Vaazhai (2024) Movie Script

1
(screams) Baa!
(panting)
Baa!
Baa!
Baa!
Based on true events
(intense music)
(faded) Baa!
Baa!
O Sudugaattukaali...
O Goddess of the Earth...
O Goddess of the Skies...
Wake up,
Goddess of the Netherworld!
(dog barks)
Goddess Jakkamma! For these people,
for these lands, for these borders...
Speak words of blessings.
O Kaali, the guardian of this land...
The guardian goddess...
O Guardian God Sudalai!
Speak words of blessings,
Jakkamma!
Speak words of blessings!
Cast your watchful eye upon this soil,
these hills, these borders, this world...
The king who lived with renown here,
now wanders dishevelled.
O Goddesses Jakkamma, Ottuchi...
The king who lived with renown here,
now wanders dishevelled!
He wanders dishevelled!
The king who lived with renown,
roams the hills and ridges dishevelled!
O Goddess Jakkamma!
The people of the soil have no peace.
There is no peace.
They wander with worry.
There is no peace.
Cast your watchful eye upon this soil,
these hills, these borders...
Back off!
O Jakkamma!
Back off!
O Jakkamma! Back off!
Back off!
Foretell this family's future.
Speak words of blessings.
Cast your watchful eye upon this soil,
these hills, these borders, this world...
O Goddesses Mandukaali, Malakaali,
Ellaikaali, Maakaali...
(howling)
(eerie music)
(panting)
(water splashes)
BANANA
(crows caw)
(fire crackles)
Has he woken up, dear?
As if!
He's still asleep under the bed.
He must be worried over
lugging the plantains.
Wake him up and tell him
he doesn't have to go today. Go.
The scamp!
He wets himself every day!
Hey Sivanaindha!
Wake up, Sivanaindha!
Drop the act, man!
There's no lugging today! Wake up!
- Are you serious?
- Yes! Get up!
- Why?
- Old man Sundaram died.
They are wailing.
Wake up and see!
- The village is mourning?
- Since last night.
Why didn't you tell me sooner,
stupid?
At least change your pants
before you go, dummy!
(crowd cheers)
When did he die, buddy?
He died last night itself!
No lugging today!
- The village is in mourning!
- No work!
- No work today!
- No work today!
- No work today!
- No work today!
- No lugging today!
- No work today!
Look here!
Kamal!
Kamal! Kamal!
Your mom got you a holy pendant!
My mom got me Actor Kamal!
Kamal! Kamal!
Kamal! Kamal!
What's the big deal with Kamal?
Why I ought to...
You've had it!
Stop them!
Get up!
Stop it!
Let go!
Get going!
Whose son is that?
Think it's Veluchami's son!
(upbeat music)
Whose trunk is this?
My father's.
Why keep pictures of Rajnikanth
in your father's trunk?
He kept his special things in here.
So, I do too.
I'm going to keep pictures of Kamal
in my father's trunk too.
We don't ever get pictures of Kamal
in our village, crazy fellow!
I shall get Kamal's picture!
Shut the trunk!
We'll see how you find one.
(upbeat music)
(fly buzzes)
How long will they keep dancing?
It's time. We need to go!
It's time! We must get the ritual water.
Stop the dancing!
Come on, guys!
That's enough! Get going!
Go ahead, Kani!
Get going, everyone!
We're running late!
Let's go!
Any death and you go crying
before the picture!
They've gone to fetch the ritual water.
Go cry there!
Always with the crying!
(upbeat music)
(birds chirp)
Here.
I didn't mean to do it.
I am sorry.
Lucky the old man died.
We escape lugging over the weekend.
Only today is a day of mourning.
We have to go lugging tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Sunday, isn't it?
Won't it be good
if someone died tomorrow?
Who's going to die every day for you?
Why the heck are weekends off?
We have to bloody go lugging!
Think of having the weekend off
as a good thing.
Else they won't ever send us to school
and will kill us with the lugging.
Until you repay your loan,
I shouldn't give you an advance, sister.
Interest rates have shot up!
If you settle your debt this year,
you will get to live.
If not, you may as well follow
your dead husband.
Brother!
Please mind your words.
She's worked with us for so long.
Why talk to her like this?
She'll pay up in time.
Come!
I can say those things.
We are all kin here.
What if the trader asks her these things?
That's my point!
- We'll deal with it when we get there.
- See you.
- Brother?
- Yes?
He comes to lug on weekends.
Please give an advance for that, too.
An advance payment for two days' work?
Please...
He does work for two days, right?
It would be helpful. Please.
Oh come on, sister...
- Give her.
- Let go.
Very well.
- He's running away! Will he turn up to work?
- He will.
Not just the weekend. I trust you
to bring him whenever he has a day off.
- I'll see to it.
- Come, brother!
A thousand conditions
for just a thousand rupees!
Hey, Sivanaindha!
Open the door!
- Open the door!
- I won't!
- Open up!
- Don't yell, mom!
Open the door!
Why did you take the lugging advance?
You need only go if there's no school.
So what? Open up!
I will not go there
on my holidays, anymore!
Fine, you needn't go!
Open the door!
Return the advance money first!
Then, I'll open it!
Fine!
Open the door!
I won't! I won't! I won't!
(truck honks)
Once upon a time, there lived a king
The tales he told were full of tears
Once upon a time, there lived a king
The tales he told were full of tears
The sky above and the world below
He was the burden between
Longer the walk, farther the end
There lived a king...
Hey...
There once was a crow in this village
When you hear the tale of the crow
The elephant's face appears
When you hear the tale of the elephant
The cat meows
When you hear the tale of the cat
A street dog barks
As the dog barks and barks...
As the dog barks...
The flock of crows disperse
The herd of elephants turn wild...
The cat claws away
The dinner pot breaks...
It shatters in tatters...
The king's dinner pot breaks...
It shatters in tatters...
The king is in pain
His neck is sore
His neck is sore
For a drop of water, where to go?
Tears brim over and flow
The tales the king told
Were full of tears
The sky above and the world below
He was the burden between
Longer the walk, farther the end...
(cows moo)
Listen to the tale...
Listen to our king's tale
Listen to the tale...
Listen to our king's tale
He is a clown-king...
Look at his suffering
When the town gathers around
A mad jig he does
A mad jig he does
A mad jig he does
The tales the king told
Were full of tears
The sky above and the world below
He was the burden between
Longer the walk, farther the end...
Once upon a time, there lived a king
The tales the king told
Were full of tears
The sky above and the world below
He was the burden between
Longer the walk, farther the end...
Close your eyes and go to sleep,
Little one
The king's tale is too long
Close your eyes and go to sleep
(screams) Baa!
Hey! What's that flower?
Hold on.
I'll tell you.
There.
Do you see it now?
"Poo" (flower) + "Kodi" (flag)
is Poonkodi. How's that?
Idiot!
This is a flower. That's a national flag.
So, it's 'Poo-Desiya-Kodi'.
Oh please!
Our national flag has a wheel on it.
Have I drawn one?
A flower (Poo) and a plain flag (Kodi).
Poonkodi, indeed.
(bangs ruler)
Hey crooked necks!
Must I twist your necks some more?
Study quietly!
Poon... Ko... Di...
Poonkodi.
Sekar! Is there any song that begins
with 'Poonkodi' (graceful maiden)?
A song with the word 'Poonkodi'?
"Poonkodi..."
Is there a song
which begins with that word?
The graceful maiden
Who was decked in yellow
The gentle damsel
Who whispered sweet murmurs
Awesome, buddy!
What movie is it from?
The movie...
I don't know which one,
but Vijaykanth was the hero.
Vijaykanth, eh?
Who's the heroine?
Heroine...
Sukanya!
Sukanya...
Sukanya is alright...
But the song is perfect, right?
The graceful maiden
Who was decked in yellow
- The gentle damsel...
- Look at that! Sivanaindhan's singing!
- ...who whispered sweet murmurs
- He's busted!
Her scent...
What?
"Sweet murmurs", indeed!
Come on out.
You too!
