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Nov 19 13 tweets 7 min read
Thirukural is smartly used in these 5 films to either further the story or to explain the film's core theme or to foreshadow what is coming.

Tamil Cinema & Thirukural: a short thread.

#Thirukural Image
1. Mudhalvan (1999)

In the iconic interview scene from this film, the CM is cornered by the interviewer with facts.

To save his dignity, the CM challenges the interviewer to take up his job for one day.

The hero panics at this unexpected twist.

The CM then utters Kural 691. ImageImage
"With fire,
Go too far & it doesn't warm you.
Come too close & it might burn you.
So, keep a safe distance with fire and kings"
- Kural 691

The interviewer had come too close to fire & is now facing the wrath of the king (CM).

An apt usage by dialogue writer Sujatha. Image
2. Super Deluxe (2019)

This hyperlink film uses Thirukural in a subtle way.

In the lift scene with Fahadh and Samantha,
the husband is furious with his wife's adultery.

Power goes off in the lift and Samantha reassures Fahadh that it would be back soon. ImageImage
Fahadh insultingly asks her: "Are you a pathini (faithful) for power to come back if you say so?"

But it is back the next second!

This is adapted from Kural:55:
"If a devout wife says "let it rain," it will rain."

Samantha's faithfulness in the climax is foreshadowed here! Image
3. Ghilli (2004)

Thalapathy wants to secretly go to Madurai for his Kabbadi semis.

He uses Kural 314 to convince his mom to attend a relative's function.

If not for this Kural, Thalapathy would not have met Dhanalakshmi / Muthupandi to give us the blockbuster of the decade. ImageImageImage
4. Ko (2011)

Two journalists hide the truth about the CM's character to save an otherwise well qualified government.

In fact, they blatantly lie & report him as a martyr instead of an opportunist. All for the greater good.

This is justified using Kural 292 in the end card. ImageImageImageImage
"Even falsehood has the nature of truth, if it can confer a benefit that is free from fault."

- Kural 292

Both the journalists are reinstated, their resignations aren't accepted, as their choice to lie is defended by Thiruvalluvar himself. Image
5. VTV (2010)

This film uses 3 Kurals in the song Mannipaaya and one of it summarises the core theme of the film.

The Kural 1259 states:

"My pride filled mind wanted to quarrel with him.
But the moment I saw him, my heart decided to embrace him instead." Image
This Kural states Jessie's psyche precisely in 7 words.

Jessie has an internal conflict - fighting constant battles between her mind & her heart.

Her mind says "This will never work out, I should stop it" but her heart falls in love despite all this!

The film's core theme! Image
Bonus: "Iru Dhuruvam" series in SonyLiv uses Thirukural as a plot device.

This is a cat & mouse game between a psychô and a cop.
The psychô drops in Thirukural clues after every murdër he commits.
Each relating to eyes, ears, smell, mouth etc.

Watch the show to find out more. ImageImageImageImage
Thirukural from 2000 years ago is relevant till date.

Smart film makers use it for its literary merit.

What other films have you seen Thirukural being aptly used?

Drop in your comments.

If you liked this content, follow @labstamil for more!
RT the first tweet in the thread to spread the word.

May the love for Thirukural increase!

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Nov 20
Rama leaves Kishkinta to reach Tamilnadu, where he crosses the ocean to reach Lanka.

Based on clues from the epic & local legends, it is possible to track his route.

Come, let us follow along the footsteps of Rama, in modern day Tamilnadu.

With google map links!

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Some background: Hanuman has discovered the location of Sita in Lanka & flies back to inform this to Rama stationed at Kishkinta.

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Nov 7
Today is Aippasi Aswini.

In Chola kingdom, horses born on Aippasi Aswini day had a huge market value.

The Cholas believed that horses born on this day were of superior quality & paid a premium to buy them.

Why did Cholas place such a high value on this day?

A short thread!
Aippasi is the seventh month of the solar Tamil calendar.

This month is called Ashwin/Aswayuja in other parts of the country.

Today, Ashwin, the month meets Ashwini, the nakshatra.

What is the big deal about this? What is its connection to horses?
In the Rigveda, Asvins are described as youthful divine twin horsemen, travelling in a chariot drawn by horses.

They are the guardian deities who safeguard & rescue people.

Ashvini is the first nakshatra in Hindu astronomy and considered to be the wife of the Asvini Kumaras.
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Nov 5
What did people eat during the Rajaraja Chola times?
What were their favorite snack?
Did they consume meat? Did they drink alcohol in celebration?

A thread!

Warning: Reading this thread could trigger the foodie in you!

#PonniyinSelvan1
Kalki has documented some (not ALL) of the Chola's eating habits.
Mostly through Vandhiyadhevan!

Vanthiyathevan is the hero we always wanted: he flirts well, sleeps better, and eats like a king!

He relishes the good food served by Sendhan Amudhan's mom.
He Starts with Idiyappam and Coconut Milk, a combination straight from heaven.

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Nov 4
#PonniyanSelvan1 is now on Prime.
Reading this spoiler-free thread could make you appreciate the film better!

What is the central conflict in Ponniyin Selvan? Is it interesting? What is the time period?

All of these are established in the 4th chapter itself, so gear up!
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One king is retiring. Who is going to become the next king?

The fight is for the Chola throne. The period is 968 AD according to Kalki.

Also, according to history!
A quick history lesson:
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Fate played a game here!
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Oct 30
Today is #KandhaSashti – the Soorasamharam day when Lord Muruga slays Soora Padman.

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Did you know that Tiruchendur was also a battle camp for the Dutch in 1649 who stolë the temple idols?
(A thread)
Aganaanooru, Puranaanooru, Silapadhikaram mention Tiruchendur.

Since Muruga won over Sooran here & did Jayanthi Abishekam, this town was called Jayanthi.

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Why did this town become a center of conflict b/w invaders?
Because of its location.

It was just 9km south of Kaayalpatnam, where Dutch had opened their factory in 1645.

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