Rich tributes were paid to film director K. Balachander at a meeting organised here on Tuesday.
Tiruchi N. Siva, President, Kalai Peravai, said that Balachander introduced many heroes and other artistes who rose to great heights in life. But the director remained the same in his humble place. Balachander came next to Periyar EVR, Annadurai and Karunanidhi in championing the cause of women by portraying many of them as revolutionary and reformist.
“He can be compared to Bengali directors like Satyajit Ray,” said Mr.Siva. Balachander discussed issues relating to women boldly. He touched controversial issues such as relationship between a youth and an old woman in film like ‘Apoorva Raagangal.’ The character of Anu in “Avargal” can be taken as a role model for a modern woman, Mr. Siva said.
Balachander took complicated issues and provided solutions to them in the films. Sharp dialogues were his hallmark. He projected poet Bharathi and Bharathidasan in a big way in his films by using their poems.
Bharathi Baskar, ‘pattimandram’ speaker, said portrayal of women in Tamil films can be divided into two categories: one before Balachander and the other after Balachander. Predecessors of Balachander projected women in feminine aspects. Balachander was the first to present them as brainy, and courageous.
Comedy was yet another unique feature of his films. Baskar quoted comedy scenes from Server Sundaram, Aval Oru Thodarkathai, and Apoorva Raagangal .
Anu character in film Avargal is a role model for me. She will never weep and she is a very bold woman who throws the mangalya into fire,” she said.
Balachander could make Mammooty, a Malayalam actor, to recite Bharathidasan’s poem flawlessly in Azhagan .
Clippings from films Iru Kodugal , Aval Oru Thodarkatahai , Arangetram , Kaviya Thalaivi , Server Sundaram , Azhagan , and Avargal were screened.
Pushpa Kandasamy, daughter of Balachander, Samuthirakani, a well-known director who worked with Balachander, and Mohan, personal assistant to Balachander, spoke.