They break your necks with the lugging,
don't they?
Still doesn't break your swagger!
Come on out!
Go outside and kneel down!
- Didn't mean to do it, sir!
- Oh stop!
The teachers spoil you,
calling you their best student.
- Go!
- Sir...
- Go!
- Sir!
Back to your studies!
Sukanya, it seems!
Come kneel in her honor!
Not for Sukanya!
For Ms. Poonkodi!
Very well!
You've had it then!
Thank you, ma'am!
- Good morning, ma'am.
- Good morning.
Sivanaindha!
Look who's coming!
(romantic music)
What's got you kneeling,
so early in the day too?
What happened?
You're very beautiful, ma'am.
Hey!
Not like Sukanya.
You're even prettier!
Why I ought to!
I ask you one thing
and you say something else!
Is that why you were punished?
Yes, ma'am.
That's why we're punished.
Oh my goodness!
Dangerous, you seem to be!
What's the noise out there?
(bangs ruler)
Leave me out of this!
Ma'am, your...
Ma'am!
(romantic music)
(rings bell)
Get back inside!
You dumbo!
The scent triggered a lovely song
and you had to yank it away!
"A song"?
I'm so sorry, man!
What song was it?
Tell me!
How would I know?
You yanked it away, didn't you?
I'd have to take another sniff!
Sniff it again, please!
Sniff it!
The winding creeper (poonkodi) blossoms
A dazed bee draws closer bewitched
Bashful... to sing out its ecstasy
- The gentle breeze...
- The teacher's here!
- Good morning, ma'am!
- Sit down!
Come and collect your answer sheets!
"Answer sheets!"
Save us, dear Ambedkar!
Sekar!
The first one has to be mine!
It's mere Tamil.
Such low marks!
Put out your hand!
Put it out!
Take it and go!
- Wipe that smile off your face!
- Vallinayagam!
You said Guna Kamal never feels pain.
It was not painful. I just faked it.
So she'd go easy on me.
Sivanaindhan!
You're up, Baasha Bhai.
Go ahead!
He's the topper this time too!
He's scored 92 out of 100!
Give him a round of applause!
(class applauds)
Always study well, okay?
Go to your seat.
What's with your neck?
Lugged plantains, huh?
Yes, ma'am.
Why work yourself to the bone
at your age?
Your folks never listen
even if we tell them.
They say they send you here
only to learn how to keep count of wages!
What to do?
Go sit.
Despite lugging over the weekends,
Sivanaindhan has topped the class!
Clap for him again!
(class applauds)
- 92 out of 100!
- Ponnuvel!
The whole village has been assembled.
What's with the idle chit-chat?
We're short on time.
Let's get started!
Speak up, Brother Nataraj!
It's not us!
These young men arranged this meeting.
Hey, Kani!
You've summoned the whole village.
And yet, you stay quiet?
What do you want me to say?
Stand up and then speak!
We all know why we're here.
We slave for them every day,
lugging plantains.
We want two rupees per bunch,
instead of one.
And they won't give it.
Let's sort that out.
Brother!
They won't oblige
at the snap of your finger.
Did you know the wage was only 50 paisa
when I first started as a broker?
Only after five long years
I saw them hike it up to a rupee.
It'll take a while
before the next hike!
We must be patient!
How can you say that?
Look over there!
How far it is!
We lug over muddy fields.
It is just another measly rupee.
Can't you get the trader to agree?
All true, brother.
We've taken an advance, right?
What if he agrees to the hike
only if we return the advance money?
Do we go begging for alms?
Where did you learn to talk like this,
brother?
You equate demanding our rights
with begging for alms?
Look here, brother!
Valor isn't twirling moustache to the poor
or talking history to the trodden!
It's about standing up to those
who claim to be above us!
What will he do
if we choose not to lug anymore?
He will bring in workers from out of town.
Like they don't know
how to run a business!
If so, we'll seek out
other traders too!
Are we not humans too?
We don't proceed
until we get a raise!
So what do we do?
Here's the deal.
When the lorry comes tomorrow,
we go only if we get one more rupee!
We must all cooperate.
That is all.
What if he doesn't give in?
What else?
We go on strike!
(crowd cheers and applauds)
Quiet down!
- "Strike"?
- Always with the ruckus!
Fine! We'll talk to the trader
in the morning!
"He wandered lonely as a cloud..."
"...that floats on high
over vales and hills."
"When all at once I saw a crowd."
"A host of golden daffodils."
"Beside the lake, beneath the..."
What are you doing?
Can't you see?
I'm studying.
- Okay. Study.
- "Fluttering and dancing in the breeze."
"Continuous as the stars that shine,
and twinkle on the milky way."
- A woman's handkerchief?
- "Milky way?"
Hey.
Why do you have a woman's handkerchief?
Whose is it?
Why did you take it out?
It's the teacher's!
A teacher's handkerchief?
Why do you have it?
It was a reward from my teacher...
...for being the class topper in Tamil
in the quarterly exam.
A teacher rewards you with a handkerchief?
My teacher does.
That's new.
Seems too good to be true.
"They stretched in..."
- Sivanaindha!
- What?
Pluck me some henna leaves
on your way back from school.
All this lugging is making me lose my hair.
"Henna"?
Fine, I'll get some.
- But here's the thing.
- What?
You must save me from lugging
this weekend.
I figured as much!
They go on strike tomorrow, right?
Why are you scared?
You won't have to go.
- You mean it?
- Yes.
Alright.
It's late.
Go to bed!
There she goes again...
There you go.
Hey, Sivanaindhan!
What are you doing here?
Come on!
They've started the strike!
- Really?
- Yes, really!
They are not getting on the lorry!
Come, everyone's there!
Fine, I'm coming!
Hurry!
(hen clucks)
(goats bleat)
What are you doing, guys?
The trader will hear you later.
Now get on!
Brother!
You don't know how to handle this.
Ask your trader to come now.
What more pressing work does he have?
No one gets on
until he comes for talks.
You're a good worker, Kani.
Don't act up as there's none like you
to load the bunch.
Why spoil the respect
the trader has for you?
That's what I'm saying too.
A good trader must not lose a good worker.
Get him to come.
We shall talk.
Why so adamant, man?
"Adamant", it seems!
We ask for just one more rupee!
Why does it have you all twisted up?
It's not like you will have to pay it.
The trader has to!
You always take that man's side!
Why bother talking to this guy?
Let the trader come.
We'll talk to him and sort this out!
Don't needlessly flap your gums, Marimuthu.
- It's not good for the village.
- The trader's here.
We'll deal with him.
You be quiet, brother.
Kani...
Don't make a scene
and lose your standing.
- Hello, brother.
- Hello.
- Hello, sir.
- Hello.
Quit standing around!
Go to school!
Doing well, Marimuthu?
- Get going to school!
- I'm well, brother.
- Go!
- Move!
- Haven't seen you in a while, Kalaperumal.
- I'm well, brother.
- Put on lot of weight!
- Nothing like that.
- You've lost weight.
- Lugged a lot.
- Hello, sir.
- Hello.
- Hello, sir.
- Hello.
The trader has come too.
Will he agree to the terms?
He's a stingy fellow!
How will he ever accept it?
On the way, let's do a big salute
to Gods Kattupechi and Kaalasaami.
Let's pray for a long strike!
They're asking for an extra rupee
per bunch.
They won't come to work
unless you agree.
Who asked for it?
We're all asking for it.
It's not wrong to ask, is it?
Nothing wrong with asking, Kani.
If there's a profit,
who else would I share it with?
We're running at a loss.
Our loads keep getting sent back.
The fruits are rotting.
Try to understand.
There will be some loss
every once in a while.
But when there's profit...
...we're only asking a single rupee raise.
It's nothing to you, isn't it?
Please hike our fee by a rupee.
So you stall the lorry
to press your demand?
What's all this?
I've been a load man since the time
your father was running things.
Now you're running things,
and I'm still a load man.
Can't you give us a single rupee more?
You've planned this for a while, I see.
You see me every day.
You could've approached me any time.
