Arulvaan (2026) Movie Script
The people in this film speak
the Kadar language of the tribe.
For the audiences understanding, certain portions
at the beginning have been translated into Tamil.
'Hey! Blurt it out'
'I don't know anything, sir'
'I know you stole, tell me'
'I swear I don't know anything, sir.
I wasn't even in town'
Sir!
Where did the accident happen?
Near Kaana Vilakku
- 'Aiyo!
- Hit the child and drove away'
'Wretched fellow!
Hit the child and drove away'
'Go and save the child'
'Ambulance will be delayed'
'Bring an auto'
'For every individual'
'Time and Need provide
multi-fold experiences'
'Accepting that as a given'
'Looking at it repeatedly
and moving on, is life'
'A memorable experience embedded
for eternity in my thoughts'
'...is thanks to only one girl'
'In this hamlet, only a few men
knew to speak Tamil'
'Women knew only their own
tribal language'
'Some people living here have not
even seen the outside world'
'Despite the barriers
faced on a day to day basis'
'She nurtured self confidence to prove
each and every obstacle can be surmounted'
'Transformed her trials and tribulations
into a lesson for all to benefit
'That girl is Kurinji'
'Arulvaan'
'One Who Blesses'
"Enchanting water lily
My mountain ebony"
"Won't kurinji buds bloom all around
with your footprints on the ground?"
"Won't the tailor bird yearn to hear
your nectar-sweet voice, my dear?"
"Cool drizzles stretch their hands to you"
"Our deities lift you with love so true"
"Eternal rain showers waiting to
celebrate your success with you"
"Sheaf of grains turn towards you
instead of the sun, to admire anew"
"Enchanting water lily
My mountain ebony"
"Won't kurinji buds bloom all around
with your footprints on the ground?"
Don't throw a tantrum.
If you shouldn't go, you should not
I will go.
Why are you sitting quiet?
- Simply sitting and watching
- Why make a fuss, dear?
Let her come with me.
I'm with her, right?
Why be worried?
- You come with me, child.
- Okay, father.
You're pampering her
too much, not good at all.
Hold your plait.
Don't wander around.
Come back safe and sound.
"In your hands, our dear princess
our world exists boundless"
"To sleep peacefully in your shadow"
God, bless us
Come, let's go
Appa, where are we going today
to gather honey?
The honey on top of the hillock
is ready for harvest
We will bring that down.
- How far should we walk, pa?
- Well have to walk through the night.
"Koel's sweet songs heard crystal clear"
"In the lines of your palm, dear child
happiness flows free and wild"
"Honestly I praise you
as pearl pure and true"
"Not wrong at all to hail you as the light
dispelling darkness in every home bright"
"For our clan, my dear, heap wealth"
"You'll realize our forest is your breath"
Don't be scared.
It's the God we worship.
It won't harm us.
Kurinji
Good looks and brains
are not enough for a girl.
She needs to be courageous.
Not be scared.
You should not feel sad
if you have no one to help you.
A forest can be
really thick and vast.
You should learn to be courageous
to face any adversity in life.
Can you see the hillock over there?
I'll harvest honey and
be back, you sit here.
- Okay?
- Okay, appa
"Looking at your lovely face so innocent"
"Even the radiant full moon wanes 100%"
"When your eyes smile with love and care
even cicadas buzz and bloom everywhere"
"In hair's parting, above your forehead"
"Stars float & shine guiding the way ahead"
"With steps of our favorite child's dance
the soil beneath enhances in fragrance"
"You breeze in like a butterfly, my dear"
"You will cross the sea limitless
Touch the vast sky, our princess"
"Like a spring that never dries; bountiful
you will wander spreading love plentiful"
"On its bank like the cool wind spiraling
narrate stories to all, awe-inspiring"
"Enchanting water lily
My mountain ebony"
"Won't kurinji buds bloom all around
with your footprints on the ground?"
"Won't the tailor bird yearn to hear
your nectar-sweet voice, my dear?"
Appa, where are they going daily for work?
They are not going to work, dear.
They are going to school.
- School?
- Yes, dear
School? What do they do there?
A school is...
a place where all the children gather...
There will be a teacher
to teach them lessons.
Children will be given books to read.
Why should one study?
Education is what shapes
and controls a person.
An educated person will
be listened to by others.
Same goes for our
land and clan too.
Education is the
path to a better life.
Why didn't you study then?
It was not an option for us.
No body bothered to educate us.
Hearing all this makes
me want to study as well.
Father, let me study as well.
Let's see, dear
- Buddy...
- Yes...
- Be careful. Mr.Danger is on his way.
- Okay.
If he asks, tell him we
went to Mekkadu for work.
Okay.
Sir, we got two scapegoats.
He wont spare us even without anything.
Now weve got stolen mushrooms too.
Greetings, sir.
Where were you?
Sir, we just got back
from Mekkadu after work.
What's in the bag?
Lunch, sir.
Hand me the bags.
Sir, these are edible mushrooms.
Is this your lunch?
Mushroom omelette and Mushroom soup, is it?
- Sir, please forgive us.
- Are you trying foreigner's cuisine?
Why wait for lunchtime?
Let's feast rightaway.
What do you say, dear?
Hey, come on...
Thrash them...
How dare you cross the fence
and enter foreigners garden?
Bloody thieves...
You want mushrooms, is it?
Who do you think you messing with?
If the villagers come to know
about this, it might be a problem.
Slap an FIR against them.
Say they killed a deer or peacock.
Bring them.
If anyone dares to step
into the foreigners garden
this will be their fate.
Pandian, what's happening?
When are you going to hand over
this magical gold mine to us?
This magic gold mine belongs to us
Another 10 days you can trip
on these magic mushies.
And you can trip and die
in this mushie gold mine.
You don't worry, I'll take care
of the dirty, ugly tribal villagers.
Why didn't any of you study, ma?
In our clan, girls are generally
not allowed to
interact with other men.
We were told this over and over.
This even forbade us from
interacting with the teacher.
Then how can we study?
Why do we need education?
Only those who desire
a lot need to study.
We are happy with our
life within four walls.
Before you were born
we had schools in our community.
What good will it do if girls study?
Using that as a lame excuse...
Even the boys did not go
to school, just like the girls.
That is the reason...
Govt closed down the
school here, my dear
Mr.Paper, stop there.
What brings you here?
- I am going to visit the village on the hills.
- You can't go there.
Why is that? Is the forest on
fire? Or are you going to light it up?
You sound arrogant.
Come, speak with the officer.
Where are you going?
To the hillock.
Why do you have to drink inside a forest?
Don't you have wine shops back home?
I meant I am going to
the village up in the hills.
Are you drunk?
Being sarcastic, are you?
Check his bags.
Don't you dare touch my bag.
Tell me why I shouldn't go to the village.
Movement between the plains and the
hill village is banned. Government order
This is to stop smuggling of goods.
I will kill you, if I see you again.
Get lost. Look at his funny attire.
Aren't you the one who
smuggles goods all the time?
This isn't the only route to the village.
How are you?
We are fine
Why have you missed your path?
The entire forest is fenced
I got lost, not knowing
which way to go
Let's go
- Be careful.
- Yes, come on.
- How is your village chief?
- He is fine, sir
Sir, I have a request...
The fencing is causing us trouble.
Even in emergencies, were forced to
take a longer route, adding 10 extra km.
Even there, the foreigners have
put up electric fences in many places.
If even people cant tell which fences
are electric, how would animals know?
Please inform the authorities
and help us reclaim our path.
Dividing and claiming forests
in bits and pieces isnt new.
This has been
happening for ages.
I wont let this slide.
Ill write about it
in our magazine.
It will create a stir
among the higher officials.
I have an errand in
the neighboring village.
You go your way.
- Take care
- Okay
'Magic mushroom'
'It isn't the edible kind'
'It is an intoxicant
that dims our senses'
Hey!
Who are you, man?
Hey!
Call the forest officer.
Sir, right here...
You brute...
Have you lost it?
Because of you, the whole
clan will be thrown behind bars.
If he had died, who would
be answerable to his country?
If anything happens to the
foreigners or the wild animals,
You got to pay the price.
Get lost!
Move...
Let's go.
Come on.
Aa...maravalli...
Aa... maravalli...
My father gave a feast to the entire
village and named me 'Amaravalli'...
Pronounce my name correctly.
Shout only if you can pronounce it right.
Stop calling me
Avalli or Bvalli!
Hold this.
What is this?
I got into a fight with those foreigners.
Hey, its nothing.
Why do you care about others?
Why do you get so angry?
They keep trampling over
us because we stay silent.
My father and grandfather
created this forest.
How dare they block
me from entering?
Do you want me to wish
them well and walk away?
Should I stay quiet when
my people are in trouble?
I have only one daughter.
What if something happens to you?
What will I do then?
Why are you crying over this?
Just give me your word
Ill gladly give you a son.
Youre good with words, all right.
The boy from the southern
village seems like a good boy.
Your father is coming.
Don't tell him about this.
Father...
Where were you?
Mariamma from our
village has attained puberty.
So I went to buy pooja
items for the ritual.
Where is your kid?
She has gone to river to take a dip.
- Ask her to come.
- Okay.
- Dear...
- Yes...
Come on. Lets go for worship.
They are the ones who
pave the paths in the village.
Grandpa, how long have you been
doing this deity-possessed dance?
Ive been doing it since I was 16.
Who did it before you?
My father did it before me.
My grandfather
did it before him.
My great-grandfather before that.
Weve been doing this for generations.
Your mother is next in line after me.
Since I had a daughter
my son-in-law will take over as my son.
Youre a girl, so your
husband will do it in the future.
Dear, do you want to do it?
No, I am going to study.
Alright, dear.
Usually mom and daughter dance in anger...
Hey, stop everyone!
Stop! Where are you going?
Which forest are you
going to set on fire?
Sir, we are on our way to
worship our ancestral deity.
Deity? Who?
Ancestral deity.
- Where is that?
- In Mekkadu.
Mekkadu?
From whom did
you get permission?
Sir, we havent needed
permission all these years.
You must get permission from me.
You cant enter the forest as you please.
It would be a sin if we dont complete
this ritual for our ancestral deity.
To hell with the deity and the sin.
What is all this?
You worship trees and hills, dont you?
The trees and hills are all around you.
Offer your prayers and get lost.
Sir, why are you causing trouble?
The foreigners are exploiting
the forest for mushrooms.
You dont question them.
Why are you troubling us?
All we wanted was to offer prayers.
- Who are you?
- Dear, it's alright.
Stay quiet.
Hey, Mr. Chief...
Is he a rowdy in your village?
Dont you know how
to speak to an officer?
I should have thrashed you the very
day you fought with those foreigners.
I took pity on you people.
Two months ago, someone
was killed by an elephant.
Three people were killed by a tiger.
What if you get killed too?
Who do you think will
answer to the government?
Will you answer them?
Take everyone and leave.
