes of traditional classical concert, all of this with no extra added sounds or masala, and you bet, it’s a treat. Yes, the same music that usually makes us change the channel (before our mom hears!!)

I basically love movies with underdogs breaking the stigmas and making it to the top. Now take that concept and add a fusion of our local flavour with the rich traditional Carnatic music and Indian casteism (a safe play by Rajiv Menon). This is Sarvam thaala mayam in a nutshell.

Rajiv Menon questions many traditional stigmas subtly without attracting any trouble. There's an interesting conversation in the movie, where the protagonist's father tells him that the skin from a cow that has recently given birth should be used to make the sacred instrument. And Peter innocently asks in return, that whether a cow is killed for making the instrument. An awkward silence follows and the scene cuts to the next without lingering on it.

 

This is a musical extravaganza!! The title couldn’t be more perfect. ‘Sarvam thaala mayam’, which means Rhythm is present everywhere.‘Varalaama’, ‘Eppo varumo’, the title track and even the tiniest music in the background has the name Rahman stamped in it. This is one of his best in recent times and it is backed with beautiful visuals and sequences.

STM has Solid performances, extraordinary music and is visually sound. Personally, I'm really glad that Rajiv Menon returned.

There are a lot of flaws, the love track that moves with no real intention, the rushed climax, lengthy second half, to name a few. But, the overall product makes up for it and it makes you leave the cinema hall with a smile.

This movie might not be on the same level with 'Kandukondean Kandukondean' or 'Minsara kanavu' (Rajiv Menon's previous outings), but it has its own moments that makes it worth for your time and money. Go for it.