Instead,
you choose to stage a scene.
Not right, brother.
Two rupees is too much.
Add an extra 50 paisa
and account for 1.50 rupees per head.
Get everyone in.
- Kani...
- Sir...
Don't make us plead for 50 paisa.
We won't settle for anything less.
Hike it by a rupee...
Pay us two rupees
and we'll get on.
(tense music)
(school bell rings)
A handkerchief?
Sivanaindhan!
Hey, Sivanaindhan!
Why is there
a lady's handkerchief in your notebook?
It belongs to my sister, ma'am.
- You liar!
- "Your sister"?
Why do you have it in your notebook?
Just a memento, ma'am.
"A memento"?
Never heard that one before!
What are you saying?
Sit down!
- Whew! That was close!
- If you were caught, you'd be dead meat!
- Look who's coming!
- Ma'am!
Ms. Poonkodi!
- Just a minute.
- What is it, ma'am?
How did she come here?
Why should she come here
now of all time? I'm dead!
She didn't say anything.
Really?
Can you look into it?
Whose handkerchief is this?
See Sivanaindhan over there?
It's his sister's.
- He keeps it as a memento.
- Your Radha is here, Mr. Rajadhi Raja.
"A memento"?
This handkerchief is mine.
"Your handkerchief"?
What are you saying?
He just now told me it was his sister's.
Let me ask him again.
Sivanaindhan!
Hey, Sivanaindhan!
Whose handkerchief is this?
I asked you a question. Answer me!
Whose is it?
My sister's, ma'am!
What?
It belongs to my sister, ma'am!
No, ma'am.
This is mine.
Ms. Poonkodi claims it is hers.
You say it is your sister's.
Tell the truth.
It really does belong to my sister.
Sekar was with me when she gave it.
You can ask him, if you want.
This distinguished man was with you, huh?
Please ask the gentleman to get up.
Stand up, Sekar 'sir'!
Why drag me into this?
Whose handkerchief is this?
His sister gave it.
And you saw her give it?
What's this now, ma'am?
I don't get it, either.
Hey! This is my handkerchief!
When did you take it?
(romantic music)
We didn't take anyone's handkerchief.
I swear on my mother
that it belongs to my sister.
If you wish, I'll swear upon it
at any temple.
What did he say?
They'll swear upon it
at the temple.
"Swear upon it", huh?
Fine, let it be his sister's handkerchief.
Never mind.
Tell them to sit down.
Sit down!
(romantic music)
(heartbeat racing)
(melancholic music)
Alright... but why did you
swear a false oath?
Isn't that her handkerchief?
It wasn't an unbreakable oath, was it?
Nothing will happen.
You dummy!
Do you know how Sundar's father died?
How did he die?
My mother said he died
from swearing a false oath.
- Really?
- Yes. I swear on my mother!
What do we do now?
Only one way out.
Return the handkerchief
to the teacher.
- Fine, let's go!
- Come!
(gentle music)
Hey, Sivanaindhan!
Stop!
You said you will return the handkerchief.
- Why didn't you?
- No!
I will never give it up.
You swore a false oath!
Big deal!
Like you've never sworn a false one!
Anyone who has this handkerchief
will do the same.
No guy will want to give it up.
What's gotten into you, man?
That's how it's going to be!
Come!
You've changed a lot
since that teacher came here!
I need to be careful around you!
What became of the strike, uncle?
It got resolved in the morning.
The trader agreed to pay us
each two rupees and we went to lug.
- Just the two of you?
- They're right behind!
Alright. Run along!
What is he saying?
Looks like the trader agreed.
What do we do now?
We're doomed!
We prayed to so many deities
this morning.
Not one of them helped!
You can trust anyone
but these deities!
Never mind!
We have two days.
We can come up with something.
Come, let's go for a bath!
(water splashes)
(romantic music)
What is this?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
This is your handkerchief.
I lied the other day.
I know it's mine.
Why are you returning it?
I swore a false oath upon my mother.
I felt bad about it.
So, I came to return it.
I even washed it with Lifebuoy soap.
Smell it.
It smells of your fragrance.
Alright.
But why did you take it?
What did you need it for?
So that it would be a memento of you.
(chuckles) A memento?
Why?
From the moment I saw you,
I took a liking to you.
Like how...
Like how Rajnikanth felt when he saw Radha
in the film 'Rajadhi Raja'.
I felt that way, ma'am.
Like Rajni and Radha?
Jeez!
Barely bloomed
and the mouth on this kid!
Buzz off!
Go!
Hey!
Come here!
- Ma'am?
- Keep it.
No need, ma'am.
Keep it!
- It's okay, ma'am.
- Take it!
On one condition.
As always, if anyone asks, tell them
it is your sister's.
- Okay.
- Here.
Thank you, ma'am!
(exciting music)
Sivanaindhan, you dummy!
Where did you go, man?
(pants) Ma'am...
She said I can keep the handkerchief!
What are you saying?
She let you keep it?
A graceful maiden
Who was decked in yellow
Buddy!
Don't rock it too much.
Tomorrow is Saturday!
We must go for lugging!
- I have a plan!
- "A plan"?
- The gentle damsel who whispered...
- What plan?
(screams)
You really pricked yourself!
What else?
This is the only way out of
having to lug tomorrow!
- Prick yourself, too!
- No, thank you!
What will you do?
I am a Kamal fan.
I can perform without a prick!
You'll get busted!
Oh please!
Just watch my act!
I've won several awards
for my epic performances!
And this dummy expects me
to really prick myself?
(fire crackles)
Why are you limping?
Mom...
Sivanaindhan and I went to pluck fruits
on our way back...
I got pricked by a large thorn!
"Pricked"?
Yes, mom.
You wore slippers
and still got pricked?
Stay put.
I'll bring the medicine.
- It pricked you hard!
- It hurts a lot!
Let me see.
- What are you doing?
- One tug, and it'll yank right out!
- No need!
- Let me see!
- No, mom!
- "No?" This will yank it right out!
- No!
- It'll yank it out in a jiffy!
- I didn't get pricked, mom!
- Then what is it?
- I wasn't pricked.
- Then why say otherwise?
- I have to go lugging tomorrow.
- Yes.
Sivanaindhan told me to fake a thorn prick
so I needn't have to go.
You both faked it, huh?
Faked it, right?
Come!
- No, mom!
- Come!
- No, mom!
- I want to know whose idea it was!
- No, mom!
- Come!
Lugging gives the two of you
all kinds of ailments.
- Come!
- No, mom!
Come!
Let me go, mom!
- Let's find out who's lying: You or him.
- No...
Vembu!
- Don't call her, mom!
- Hey!
- Vembu!
- What is it, aunty?
Is your mother around?
- She's at home!
- On my way!
Who is it?
Gomathi aunty, mom.
(pestle thuds)
- Let me go, mom!
- Come!
Don't do this, mom!
Let go, mom!
I busted you!
Why pretend to limp?
Walk properly!
Come!
Brat thinks he's Kamal Haasan!
He's had it today!
- Sister?
- What is it?
Your son got pricked by a thorn, huh?
Yes.
How did you know?
Same thieving thorn pricked
this boy, too.
"Thieving thorn"?
What are you saying?
- They go lugging tomorrow, right?
- Yes.
So the two of them put on an act.
They never got pricked!
"Never got pricked"?
Hey...
Show me your foot.
(goats bleat)
Look.
He's bleeding hard
and you say he didn't get pricked?
Your son seems to be lying.
Mind him!
Snitched him out, huh?
His foot is bleeding.
Did you lie?
- Always lying!
- Whack him nicely!
- Won't go lugging?
- "You'll get busted!"
- Let's go home! I'll break your bones!
- "Oh please! Just watch my act!"
I've won several awards
for my epic performances!
Yet, you sell me short?
You dummy!
(gentle music)
Did you really get pricked by a thorn,
or did you prick yourself?
Come on!
Why would I prick myself?
Am I insane?
And to think I came to you for medicine!
I deserve this!
Hey... Why are you getting worked up?
- Go away!
- Do you need medicine or not?
