Sethum Aayiram Pon


Sethum Ayiram Pon: Roots is a 2019 Tamil-language drama film directed by Anand Ravichandran in his directorial debut. The film stars Srilekha Rajendran, Nivedhithaa Sathish, and Avinash Raghudevan in the lead roles. The film was released through online streaming services.

Plot

The film revolves around the relationship between Krishnaveni, an oppari singer, and her 23-year-old granddaughter, Meera a.k.a Kunjamma, who is a make-up artiste, after a period of separation.

Cast

The film is directed by Anand Ravichandran, a former software official. Ravichandran had previously directed the short film Kuberanum Irandu Gundargalum. Television actress Srilekha Rajendran and Nivedhithaa Sathish, of Sillu Karupatti fame, play the lead roles. Ravichandran began research on oppari, an ancient way of mourning the dead. The film was shot in 17 days in Appanur near Paramakudi, and real oppari artists were used in the film. Nivedhithaa Sathish revealed that she plays an angry woman who is still trying to figure out her life.

Soundtrack

All songs were composed by Shamanth Nag.
Song TitleLyricist / DescriptionArtists
"Enkonji"Traditional Tulu folk songSumana C., Shamanth Nag
"Hey Oppari Kezhavi"Raghavan, Shamnath NagAnila Rajeev, Shamanth Nag
"Aridharam Poosaama"Shamnath NagAnila Rajeev
"Panjaarathu Kili"Shamnath NagNivedhithaa Sathish
"Aridharam"Cello and Violin ThemeSeenu, Shamnath Nag
"Jaari Jokar Iyya"RaviGomanthi
"Kodongi"Traditional folk songDharma
"Arumbu Meesakaran"Traditional folk songKalimangalam Muniyammal

Awards and nominations

Release

The film released on 1 April 2020 on Netflix.

Reception

Haricharan Puddpeddi of the Hindustan Times gave the film a positive review and wrote that "Anand Ravichandran’s directorial debut does not have a single dull moment". Shubhra Gupta of the Indian Express gave positive ratings with 3.5/5 and wrote that
"Both Sathish and Rajendran work well together, and as they head towards an unexpected finish, we see what the director wants us to: blood will tell, and life, with all its pain and problems, is a celebration". Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion South wrote "...the film works because there’s grace, there’s a quiet dignity. Even a technique as flashy as a whip-pan becomes unobtrusive — Manikantan Krishnamachary is the cinematographer — because the shots are held for long and there’s so much happening that the techniques serve the story instead of overpowering it...the drama unfolds confidently, and with touches of humour — the flavourful dialogues are a big help.".