First of all, I should say the movie had the best star cast, with Karnan played by Sivaji portraying the strength, confidence, honesty and pride at its best. Asokan playing Dhuryodhana perfect body language for false pride and vulnerability, scheming sakuni played by Nambiyar and the physically strong
though mentally confused and weak Arjuna by Muthuraman, and who else can you think of as the Lord, NTR.
This scene in my opinion gets an A+ for its direction, music direction and histrionics.
Direction: ‘cos, it was very intelligent of the director to have made the dialogue between the Human (Arjuna) and the Lord (Krishna) to have it the way it is. Arjuna speaks out his woes, doubts and confusions to the lord and the Lord gives him the Geethopadesam in short and sweet verses. I thought, it perfectly portrayed the state of mind Arjuna was in and how the Lord clarifies everything for him. Also I will have to mention the scene did look like a battlefield without any of the graphics gimmicks that is used today to show any action sequence. I thought this scene proves the fact that BGM and the body language of the actors is more than enough to carry out any scene in a movie.
Music Direction: The ragas he had chosen for the Geethopadesam. There are three verses in the sequence, with the first one in Natai. The ragam is usually used as a prelude and a raagam to set-up a war scene. It is the raagam which is used for “Swami purappadu” (well it is gambeera nattai, but hey it is close) in temples and the style of music is called the mallari. The mood conveyed is valor and also marks the beginning of the event that is to follow. The next one is Sahana. It conveys sympathy and consolation. It sounded like the Lord is sympathizing with the confused Arjuna and tries to console him and convince him to go ahead with the task in hand. The last one is Madhyamavathi, a raagam chosen to end any kutcheri. Here the MD uses it convey, “ok! Enough is enough I think this is it now, have faith in me and go ahead with what I tell you, and shall not entertain any more questions.”
Histrionics: The actors Arjuna and NTR have done perfect justice to the role they were assigned.
Not to forget, this dude Seergazhi Govindarajan, I really do not have any words to express how wonderfully he has sung the verses. There are other songs in the movie which are also haunting, “ullathil nalla ullam, enna koduppan”. Amazing voice and expressions (swara gnanam and bhavam).