- No need for that crap!
- Come here, I say!
Hey!
Sivanaindha!
Come here, I say!
(truck honks)
O rose... O little rose...
O rose that speaks your name
It swings all alone amid the breeze
Your song...
- Sivanaindha?
- Yes?
Just for today,
can you take the cow out to graze?
I don't feel well enough
to go gather grass for its feed.
I'll take care.
No need to go on about it.
Damn!
You agreed without argument!
Got any plans?
I plan to ride the cow
all over the village!
- Get out of here!
- Always talking back!
Don't badger him.
Take this.
Take care of the cow.
Stay close as she grazes.
Make sure she doesn't stray into fields.
Keep your leg safe
- Sekar!
- Sister?
Sivanaindhan didn't come?
He got pricked, right?
And yet, you have to ask!
Go!
Get going!
Why get pounded by her
first thing in the morning?
Never mind that.
She has nothing better to do.
Did you check Sivanaindhan's foot?
- Does he really have a thorn prick?
- Why do you ask that?
Just that... only Rajnikanth films
are a hit in this village.
Kamal films never work.
- What are you saying?
- Nothing, sister.
Sivanaindhan's not coming
to lug.
Who knows what he'll do at home?
He'll have fun, won't he?
(chuckles)
The graceful maiden
Who was decked in yellow
The gentle damsel
who whispered sweet murmurs
The honey that drips
From a fragrant flower
The varied hues of the magical moon
The barriers come down crumbling...
When the boundless river comes gushing
Come.
Come!
(scooter honks in distance)
(romantic music)
Ma'am!
Ma'am!
Hey, Handkerchief!
What are you doing here?
I came to graze the cow, ma'am.
"Graze the cow"?
You do that on weekends, huh?
No, ma'am.
I usually go lugging.
As I got a thorn prick,
I brought the cow to graze.
"A thorn prick"?
What are you saying?
Where are you off to, ma'am?
Can't you tell?
To the rice mill.
"The rice mill"?
Can I come along?
Why?
Just to give you company.
Then who'll mind the cow?
I always tie her up.
She won't stray anywhere.
"Tied her up?"
You surely want to come?
Fine, come along.
The southeastern sunbird
Cuddles the hibiscus bud
Singing a lullaby...
Like the sudden streak of a rainbow
Unseen for ages prior...
I heard you speak
Your desires leap like a star
High on the skies...
In the drizzle of your smile
As a flower, I sprout
When the sun blazes hard...
I shall shield you
like a loving mother
As long as you listen
To the tales I spin...
We will fly, as magical birds
The southeastern sunbird
Cuddles the hibiscus bud
Singing a lullaby...
Won't the lonely cloud on the vast sky...
Belt out a soulful melody?
Won't the starry patterns
In the ants' trail...
Spell out words admiring you?
Your mischievous pranks
Clearly betray your true self
And in that, I hear a thousand melodies
As the chariot rides in the streets,
And the trees sway in the breeze...
Time seems to speed up
Milk springs forth
From even a wasted palm
Bear that in mind and celebrate
A new dawn will rise
When hunger will remain no longer
Forget your pain and dance away
Milk springs forth
From even a wasted palm
Bear that in mind and celebrate
A new dawn will rise
When hunger will remain no longer
Forget your pain and dance away
- Long as you hear the tales I spin...
- Milk springs forth from even a wasted palm
- We will fly, as magical birds
- Bear that in mind and celebrate
- A new dawn will rise...
- Long as you hear the tales I spin...
When hunger will remain no longer
- Forget your pain and dance away
- We will fly, as magical birds
Milk springs forth
From even a wasted palm
Forget your pain and dance away
(bike whirrs)
Where's your cow?
She must be grazing here somewhere.
I'll check.
- You'll be okay?
- Yes.
- Shall I get going?
- Okay.
- Bye. Take care.
- Alright.
(bike whirrs)
(cow moos)
(screams) Baa!
Baa!
- Baa!
- (cow moos)
Baa!
(water splashes)
(melancholic music)
Baa!
Baa!
- (cow moos)
- Baa!
I had left my cow tied up here, brother.
- Did you see it?
- How does it look?
A black and white cow.
Some cows are up the hill.
Go check.
Hurry up,
before it gets into the fields.
(cow moos)
(screams) Baa!
Baa!
Baa!
(cowbell rings)
(tense music)
(cowbell rings)
Baa!
(melancholic music)
(pants) Goddess...
My cow...
Bring my cow back to me, Goddess...
Bring my cow back to me, Goddess...
Bring my cow back to me, Goddess.
O dear Goddess...
My cow...
(footsteps)
Hey, Sivanaindhan.
What are you doing here?
My cow is missing, brother.
Where did you tie her up?
Right here.
She took off!
You tied her up and went where?
I didn't go anywhere.
I just went down to the river
to drink water.
"To drink water"?
Your cow got into the broker's field.
He's gotten hold of her.
I'm sure he's going to raise hell.
Don't cry. Come along.
Sister!
Where's your son?
Where is he?
You took the advance payment
for him to lug during holidays.
Then you sent him to graze your cow!
And he brought her to graze
right into my field.
Where is he?
- The kid didn't mean to do it.
- Wait!
- Where is he?
- Please listen!
Listen to what?
Do you ever listen to me?
Back off, brother!
Where is he, sister?
He's just a kid.
It was a mistake.
I'll come seek your forgiveness
anywhere you want me to.
Please don't humiliate us.
"Humiliate you?"
What the hell are you saying?
Every day, I must account to the trader
for the advance money you took from me.
I pitied you and gave out
an advance for the brat as well!
I sure as hell deserve this!
He didn't come for work
because he got a thorn prick.
- He'll come tomorrow!
- "A thorn prick"?
You were adamant you won't lug
until you got paid two rupees!
The trader is hounding me
over those accounts!
- I can't cover for such posers anymore!
- Brother!
Why say such harsh words?
It was a mistake.
Do not mouth off all you want.
This doesn't concern you, Kani!
- Get involved and you'll regret it!
- Don't, brother!
What doesn't concern me?
- Expect us to stay quiet to your insults?
- Tell them I didn't mean to!
You've tied up the cow, right?
Let the village know!
They'll pay up the penalty!
Needlessly yelling at a family
with no man...
If there's no man in the family,
they must behave.
Instead they heed to some man
to go on strike, eh?
One more word and that's it!
Pipe down and leave!
- Really? What'll you do?
- Brother!
- Muthuraj!
- Like you're the man of this family!
What will you do?
I'll bloody stomp you.
Think you're all that?
- Mind your own business!
- Get up, Kani!
It's my field the cow trespassed into.
What does he know?
He thinks he's all that!
Thinks he can sway everyone!
Son of a shrew!
Who are you messing with?
- Think no one will back them up?
- Don't go!
Come here!
- Go to hell!
- Let go!
Go to hell!
- Stop fighting!
- You're dead meat!
- Let go of me!
- Take him away! Bloody moron!
- What the hell?
- Go to hell!
Come on!
Let's finish this!
Rascal!
Let go of me! Why hold me back?
Bring it on!
Let go of me!
- Why are you holding me back?
- Why strike him mid-sentence?
Back off!
- You prick!
- What can he do? Let go!
- Listen to me! Don't do it!
- You dare mess with me?
For the trouble my cow made in your field,
have these earrings!
I'll lug plantains
and settle the advance payment.
Don't shame us before the entire village.
Take it!
Take it, I say!
Take it!
(door screeches)
Don't cry, mom.
Get going!
- Why must I leave?
- Get going!
- Mom!
- Get him out of here!
(bangs) Mom!
Open the door, mom!
Mom!
Open the door, mom!
Open the door, mom!
- Mom!
- He's crying, mom.
- Let him cry. Don't open the door.
- Mom!
Open the door, mom!
Mom!
Sis!
Open the door, sis!
- He's our boy, mom!
- Open the door, sis!
Open the door, sis!
Sis!
Mom...
Mom...
Mom...
Talk to me, mom!
Look at me, mom!
I will never do wrong anymore, mom!