Drive everyone away.
Get away everybody. Leave now.
People, bow before
the hills. Lets leave now.
- Let's go.
- Dear lord.
- Let's go.
- Why is the officer so adamant?.
Let's go everybody.
- Hey
- Yes, sir.
If we single out the chief, we
can drive the villagers away.
Lets target him first.
Is that a gunshot?
It sounds like someone
fired a gun inside the forest.
You go ahead. Ill
check and join you.
Okay, chief.
I dont know what that
gunshot was about.
- Let our chief check and come
- Come on
I shoot a deer, and
a monkey shows up.
Hello, clan chief.
What brings you here?
Sir, I heard a gunshot
Thats why I came running.
Did you come after hearing
the shot, or did you fire it?
Sir, where would
I even get a gun?
But theres a dead deer here.
Sir, snakes and other creatures
here are like our own family.
Even before cutting a
tree, we ask its permission!
Why would we harm them?
So you ask the trees for
permission to cut them, but not us?
Who killed this deer?
Whoever killed it will die a painful death.
Hey! Watch your tongue!
You say you didnt shoot it? Then give me a
written statement that you didnt kill it.
Come on...
Is your signature enough?
Or should your entire clan sign?
My signature is enough, sir.
People will listen to me.
Clan chief, write here
that you didnt kill the deer.
I dont know how to read or write, sir.
Weve had no access
to education at all, sir.
Then leave your thumbprint.
Ill fill it in for you.
Not your right hand.
Use your left hand.
Place your thumb there.
Sir, what is this atrocity?
Why are you measuring our land?
How can you even ask me that?
Didnt you sign an affidavit
promising to evict these people for me?
Sir, are you trying to
turn us against ourselves?
First ask your men to
move out of our village.
Clan chief, you are
going back on your word.
I thought you would
evacuate the village for me
How dare you ask my
survey men to leave?
Should I tell everyone
what you did?
This man standing here
He promised to evacuate the
entire village within eight days
and in return, he took a
bundle of cash in his dhoti.
Isn't it true that he took the money?
- Look at what he did?
- Dear Lord...
Chief...
To this day, our chief
has never touched money.
Its a vow like no other. You
wouldnt understand even if I explained.
I swear on everything sacred.
This man didnt even
count a single currency note.
He bundled it in his lap and
walked away, swaying his hips.
When this mountain gives us
a livelihood to live comfortably
why do we need
this paper currency?
Hey! Go search
the chiefs house.
Okay, sir
Well know the truth soon.
If our livelihood is threatened,
we wont mind to risk our lives.
This mountain gave us the
strength to stand against anyone.
The same mountain
taught us patience.
Dont take that away from us.
It wont end well for you.
Chief, are you hearing this?
Instead of taking your people down to
the plains, youre causing trouble here?
Share the money I gave
you with your entire clan.
Youd better ask your villagers to
abandon the hills and move to the plains.
Sir, this is despicable.
You did this for money?
Do we have anywhere
other than the forests?
Where are we supposed
to find work with our kids?
Chief, please don't cry.
I beg you, my people...
I did not betray you.
Even if a dog licks the
offering we make to God,
our devotion to the
Lord never fades.
Your head, held high,
will never bow in shame.
Dont be upset.
Even if it cost him his life
my father would never have done something
like putting his hand in the fire.
My father innocently put
his thumbprint on that paper.
Look at the misery
it has brought us.
If even one man in our
clan were educated
we wouldnt be facing
exile from our own land.
Daughter
What is it, father?
Send some hot herbal
tea if you have any.
Ill send it over.
When the whole hamlet speaks ill of
a man who never wronged anyone
my heart feels heavy.
Please dont trouble yourself.
- Kurinji
- Ma?
- Take this to Grandpa. Be careful not to spill it.
- Okay
Take this. Watch your step.
Be careful, dear.
The Chief has made
a terrible mistake.
We are doomed.
Where can we go now?
Dont judge him so quickly.
- But he sold the land!
- Hush, his grandchild is coming.
- Its dark. Watch your step.
- Okay, anna
How are we going
to solve this issue?
Nobody knows the truth.
Grandpa, take this.
Dont worry, grandpa.
This is our village.
No matter who threatens us,
we will never leave this place.
I have no words, child.
My peaceful life has
come crashing down.
How much more
betrayal must I face?
Ive lost trust in everyone.
For our clan to move forward
with our heads held high,
never put your thumbprint
on a blank sheet blindly.
Why do you say this, grandpa?
This mountain belongs to me.
My word is law.
I make the rules.
He spoke to me
with such arrogance.
That arrogance came
from his education, child.
He made me stand there,
not letting me move an inch.
He ordered me to obey him.
His sense of authority
came from his education.
Education alone gives
courage and confidence.
For generations, our biggest mistake
was believing in an old superstition.
We told our girls not to look at
any man other than their husband.
To enforce that rule, we
kept you all uneducated.
You must study, dear.
If all of you study
your education can reclaim what we lost.
Promise me you will study.
Dont be upset, grandpa.
I promise I will study.
Alright, go home safely.
Let me rest for a while, dear.
Grandpa!
'The chief, shattered
by the villages mistrust'
'and consumed by guilt,'
'severed the very thumb
that was used against him.'
'And then took his own life'
Why are you creating
unnecessary trouble?
Trouble?
Were here to speak up for people
whose basic rights are denied.
The government and its officers
are meant to hear your concerns
and ensure you
receive proper support.
But you fenced our land and
handed it over to foreigners.
Youve stopped our
people from moving freely.
You killed a deer and
pinned the blame on us.
Its a ploy to
grab our land, sir.
Are they asking for the impossible?
They just want to live here.
Leaving their ancestral gods and land
behind where are they supposed to go?
Your officer tricked an illiterate man
into a thumbprint for a no-hunting pledge
Now hes using it to seize their
land. How can we stay quiet?
If they are guilty, I will
make them face punishment.
But first, ask him to show where the deer
is buried and produce the necropsy report.
Alright
You wont be troubled anymore.
Ill take it from here.
Have faith in me.
Please disperse now.
Sir, we trust you. Well leave.
Everyone, lets go.
Dont worry. Everything
will be sorted out.
Hell take care of it.
Appa
What?
I want to study
There are already three
complaints against you.
I have a full file of your
misconduct on my desk.
Youve brought disgrace
to the department.
Is this how you treat the public?
This is your last warning.
Nonsense.
Get lost.
Sir, the villagers ruined
our deal with the foreigners.
We shouldnt let them off easy.
Ill take care of it.
Sir, we should bury
everyone left in the village.
How many 'couplets'
have you memorized?
Only five.
I memorized ten.
- Recite them, then.
- Shall I?
'Though the world spins, it follows
the plow. Farming is supreme'
I memorized what the
teacher taught yesterday.
- Did you?
- No
Shell scold you.
Youre in trouble today!
...but it is good to forget
a wrong immediately.
- Shall we learn two new couplets?
- Yes, Teacher.
- Bhuvaneswaran, stand up.
- Yes, Teacher.
"To forget a good deed is not good, and good
it is to forget at once what isn't good."
Tell me the meaning of this couplet.
When someone does a good deed,
we must be grateful forever.
When someone does a bad
deed, we must forget it that very day.
Very good.
Everyone, give him a hand.
- 'Sister'
- Thank you, teacher
'Sit down, Bhuvaneswaran'
Who are you, child?
What do you want?
Okay, come in
Come inside...
Hey!
Who are you?
Where are you from?
Sister
Im from Poonkudi.
I want to study.
Will you teach me too?
Children...
Did you understand
what she said?
No, teacher.
- Bhuvaneswaran, come here
- Yes, Teacher
Find Kumar, the
honey seller, downstairs.
Lets see if he understands her language.
- Go call him
- Okay, teacher.
- Careful...
- Yes, teacher
Wait. Hell be here soon.
Okay, tell me.
What is your name?
Teacher, Kumar anna is here.
Come in...
- Hello,
- Greetings, teacher
Kumar, see if this child
speaks your language.
Ask her what she wants.
[Kadar] Where are you from?
Poonkudi...
She speaks our
language, Teacher.
Why have you come so far?
Brother...
Theres no school
in our settlement.
None of us can read or write.
She says theres no school in her
village. No one there is educated.
The Forest Officer tricked her
grandfather into signing a paper.
Theyre forcing the
villagers to leave.
Her grandfather
died of heartbreak.
So she came here, looking for a school.
Come here, child.
Come.
Your desire to
study is admirable.
Especially that you came on your own.
The government
supports girls education.
But you shouldnt have
to walk 15 km to study.
We can start a
school in your village.
You must gather
your village elders.
Ask them to go to town
and meet the Village Officer
or the Revenue Officer.
Theyll review it and send
a report to the Collector.
The Collector will pass an order.
Then your village will get a school.
Kumar, explain this
to her in your language.
Tell your elders to meet the Collector.
Then youll get a school in your village.
Where can I find this Colloctori?
Go down the mountain.
Hell be in the town.
You go and tell your elders.
They will know what to do.
Okay.
Go home safely.
- Amaravalli...
- Sister, tell me.
Father...
Your kid has come.
I went to the school in
the neighboring village.
I saw many girls like
me studying there.
'Hey, focus on your work. Stop staring.'
The teacher said its
too far to travel every day.
She said if our elders meet the Collector
...we can get a school in our village.
She said I can study here.
Father, can you go and meet the Collector?
Then we can all study here.
Hey! How dare you go that
far without telling anyone?
Dont you know wild
animals roam the forest?
Stay home like a good girl.
Dont make me come hit you.
Go back home.
Hey, let it go.
Don't scold the child.
- Go on. Keep pampering her.
- Dear...
It's the collectori, right.
We will go meet him.
You go home now.
Let me finish the work.
Alright, go on.
Okay father.
Yes.
The Collector is right here,
plucking weeds, waiting for you.
Let it go.
Dont scold her. Shes just a child.
She acts this way because you pamper her.
She just wants to study.
Just nod and let her be.
Why are you yelling at her?
You shouldnt encourage this.
After puberty
the custom is to pick a
stone and choose a husband.
We must drill that into her.
Enough! Shes just a child.
Let her study.
We can worry about marriage later.
Let her do what we couldnt.
Stop yelling at her.
If I give in, shell
become uncontrollable.
Leave it to me.
Ill set her straight.
Do whatever you want!
Kurinji!
Kurinji!
My dear Kurinji
Dear, what are you doing here?
What happened?
No, Dad
its nothing.
My dear
Do you think I dont
know my daughter?
Tell me whats bothering you.
Dad is here.
Dad.
When Im married off tomorrow
Youll all be happy, wont you?
I heard what you and
Mom said about me.
You gave me your word back in the village.
But within these four walls
you just nod to whatever Mom says.
Then how
How do you expect me to trust you?
No, dear...
In this village
no one cares about anyone.
Because of the ignorance of the village
I lost my grandfather.
Tomorrow...
we might face the same fate.
