He went to the house called ‘Palazhi’ in Kandanadu in Ernakulam with the ulterior motives of meeting Srinivasan and arranging an interview with Vimala teacher. Director and Vimala teacher’s brother M. With Mohan.
Malayalee’s favorite Sriniyatan is basking in the living room. Although there are some defects in sight, the smile is not changed. Sometimes slurred when speaking. Narendran, a friend from the country. Producer M.M. Hamza, friend Sajeev; Visitors left and right. Teacher Vimala is also there asking ‘what do you want tea or coffee’. Vineeth, Dhyan and their family in Chennai.
‘I was just here for some vitamin D.’ It was Srinivasa who started the group. ‘The doctor said specifically. To be sunny. That is what has been here since morning.’ Then, the illness information was told. Treatment is underway. Slowly coming back to life.
We have before us a man to whom the new media has paid homage. A society that celebrates without even respecting a person’s privacy. Srinivasan used to shine a torch for the Dinesans in such a situation.
Someone had circulated a photo of him in a very uncomfortable position?
It’s a photo from when he was in the hospital. People who do such things have a strange mentality. My prayer is to give him long life. Not only for him but also for those like him.
Vimala teacher was with her like a shadow. Does this feel like a rebirth for Sreeniyatan?
Teacher Vimala answered. “Sreeniyatan was hospitalized several times. Something inside me told me that nothing would happen to him then. But at one point I faltered. I felt like I had lost everything when I got into the ICU and came out after seeing Sreeniyatan. Dr. Amrita Hospital that day. Lakshmi and Dr. Vivek gave me courage. Dr. Gopalakrishnan and Dr. We are also indebted to Madhu Shankar. They all brought Sreeniyatan back to life.
There are people who ask that all the alleopathic people are in vain?
There are people who call allopathic people and go to the hospital without shame. I have not called anyone. A few things were said. If there is any situation that needs to be said, I will say it.
Isn’t it because of the prayer of the teacher that Sreeniyatan is like this today?
The teacher prays. Temple darshan is also done. I have not forbidden anything. Still not banned. But I don’t go to temples to pray. The first time I went to Sabarimala was for the shooting of ‘Chintavishtaya Shyamala’.
Feeling guilty about life?
Never felt that I had lived badly enough to feel guilty. But it seems that he should not have smoked so many cigarettes. Smoking ruined my health. Even in this situation, if I get a cigarette, I will smoke it. That’s how addictive it is. I have one advice for others; Avoid smoking if possible.
Srinivasan reacts to many things and incidents without looking at his face. Does the teacher forbid it?
Teacher Vimala: I tried at first. But failed. Then, if he goes to ban me like that, he will also use his anger towards me. So I don’t respond.
Did many extremists make many enemies?
I am neither Chinese nor Pakistani. No bandits or mafias have been created. He was not involved in anti-national activities or terrorist activities. Then, some comments are made. If we do not say it, we are not human. So I don’t feel guilty about any of that.
There was something special about our country. All educated people will be Communist Party members. Those with less education depend on these comrades for many things. They will help as needed. This social activity used to be at the lower level of society. We become anti-communist when we doubt whether it exists now.
Do you have personal relations with many leaders of the party?
Friendly with all party members. Is there any point in keeping them aside by saying they are political activists?
Once when I was traveling in a train, a man came and asked. ‘Is it free?’ I asked, ‘Yes, what’s the matter? ‘Someone wants to talk to you’. I asked. ‘Who?’
‘To Pinarayi Vijayan. He will come here.’ I said. ‘No. Just tell me where he is. I will go there.’
He talked mostly about my father that day. His father has taught him Kalari. He had great love and respect for his father.
His father was a Kalari Abhyasi. Have you studied Kalari?
My father never tried to make me a color guru. But Kalari used to teach. Then, the school has calari class two days a week. It is part of learning.
I have once benefited from color studies. A case where a fight with the opposing team is sure to happen at school. There was an opinion that I should lead our group. Because Kalari has studied. Then, he is the son of Kalarigurus. Saying no is a matter of pride. Then I realized something. Even if you have learned Kalari, you can dance only from the floor. They didn’t put me on the floor. Nicely received. And, I have never had to participate in such ‘actions’.