Please forgive me, mom!
Talk to me, mom!
I'll go lugging, mom!
I won't deceive you, mom!
Talk to me, mom!
Look at me, mom!
Please talk to me, mom!
Mom...
I swear on you
that I'll come lugging, mom!
After the half yearly exams next week,
I'll have ten days off.
I'll come to lug
all ten days, mom!
Please look at me, mom!
Please talk to me!
You can beat me or kill me
if I don't go lugging, mom!
Please talk to me, mom!
Please don't ignore me, mom!
Mom!
Talk to me, mom!
Please talk to me, mom!
Please talk to me, mom!
Please talk to me!
(sobs)
"From now, for no reason will I lie
or cheat", promised Sivanaindhan
For the time being,
convinced by his tears
his mother was at ease.
(truck honks)
Mom...
I swear on you
that I'll come lugging, mom!
After the half yearly exams next week,
I'll have ten days off.
I'll come to lug
all ten days, mom!
Please look at me, mom!
Please talk to me!
You can beat me or kill me
if I don't go lugging, mom!
Please talk to me, mom!
Please don't ignore me, mom!
Mom!
Talk to me, mom!
Mom!
Please talk to me, mom!
Please talk to me!
Here you go, buddy.
A pendant of your idol Rajnikanth.
Who gave it?
"Who gave it"?
Ms. Poonkodi asked me to give it to you.
Ms. Poonkodi did?
How did she get it?
I swear on my mother
that I got it from her.
Her brother got it from Thiruchendur.
Want it or not?
You said all that about
no one looking for you!
And yet, you accept this?
Fine. You keep it!
Hey! Don't take out your anger
on Ms. Poonkodi!
If you don't want it,
return it yourself!
Talking like a big shot!
Enough with the tying, Kani.
Hand me the knife!
Hold on.
Let me finish.
Just give it!
Don't touch that anymore!
"Don't touch that"?
Why does he want the knife back?
- What's he going to do?
- Just give it!
Not a day goes by without him
being a bother!
Why shouldn't I touch it?
From today, the trader has assigned
the loading to someone else.
Murugan will handle it.
You don't get to do it anymore.
The trader wanted me to tell you.
I thought so!
I figured you'd go this way!
Did he reassign it himself
or is this your handiwork?
This is wrong, brother.
Very wrong.
Don't ruin the livelihood
of your own people.
We can strike back, too.
Listen up, Kani.
Don't make more trouble.
We've already settled our scores.
I'm just passing on his message.
That's all.
I'm always your brother.
Never forget that.
Who? You?
You seem more keen to look after
your boss' interests than ours.
How can you be my brother?
I'm not here to pick a fight with you.
He told me to inform you
to no longer load. That's all.
Did he say he didn't want me to load,
or did he not want me at all?
He said he doesn't want you as a load man.
If you wish, you can lug plantains.
No one refrains you from that.
"Lug plantains"?
Who do you think you are speaking to?
Let's go Kani.
There're plenty other traders.
Don't get all worked up, brother.
He agreed to your demand
for a raise, right?
We must listen to him, too.
It's your choice.
You can leave if you want to.
- No one's holding you back.
- Let's go!
Hold up!
Listen, brother!
Don't sing his praises!
Your boss gave us a raise
only for the work we put in.
Don't make him out as our God.
So, he doesn't want me
loading plantains. Very well.
Come.
Let's lug the goods.
What are you saying?
Any work is work worth doing.
Let's go.
What a ruckus he's making
just for getting us a hike of one rupee!
How come you agreed to lug?
When I was loading,
I'd watch Vembu from afar.
Now, I get to lug alongside her.
Joyful, isn't it?
Knew you'd fall for Vembu!
You're quite a guy!
A bird of passion...
Whirls around a dash of love
'Tis the fire that binds our souls
'Tis the rain of ice that cools too
Confine not your love inside a money box
A sieve of falsehoods
Holds not sweet goodness
We dare to love past a billion obstacles
We have the strength to bear it through
Even as we toil, we keep it going
Those stones and thorns hurt no more
As the cactus blooms,
The forest bursts into a flaming fragrance
A pot of rice...
A stain of mud...
In between these two,
Life leaps and smiles
A pot of rice...
A stain of mud...
In between these two,
Life leaps and smiles
Sir? If you could get a vehicle
for the workers, they can leave.
If I call the vehicle,
are you going to pay for it?
They usually travel with the load, right?
Have them do the same now.
We did that for short distances.
We're quite far away today.
It'll get dark before they reach.
So, if we had another vehicle...
I didn't give that two rupee raise
for nothing.
I factored in all of this
before giving it. Got it?
It's getting late, sir.
You got them a raise, didn't you?
Have them ride with the load.
O pot of lilies...
Won't you come to my hand?
O little goat kid...
- -Won't you come to my shoulder?
- O song box by my ear
Won't the banyan stand tall
In the scorching sun?
Won't the soft grass
Caress the calloused feet?
Even your faraway smile
Is a cube of sugar
Your touch of love is a diamond stone
Your single word can light up my world
Wounds of a hundred years fade a little
When there's a companion
Who knows not this cage
A pot of rice...
A stain of mud...
In between these two,
Life leaps and smiles
A pot of rice...
A stain of mud...
In between these two,
Life leaps and smiles
Life leaps and smiles
- Sis?
- What is it?
- Can I tell you something?
- Go ahead.
Can you marry Kani?
Why do you say that?
Did someone tell you to ask me that?
No one did.
This is coming from me.
I really like him a lot.
He sounds just like our father.
Why don't you marry him?
Be quiet and move along.
Go!
Just marry him, sis!
I'll smash you.
Just go!
The wind that caresses you
Will wipe away my sweat
A cow that sees you
Will cuddle its calf with love
The wind that caresses you
Will wipe away my sweat
A cow that sees you
Will cuddle its calf with love
The sky above lasts for eternity
Tenderness that sprouts within
Becomes a flowing river
The sky above lasts for eternity
Tenderness that sprouts within
Becomes a flowing river
A pot of rice...
A stain of mud...
In between these two,
Life leaps and smiles
A pot of rice...
A stain of mud...
In between these two,
Life leaps and smiles
A pot of rice...
A stain of mud...
In between these two,
Life leaps and smiles
A pot of rice...
A stain of mud...
In between these two,
Life leaps and smiles
Life leaps and smiles
(truck honks)
Okay, don't cry. Holidays are over
and you go back to school tomorrow, right?
Then why are you crying?
Sivanaindha.
At lunch, Ms. Mekala happened to mention
you stitch blouses very well.
No, ma'am.
My mother stitches them well.
- I just help her out.
- "Tailor?"
- Give it to me. I'll fix it!
- Sivanaindha!
- Sivanaindha!
- What?
It seems Ms. Poonkodi is a tailor.
So what?
Should our shirts get ripped,
we can get them mended for free!
Yeesh!
Be quiet!
It's in the staff room.
Will give it in the evening.
- See you.
- Thank you.
Oh my!
No worse than nicking her handkerchief
and lying!
Listen, you dumbo.
Bring up the handkerchief again
and I'll crack your head open.
- Really?
- Just shut it.
The truth is always bitter!
(intense music)
Hey!
Be quiet.
God damn...
He ripped it!
Be quiet, man!
(rings bell)
Thank you, ma'am!
Your shirt has a hole, Sivanaindhan!
What are you pulling at my shirt for?
Who did this?
- Sekar did!
- He just took off!
- Sekar ripped your shirt!
- Sekar did it!
- Go get him, Sivanaindhan!
- Don't spare him!
Catch him!
(gentle music)
- Forgive me, buddy!
- Why did you rip my shirt?
- Why did you rip it?
- I didn't mean to!
I did it for you!
- We have an excuse to talk to her!
- Like hell we do!
You should've asked me first!
But you did something stupid!
This is the only shirt I have!
Do you know that?
If my mother sees this,
she'll kill me!
Bad enough I got humiliated in the village!
Must it happen here too?
Let's take her the shirt to mend.
Back off!
Why must I go to her?
