Gaanam

Palghat Rukmini and Aravindakshan are two gifted musicians, who are drawn to each other and they see only music as the common interest, which made them fall in love with each other. They never realized the fact that they belong two different castes, Rukmini from an orthodox Namboodhri Tharavadu and Aravindakshan from a low caste Puliya household. But the same music was the cause of their separation too, because of their ego clash. What actually happened between the two?

The movie takes us to a beautiful village in Kerala with a river and temple. We hear a melodious Thiagaraja's composition Sri Mahaganabathm Bajare. A young boy belonging to a local Puliya community listens to the song with so much adulation and follows curiously where it is coming from and it took him to a palatial Namboodhri Tharavaadu. The boy is Aravindakshan and the singer is Narayana Namboodhiri Padu. As he is not allowed to enter the house, he is stopped at the gate. He soon was sent back. Fortunately Narayanan saw him again, this time he saw him deeply engrossed in the sound of nature. He decided to take him as his disciple as he found a musical genius in him.

He welcomed him to his house, gave him a nice dress and food and took him to the Kathakali performance. All the guests walked away saying he brought curse to the Namboodhiri family by bringing a lower caste boy. Narayanan completely ignored their criticisms and decided to teach him, saying music knows no caste. Aravindakshan started learning from him. Narayanan was completely impressed by his talent and his daughter Sreedevi started admiring him secretly. She too learned Mohiniyattam and the house was filled with music.

After many years of dedicated learning, Aravindakshan became a great singer, even surpassed his Guru.. But unlike Narayanan he started performing in famous auditoriums and temples and became a well known figure. Ganapathi iyer and Vasukkutty became his constant accompanies. Ganapathi always talk about one Palghat Rukmini and Aravindakshan was very curious to know about her. In fact he was a bit jealous of her even without seeing her. Ganapathi was supposed to play for her in Chithoor concert and people were so enthralled by her music. Even Rukmini heard people talking about Aravindakshan and she wants to meet him desperately.

Narayanan Namboothiri was all in praise of Aravindakshan. He has given up all his properties and living in a small house with Sree Devi. Aravindakshan felt guilty and asked him whether he is responsible for his present state for which Namboodhiri answered it was his own decision. He quoted Saint Thiagaraja " Nidhi saala Sugama, Rama Nee Paaduka seva Sugama ".

Rukmini finally had a chance to see him. She heard through Ganabathi that he is an expert in singing Ragamalika. Rukmini too wanted to learn it. When he approached Narayanan ge refused immediately, saying Aravindakshan is the right choice and Rukmini decided to meet him. But her father is dead against the idea, as he felt it is below their prestige to learn from a lower caste person. He even insulted Namboothiri saying he is only fit for teaching low caste students. Rukmini apologized on her father's behalf and left with a heavy heart.

She went to the temple where Aravindakshan is going to sing . She introduced herself to him and told her life's ambition to learn Ragamalika from him. Aravindakshan was so spellbound on seeing her and agreed immediately. They both were so involved in their passion and spent all their time singing and learning from each other. In that process, they get attracted to each other and emotionally they get closer too . They both decided to get married. They even talk about having a baby who will neither be a Namboothiri nor a Nair or Pulaya but a child of music .

Narayanan was so happy when he heard the news and gave his blessings, but Sreedevi was broken hearted . Narayanan consoled her asking her to swallow it like a bitter pill . He told her that Thirumeni family are only givers and not takers.

There was a storm in their smooth relationship all of a sudden. Rukmini's friend was commenting casually one day that Aravindakshan is a little proud about his musical talent and Rukmini too felt the same. When Sami iyer was criticizing Aravindakshan mixing two ragas in a concert, he got so furious saying such a thing can never happen and only Goddess Saraswathi can find fault with him and no one else. He asked to Rukmini's opinion about this for which she sang a composition of Saint Thiagaraja which tells even an emperor cannot feel superior to anyone. All started making fun of him including Ramaiar. Aravindakshan got so insulted and immediately walked away saying it is because he belongs to a lower caste they all joined together and make fun of him. Rukmini was completely shattered .

Narayanan Namboothiri died suddenly of heart attack. Aravindakshan carried his body to the grave. Other Namboothiris cursed Narayanan for bringing insult to their community. Sreedevi was left alone . Aravindakshan was ready to marry her saying he never did anything in return for his Guru and this is the only out of gratitude he is doing. He told her that he has forgotten his relationship with Rukmini as a bad dream.

Ganabathi Iyer stopped accompanying Aravindakshan. Rukmini found out that his father is having an affair with another woman. She accused him saying even her mother had the same status and she was an accident. He was using her musical talent only to make money and left him leaving all her savings with him and never to look at her again. When she wanted to return to Aravindakshan she was shocked to see him with Sreedevi as husband and wife. She decided to leave her home. Ganapathi decided to be with her as a loyal servant.

After few months they both had a chance to meet. This time in Guruvayur. Aravindakshan was supposed to be honored for getting Padmashree by a musical Saba. Only after arriving he came to know it was after the concert of Rukmini. He immediately walked away from the venue. Though Rukmini performed in the function, after that she completely broke down.

Years passed by . Aravindakshan and Sreedevi have a son Anand who is musically very talented like his parents but his interest is in western music. He becomes a gifted Guitar player. But his father is dead against him playing western instrument, calling him a rebel all the time and never appreciate his talents . Once he got so mad and broke his guitar in anger. Anand left the house in a huff.

Ganapathi found him lying under the tree one day, and immediately recognized him as Aravindakshan's son. He took him to Rukmini. Without revealing his background he asked her to teach him, saying he is very interested in learning music. Rukmini was astonished by his music talent but soon found out he must be Aravindakshan's son. By the same time, Aravindakshan lost his voice and could not sing like before. He was frustrated and visiting all temples. Rukmini and Aravindakshan met once again in Mookambika temple. Rukmini told him he has not lost his voice but she has it with her. She took him to Anand. Father and son had a happy reunion. When they were searching for Rukmini, they found her leaving the house once again but this time alone, and surrendered herself to the feet of Devi Mokambika where she feels no one can come in between her and her music.[5]

The music was composed by V. Dakshinamoorthy and the lyrics were written by Sreekumaran Thampi, Swathi Thirunal, Thyagaraja, Irayimman Thampi, Unnai Warrier, Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Jayadevar.

• Gaanam at IMDb