He cared so much for this village.
But today
they believe he betrayed them.
He
made me promise
that I should study.
But...
I hesitated at first,
thinking of the villagers.
Still, I gave my word,
because I believed in you.
I trusted you.
Was that wrong?
My dear
What I told your mother
was just to convince her.
But what I told you was a promise.
Theres a big difference
between a word and a promise.
As a father, I promise you. You will study.
As a father, I am responsible
to make that happen.
Don't worry, dear. I am here.
We must find somehow
bring the school here.
Hey, do you think the
Collector will meet us?
They say the Collector is kind.
Were not going for a personal issue.
Were going to request a school.
It would be great if he can
bring a school to our village.
- Yes, that's true.
- Oh, yes.
Kandha! Stop there!
Your daughter has come of age.
- What?
- Shes attained puberty.
Muruga!
Kandha, your daughter has come of age. You
must not cross the forest for eleven days.
Well meet the Collector later.
- Let's go back to the village.
- Come on.
Start the wedding arrangements soon.
Why are you hiding me like this?
Neither the sun nor a mans
gaze should fall on you.
Amaravalli, Kurinji will be married in
a week. Youll soon have a son-in-law.
- Youll be a grandmother within a year.
- Isnt that good news?
Please help me with my problem.
My husband doesnt
care if its day or night.
He only thinks about
his own pleasure.
Sister, some women worry
their husbands arent romantic.
- Why do you worry?
- My body can't take it.
Please give me a solution.
Youll find cat droppings
somewhere in the forest.
Rub it on your body at night.
The smell will keep
your husband away.
I asked for help, and
youre teasing me.
- Come quietly.
- Let her be.
Oh my God. It's him.
You were talking about a cat,
looks like a fox has come.
Keep quiet.
Where are you going?
To gather firewood.
Didnt we tell you
to vacate the village?
Yet you keep going about your work.
If you dont leave your village...
everyone in your village
will end up like your father.
Do you understand?
If you complain to higher officials
do you think Ill be scared?
Go inform your villagers.
Get lost.
What do you think youre doing?
Picking bloody firesticks, it seems.
Kandha, stop. Don't do it.
Hey, stop there.
You bloody tribe...
Stop there. You rascal.
Come on.
You pervert.
How dare you touch a woman?
Weve seen your perversion.
How dare you stop us
from entering the forest?
Ill kill you and
bury you right here.
Hey, hold on...
Let me go. I wont spare him.
The festival is near. Let it go.
Hes a madman.
Dont mess with him.
Everyone, listen!
Do the neighboring villages
know Kurinji is ready for marriage?
Sir, there are five eligible
bachelors across four villages.
Lets see who the lucky groom will be.
Let us see.
- Open the box.
- Yes, sir.
Sir, this stone
represents Mariyappan.
This is Muthu...
'This is Sengayan.
This is Kaani.'
This is Vellaiyan
- Dear...
- Chief?
Please come forward.
There are five suitors in here.
- Take this to your daughter.
- Okay, sir
Ask her to choose
the one she wants.
May she find a good match.
What is this?
Your future husband.
Pick one of these five stones.
Is this stone my husband?
I dont want a stone.
I dont want a husband.
I want to study.
Infront of our clan,
...don't bring us shame.
I will study and
make you proud, Ma.
If you care about our
honor, pick a stone now.
No matter what you say...
...I wont get married.
I want to talk to
the village head.
Call him here.
Ill slap the nonsense out of you!
Who do you think youre calling?
Amaravalli, go get the
chief. Let her speak to him.
Kurinji!
Kurinji, it's me. The village Chief.
Pick a stone, child.
Chief...
I don't want to get married.
I want to study.
Im not here to
grant your wishes.
You must pick a stone first.
If even one person in our clan had been
educated, would my grandfather have died?
We earn our livelihood from this
mountain. What use is education to us?
And even if we wanted to
learn, where would we go?
Your grandfather, the old chief, was
tricked and killed by the forest officer.
We need a school in our village.
Please go and
meet the Collector.
- Have you lost your mind?
- Stop it!
Okay, dear
If this is truly your wish...
...we elders will
discuss it and decide.
I will meet the Collector myself
and ask for a school for our clan.
Were not marrying you off tomorrow.
But the ritual must be completed.
Pick a stone and confirm the groom.
Okay, Chief.
I believe you.
Ask my mother to come in.
I will choose the stone.
Amaravalli, go inside.
Don't you worry...
Your wish will come true.
Now, pick a stone.
God, please grant us a school...
for our clan.
'Trusting in God and tradition, they
began the wedding preparations.'
'They made offerings so their
family deity would lack nothing.'
'In gratitude to the
mountains and the honeybees.'
'The wedding rituals continued.'
'Kandhan dressed himself
as the Divine Father.'
"Praise be to the Spear Holy
Personification of Shiva and Shakti"
"Praise be to the sacred lance
Held in Lord Muruga's hands"
"Torch of flame scorching red ablaze
Lord Muruga's spear protects always"
"This holy spear appeared naturally
to safeguard the world eternally"
"His hands wield the Holy trident
with the ferocity of a raged elephant"
"On His peacock rides Skanda
the valiant son of Lord Shiva"
"Muruga, through Your unchanging austerity
bestow grace on me, Your humble devotee"
"Your grand crested rooster will stay
as our guardian throughout the day"
"O supreme remedy and medicine
Praised by all demi gods in Heaven"
"Eldest son of Lord Shiva
Praised by the Vedas, Muruga"
"6 Holy abodes where You reside divine
transformed into our mother's lap sublime"
"Mountains, forests & beasts roaming free
turned into Lord Muruga's form naturally"
"As Lord Muruga is with us to guard
unending hardships will be resolved"
"Praise be to the Spear Holy
Personification of Shiva and Shakti"
"Praise be to the sacred lance
Held in Lord Muruga's hands"
"Torch of flame scorching red ablaze
Lord Muruga's spear protects always"
"This holy spear appeared naturally
to safeguard the world eternally"
This is an ancient
custom of ours.
- Kurinji?
- Appa
Princess of our hills.
God is with you.
Your wish to study will surely come true.
Remember, your father
supports you. Don't you worry.
Okay, father.
"Worldly life in endless motion
like waves swelling in a mighty ocean"
"Muruga, our red-hued lord, divine
In boundless love, His grace will shine"
"To make our wishes and dreams come true
the world revolves to see us through"
"The world evolves to fulfill our aims
while Time creates the right frames"
Kurinji dear, please stay put...
I am headed to the festival.
Your aunt will accompany you.
"Self-invited, Guhan came with grace
as baby Muruga to bless our place"
"In childlike form, He shines bright
soothes our hearts with healing light"
"Vedic rituals performed
Through aeons confirmed"
"In a moment transformed
with His blessings affirmed"
"His radiance so bright
dispels the darkness of night"
"Torch of flame scorching red ablaze
Lord Muruga's spear protects always"
"This holy spear appeared naturally
to safeguard the world eternally"
"Torch of flame scorching red ablaze
Lord Muruga's spear protects always"
"This holy spear appeared naturally
to safeguard the world eternally"
Kurinji, eat your dinner
and go to sleep.
Aunty...
As the Chief promised...
...after you meet the Collector...
...will you really make sure
a school is started here?
Thats not going to happen.
It was a lie to make
you choose a stone.
How could you
betray me like this?
Did the whole village
conspire against me?
Just to trap me in a marriage?
Yes. Picking the stone
sealed the marriage.
All that remains is for
the groom to arrive.
You will be handed over to him then.
What about my education?
It is your destiny.
We can't help it.
'Kurinji realized that the promise, that
she could study if she married, was a lie.'
"When our dear daughter entered teen age
it is time for sacred thread & marriage"
"She stands transformed, child to maiden
Woeful tears all of a sudden fall unbidden"
"Handsome Muruga's handiwork divine
to exchange garland with her groom in time"
"Muruga's antic, Lord Shiva's son sublime"
"His hands wield the Holy trident
with the ferocity of a raged elephant"
'Amaravalli...Amaravalli'
'Kurinji is missing'
"Muruga, through Your unchanging austerity
bestow grace on me, your humble devotee"
Kurinji!
Kurinji!
"Your grand crested rooster will stay
as our guardian throughout the day"
Kurinji!
"O supreme remedy and medicine
Praised by all demi gods in Heaven"
"Eldest son of Lord Shiva
Praised by the Vedas, Muruga"
"6 Holy abodes where You reside divine
transformed into our mother's lap sublime"
"Mountains, forests & beasts roaming free
turned into Lord Muruga's form naturally"
"As Lord Muruga is with us to guard
unending hardships will be resolved"
Who gave you permission to hit them?
"Mountains, forests & beasts roaming free
turned into Lord Muruga's form naturally"
"Self-invited, Guhan came with grace
as baby Muruga to bless our place"
Do you think you can do
anything to control the crowd?
Sir, they are not listening to us.
We were just making sure
theres no trouble when the CM arrives.
And theyre not very cultured.
They dont behave well.
The CM is coming here for their sake.
Kurinji!
Separating people in the name of
culture. Do you call that social justice?
People will treat us
the same way we treat them.
This program is
for their benefit.
- Seat them in the front row.
- Sorry, sir.
"My child, so pure with ideals high
No soul on earth can touch your sky"
"Where have you gone, our dearest?
Mother Nature is on an earnest quest"
"Our entire clan is in distress
Searching for you, o' princess"
"Nowhere to be seen, my dear?
Our entire hamlet is searching now here"
"Without your voice to lilt me through"
"No flute am I, just a hollow bamboo"
"Without your steps to match its song
our forest stream falters to flow along"
I don't understand
what you're saying, dear
Please go and ask
somewhere that side
"Without you, our roosters stay mute
No crowing wake-up call of salute"
"On tree tops, due vigil honeybees keep
In hives they wait for you, shunning sleep"
"The low wall guarding our village boundary
may crumble and fall without you, dearie"
"Water set to cook rice daily anew
just refuses to boil without you"
Go away
'A girl should have the courage
of a lion in the forest'
'Others should be scared of you'
'You should never be scared
of anyone or anything'
"If you walk at night all alone
like smoke drifting on its own"
"Can you reach your destination
without any sense of direction?"
"Even if the stream burns all night
and baby fishes cry in morning light"
"Will the waters turn a blind eye?
Likewise we still search with many a sigh"
"Like drizzles lost in the vast, blue sea"
"Days drifted by without any identity"
"Dawn and dusk elusive and illusive
Your absence hurts as a grief effusive"
"My child, with ideals lofty & true
No soul on earth can surpass you"
"Where have you gone, my dear?
Our hills & forest call from far and near"
"Our entire clan is in distress
Searching for you, dear princess"
"Nowhere to be seen, my dear?
Our entire hamlet is searching now here"
Walk that way.
Do you need some fruits?
Sir...
Whatever you are saying...
I don't understand.
Whatever I am saying...