I'll do no such thing!
I want my shirt!
Give me your shirt!
- What are you doing?
- Take that off!
- Come on!
- Hand it over!
Take off your shirt!
- Cool down!
- Take it off or I'll whack you!
Take it off!
- Forgive me...
- Take it off!
(gentle music)
Hey, Sivanaindhan!
Come here!
What happened to you?
Why did you rip his shirt up
like a monkey?
What are you glaring at him for?
And why are you laughing?
You're laughing too?
Hey! What did you both do?
Tell me!
It's nothing, ma'am.
- You said you were a tailor, right?
- Yes.
We ripped the shirt to see
if that was true.
Good grief!
And knowing that will help you how?
Are you two partners in crime?
Ma'am...
Are you really a tailor?
Yes.
You go lug plantains with your mother,
right?
Just the same, I stitch clothes
with my mother.
So... we have plenty of torn clothes
at home.
If I bring those to you,
can you mend them for free?
"For free"?
One can't do any work for free.
I'll do it if you pluck henna leaves for me
every week. Will you?
- Sure!
- "Henna leaves", ma'am?
For you, I'll pluck them all year!
- Really?
- I swear on my mother!
Fine.
Then give me the shirt.
I'll have it mended tomorrow.
- You'll mend it?
- Yes.
How will you go through the village
without a shirt?
Not an issue, ma'am.
We'll just cut in and fly over the fields!
"Fly", eh?
Fine. Give me the shirt.
- Bye, ma'am!
- See you, ma'am!
Go safely!
School was over hours ago.
Where were you loafing about?
I wasn't loafing.
I just played for a while.
Where's mom?
She's inside inhaling steam.
"Inhaling steam"?
- Mom?
- Yes?
What's wrong, mom?
I am not well, son.
Wrap that blanket around me...
(sniffs, coughs)
Sivanaindha dear...
Will you do as I say?
- Tell me what it is.
- (coughs)
I won't be able to lug
for the next two to three days.
There she goes again!
Can you take off from school
and cover for me, with your sister?
(coughs)
Hey...
I asked you a question.
Won't you stay quiet, mom?
Always nagging me to go lugging.
I can't go!
"Can't go"?
Won't the broker cause trouble
if neither of us go?
He won't even pay us our wages
because of the advance we took.
It's only for two days.
Why don't you go?
Didn't I go lugging
all ten days of my leave, mom?
What more?
Always nagging me to go lugging!
I won't skip school
to go lugging!
I'll go only if school's off.
Just for two days, son!
Go!
Stop repeating that!
Be it one day or two
I can't skip school
to lug!
"Go lugging", she says!
- Who told you to take an advance?
- Hey! Sivanaindhan!
I'm only asking you to go for two days.
Is that too much for you to handle?
(coughs)
Stop yelling, mom!
Be quiet!
Good morning, ma'am.
What are you doing here?
We came for the mended shirt, ma'am.
Wasn't it his shirt that got ripped?
Why are you out of uniform?
It was my shirt that got ripped, ma'am.
He ripped it.
I snatched his away to wear.
Oh my God!
Sekar...
You seem to be quite the cheeky devil!
Come in.
I'll get you the shirt.
No, ma'am.
Give it to us here.
The fat teacher is in there.
If she sees me out of uniform,
she'll beat me.
So...
You are afraid of her
- but not of me, eh?
- Take it off, man!
Just wait.
You'll get it from me one day.
Here.
No more stupid business like this, alright?
Yes, ma'am.
Sekar!
Where's my stitching fee?
"Fee"?
Didn't you ask for henna leaves?
Right!
Where are the henna leaves?
Hold on.
Get the leaves out!
Here you go, ma'am.
- Wow...
- All for you.
Super, guys!
Thank you!
The headmaster is here!
- The headmaster, ma'am! See you!
- Bye!
- You've all gotten your report cards, right?
- Yes, ma'am!
Get it signed by your parents
and return it tomorrow!
- Got it?
- Yes, ma'am!
- If anyone else signs, you're finished!
- Give me that!
- What are you doing?
- Forging my mother's signature.
- You'll get caught!
- Don't I do it everytime?
- Ma'am?
- Good morning, ma'am!
Sit down, everyone!
A circular has arrived.
Can we read it?
The school Annual Day is coming up.
Those who wish to sing, dance or act
can give your names to Ms. Poonkodi.
I'll do it, ma'am!
- Sit down!
- I dance well, ma'am!
Look at them!
Only those who passed all subjects
can participate.
You go ahead, Sivanaindhan!
Ma'am.
Is he the only one that passed?
He's the only one who studies.
What would you like to do?
Dance, ma'am.
"Dance"?
You know how to dance, huh?
Beat the drum
and his feet will start tapping.
He's good at pranks
like in his studies.
I'm aware, ma'am.
I see his pranks every day!
What's your full name?
V. Sivanaindhan.
Tomorrow's Saturday.
Don't stay home as it's a holiday.
Come to school.
We'll start practice. Okay?
- Yes, ma'am.
- Sit down.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- Very well.
So, Sekar...
After a long time, our school
is having an Annual Day.
It's going to be a lot of fun!
"Fun"?
Hey kiddo, have you forgotten?
Tomorrow's Saturday.
You must go to lug.
You can't go dancing!
Why the long face? Let's go explain
to Ms. Poonkodi.
Hey!
Hey, Sivanaindhan...
Are you worried?
Just grovel to your mother for a day off
and go dancing.
Quiet, man.
As she's been ill last two days,
she hasn't been able to go lugging.
If I don't go either,
she'll kill me!
Come.
Come on.
Come on!
- Watch your step.
- Come on.
Come on.
Get it up.
Come.
- Push it gently!
- Come!
- Careful with the cow!
- It'll come!
Come!
Get on!
- Get it in there!
- Be careful while pushing her!
Why are they loading our cow
on to the truck, mom?
Why do you shout?
The cow's been sold.
"The cow's been sold"?
With whose permission?
Whose permission do I need?
As if you care enough
to take her out to graze!
Get lost!
Don't I take her grazing
on the days I don't go lugging?
Get her back here!
Let go of me!
We took advance payment for three
but only one of us lugs.
How will that sustain us?
How will we settle our debts?
Look at him talk!
So, you'll sell the cow?
Why not? Rather than starving here,
let her be happy with someone else!
Looks like only distance
makes this lord's heart grow fonder!
Come, mom!
- Come, tell them!
- Go away!
- Mom!
- (coughs)
Come, mom!
- Tell them to drive slowly.
- Drive slowly!
(cowbell rings)
(screams in distance) Baa!
Baa!
Baa!
Baa!
(pants)
(melancholic music)
(screams) Baa!
Baa!
Baa!
Baa!
(matchstick clicks)
(door creaks)
Hey!
What are you doing here?
Come in.
Go away!
I won't come back there.
"Won't come"?
Why not?
Why did your mother sell the cow?
How else can she settle our debt?
So, she'll sell without asking me?
Kumar uncle came this morning
about the loan and made trouble.
That's why mom sold the cow.
Will you come or not?
If you don't,
I'll never talk to you again!
I asked you to pluck henna leaves today
and you didn't!
- Always with the dramatics!
- Stop!
What?
Here.
Henna.
So much?
Give me that!
Where did you pluck?
On the way back.
What?
Just that...
Can you take some to Kani
and tell him to apply it?
"To Kani"?
What are you saying?
Do men wear henna too?
If it came from me,
Kani will wear it.
Will you take it to him?
Fine.
Hold on.
What's this?
This belonged to our dad.
I've been wanting to give it to Kani
for a while.
I'll give that too.
(song plays in background)
Who's there?
It's me, brother.
Sivanaindhan.
"Sivanaindhan"?
Come here.
- What's up?
- Henna, brother.
My sister sent them.
Your sister sent over henna?
What are you saying?
Give me that!
Is it all for me?
No. She told me to give you some
and bring back the rest.
Take it, brother.
Here you go, brother.
What's this for?
It belonged to my father.
I've been wanting to give it to you.
