Randamoozham
| File:Randamoozham.jpg 2011 edition cover | |
| Author | M. T. Vasudevan Nair |
|---|---|
| Translator | Gita Krishnankutty |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Mythology, drama fiction |
| Publisher | Current Books |
Publication date | 1984 |
| Publication place | India |
| Media type | Print(Paperback) |
| Pages | 300[1] |
| ISBN | 81-226-0731-4 [2] |
Randamoozham (Template:Lang-en, Template:Lang-ml) is a 1984 Malayalam novel by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. It is widely credited as his masterpiece.[3] It was translated into English as Second Turn in 1997. M. T. Vasudevan Nair won Vayalar Award, given for the best literary work in Malayalam, for the novel in 1985.[4] Later, in the year 1995, he was awarded the highest literary award in India, Jnanpith Award, for his overall contribution to Indian literature. The novel Randamoozham also won the Muttathu Varkey Foundation award.
The novel is set as a retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata, from the view of Bhima, the second Pandava. The novel starts with Mahaprasthanam, where pandavas renounce their kingdom and other worldly possessions and start the final pilgrimage to Himalayas to enter the heaven in bodily form. The story deviates from the traditional Mahabharata story when Bhima stops to take care of Draupadi during this journey. The author avoids divine elements of the epic in an attempt to portray the story as a real incident that happened in prehistoric India. One reason for the novel's cult following is that this was the first time Malayalam readers experienced revisionism in literature.
The novel has been translated to multiple languages. The English translation by Gita Krishnankutty is titled Bhima: The Lone Warrior.
Plot summary
The story begins with the incident of Mahaprasthana where the Pandavas leave for the pilgrimage to Himalayas forsaking all the worldly possessions. The author avoids the divine elements of the ancient epic re-presenting all the characters as a real human from today’s world. How much the Pandavas owe to this great warrior is unfolded.
Film adaptation
A film adaptation of the novel is currently under pre-production. Noted director Hariharan will direct the film from a screenplay by M.T. Vasudevan Nair. The film is apparently the most ambitious project of the writer-director duo in their association of over 30 years.[5]
About the making of the film, Hariharan says: "After Pazhassi Raja (2009), I felt Randamoozham was the obvious – if not the only – choice I had. I needed something that would challenge me further as a director. And Randamoozham, a brilliant novel that gave a whole new perspective to the Mahabharata, is the ultimate challenge for any director. M. T. felt I could take up that challenge and we have been working on the project for the past few days here in Kozhikode".
Being made at a budget of Rs. 250 crore, it is touted to be the most expensive film in Malayalam Cinema as well as Indian Cinema.[6][7] The film will be dubbed and released in all the major Indian languages as well as in English. Mohanlal would portray the central character, Bhima.[8] Hariharan had said that they were not looking for the leading stars for supporting roles, but only the actors who are suitable for the roles.
The film will be produced by Gokulam Gopalan, under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies.
References
- ^ http://indulekha.biz/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=70
- ^ http://www.dcbookshop.net/books/randamoozham
- ^ http://indulekha.biz/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=70
- ^ "Jnanpith Awards". Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/others/mt-and-hariharan-team-again-216
- ^ http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/malayalam/224865/
- ^ http://www.indiaglitz.com/randamoozham-to-begin-with-mohanlal-amithab-aishwarya-vikram-malayalam-news-118604.html
- ^ "Mohanlal is Bheema".
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan will play the role of Bheeshma, while Tamil superstar Vikram may be roped in to play the character of Arjuna. Aishwarya Rai may be the choice for the role of Draupadi. Telugu star Nagarjuna is part of the mega project The movie which is planned as a two part film has a budget of Rs.250 crore. The film will be multilingual with Hindi,English and Malayalam versions