You don't seem to understand either.
To go back to my own village...
I don't know the way.
If I am able to meet the 'collecotor'...
I was told I can study in a school.
That was the only reason,
I ran away from home.
I want to meet the 'collecotor'...
Please help me!
Here, take this.
Come on.
Why are you crying?
Eat and appease your hunger.
Whose child is this?
Hold this.
My dear...
I don't know whose child
She is burning with fever.
Get up, dear.
'Come, dear, get up'
Seat her in that chair.
Sit down.
Don't be scared.
Can you check the child.
She is unwell.
Inhale and exhale...
Give me that injection
What is the girl's name?
We don't know, doctor
We had gone to the temple.
She was shivering and lying
under a tree over there.
I didn't have the heart to abandon her.
So I brought her here, doctor.
This is only a normal fever.
But the child is a bit weak.
A couple of drips will do her good.
Wait for 3 hours and take her.
I have an errand to run, doctor.
Can I come back and take her?
I'll pay the fees and go.
- It's okay, I'll attend to it.
- Thank you, doctor.
Aiyo!
'Wretched fellow!
Hit the child and drove away'
'Someone call for an ambulance'
'Lift her'
Who admitted her in the hospital?
An auto driver admitted her, sir
'We interrogated him too
He is not at fault'
'Take her to the hospital'
'Her life is not in danger'
'Her hands and legs are fractured'
'She had an IV line on her hand
when she was admitted'
Her ovaries...
has been stolen
From such a young girl?
Bloody heartless!
Let me get hold of the rascal!
Did you ask the booth police?
Yes, sir, but the police arrived
a bit late to the spot.
The bystanders took her
to the hospital, sir.
- Send the CPR copy to all the stations
- Okay, sir
If they receive any call about
a missing child, inform me immediately
- Okay, sir
- You can go
- Are all of you here?
- Yes, sir
- 'Good day to all
- Vanakkam, sir'
Collector sir has come
to our special village meeting
He is presiding over this meeting, okay?
For the water tank in ward 3
Rs 300000 was the fund allocated
2,25,000 has been spent already
Contractor says he can finish
the rest of the job
Rs 300,000 for street lights.
Excluding all this, we have collected
a temple festival fund of Rs 300,000
- Do all of you agree?
- Yes, sir
- Good morning, sir
- Tell me, sir
Sir, 4 days ago a child was
involved in an accident
Accident?
We are unable to understand
the language she speaks.
We haven't been able to identify.
Nor has anyone come looking for her.
But repeatedly she says 'Collector'
trying to convey something to us
So I think it will be better
if sir can come over here.
Sir is in a meeting
I'll convey this immediately.
- Okay?
- 'Okay, sir'
- Greetings, sir.
- Greetings.
It has been ages since lamp posts
were erected in our village
But we have no current
nor light, sir
Our village has been blessed
with your presence.
Kindly help us get electricity, sir.
Sir, this is not a meeting to find faults.
This meeting is for you to
claim what is rightfully yours.
If your streets are not lit
as it should be, ask for your right boldly.
Decisions made in a village meeting...
It is equivalent to
a law passed in the Parliament
Even the Court cannot refute it...
But the decisions taken,
Should be only for
the welfare of the village.
No religion should be
targeted or demeaned.
Nor should an
individual benefit selfishly.
There should be no separate agenda.
This meeting is convened
for the welfare of your villagers.
Even I am a mere bystander...
So take a wise decision
and I will fulfill it for sure.
Our demands will be met it seems.
All of you can leave without any stress
Sir, we got a call from the office
of the Superintendent of Police.
A young girl is involved
in an accident it seems.
The moment she regained consciousness,
She has been badgering them
to meet the collector.
So SP wanted to know-
How is the girl now?
She is alright.
- Let's go
- Okay
- Sir
- Which hospital?
- She is admitted in Govt Hospital
- Come
How is she now?
She is fine.
How are you, child?
Talk to sir...
Si...sir
I feel...
When I see everyone...
I feel so scared.
I want to go back to my own village
But...I don't know the way back home
Now I-
My mother and father
I want to see them.
Somehow take me back home.
I request you earnestly.
You will be fine.
Don't worry.
Did you understand the language she spoke?
I understood
This is the language the gypsies speak
I mean this is the wandering clan
kind of speech
I know a 'bhai' who knows this language
Let me fetch him for you
- Chandran
- Sir?
Don't be hasty
- This isn't gypsy language
- Is it so?
As far as I know this is some-
A mixture of Malayalam and Tamil
She must have come from
a mountain village nearby
Also,
Recently I heard of an author
who wrote about these hill tribes
- Author?
- 6 months ago
He fought on their behalf
for a permanent land deed.
I know him.
His name is Dhanraj.
- Bring him to me
- Okay, sir
This is Mr Dhanraj
- Vanakkam, sir
- Please come
Sir, I know this child very well.
She belongs to Poonkodi village.
What happened, sir?
She was in a minor accident.
Her life is not in danger.
Where are her parents?
Sir, when I enquired about them...
I was told her parents
and this girl are dead, sir.
Ranger is the main cause, sir
His ego got pricked because of
being suspended and he killed her parents.
The people fought
for their land till the bitter end.
But that ranger...
Like hunting down beasts
he started killing that tribe one by one.
These people who sowed
only seeds of affection.
Those forest officers planted
weeds of violence.
Today this child is
struggling for her life, sir
Does she know her parents have passed away?
As far as I know, she wont know, sir.
Then its best for her not to know.
Okay, sir
Sir...
- Sir
- Don't cry, dear
I feel so...
...scared
Take me back home.
Don't worry, child
I will take you back
as soon as you get well.
Why did you come here?
A lady teacher in Kottakudi told me...
If I meet the 'collecotor'
I can ask him to give us
a school for our village.
What happened to my grandfather...
Should never happen
to my mother and father.
So I left the safety of my mountains and
came down to the plains in search of him.
In my village,
I'll walk through the forest, carefree
Even if I see wild beasts,
I have never once been scared.
But here,
People I have met so far.
I felt for the first time in my life....
A deep sense of fear.
My...mother and father
Please take me to them
Sir, just as we thought,
She is unaware of her parents' death, sir
A teacher in the near-by village told her
to meet the collector, so she could study.
She ranaway hoping
somehow to meet you, sir.
Unfamiliar with the route,
she lost her sense of direction.
The poor child has suffered terribly,
not knowing how to return home.
Blindly trusting that if she met
you, she could study at a school.
She went through great suffering,
hungry and afraid, sir.
Sir...
I know this for certain, sir.
That mountain tribe isnt afraid
of even the wildest beasts there.
But that child tells me,
Im terrified of the people here, sir.
She wants to be back
with her mother and father
I will educate you and
make your dream come true
You don't worry about anything, child
I'm there for you
This is the 'collecotor'
you have been looking for
Don't spare the wrong-doer
whoever he may be
Check all the private hospitals
If anyone comes on recommendation
put him behind bars too
"Child so pure
Flower of nature"
'DISTRICT COLLECTOR OFFICE, THENI'
"I will take care of you hereafter
And enrich your life better"
"Girl, you came to stay forever
in my life as my daughter"
"Like the first streak of dawn to savor
painting my life with laughter"
"Life does not bloom
if you stand wilted in gloom"
"Take bold steps forward
Worry fetches no reward"
"If you quicken your footsteps with gusto"
"The entire village will follow
as your faithful shadow"
"Tender breeze, rise and blow, my dear"
Arrange for a meeting with
Tahsildar, DFO, Education department
I'll do it, sir
Sir, you are already delayed
Please go in
- Good evening, sir
- Hello, sir
- Sir waiting, please go in
- Thank you
How many schools have been opened
in the mountain villages in our district?
Sir, under our control
are 39 mountain hamlets.
8 villages have boarding schools
that provide mid day meals
Children from the remaining 11 villages
go to the school in the nearest village
Teachers appointed in these schools
are doing so as a duty with no other go
"Girl, you came to stay forever
in my life as my daughter"
"Like the first streak of dawn, hereafter
painting my life with love & laughter"
- Sir
- Please sit down
I don't want any secret
or surreptitious stuff
'Think of everyone as equals'
Whatever it is, talk openly
Sir, a lot of villages do not send
their girl children to schools
Sir, girls after they attain puberty
...should not inter-act with young boys
is a custom they strictly follow
We face a language issue too
Not everyone is fluent in Tamil
Mudhuvar, Navalar, Valiyar
Mullukurumbar, Malai Vettuvar
Badugar, Kaadar,
Irular, Kaatunayakar
They speak a different language alien to us
'All of them find it hard to study
in Tamil medium of education'
Kallakudi, Sangankudi, Paramamkadavu
Irupugal, Poonkodi,
Kurinjikodi, Udumbanpaarai
More than 10 communities like this have
rejected the concept of school education
Sir, we have submitted reports
to the previous collector too
'He did not take any action'
When our own superiors
don't take any action
...what can we do, sir?
If you all keep giving excuses
like this, what can be done?
Tamil poet Bharathidasan has said
'Education is like a sweet plantain'
We should make education
ripen like a fruit to taste sweet
Because of our inconvenience
we should not make education bitter
They have still not got the education
you and I got and that is bothering me
I need all their details from
all your departments immediately
Okay, sir
I'll talk to the minister and
arrange to open a school there
"The sky showers rain on you
like your mother with love so true"
"When you cup it in your hand now
for you, my child, no more sorrow"
'PRIVATE HOSPITAL SEALED FOR ILLEGAL ACTS'
"The earth as your father guides you ahead"
"Protecting you in every path you tread"
"Hills and land around will be
your kith and kin eternally"
"In the lullaby of the leaves wonderful
life will no longer be a burden woeful"
- How is she, doctor?
- She is alright now
We'll remove the cast after 1 week
She can walk normally after that
Call me anytime
if you need any help, doctor
Thank you, sir
"Child so innocent
Flower of the forest"
"Like eye and lid are never apart
I'll protect you with all my heart"
"Girl, you came to stay forever
in my life as my daughter"
"Like the first streak of dawn hereafter
painting my life with love & laughter"
Meenamma, her name is Kurinji
- She will be staying with us from now on
- 'Okay, sir'
'KHRUSHCHEV LIED'
"For those who toil all day through
to make their dreams come true"
"The Lord comes rushing always
to lend a hand and words of praise"
"Goddess of Wealth will garland and cherish
those who relentlessly rise to accomplish"
What, Meenamma?
Do you understand this child's language?
I asked you if you understand?
"The sky shows the way to a new day
if today is disheartening in every way"
"You will lead a life without any woe
thanks to a new tomorrow, my dear doe"
"Your efforts despite the pain
will replace your loss with gain"
"Be bold and brave, walk ahead
without worrying your pretty head"
- Hello
- I'm Collector Muthuvel speaking
- Yes, sir
- Let Kurinji study here
She won't feel she has been abandoned
I'll take care of
everything from now on
As time goes by, we can tell her
about her parents' demise later
I'll make arrangements to open a school
for that community very soon
Okay, sir
Sir, generally officers like you
Pass orders and
move on to the next job
But I am happy you are empathizing with her
and following up with so much sincerity
"If you quicken your footsteps with gusto"
"As your faithful shadow
the entire village will follow"
"Tender breeze, rise and blow, my dear"
"Anticipate your dreams coming true here"
Which school did
the child study previously?
