Review: Jama

The film makes an honest and sincere effort to showcase the passion with which street play artistes pursue their craft. It does not stop with just showcasing their lives and lifestyles but also goes on to highlight the politics and the struggle for power that exists even within such small units.

A still from jama

Film : Jama
Director: Pari Elavazhagan
Cast: Pari Elavazhagan, Chetan, Ammu Abhirami, Sri Krishna Dayal, K.V.N Manimegalai, Kaala Kumar, Vasanth Marimuthu, Jesuraj, S.Sarathi Krishnan, Siva Maran and A.K. Elavazhagan among others
Music and lyrics: Isaignani llayaraja
Cinematography: Gopal Krishna
Editor: Partha M A
Rating: 3 stars

Director Pari Elavazhagan narrates a well thought out, engaging story that revolves around a theatre troupe that stages street plays. A group that stages street plays is called a Jama and that is what the film is all about.

To his credit, Pari manages to keep you interested in his story’s plot from start to finish, despite the absence of any big stars in the cast. Trusting only the film’s content to fetch him the attention of the audience, Pari Elavazhagan narrates a story rooted in realism. His faith in the adage that ‘content is king’ doesn’t go unrewarded as you get hooked to the plot and have no reason to take your eyes off the screen for even a minute.

The developments in the plot and the manner in which the characters have been fleshed out draw you into the plot and you don’t miss the presence of any big stars in the film.

The story in brief…
The story begins with Kalyanam (Pari Elavazhagan), an innocent simpleton who is passionate about acting in street plays, being exploited by all the members of his theatre troupe or Jama that is run by Tandavam (Chetan). Kalyanam is often allocated the women characters in the street plays that the Jama stages and as a result of consistently playing these characters, Kalyanam’s body language and mindset changes considerably. He appears effeminate, so much so his mother has a hard time finding him a bride.

Tandavam, who runs the troupe, pretends to be kind, considerate and affectionate to Kalyanam in a bid to ensure the simpleton stays loyal to him and continues to serve him.

It is under these circumstances that Tandavam’s daughter Jagadambal (Ammu Abhirami), who is in love with Kalyanam, one day asks him to bring his mother to their home and ask for her hand in marriage. When Kalyanam and his mother arrive at Tandavam’s place all hell breaks loose. What happens then is what the film is all about…

Jama’s strengths
The film has good, rich, unique content not witnessed in Tamil cinema before and that is its biggest strength. Also, the director seems to have done extensive research into the lifestyles of such theatre artistes for his film. His portrayal of the characters gives you the impression that the film is the work of a man who knows what he is talking about.

The film makes an honest and sincere effort to showcase the passion with which street play artistes pursue their craft. It does not stop with just showcasing their lives and lifestyles but also goes on to highlight the politics and the struggle for power that exists even within such small units.

The film’s third biggest strength is the performances of its cast. Almost all cast members deliver what is expected of them. The director Pari Elavazhagan, who himself plays the lead character of Kalyanam, comes up with a fantastic performance to keep you hooked to the screen.

Actor Chethan, who impressed in the television serial ’Vidaathu Karuppu’, makes a sterling comeback with this film as Tandavam.

Actress Ammu Abhirami, who plays the female lead in the film, is also equally impressive and emerges as one of the film‘s biggest strengths.

The film’s fourth biggest strength is the music of Ilaiyaraaja. The maestro comes up with a fantastic background score that amplifies the emotions being showcased on screen. In fact, after a long time, the music of a film is so good that it makes you sit up and take note of it.

Jama’s weaknesses
Although the film has a good, fresh realistic plot and its cast members come up with noteworthy performances, what could work against the film is that it is about Theru Koothus or street plays and therefore has a considerable number of sequences showcasing such sequences. With street plays having lost their sheen in this day and age, such sequences may come across as boring to some sections of the audience.

COIN’s Recommendation: Jama is a noteworthy film that has a fresh plot and some commendable performances to offer. It comes across as a sincere and commendable attempt at filmmaking. However, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea as it revolves around the age old art of street plays. If you are someone who is into rural lifestyle and has a fairly good understanding of life in the villages, or if you are someone who knows nothing about rural lifestyle but are eager to know more about it, you are likely to find this film appealing and entertaining.