That's why I brought it.
See you, brother!
(background song continues)
Sis?
Sis!
I'm talking to you!
What is it?
Just for one day, tell mom
to not send me to lug.
Why?
The Annual Day is coming up at school.
I've signed up for a dance.
My teacher asked me to come
for practice tomorrow.
Are you crazy?
The broker's already angry
as mom didn't lug for two days.
If you don't go tomorrow either,
won't he yell?
I can't do this.
Just for a day, sis.
Sis!
Didn't I take henna leaves to Kani for you?
Just for one day, sis.
- No can do.
- Just one day, sis.
Hey!
What's with the 'just one day' chat?
Nothing, mom!
He wants me to apply henna on him
just for today!
What do boys need henna for?
Come lie down!
You have to go lugging tomorrow!
Don't be upset.
(truck honks)
Mom?
Can I say something?
- What is it?
- Just that...
He's so afraid of lugging.
Why trouble him?
So what if he's afraid?
Can we let him be?
Your father went marching all over
with that red flag.
One day, they found him alone and dead.
What would have become of us
if I had been afraid?
See this? This tattoo is all that's left
of your father!
Seeing that as your father,
I have brought you both this far.
- (coughs)
- But, mom...
He's only just a kid.
Today, he's a kid.
And if I were to die tomorrow?
Listen, dear.
I don't make my son to lug
for the money it brings.
When I am gone tomorrow,
he must know to fend for himself.
Doesn't matter if you are
five years or fifty years old.
If you don't know how to earn,
this world will stomp you to death.
Do you know that?
Don't get needlessly twisted up.
Go wake him up.
Go!
Sivanaindha!
- What?
- Get up. The lorry's here.
Sis...
Didn't I tell you last night?
That I was going to school
for dance practice?
Go tell mom!
I can't tell her.
You do it. Get up!
Please put in a word for me...
Tell her yourself!
Come!
- Tell her, sis!
- Come!
Mom?
Just for today, mom.
I'll go lugging tomorrow.
Why?
For what reason?
- My leg hurts, mom.
- (coughs)
"Your leg hurts"?
Why does it hurt?
I don't know why.
I'll go tomorrow, mom.
Alright.
Go tomorrow.
(coughs)
I have fever, but I will go lug.
You're not well.
Why do you go?
Do I have a choice? If neither of us go,
won't the broker cause trouble?
What else am I supposed to do?
(coughs)
Sivanaindha?
It's getting late.
Go.
I haven't had anything to eat!
Yet, you tell me to go?
I've packed three pails!
Have one in the morning
and another for lunch.
Let me at least eat and go, mom!
The lorry's waiting.
Get going!
You send me starving?
I'll deal with you when I get back!
Give him a pail soon as you get there.
- Have him eat.
- Okay, mom!
I'm off, mom! Take care of my kid!
Go on.
Go on.
Tomorrow's Saturday.
Don't stay home as it's a holiday.
Come to school.
We'll start practice. Okay?
Sivanaindhan...
Hey, Sivanaindhan...
- Sivanaindhan!
- Watch your step!
- What?
- You've come to lug?
You didn't tell your mother
about the dance?
Oh, please!
As it is, my mother is ill.
I was scared to even bring it up.
Can't you tell your sister
and go?
Can't you be quiet?
Let me check with her.
Vembu sis!
- Vembu sis!
- What?
He's crying for not going to the dance!
"Crying"?
Let me see.
Did I tell you I'm crying?
Did you really sign up for it?
Really, sister!
He was the only one in class
to get picked.
He's told the teacher he'd come.
Which song are you dancing to?
I don't know what song.
The teacher will tell us.
Sivanaindha?
Sivanaindha?
Do you want to get off and go to school?
- What about mom?
- She doesn't know about this, right?
Return in the evening
once I'm back from work.
I'll handle it.
- You mean it?
- Hey!
She means it!
Just go!
Sivanaindhan!
Don't forget to tell Ms. Poonkodi
I said 'Hi'!
- Very well.
- Okay, go.
- Go.
- Okay, see you.
Where is he off to?
Hey!
Where are you going?
To school.
Aren't you here to lug?
Why are you off to school?
I signed up for dance practice
at the school Annual Day, brother.
My sister said I can go.
You're going to dance?
Fine.
Get going before the broker sees you.
Won't the sky sing a lullaby...
For us to listen?
Come on...
Come on, my darling
Come on
All that I held within...
Bloomed as flowers on my shirt...
They shine bright in my eyes
What more joy can be had?
Come on...
Come on...
O moon, that turns into a marigold
Upon my path
O sun, that pierces my heart
To stay afloat at its crown
Come on
Come on
You come along
Come on
- Good morning, ma'am.
- Look at this now!
You're here before everyone!
- You get going, dad.
- See you.
What's with the dirty shirt?
I was going to lug, ma'am.
I ran over here straight from there.
You didn't tell your family?
Nothing like that!
My sister sent me over.
Fine, come along.
Seems you have applied henna, ma'am.
- Is it nice?
- It is.
Come along.
Ma'am?
- I have something to tell you.
- What is it?
You look very pretty today.
So you're saying I don't look pretty
on other days?
On other days
you were as pretty as my mother.
Today, you are as pretty as my sister.
Clad in a blushing pink saree
Wearing a blouse of the finest silk
Clad in a blushing pink saree,
Wearing a blouse of the finest silk...
Bearing on your head,
A pail of my gruel...
Into my heart, won't you come?
Adorned in a dhoti, whiter than a lily...
Which rides up high on your thigh...
You come by to make trouble
Move aside, I'm running late
There you go!
My poor mind runs in dizzy circles...
And gets tied up in knots
Around your pretty waist
My heart starts to cramp,
As you walk teasingly away
The cold wind
Sends me into a shiver, dear
Come warm me up in our nest of love
Come waken up your senses, my dear
Your eyes are blackberries
Guavas ripened so perfect
Do not hide them...
Do not let them rot
On my way to the meadow,
I seek you out to cuddle
Do not shy away...
Do not play with my heart
Oh my!
Wow!
Good God!
Here's some chocolate.
- You danced very well.
- Thanks.
We'll practice some more
on Monday.
- Alright?
- Yes, ma'am.
- Shall I get going?
- Okay.
Let's go, dad.
Wait a minute!
Give this to Sekar.
He's been wanting those for a while.
Hey... If you're hungry,
do you want to come home and eat?
It's okay. I'll eat bananas from the farms
on the way home.
- Sure?
- Yes, ma'am.
- Shall I leave then?
- Alright.
- Be safe.
- Shall we go, dear?
Bye!
(bike whirrs)
Come on!
Let's eat!
Come and get it!
Go on!
Go inside!
One at a time, everyone!
(indistinct chatter)
(tense music)
Why did you bring three pails
today, sister?
Don't get me started.
Mom sent two of these for Sivanaindhan.
He didn't have his breakfast.
It's afternoon now.
Don't know if he's eaten anything.
You don't know Sivanaindhan, sister.
If he's hungry, he'll get his hands
on something and eat!
He may've eaten the teacher's lunch even!
Come, let's have it!
We can finish one extra pail, sister.
But there's two.
Shall we give it to Kani?
"To Kani"?
Do you even know what you're saying?
Like I wouldn't know!
I know everything!
I'll go give this to him!
Brother?
Vembu sent this.
It was meant for Sivanaindhan.
You can all share it.
(birds chirp)
(melancholic music)
(footsteps)
(pants)
(breathes heavily)
Who are you?
Who the hell are you?
Who are you?
Who the hell are you?
How dare you pull down the bunch?
How dare?
I was hungry, sir!
So if you're hungry, you would...
You would pull it down, huh?
You would pull down the bunch, huh?
Where are you from?
Puliyankulam, brother.
- Puliyankulam.
- "Puliyankulam", eh?
And you dare steal my fruits?
Get up!
Get up!
Come here!
Pick up the bunch!
Lift it up!
Lift it up, I say!
The audacity to come in here...
Hoist it higher!
You do not move a muscle
until dusk, you rascal!