She hasn't studied in any school yet
She is a beginner
'She is from the neighboring tribal hamlet'
She doesn't know to speak Tamil
'But she understands to a certain extent'
She's my responsibility hereafter
I'll take care of everything, sir
We can fill up the form
and admit her tomorrow
Thanks, ma'am
Why are you upset?
What happened, Kurinji?
Sir
I didn't want to be the only one to study
I didn't come looking for you
only for myself
Our entire-
Our entire community should benefit
That's why I came here
In this school
The education you are giving me
If you can extend it to my village also
Everyone will be happy
and ready to study
Okay, dear
Why are you worried for this?
You can study along with
the children from your clan
But you have to be happy, okay?
Chandran, collect all the details from them
Take Kurinji and go to her hamlet
- Okay?
- Mountain top?
The officers you need
will accompany you
All of you do what is required
for all your neighboring tribal villages
Kurinji
Now you can happily
go to Poonkodi village
Okay?
Your dream of a school in your village
will come true very soon
Whatever and whenever
you need anything
Don't hesitate to ask me, okay?
I'll always be there for you
What are you thinking, dear?
Did you understand what I just told you?
Sir
With whatever trust
I came from the safety of my hamlet
With the same faith
I want to take back with me
I would like you to come with me too
If you come along
The people of my village
and my parents
...will be very happy
What is this child saying, sir?
Arrange for us to go to
Poonkodi village tomorrow
Sir, just because she wishes it
don't nod your head and agree, sir
It is hard to hold our head high later
The village is not near by...
It is in the center of three hills.
So used to the cool comfort
of air conditioned cars
When we see a flight of stairs
we enquire if there's an elevator
It is not that easy to climb up
those mountains, sir
We will be dehydrated
and lie somewhere in between
The dangerous beasts over there don't know
your designation or I'm your secretary, sir
This won't work out, sir
I'll call the forest officer here and
send this girl safely with him, sir
If you get startled by the mountain
the height of it will weigh on us more
Running the Govt is not just
in the hands of the ruling party
It is also how officers like us function
We are going up that hill.
Make the arrangements.
You have decided already.
I'll take care of the other arrangements.
Make it fast...
Sir, after this point
we can only go by walk.
Follow me, sir
He doesn't realise the consequences...
Watch your step, sir
Are you aware?
Hey, mind the horses.
Don't slip and fall down.
It is not a horse, donkey
Next ride, huh?
Have we reached the hamlet?
Hungering for ham now, huh?
We are only quarter way through.
It is a long climb to the top.
Is it that peak over there?
What peak?
Not that, man
You see the hill over there
- The mountainside above that
- Aiyo!
We have go 10 km
downhill from there.
10 kilometers?
If you tell the collector
I have a weak heart
I'll slowly back out and go back
Even to climb up a mountain, now you know
you need your beloved bro-in-law
I think you are avenging
a long time revenge.
You have a hole in your heart.
This man has a bad knee.
That chap is diabetic
If all you officers are roaming around
with various ailments, who will work?
'Watch your step and walk'
'Don't roll backwards'
I have a catch in my back
I can't take a step forward.
'Let's carry on'
Sir, we'll wait here, sir
Sir...
Turn around once.
You won't gasp for breath.
A river flows nearby,
You'll feel better
if you dip your feet in it.
Everybody turn around...
Hey uncle!
Turn around
For what?
If you look back at the path you walked...
Your gasping will stop it seems.
Who said so?
This girl just said.
Now stop piling questions.
- Turn around
- Oh! Straight from the horse's mouth, eh?!
Thank God!
Everyone turn around
I feel I can catch my breath now
- Hey, fish
- What, man?
This little girl knows
more scientific facts than we do.
She is too brilliant.
What's this fruit?
Growing all over the place.
Mangosteen fruit.
- What's that?
- Great source of nourishment.
He's got into his doctor avatar!
I am starving.
Pluck a few fruits for me.
Ask me directly, not roundabout way
saying good for kidney or as chutney.
Sir, please wait.
Please don't pluck it
Fruits within our hand's reach
we reserve for elephants
The fruits above are
for sparrows and doves
What is hidden from our eyes is for us.
I can pluck and give you
the fruits we can't see easily.
Whatever she said is going above my head!
Sir, what did she say just now?
Fruits at our hand's reach is for elephants
Whatever fruits seen above
is for all the birds
Really!
Whatever is hidden from our vision
She says, only that is for us.
Oh!
Don't we have to really hunt
for good souls in our land?
Yes, that is true.
Very humble girl
Give a fruit to sir.
It is okay if I am unable to
understand that girl's language
But just like she said, as soon as
I dipped my feet in the water
Every ounce of pain
in my body vanished into thin air.
What is that bundle you are carrying?
It is an emergency case
So we are taking her to the doctor
Oh! You are carrying a human being?
Go carefully and save that life.
Imagine what a terrible life
they are leading!
You should study well, son
You too, my dear girl
- You should not struggle like me.
- Okay, pa
Let me see how long we have walked
Is there no other path?
No, sir
Shortcuts have been blocked
by some wretched fellows
We have to walk around 8 km
for a distance of 4 km to the school.
When the river floods, that's it
We have to sit at home for 3 months
We have been giving pleas
and petitions to the Govt.
We are fed up.
They promise to build a bridge.
Five years later, they will
repeat the same promise.
We are used to
these false promises.
Kindly climb up carefully, sir
Where is that fence?
Sir, this is the fence.
Hey, fish
We think these tribal men
are stuck inside a forest.
But they know politics
like the back of their hand.
They are more knowledgeable than you.
- Break down this fence now
- Huh?
- I said 'break down this fence'
- Whaaat?
Why hesitate when our collector
has ordered us to do so?
Let some good come out of this.
Hey, fish.. Break everything away.
Go over there and break it.
Yov, lungi! If anyone dares
to erect a fence here
Tell him I will strip him head to toe!
Hereafter if anyone erects a fence
in the forest, break it to pieces
If anyone stops you,
tell them the Government's got your back.
Our Kurinji has come back home to us
She has come back.
- Aunt, come here.
- She has come atlast.
Come here.
Where have you been all these time?
Thank God for bringing her back.
The 'collecotor' is here
to meet all of you.
Where are my parents?
Where are they, aunt?
Both of them have left us, dear.
Ammmaaaa!
Kurinji
Nothing in life stays
with us permanently.
Only our education
is a part of us till we die.
I don't see you as an ordinary girl.
I see you as a revolutionist who fought
for the education of many other girls.
The education I bring to your clan will
laud you as a sterling example to follow.
Your entire village
should be proud of you.
The doors of my house
will always be open for you.
You can walk in anytime
as a daughter would.
- Take good care of this child.
- Yes, sir
No one has to be scared
of anything anymore.
This is your forest.
If you have any problem,
I'll come and support you.
Sir,
If we call people for work,
four persons rush in
for one man's job.
If I tell them the work is on the hillside.
They tell me they have their own graveyard,
Why should they go to the mountain and die?
There is no road, no electricity.
Wild animals pose a problem.
No one is coming forward
with all these disadvantages
But someone who loves education like you,
A good teacher will definitely come.
But it will take some time.
What is this, Chandran?
It's 50 years since we got Independence...
And we are not even able to
give education to those tribal children.
They may be living on the top,
But their livelihood
is still a bottomless abyss!
Teaching is not a job, Chandran.
It is a service.
Whatever the outcome,
I have given that girl my word.
Not just that, Chandran.
This is our duty.
Try your maximum best.
I'll definitely try, sir.
- Good morning, sir
- Tell me, sir.
Regarding this school matter,
Has this Government or officers
ever said no to any of your requests?
The Government Order has been passed.
The selected teachers
don't want to accept the post.
They are canceling their order.
What to do?
I'm not sure if it will happen soon.
I think it will take time.
'Education always'
'Wants to give something to others'
'Instead of just being happy at work'
'I wanted to work to make others happy'
'If you study, you can scale new heights'
'I wished the people on top to study too'
'I became a collector
from being a teacher'
'I resigned as a collector'
'And for those people'
'I took up the job of a teacher again'
'I realised I can create
many more collectors'
- Kurinji
- Sir
- Read this out to everyone
- Okay, sir
'Building 1000s of dining halls'
'Erecting 16,000 temples'
'And so many other such charitable deeds'
'May you be blessed
by educating an illiterate'
'Excellent, Kurinji'
'Who wrote this, Kurinji?'
'Poet Bharathiyar'
Dear...
Don't you worry.
In the form of the hustling
wind, or the air you breathe...
we are with you.
Do not give up on
this people like we did.
Don't you ever go back on
the decision that you made.
Your upcoming generation will remember you.
Greetings, everyone.
To stand in front of you on this stage
is giving me confidence and motivation.
The main reason behind this,
The man who was my father and mother,
The man who served us all,
The man who made me
stand here as Kurinji IAS.
My first salute
to my dear teacher.
Everyone is a teacher who imparts
his or her knowledge to others.
In that way, sir did not
merely educate me.
He instilled in me
a lot of confidence too
Just because girls will start
asking questions if they are educated.
For many centuries we were
denied our right to knowledge.
But only we know the reason behind it.
Many social activists like Ambedkar,
Periyar, Jyotiba Phule, Gandhi
...have fought for equal education
Even among the four castes
distinguished by their differences
...if one from the lower caste learns
Even one from the higher caste
will seek knowledge from him
'Quote from Sangam poetry'
There is an important message in that song
If a lower person goes up, it doesn't mean
the person on top comes down in stature
It means, everyone is equal
That is the beauty of education
Sir, in your 25 years of service
You have created 8 collectors,
6 IPS, 15 teachers and the list goes on
And all of them are tribal people
from the mountains
How do you feel about this, sir?
Doing something for our society
is not an achievement
I am doing my duty for these people
Education is doing its part by
imparting it back to the people
If the roots are strong and run deep
The trees will spread
their branches and grow tall
'In the mountain villages
near Bodi, in Theni district'
'Only 2 teachers have been appointed
for the students in this entire area'
'Hesitating to climb the hill daily
to reach the school'
'Teachers are absent more often than not
is a complaint lodged by the people there'
'I passed 12th grade and wished to
do my under-graduation in nursing'
'Due to flooding of this river
and no proper road facilities'
'I couldn't attend counseling in time'
'We don't have electricity
in our village after 6:00 p.m'
'I don't go to school'
- But do you wish to study?
