Vishwa Thulasi

Vishwa Thulasi is a 2004 Tamil-language drama film directed by Sumathy Ram, starring Mammooty and Nandita Das. This film's score and soundtrack were composed by Ilayaraaja and M. S. Viswanathan. The film was notable for having a female director.

Plot
The film, set in the 1940s and moving to the 1960s, revolves around the emotional story of Thulasi returning to her village to become a dance teacher. She cannot bring herself to forget Vishwa, a man she has been in love with for two decades. Memories of Vishwa haunt her constantly, and upon a chance meeting with him, she discovers he too is struggling with his love for her. Both are haunted by the memory of Thulasi's cousin, a figure who is unable to control his obsession for his cousin and hide his resentment at Thulasi's feelings for Vishwa.

Thulasi comes to Sundarapuri after her guardians — her grandma and uncle — pass away, to work as teacher in a dance school. It is in Sundarapuri that Vishwa, the Zamindar whom she had met 20 years ago, lives. They meet again and the feelings that had blossomed in their hearts as teenagers, are revived. Vishwa is unmarried and Thulasi has gone through an unceremonious ritual in the name of matrimony, but fear of societal stigma and innate inhibition keep them asunder.

Sensing their intense love for each other, Pattabhi, the manager at Vishwa's house, helps them overcome their fears. It is then that fate enters in the form of Shiva.

Cast

 * Mammootty as Vishwa
 * Nandita Das as Thulasi
 * Manoj K. Jayan as Shiva
 * Delhi Ganesh as Pattabhi
 * Sukumari as Vishwa's mother
 * Manivannan
 * Madhan Bob
 * Kovai Sarala
 * Vaiyapuri
 * Kamala Kamesh
 * Rajesh Vaidya
 * Ambili Devi as Young Thulasi

Production
The film's first schedule started at Pollachi then held at Pollachi, Tharangampadi and Kadalur. Some scenes were shot at 200 year old house at Ottapalam. The filming took 67 days to be completed.

Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack were composed and orchestrated by M. S. Viswanathan. Background score of the movie was done by Ilaiyaraaja. Except for song "Engu Piranthathu" which was composed by Ilayaraja, rest of the songs were composed by Viswanathan.

Reception
Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote that "Though one can appreciate the debutant director's sincerity to give a clean, aesthetic, lyrical film, quite different from the dance-fight-romance routine, one feels 'Vishwa Thulasi' would have made a pleasant video-album. Stretching it to two hours, is stretching it a bit too much!" Indiaglitz wrote "As a story, there is nothing much to write home about. But its treatment and the strict adherence to artistic excellence deserve plaudits. Mammooty and Nanditha just ease through their roles". Bizhat wrote "Viswa Thulasi is an amateurish attempt at film making. Every film has- or should have- a logic, this one defies all logic".

Indiaglitz wrote "A mix of Classical Carnatic stuff and Hindustani music with soul-stirring vocals from S P Balasubramaniam, Srinivas and Karthik, the album is a right pick for all those who love their music to be understated and appeal to their hearts and not ears."

Malathi Rangarajan of Hindu.com wrote that "In a film scenario where sexy gyrations and obscene overtones are a norm, Sumathy, who is new to cinema, shows real guts in coming out with a clean film that moves quite slowly, of course, with veterans who deliver the goods with ease."

Awards
The film has won the following awards since its release:


 * 2005 WorldFest Houston (United States)
 * Won - Gold Remi Award - Music Score - Ilaiyaraaja, M. S. Viswanathan
 * Won - Gold Special Jury Award - First Feature - Vishwa Thulasi - Sumathy Ram


 * Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
 * Won - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Second Best Film - Second Prize, 2004
 * Won - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for best Choreography - 2004