A raga brimming with love and longing. The soulful strains of Kamboji will transport anyone to a world of rapturous romance, something that forms the backdrop of Vinod Mankara’s musical thriller. Set amidst the spectacular colours of Kathakali, the film portrays the tragic love story of two artists. “The film is basically a cinematic interpretation of a real-life incident. It’s woven around the life of an artist who was sent to gallows for murder,” says the director.
Kamboji takes you back to the 60s, to the rural Palakkad where village whores are well-versed in Kathakali padams and local tea-shops function as meeting places for artists. It’s the village of Uma Antharjanam who is married to dance. But when Kunjunni, the charming Kathakali artist, enters her kalari she gets hit by the cupid. “Uma is a renowned Mohiniyattam danseuse. So more than a mere love story Kamboji is a merger of Kerala’s most celebrated art forms,” says Vinod. At one point their romance turns sour and Kunjunni ends up as a convict in Kannur jail. “The film has its share of intrigue as it tries to decode the situations that lead to the murder. The highlight of the film will be it’s amazing climax, some startling facts that unravel a day before his hanging,” he says.
Kamboji will feature some near-perfect classical dance performances from its lead actors, adds the director. “Vineeth and Lakshmi Gopalaswamy went through some rigorous training sessions for the film. Though both are trained dancers they have never tried Kathakali and Mohiniyattam before. I think Vineeth will be the first actor in Indian cinema to present a totally professional performance on screen, that too in a dance form he is not very familiar with,” he says.
Apart from the leading duo Rachana Narayankutty, Sona Nair, Hareesh Perady and Sivaji Guruvayoor appear in key roles. “Rachana plays Uma’s maid Ammini, who is enamoured by Kunjunni and creates a conflict in the narrative,” he adds.
In Carnatic music, Kamboji is considered the most romantic of ragas, and as its title suggests the film is a musical featuring the last songs penned by ONV Kurup.
“Sruthi Cherumo, a beautiful song sung by Yesudas in Kamboji raga, will be a major attraction of the film. And to retain the originality of the period we have used live instruments only.” Kamboji, which also boasts of nine National Award winners in its crew, is expected to hit the marquee shortly.