- Very much
'Education will develop a society'
'Realizing this, a teenage girl
from a tribal village'
'...is the first girl from her village to
score maximum marks in 10th grade'
'Sangavi who hails from this village
aspiring to be a doctor'
'Passed NEET exam and
distinguished herself'
'...as the first generation
student to attend college'
'Neethu Sen has passed the exam heaping praise
and credibility to Thoda tribal village'
Judge at the young age of 23
'That too, hailing from Pazhangudi village
with zero facilities or exposure'
'Considering education and protection
as her first and foremost task'
'Sreedhanya, a tribal girl in Wayanad,
Kerala district passed her civil service'
the Kadar language of the tribe.
For the audiences understanding, certain portions
at the beginning have been translated into Tamil.
'Hey! Blurt it out'
'I don't know anything, sir'
'I know you stole, tell me'
'I swear I don't know anything, sir.
I wasn't even in town'
Sir!
Where did the accident happen?
Near Kaana Vilakku
- 'Aiyo!
- Hit the child and drove away'
'Wretched fellow!
Hit the child and drove away'
'Go and save the child'
'Ambulance will be delayed'
'Bring an auto'
'For every individual'
'Time and Need provide
multi-fold experiences'
'Accepting that as a given'
'Looking at it repeatedly
and moving on, is life'
'A memorable experience embedded
for eternity in my thoughts'
'...is thanks to only one girl'
'In this hamlet, only a few men
knew to speak Tamil'
'Women knew only their own
tribal language'
'Some people living here have not
even seen the outside world'
'Despite the barriers
faced on a day to day basis'
'She nurtured self confidence to prove
each and every obstacle can be surmounted'
'Transformed her trials and tribulations
into a lesson for all to benefit
'That girl is Kurinji'
'Arulvaan'
'One Who Blesses'
"Enchanting water lily
My mountain ebony"
"Won't kurinji buds bloom all around
with your footprints on the ground?"
"Won't the tailor bird yearn to hear
your nectar-sweet voice, my dear?"
"Cool drizzles stretch their hands to you"
"Our deities lift you with love so true"
"Eternal rain showers waiting to
celebrate your success with you"
"Sheaf of grains turn towards you
instead of the sun, to admire anew"
"Enchanting water lily
My mountain ebony"
"Won't kurinji buds bloom all around
with your footprints on the ground?"
Don't throw a tantrum.
If you shouldn't go, you should not
I will go.
Why are you sitting quiet?
- Simply sitting and watching
- Why make a fuss, dear?
Let her come with me.
I'm with her, right?
Why be worried?
- You come with me, child.
- Okay, father.
You're pampering her
too much, not good at all.
Hold your plait.
Don't wander around.
Come back safe and sound.
"In your hands, our dear princess
our world exists boundless"
"To sleep peacefully in your shadow"
God, bless us
Come, let's go
Appa, where are we going today
to gather honey?
The honey on top of the hillock
is ready for harvest
We will bring that down.
- How far should we walk, pa?
- Well have to walk through the night.
"Koel's sweet songs heard crystal clear"
"In the lines of your palm, dear child
happiness flows free and wild"
"Honestly I praise you
as pearl pure and true"
"Not wrong at all to hail you as the light
dispelling darkness in every home bright"
"For our clan, my dear, heap wealth"
"You'll realize our forest is your breath"
Don't be scared.
It's the God we worship.
It won't harm us.
Kurinji
Good looks and brains
are not enough for a girl.
She needs to be courageous.
Not be scared.
You should not feel sad
if you have no one to help you.
A forest can be
really thick and vast.
You should learn to be courageous
to face any adversity in life.
Can you see the hillock over there?
I'll harvest honey and
be back, you sit here.
- Okay?
- Okay, appa
"Looking at your lovely face so innocent"
"Even the radiant full moon wanes 100%"
"When your eyes smile with love and care
even cicadas buzz and bloom everywhere"
"In hair's parting, above your forehead"
"Stars float & shine guiding the way ahead"
"With steps of our favorite child's dance
the soil beneath enhances in fragrance"
"You breeze in like a butterfly, my dear"
"You will cross the sea limitless
Touch the vast sky, our princess"
"Like a spring that never dries; bountiful
you will wander spreading love plentiful"
"On its bank like the cool wind spiraling
narrate stories to all, awe-inspiring"
"Enchanting water lily
My mountain ebony"
"Won't kurinji buds bloom all around
with your footprints on the ground?"
"Won't the tailor bird yearn to hear
your nectar-sweet voice, my dear?"
Appa, where are they going daily for work?
They are not going to work, dear.
They are going to school.
- School?
- Yes, dear
School? What do they do there?
A school is...
a place where all the children gather...
There will be a teacher
to teach them lessons.
Children will be given books to read.
Why should one study?
Education is what shapes
and controls a person.
An educated person will
be listened to by others.
Same goes for our
land and clan too.
Education is the
path to a better life.
Why didn't you study then?
It was not an option for us.
No body bothered to educate us.
Hearing all this makes
me want to study as well.
Father, let me study as well.
Let's see, dear
- Buddy...
- Yes...
- Be careful. Mr.Danger is on his way.
- Okay.
If he asks, tell him we
went to Mekkadu for work.
Okay.
Sir, we got two scapegoats.
He wont spare us even without anything.
Now weve got stolen mushrooms too.
Greetings, sir.
Where were you?
Sir, we just got back
from Mekkadu after work.
What's in the bag?
Lunch, sir.
Hand me the bags.
Sir, these are edible mushrooms.
Is this your lunch?
Mushroom omelette and Mushroom soup, is it?
- Sir, please forgive us.
- Are you trying foreigner's cuisine?
Why wait for lunchtime?
Let's feast rightaway.
What do you say, dear?
Hey, come on...
Thrash them...
How dare you cross the fence
and enter foreigners garden?
Bloody thieves...
You want mushrooms, is it?
Who do you think you messing with?
If the villagers come to know
about this, it might be a problem.
Slap an FIR against them.
Say they killed a deer or peacock.
Bring them.
If anyone dares to step
into the foreigners garden
this will be their fate.
Pandian, what's happening?
When are you going to hand over
this magical gold mine to us?
This magic gold mine belongs to us
Another 10 days you can trip
on these magic mushies.
And you can trip and die
in this mushie gold mine.
You don't worry, I'll take care
of the dirty, ugly tribal villagers.
Why didn't any of you study, ma?
In our clan, girls are generally
not allowed to
interact with other men.
We were told this over and over.
This even forbade us from
interacting with the teacher.
Then how can we study?
Why do we need education?
Only those who desire
a lot need to study.
We are happy with our
life within four walls.
Before you were born
we had schools in our community.
What good will it do if girls study?
Using that as a lame excuse...
Even the boys did not go
to school, just like the girls.
That is the reason...
Govt closed down the
school here, my dear
Mr.Paper, stop there.
What brings you here?
- I am going to visit the village on the hills.
- You can't go there.
Why is that? Is the forest on
fire? Or are you going to light it up?
You sound arrogant.
Come, speak with the officer.
Where are you going?
To the hillock.
Why do you have to drink inside a forest?
Don't you have wine shops back home?
I meant I am going to
the village up in the hills.
Are you drunk?
Being sarcastic, are you?
Check his bags.
Don't you dare touch my bag.
Tell me why I shouldn't go to the village.
Movement between the plains and the
hill village is banned. Government order
This is to stop smuggling of goods.
I will kill you, if I see you again.
Get lost. Look at his funny attire.
Aren't you the one who
smuggles goods all the time?
This isn't the only route to the village.
How are you?
We are fine
Why have you missed your path?
The entire forest is fenced
I got lost, not knowing
which way to go
Let's go
- Be careful.
- Yes, come on.
- How is your village chief?
- He is fine, sir
Sir, I have a request...
The fencing is causing us trouble.
Even in emergencies, were forced to
take a longer route, adding 10 extra km.
Even there, the foreigners have
put up electric fences in many places.
If even people cant tell which fences
are electric, how would animals know?
Please inform the authorities
and help us reclaim our path.
Dividing and claiming forests
in bits and pieces isnt new.
This has been
happening for ages.
I wont let this slide.
Ill write about it
in our magazine.
It will create a stir
among the higher officials.
I have an errand in
the neighboring village.
You go your way.
- Take care
- Okay
'Magic mushroom'
'It isn't the edible kind'
'It is an intoxicant
that dims our senses'
Hey!
Who are you, man?
Hey!
Call the forest officer.
Sir, right here...
You brute...
Have you lost it?
Because of you, the whole
clan will be thrown behind bars.
If he had died, who would
be answerable to his country?
If anything happens to the
foreigners or the wild animals,
You got to pay the price.
Get lost!
Move...
Let's go.
Come on.
Aa...maravalli...
Aa... maravalli...
My father gave a feast to the entire
village and named me 'Amaravalli'...
Pronounce my name correctly.
Shout only if you can pronounce it right.
Stop calling me
Avalli or Bvalli!
Hold this.
What is this?
I got into a fight with those foreigners.
Hey, its nothing.
Why do you care about others?
Why do you get so angry?
They keep trampling over
us because we stay silent.
My father and grandfather
created this forest.
How dare they block
me from entering?
Do you want me to wish
them well and walk away?
Should I stay quiet when
my people are in trouble?
I have only one daughter.
What if something happens to you?
What will I do then?
Why are you crying over this?
Just give me your word
Ill gladly give you a son.
Youre good with words, all right.
The boy from the southern
village seems like a good boy.
Your father is coming.
Don't tell him about this.
Father...
Where were you?
Mariamma from our
village has attained puberty.
So I went to buy pooja
items for the ritual.
Where is your kid?
She has gone to river to take a dip.
- Ask her to come.
- Okay.
- Dear...
- Yes...
Come on. Lets go for worship.
They are the ones who
pave the paths in the village.
Grandpa, how long have you been
doing this deity-possessed dance?
Ive been doing it since I was 16.
Who did it before you?
My father did it before me.
My grandfather
did it before him.
My great-grandfather before that.
Weve been doing this for generations.
Your mother is next in line after me.
Since I had a daughter
my son-in-law will take over as my son.
Youre a girl, so your
husband will do it in the future.
Dear, do you want to do it?
No, I am going to study.
Alright, dear.
Usually mom and daughter dance in anger...
Hey, stop everyone!
Stop! Where are you going?
Which forest are you
going to set on fire?
Sir, we are on our way to
worship our ancestral deity.
Deity? Who?
Ancestral deity.
- Where is that?
- In Mekkadu.
Mekkadu?
From whom did
you get permission?
Sir, we havent needed
permission all these years.
You must get permission from me.
You cant enter the forest as you please.
It would be a sin if we dont complete
this ritual for our ancestral deity.
To hell with the deity and the sin.
What is all this?
You worship trees and hills, dont you?
The trees and hills are all around you.
Offer your prayers and get lost.
Sir, why are you causing trouble?
The foreigners are exploiting
the forest for mushrooms.
You dont question them.
Why are you troubling us?