Those who criticize the communist movements have not been able to find anyone other than the ‘Philosopher Kumara Pillai’?
Kumarapilla sir is not one, but one of many. Their thinking and practicality do not grow beyond a village. But they live in the belief that they can change the world. I don’t think Kumarapilla sir is representative of anti-communist slum. He is a real communist.
An occasional phone call. Teacher Vimala spoke at length. Later the phone was handed over to Srinivasan. ‘It’s fine. The new movie will start in November. Then will come to Thiruvananthapuram. see you.’ Nedumudi Venu’s wife Sushila was on the phone. After a moment of silence, Srinivasan continued.
I have lived many times as a refugee in Venu’s house in Thiruvananthapuram. Once a few of us were playing cards at Venu’s house. During the game I occasionally say out loud ‘Ente Chitukali Bhagwati….’ Venu’s mother is at home that day. After we left, Amma said to Venu, ‘You should see that Srinivasan and study. He lives with the single thought of Bhagwati at all times.’
Malayalees saw Sreeniyatan again at Mazhavil Manorama’s event. Many moments were emotional.
Vimala Teacher: Sreeniyatan is not a person who sees anything like that. But then, during the program, Polly cried. Sreeniyatan was shocked when the award was announced to Vineeth, Pranav and Kalya Ni together.
Srinivasan: I remembered the past for a moment. Neither Priyan nor Mohanlal thought that such occasions would happen in life. It’s time for the cat to have a nosebleed. The shooting of ‘Panchavadipala’ is going on in Kottayam. One day Priyan came to the set. Came to talk about the new movie. ‘Don’t run. Alariyam’ is located in Thiruvananthapuram.
I reached Thiruvananthapuram on the said day. Amrita took a room at the hotel. Priyan is in the next room. ‘What happened?’ Priyan asked me. I was shocked. But without revealing it, I said; ‘To act. What?’
‘That’s what happened’
‘What is that?’
‘If you want to act, you need a script. It doesn’t. If you want, you can write and act.’ Priyan’s reply I said ‘he cheated’. Priyan could not write for some reason. It has been three or four days since the shooting started. These days, Priyan was procrastinating the shooting with one or two songs.
It was a new lesson for me. That you can write the script on location and it will be good. I am indebted to Priyan for that.
Mohanlal once asked the critics, ‘Why don’t you see the characters that Srinivasan has written for me?’
I don’t know that he asked that. We make a character beautiful and write. It is the brilliance of the actor that keeps the character in the minds of the viewers. If Lal made the characters I wrote memorable, it was his acting skills. I don’t take any credit for that.
Vimala Teacher: Pranav came with Vineeth one morning when Sreeniyatan’s illness was not getting better. Usually, we used to go and wake up Sreeniyatan and bring him and sit him down. When I looked that day, Sreeniyatan had come to the living room alone. We were surprised. Somehow he came to know that Pranav had come home while he was asleep. He was getting up to meet Pranav. After that incident, he would wake up every morning.
Srinivasan: I really like Pranav. It is not only because he is Mohanlal’s son but also because he has a good personality. That’s why.
Srinivasan overcomes the intense experiences of the disease and enters into reading. The first is the screenplay of the movie ‘Kurukan’ written by Manoj Ramsingh. It stars Srinivasan, Vineeth and Ishan Tom Chacko. M. She is also acting in a film written by Rakesh Mangodi for Mohan.
Does Rajinikanth call now?
no He didn’t seem to know anything about me being sick. He has great affection. Especially to classmates.
Vineeth and Dhyan are active in the film. Sreeniyatan was not interested in bringing them in the film?
My wish was that my children should study and get a job. While studying in 10th standard, Vineeth won the first prize in the state school youth festival for maple singing. It got a big reception all over the country. In Kannur district, wherever there is a program, there is humility. Vimala warned that studies would be hard. That’s how Plus One shifts Vineeth to Chennai.
Once I went to his school to see him. There he was destitute as he did not get enough food in the hostel. I said. ‘Man… Life is a war. We have to face it. We should not retreat after losing.’ His reply when he heard that. ‘Those who watch the war can say so.’ I didn’t say anything after that. We moved to Chennai.
V. R. Jyotish
Photo: Shyam Babu,
Malayalam Manorama, Vanitha Archives