If you drop it, you're dead meat!
Lift it higher!
Even higher!
(sobs)
(melancholic music)
Don't run!
You dare shove me aside and take off?
(intense music)
(melancholic music)
(panting)
(coughs)
(door creaks)
Hey...
What are you doing here?
You didn't go to lug?
Then where did you go?
I went to school for dance practice.
"Dance practice"?
When did you go?
I told Vembu and got off the lorry.
I spelled it out to you this morning...
- ...and yet, you went to dance, did you?
- Just for today, mom!
- What's 'just for today'?
- I won't do it again.
- What's 'just for today'?
- Mom...
What did you tell me that day?
What did you tell me that day?
That I wouldn't cheat you.
What else did you say?
That I wouldn't lie.
Lied to me, didn't you?
Deceived me, didn't you?
Then why did you lie?
Go ahead!
Run!
You'll come back for dinner, right?
I'll break every one of your bones!
(melancholic music)
(birds chirp)
Sivanaindha?
Sivanaindha?
Hey Sivanaindha!
Get up!
(faded) Your sister's here. Get up!
Sivanaindha?
Come on! Get up!
Let's go home!
(eerie music)
(siren wails)
Who will take care of my children now?
(crowd sobs)
You bloody wretch!
You took my child away from me!
You bloody wretch!
(sobbing)
Who'll take care of us now?
You left our children behind!
He took my children
and killed them!
Bloody wretch!
Why couldn't you have died?
You killed my children!
You've left me all alone!
Where are my children?
Damn You to hell, O God!
O God! Why couldn't You have taken me
and spared my children instead?
Why couldn't You have taken me?
My brothers...
My sisters...
I killed innocent school-going children
by forcing them to work!
I killed my own children!
(sobbing)
My son!
Sekar!
My beloved boy!
Sekar!
My precious son!
My beloved Sekar!
Look at my son, O Goddess!
Sekar!
Wake up and look at Sivanaindhan, Sekar!
Sekar!
Look at Sivanaindhan, Sekar!
Sekar!
(crow caw)
Wake my son up, Sivanaindhan!
Look at my son...
Sivanaindhan's here!
Get up!
Get up, Sekar!
Sivanaindha!
Take my son with you to school,
Sivanaindha!
Your mother's calling you!
Sekar!
My beloved Sekar!
(sobbing)
My precious child!
My beloved child!
Look at your mother!
(sobbing)
Granny...
- What is it, dear?
- What happened to Sekar?
The lorry toppled last night,
killing them.
How many people died?
Nineteen people died, son!
Nineteen people died!
What about my sister?
Whose son are you, dear?
I'm Veluchami's son.
Your sister Vembu also died!
Your sister Vembu also died!
(breathes heavily)
(truck honks)
(engine whirrs)
(birds chirp)
My precious!
My beloved Kani!
(crows caw)
(sobbing)
My dearest!
Vembu!
Why were you taken away?
Why were you taken away?
I lost my treasure!
I lost my treasure!
My precious!
O Goddess!
Vembu!
(crows caw)
(sobbing)
O Goddess!
O Goddess!
My child!
You've left your mother behind!
You've left your mother behind!
(eerie music)
Stop!
Where are you going?
- Listen...
- No garlanding!
No garlands from you!
- No garlands from you!
- Quiet, Muthu!
You don't know crap, Muruga!
Shut up!
- Just hear me out...
- Quiet!
- How is this his fault?
- "How is this his fault"?
Who made them ride with the load?
Who made them ride on that lorry?
Nineteen people died!
"How's that his fault", he says!
He does not get to garland them!
Listen up!
You don't get to garland them!
You don't get to garland them!
- Calm down!
- He can't garland them!
- He has no right to do it!
- Muthu...
He does not get to garland them!
You don't know anything!
Don't mouth off!
Do you take us for fools?
You do not get to garland them!
You have no right to do it!
You have no right to do it!
Take him away! How dare he come here?
They usually travel with the load, right?
Have them do the same now.
Don't spare him!
Smash him!
Smash him hard!
Beat him to death!
This is all this prick's fault!
Get him out of here!
I didn't give that two rupee raise
for nothing.
I factored in all of this
before giving it. Got it?
Don't let that man in here!
He'll be ruined!
He'll wither away!
A cruel fate awaits him!
(singing Chithadai Kattikittu)
(truck honks)
(people scream)
(indistinct chatter)
(sobbing)
Get up and look at me!
Sekar!
My son!
My son!
Vembu!
Vembu!
Oh no!
Vembu!
Vembu!
(breathes heavily)
Vembu!
(sobbing)
Vembu!
(melancholic music)
Vembu...
(sobbing)
Vembu...
- Vembu!
- Get her out of there!
(water splashes)
(indistinct chatter)
(melancholic music)
Come on!
Come on!
(indistinct chatter)
(door creaks)
(cries)
Sister!
Sister!
Sister!
Where's your ration card?
Where's your ration card?
Dear fellow...
Oh God...
Wake up my child!
Wake her up!
- Didn't she come with you?
- Sister!
Where's your ration card?
Ration card...
(sobbing)
My child...
My child...
Sister!
Where's the ration card?
Where have you kept it?
(sobbing)
(door creaks)
(screams) Sivanaindha!
My boy!
- Don't run, Sivanaindha!
- Bring my son back to me, Kanna!
Bring my son back to me, Kanna!
Call my son!
Bring my son back to me!
Don't run!
(pants)
Hey Sivanaindha!
She won't hit you, you poor boy!
Sivanaindha!
If you don't return, your mother will die!
She won't hit you again!
Come back!
Sivanaindha!
Sivanaindha!
(sobbing)
I didn't let my son
eat even a morsel of food!
A miserable wretch, I am!
O Sivanaindha!
By forcing you to lug,
I tried to kill you too!
I tried to kill you too!
(breathes heavily)
My son!
(breathes heavily)
Sivanaindha...
O dear God...
Bring my son back to me!
(breathes heavily)
Bring my son back to me!
(breathes heavily)
(crows caw)
My precious...
I am the sinner who kneels in regret
In the path you parted away
The sinner who kneels in regret
My son...
I am the sinner who burns in angst
In the lines of your smiles that are gone
The sinner who burns in angst
In that stack of palm fronds...
In the shine of the single coin...
This sinner believed not
A sacrifice of ten heads is sought for
This sinner believed not
This sinner believed not
I have heard tales many...
That even a lightning-struck tree
Shall bloom again
This sinner knew not
That the entire tree is to be uprooted
This sinner believed not
Where is the jasmine
That bloomed on the mountain top?
Where is the cucumber bud
That frolicked in huge clusters?
Seeing your silk saree
Drying in the backyard...
Even a tree would weep
And a parrot would wallow
I am the goddess of courage
I am the goddess of love
O young calf
That this village yearns for...
Please come back
Please come back, O young calf
I shall tear apart
My dried-up breast for you
As blood...
As a kiss...
Please come back in one piece...
Please come back resounding aloud
My darling...
The forest sparrow has sent out its cry
The song has traversed
Through highs and lows
Your loss it has sung for all to hear
As I searched for a fragrant flower
Amidst the plantain field...
A snake has bit me
A green snake has bit me
A snake has bit me
O noble stead among the herd
Where are you?
O sweet tuber I sought to savor,
Where are you?
If the stork fishing in a river
Were to take a look at me...
It would peck my eyes in an instant
For I am the mother who gave you life
And the demon who snatched it away
O sweet child who ran away in fear,
Please come back
Please come back, my treasure
I shall tear apart
My dried-up breast for you
As blood...
As a kiss...
Please come back in one piece...
Please come back resounding aloud
My darling...
The forest is in flames
Our home is ablaze
The fire rages
Because you are not here
As I sought a drop of nectar
In the blooming forest...
A scorpion stung me
A black scorpion stung me
A scorpion stung me
A scorpion stung me
My dearest...
A sinner, I am
A sinner that made you run away
A sinner who chased you away
A sinner who made you flee
A sinner, I am
A sinner, I am
A sinner, I am
My dearest