All we wanted was to offer prayers.
- Who are you?
- Dear, it's alright.
Stay quiet.
Hey, Mr. Chief...
Is he a rowdy in your village?
Dont you know how
to speak to an officer?
I should have thrashed you the very
day you fought with those foreigners.
I took pity on you people.
Two months ago, someone
was killed by an elephant.
Three people were killed by a tiger.
What if you get killed too?
Who do you think will
answer to the government?
Will you answer them?
Take everyone and leave.
Drive everyone away.
Get away everybody. Leave now.
People, bow before
the hills. Lets leave now.
- Let's go.
- Dear lord.
- Let's go.
- Why is the officer so adamant?.
Let's go everybody.
- Hey
- Yes, sir.
If we single out the chief, we
can drive the villagers away.
Lets target him first.
Is that a gunshot?
It sounds like someone
fired a gun inside the forest.
You go ahead. Ill
check and join you.
Okay, chief.
I dont know what that
gunshot was about.
- Let our chief check and come
- Come on
I shoot a deer, and
a monkey shows up.
Hello, clan chief.
What brings you here?
Sir, I heard a gunshot
Thats why I came running.
Did you come after hearing
the shot, or did you fire it?
Sir, where would
I even get a gun?
But theres a dead deer here.
Sir, snakes and other creatures
here are like our own family.
Even before cutting a
tree, we ask its permission!
Why would we harm them?
So you ask the trees for
permission to cut them, but not us?
Who killed this deer?
Whoever killed it will die a painful death.
Hey! Watch your tongue!
You say you didnt shoot it? Then give me a
written statement that you didnt kill it.
Come on...
Is your signature enough?
Or should your entire clan sign?
My signature is enough, sir.
People will listen to me.
Clan chief, write here
that you didnt kill the deer.
I dont know how to read or write, sir.
Weve had no access
to education at all, sir.
Then leave your thumbprint.
Ill fill it in for you.
Not your right hand.
Use your left hand.
Place your thumb there.
Sir, what is this atrocity?
Why are you measuring our land?
How can you even ask me that?
Didnt you sign an affidavit
promising to evict these people for me?
Sir, are you trying to
turn us against ourselves?
First ask your men to
move out of our village.
Clan chief, you are
going back on your word.
I thought you would
evacuate the village for me
How dare you ask my
survey men to leave?
Should I tell everyone
what you did?
This man standing here
He promised to evacuate the
entire village within eight days
and in return, he took a
bundle of cash in his dhoti.
Isn't it true that he took the money?
- Look at what he did?
- Dear Lord...
Chief...
To this day, our chief
has never touched money.
Its a vow like no other. You
wouldnt understand even if I explained.
I swear on everything sacred.
This man didnt even
count a single currency note.
He bundled it in his lap and
walked away, swaying his hips.
When this mountain gives us
a livelihood to live comfortably
why do we need
this paper currency?
Hey! Go search
the chiefs house.
Okay, sir
Well know the truth soon.
If our livelihood is threatened,
we wont mind to risk our lives.
This mountain gave us the
strength to stand against anyone.
The same mountain
taught us patience.
Dont take that away from us.
It wont end well for you.
Chief, are you hearing this?
Instead of taking your people down to
the plains, youre causing trouble here?
Share the money I gave
you with your entire clan.
Youd better ask your villagers to
abandon the hills and move to the plains.
Sir, this is despicable.
You did this for money?
Do we have anywhere
other than the forests?
Where are we supposed
to find work with our kids?
Chief, please don't cry.
I beg you, my people...
I did not betray you.
Even if a dog licks the
offering we make to God,
our devotion to the
Lord never fades.
Your head, held high,
will never bow in shame.
Dont be upset.
Even if it cost him his life
my father would never have done something
like putting his hand in the fire.
My father innocently put
his thumbprint on that paper.
Look at the misery
it has brought us.
If even one man in our
clan were educated
we wouldnt be facing
exile from our own land.
Daughter
What is it, father?
Send some hot herbal
tea if you have any.
Ill send it over.
When the whole hamlet speaks ill of
a man who never wronged anyone
my heart feels heavy.
Please dont trouble yourself.
- Kurinji
- Ma?
- Take this to Grandpa. Be careful not to spill it.
- Okay
Take this. Watch your step.
Be careful, dear.
The Chief has made
a terrible mistake.
We are doomed.
Where can we go now?
Dont judge him so quickly.
- But he sold the land!
- Hush, his grandchild is coming.
- Its dark. Watch your step.
- Okay, anna
How are we going
to solve this issue?
Nobody knows the truth.
Grandpa, take this.
Dont worry, grandpa.
This is our village.
No matter who threatens us,
we will never leave this place.
I have no words, child.
My peaceful life has
come crashing down.
How much more
betrayal must I face?
Ive lost trust in everyone.
For our clan to move forward
with our heads held high,
never put your thumbprint
on a blank sheet blindly.
Why do you say this, grandpa?
This mountain belongs to me.
My word is law.
I make the rules.
He spoke to me
with such arrogance.
That arrogance came
from his education, child.
He made me stand there,
not letting me move an inch.
He ordered me to obey him.
His sense of authority
came from his education.
Education alone gives
courage and confidence.
For generations, our biggest mistake
was believing in an old superstition.
We told our girls not to look at
any man other than their husband.
To enforce that rule, we
kept you all uneducated.
You must study, dear.
If all of you study
your education can reclaim what we lost.
Promise me you will study.
Dont be upset, grandpa.
I promise I will study.
Alright, go home safely.
Let me rest for a while, dear.
Grandpa!
'The chief, shattered
by the villages mistrust'
'and consumed by guilt,'
'severed the very thumb
that was used against him.'
'And then took his own life'
Why are you creating
unnecessary trouble?
Trouble?
Were here to speak up for people
whose basic rights are denied.
The government and its officers
are meant to hear your concerns
and ensure you
receive proper support.
But you fenced our land and
handed it over to foreigners.
Youve stopped our
people from moving freely.
You killed a deer and
pinned the blame on us.
Its a ploy to
grab our land, sir.
Are they asking for the impossible?
They just want to live here.
Leaving their ancestral gods and land
behind where are they supposed to go?
Your officer tricked an illiterate man
into a thumbprint for a no-hunting pledge
Now hes using it to seize their
land. How can we stay quiet?
If they are guilty, I will
make them face punishment.
But first, ask him to show where the deer
is buried and produce the necropsy report.
Alright
You wont be troubled anymore.
Ill take it from here.
Have faith in me.
Please disperse now.
Sir, we trust you. Well leave.
Everyone, lets go.
Dont worry. Everything
will be sorted out.
Hell take care of it.
Appa
What?
I want to study
There are already three
complaints against you.
I have a full file of your
misconduct on my desk.
Youve brought disgrace
to the department.
Is this how you treat the public?
This is your last warning.
Nonsense.
Get lost.
Sir, the villagers ruined
our deal with the foreigners.
We shouldnt let them off easy.
Ill take care of it.
Sir, we should bury
everyone left in the village.
How many 'couplets'
have you memorized?
Only five.
I memorized ten.
- Recite them, then.
- Shall I?
'Though the world spins, it follows
the plow. Farming is supreme'
I memorized what the
teacher taught yesterday.
- Did you?
- No
Shell scold you.
Youre in trouble today!
...but it is good to forget
a wrong immediately.
- Shall we learn two new couplets?
- Yes, Teacher.
- Bhuvaneswaran, stand up.
- Yes, Teacher.
"To forget a good deed is not good, and good
it is to forget at once what isn't good."
Tell me the meaning of this couplet.
When someone does a good deed,
we must be grateful forever.
When someone does a bad
deed, we must forget it that very day.
Very good.
Everyone, give him a hand.
- 'Sister'
- Thank you, teacher
'Sit down, Bhuvaneswaran'
Who are you, child?
What do you want?
Okay, come in
Come inside...
Hey!
Who are you?
Where are you from?
Sister
Im from Poonkudi.
I want to study.
Will you teach me too?
Children...
Did you understand
what she said?
No, teacher.
- Bhuvaneswaran, come here
- Yes, Teacher
Find Kumar, the
honey seller, downstairs.
Lets see if he understands her language.
- Go call him
- Okay, teacher.
- Careful...
- Yes, teacher
Wait. Hell be here soon.
Okay, tell me.
What is your name?
Teacher, Kumar anna is here.
Come in...
- Hello,
- Greetings, teacher
Kumar, see if this child
speaks your language.
Ask her what she wants.
[Kadar] Where are you from?
Poonkudi...
She speaks our
language, Teacher.
Why have you come so far?
Brother...
Theres no school
in our settlement.
None of us can read or write.
She says theres no school in her
village. No one there is educated.
The Forest Officer tricked her
grandfather into signing a paper.
Theyre forcing the
villagers to leave.
Her grandfather
died of heartbreak.
So she came here, looking for a school.
Come here, child.
Come.
Your desire to
study is admirable.
Especially that you came on your own.
The government
supports girls education.
But you shouldnt have
to walk 15 km to study.
We can start a
school in your village.
You must gather
your village elders.
Ask them to go to town
and meet the Village Officer
or the Revenue Officer.
Theyll review it and send
a report to the Collector.
The Collector will pass an order.
Then your village will get a school.
Kumar, explain this
to her in your language.
Tell your elders to meet the Collector.
Then youll get a school in your village.
Where can I find this Colloctori?
Go down the mountain.
Hell be in the town.
You go and tell your elders.
They will know what to do.
Okay.
Go home safely.
- Amaravalli...
- Sister, tell me.
Father...
Your kid has come.
I went to the school in
the neighboring village.
I saw many girls like
me studying there.
'Hey, focus on your work. Stop staring.'
The teacher said its
too far to travel every day.
She said if our elders meet the Collector
...we can get a school in our village.
She said I can study here.
Father, can you go and meet the Collector?
Then we can all study here.
Hey! How dare you go that
far without telling anyone?
Dont you know wild
animals roam the forest?
Stay home like a good girl.
Dont make me come hit you.
Go back home.
Hey, let it go.
Don't scold the child.
- Go on. Keep pampering her.
- Dear...
It's the collectori, right.
We will go meet him.
You go home now.
Let me finish the work.
Alright, go on.
Okay father.
Yes.
The Collector is right here,
plucking weeds, waiting for you.
Let it go.
Dont scold her. Shes just a child.
She acts this way because you pamper her.
She just wants to study.
Just nod and let her be.
Why are you yelling at her?
You shouldnt encourage this.
After puberty
the custom is to pick a
stone and choose a husband.
We must drill that into her.
Enough! Shes just a child.
Let her study.
We can worry about marriage later.
Let her do what we couldnt.
Stop yelling at her.
If I give in, shell
become uncontrollable.
Leave it to me.
Ill set her straight.
Do whatever you want!
Kurinji!
Kurinji!
My dear Kurinji
Dear, what are you doing here?
What happened?
