Two Female Stars in a Comparative Perspective.

                           

                              Two Female Stars in a Comparative Perspective.

      Tamil film industry, like world cinema, has generally cherished the status of heroes more emphatically than that of heroines. However, some heroines have outlived their positions with their unique star status and this blog has already gloried the proud star status of some heroines, who proved to be special and indispensable like most front line heroes. Again this writer has also made comparative references to Savitri and Vanisri and Sarojadevi and Bharathi  particularly in terms of their looks and demeanor. However, there were two actresses of two different generations, who magnificently ruled Tamil Cinema, with identical attitudes and similarities, in sharing screen space, with great heroes of their times. They are P.Bhanumathi and J.Jeyalalitha.

      When one thinks simultaneously  of these two female stars, the first thing that would strike their mind, is their innate zeal for aspiring independent womanhood, coupled with an obviously fiery attitude towards retaining their individual space and position, as reflected quite often, in the roles that they happened to don periodically. Both these women could dynamically portray courage and clear levels of self- confidence, as the essential characteristics of the feminist brand. There was an exemplary fighting spirit revealed in their role play, as Bhanumathi performed in films like Chandi Rani, Manamagan Thevai,Makkalai Petra Magarasi,Malaikallan,Sadhaaram and Arivaali and as Jeyalalitha took up in films like Pattikkaadaa Pattanamaa,Savaale Samaali, Paattum Bharadhamum, Kanavan and several other films. Though they belonged to two different decades, they were the chosen co- stars of the most popular hero MGR. Both  had shared screen place between MGR and Sivaji Ganesan not only with a clear mark of equality, but also without letting down their proclaimed right to their own  unique positions, as female stars.

     Both had a charming voice for the musical core, though Bhanumathi would have rendered more number of solo and duet songs. They had certain amount of facial resemblance too. When it comes to performance, both were highly capable of establishing their positions in the given roles with absolute understanding, involvement and dedication. But Jeyalalitha was certainly a more impressive dancer than her senior and in respect of dialogue delivery, she scored more points in rendering her dialogues with force and clarity. Though Banumathi’s voice carried an equal amount of force, when it came to  emotional outbursts, her voice would quite often break down resulting in a screeching, jarring note, particularly whenever she had to cry and shout out her emotions. Whereas Jeyalalitha would make it a point to deliver her emotions, in a voice that was clear, demanding as well as submissive.

      The comparison between these two epoch making actresses, has been the outcome of the writer’s observation, that when Tamil cinema was in the long standing grip of meek and submissive womanhood, subjected to chronic male supremacy, these two women definitely reflected a different profile, one that of an iconoclast, breaking the shackles of traditional womanhood. The point here is that heroines of those days, like Ranjani,[known for her pathetic role play in films like Parasakthi,Devaki and Rathakanneer} Anjalidevi, Padmini,Savithri, Sarojadevi, Devika and K.R.Vijaya could not be thought of playing rebellious roles, celebrating the pride of women’s place in society.

    Whereas these two women time and again, put up a brave face, to reach the audience with the brighter side of belligerence, that women are capable of. Vijayanthimala could also be brought into this category; but she was more a classical dancer of merit and her contribution to Tamil Cinema was comparatively much less than that of Bhanumathi and Jeyalalitha. The other fact that needs a special mention is that, both these female stars, could effectively transmit positive energy, through their sparkling body language and verbal grandeur, with casual ease and a mood of celebration in acting. It is in this respect these two female stars deserve a comparative tribute.
     When it comes to number of films, duration of acting tenure and stable as well as longstanding contribution to Tamil Cinema, Jeyalalitha was certainly far ahead of her senior.The most unexpected demise of Ms.J.Jeyalalitha set in a nostalgic mood in the writer about the dynamic and daring acting caliber of a great star whose acting career culminated long ago, paving the way for her taking up the mantle of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in the line of her political mentor,MGR.Both her celluloid image and political legacy were factors that influenced the thoughts and imagination of the Tamil society to a large extent. Her unforeseen death is bound to make her immortal, through a striking absence of openness and exemplary courage on the political front, so vibrantly reflected by her attitude and behaviour, throughout her life time.    

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