Tharai Thappattai
Tharai Thappattai

Movie spotlight

Tharai Thappattai

2016
Movie
128 min
Tamil

Sannasi, a folk musician, convinces Sooravali, his lover and a female dancer in his troupe, to marry Karuppaiah, a seemingly docile man. Little do they realise the sinister intentions of Karuppaiah, but when they do it is too late.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Google Users85%
Director: BalaGenres: Drama, Musical

Plot Summary

The film centers on Murugan, a folk artist struggling to keep the traditional Karagattam dance form alive amidst societal indifference and the encroachment of modern entertainment. He falls in love with Parvathi, a dancer who joins his troupe. Their journey highlights the challenges faced by traditional art forms and the passionate dedication of those who strive to preserve them against the odds.

Critical Reception

Tharai Thappattai received mixed to positive reviews, with particular praise directed towards the performances of the lead actors and the film's realistic portrayal of folk art and its practitioners. Some critics noted the film's raw and intense narrative, while others found its pacing and certain dramatic elements to be uneven. It was generally seen as a significant film for its attempt to showcase and preserve a fading art form.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praises for the authentic portrayal of Karagattam and folk culture.

  • Strong performances from Sasikumar and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar were frequently highlighted.

  • Appreciation for Bala's realistic and gritty directorial style.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film for its realistic depiction of folk art and the performances, finding it to be a culturally relevant and engaging watch. The emotional depth and the dedication to showcasing a traditional art form resonated positively with audiences.

Awards & Accolades

Sasikumar won the National Film Award – Special Jury Award for his performance. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar received a nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards South. The film also won awards for Best Film and Best Director at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Fun Fact

The film is noted for its extensive use of live music and traditional instruments, aiming for an authentic soundscape that reflects the folk performances depicted.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
timesofindia

timesofindia

Bala's explorations into the dark side of human nature have worked better when they have had a strong context and were an inherent part of the plot. Pithamagan's Sithan was brought up in a graveyard and he acted as drug mule, so the tragic ...