No, Dad
its nothing.
My dear
Do you think I dont
know my daughter?
Tell me whats bothering you.
Dad is here.
Dad.
When Im married off tomorrow
Youll all be happy, wont you?
I heard what you and
Mom said about me.
You gave me your word back in the village.
But within these four walls
you just nod to whatever Mom says.
Then how
How do you expect me to trust you?
No, dear...
In this village
no one cares about anyone.
Because of the ignorance of the village
I lost my grandfather.
Tomorrow...
we might face the same fate.
He cared so much for this village.
But today
they believe he betrayed them.
He
made me promise
that I should study.
But...
I hesitated at first,
thinking of the villagers.
Still, I gave my word,
because I believed in you.
I trusted you.
Was that wrong?
My dear
What I told your mother
was just to convince her.
But what I told you was a promise.
Theres a big difference
between a word and a promise.
As a father, I promise you. You will study.
As a father, I am responsible
to make that happen.
Don't worry, dear. I am here.
We must find somehow
bring the school here.
Hey, do you think the
Collector will meet us?
They say the Collector is kind.
Were not going for a personal issue.
Were going to request a school.
It would be great if he can
bring a school to our village.
- Yes, that's true.
- Oh, yes.
Kandha! Stop there!
Your daughter has come of age.
- What?
- Shes attained puberty.
Muruga!
Kandha, your daughter has come of age. You
must not cross the forest for eleven days.
Well meet the Collector later.
- Let's go back to the village.
- Come on.
Start the wedding arrangements soon.
Why are you hiding me like this?
Neither the sun nor a mans
gaze should fall on you.
Amaravalli, Kurinji will be married in
a week. Youll soon have a son-in-law.
- Youll be a grandmother within a year.
- Isnt that good news?
Please help me with my problem.
My husband doesnt
care if its day or night.
He only thinks about
his own pleasure.
Sister, some women worry
their husbands arent romantic.
- Why do you worry?
- My body can't take it.
Please give me a solution.
Youll find cat droppings
somewhere in the forest.
Rub it on your body at night.
The smell will keep
your husband away.
I asked for help, and
youre teasing me.
- Come quietly.
- Let her be.
Oh my God. It's him.
You were talking about a cat,
looks like a fox has come.
Keep quiet.
Where are you going?
To gather firewood.
Didnt we tell you
to vacate the village?
Yet you keep going about your work.
If you dont leave your village...
everyone in your village
will end up like your father.
Do you understand?
If you complain to higher officials
do you think Ill be scared?
Go inform your villagers.
Get lost.
What do you think youre doing?
Picking bloody firesticks, it seems.
Kandha, stop. Don't do it.
Hey, stop there.
You bloody tribe...
Stop there. You rascal.
Come on.
You pervert.
How dare you touch a woman?
Weve seen your perversion.
How dare you stop us
from entering the forest?
Ill kill you and
bury you right here.
Hey, hold on...
Let me go. I wont spare him.
The festival is near. Let it go.
Hes a madman.
Dont mess with him.
Everyone, listen!
Do the neighboring villages
know Kurinji is ready for marriage?
Sir, there are five eligible
bachelors across four villages.
Lets see who the lucky groom will be.
Let us see.
- Open the box.
- Yes, sir.
Sir, this stone
represents Mariyappan.
This is Muthu...
'This is Sengayan.
This is Kaani.'
This is Vellaiyan
- Dear...
- Chief?
Please come forward.
There are five suitors in here.
- Take this to your daughter.
- Okay, sir
Ask her to choose
the one she wants.
May she find a good match.
What is this?
Your future husband.
Pick one of these five stones.
Is this stone my husband?
I dont want a stone.
I dont want a husband.
I want to study.
Infront of our clan,
...don't bring us shame.
I will study and
make you proud, Ma.
If you care about our
honor, pick a stone now.
No matter what you say...
...I wont get married.
I want to talk to
the village head.
Call him here.
Ill slap the nonsense out of you!
Who do you think youre calling?
Amaravalli, go get the
chief. Let her speak to him.
Kurinji!
Kurinji, it's me. The village Chief.
Pick a stone, child.
Chief...
I don't want to get married.
I want to study.
Im not here to
grant your wishes.
You must pick a stone first.
If even one person in our clan had been
educated, would my grandfather have died?
We earn our livelihood from this
mountain. What use is education to us?
And even if we wanted to
learn, where would we go?
Your grandfather, the old chief, was
tricked and killed by the forest officer.
We need a school in our village.
Please go and
meet the Collector.
- Have you lost your mind?
- Stop it!
Okay, dear
If this is truly your wish...
...we elders will
discuss it and decide.
I will meet the Collector myself
and ask for a school for our clan.
Were not marrying you off tomorrow.
But the ritual must be completed.
Pick a stone and confirm the groom.
Okay, Chief.
I believe you.
Ask my mother to come in.
I will choose the stone.
Amaravalli, go inside.
Don't you worry...
Your wish will come true.
Now, pick a stone.
God, please grant us a school...
for our clan.
'Trusting in God and tradition, they
began the wedding preparations.'
'They made offerings so their
family deity would lack nothing.'
'In gratitude to the
mountains and the honeybees.'
'The wedding rituals continued.'
'Kandhan dressed himself
as the Divine Father.'
"Praise be to the Spear Holy
Personification of Shiva and Shakti"
"Praise be to the sacred lance
Held in Lord Muruga's hands"
"Torch of flame scorching red ablaze
Lord Muruga's spear protects always"
"This holy spear appeared naturally
to safeguard the world eternally"
"His hands wield the Holy trident
with the ferocity of a raged elephant"
"On His peacock rides Skanda
the valiant son of Lord Shiva"
"Muruga, through Your unchanging austerity
bestow grace on me, Your humble devotee"
"Your grand crested rooster will stay
as our guardian throughout the day"
"O supreme remedy and medicine
Praised by all demi gods in Heaven"
"Eldest son of Lord Shiva
Praised by the Vedas, Muruga"
"6 Holy abodes where You reside divine
transformed into our mother's lap sublime"
"Mountains, forests & beasts roaming free
turned into Lord Muruga's form naturally"
"As Lord Muruga is with us to guard
unending hardships will be resolved"
"Praise be to the Spear Holy
Personification of Shiva and Shakti"
"Praise be to the sacred lance
Held in Lord Muruga's hands"
"Torch of flame scorching red ablaze
Lord Muruga's spear protects always"
"This holy spear appeared naturally
to safeguard the world eternally"
This is an ancient
custom of ours.
- Kurinji?
- Appa
Princess of our hills.
God is with you.
Your wish to study will surely come true.
Remember, your father
supports you. Don't you worry.
Okay, father.
"Worldly life in endless motion
like waves swelling in a mighty ocean"
"Muruga, our red-hued lord, divine
In boundless love, His grace will shine"
"To make our wishes and dreams come true
the world revolves to see us through"
"The world evolves to fulfill our aims
while Time creates the right frames"
Kurinji dear, please stay put...
I am headed to the festival.
Your aunt will accompany you.
"Self-invited, Guhan came with grace
as baby Muruga to bless our place"
"In childlike form, He shines bright
soothes our hearts with healing light"
"Vedic rituals performed
Through aeons confirmed"
"In a moment transformed
with His blessings affirmed"
"His radiance so bright
dispels the darkness of night"
"Torch of flame scorching red ablaze
Lord Muruga's spear protects always"
"This holy spear appeared naturally
to safeguard the world eternally"
"Torch of flame scorching red ablaze
Lord Muruga's spear protects always"
"This holy spear appeared naturally
to safeguard the world eternally"
Kurinji, eat your dinner
and go to sleep.
Aunty...
As the Chief promised...
...after you meet the Collector...
...will you really make sure
a school is started here?
Thats not going to happen.
It was a lie to make
you choose a stone.
How could you
betray me like this?
Did the whole village
conspire against me?
Just to trap me in a marriage?
Yes. Picking the stone
sealed the marriage.
All that remains is for
the groom to arrive.
You will be handed over to him then.
What about my education?
It is your destiny.
We can't help it.
'Kurinji realized that the promise, that
she could study if she married, was a lie.'
"When our dear daughter entered teen age
it is time for sacred thread & marriage"
"She stands transformed, child to maiden
Woeful tears all of a sudden fall unbidden"
"Handsome Muruga's handiwork divine
to exchange garland with her groom in time"
"Muruga's antic, Lord Shiva's son sublime"
"His hands wield the Holy trident
with the ferocity of a raged elephant"
'Amaravalli...Amaravalli'
'Kurinji is missing'
"Muruga, through Your unchanging austerity
bestow grace on me, your humble devotee"
Kurinji!
Kurinji!
"Your grand crested rooster will stay
as our guardian throughout the day"
Kurinji!
"O supreme remedy and medicine
Praised by all demi gods in Heaven"
"Eldest son of Lord Shiva
Praised by the Vedas, Muruga"
"6 Holy abodes where You reside divine
transformed into our mother's lap sublime"
"Mountains, forests & beasts roaming free
turned into Lord Muruga's form naturally"
"As Lord Muruga is with us to guard
unending hardships will be resolved"
Who gave you permission to hit them?
"Mountains, forests & beasts roaming free
turned into Lord Muruga's form naturally"
"Self-invited, Guhan came with grace
as baby Muruga to bless our place"
Do you think you can do
anything to control the crowd?
Sir, they are not listening to us.
We were just making sure
theres no trouble when the CM arrives.
And theyre not very cultured.
They dont behave well.
The CM is coming here for their sake.
Kurinji!
Separating people in the name of
culture. Do you call that social justice?
People will treat us
the same way we treat them.
This program is
for their benefit.
- Seat them in the front row.
- Sorry, sir.
"My child, so pure with ideals high
No soul on earth can touch your sky"
"Where have you gone, our dearest?
Mother Nature is on an earnest quest"
"Our entire clan is in distress
Searching for you, o' princess"
"Nowhere to be seen, my dear?
Our entire hamlet is searching now here"
"Without your voice to lilt me through"
"No flute am I, just a hollow bamboo"
"Without your steps to match its song
our forest stream falters to flow along"
I don't understand
what you're saying, dear
Please go and ask
somewhere that side
"Without you, our roosters stay mute
No crowing wake-up call of salute"
"On tree tops, due vigil honeybees keep
In hives they wait for you, shunning sleep"
"The low wall guarding our village boundary
may crumble and fall without you, dearie"
"Water set to cook rice daily anew
just refuses to boil without you"
Go away
'A girl should have the courage
of a lion in the forest'
'Others should be scared of you'
'You should never be scared
of anyone or anything'
"If you walk at night all alone
like smoke drifting on its own"
"Can you reach your destination
without any sense of direction?"
"Even if the stream burns all night
and baby fishes cry in morning light"
"Will the waters turn a blind eye?
Likewise we still search with many a sigh"
"Like drizzles lost in the vast, blue sea"
"Days drifted by without any identity"
"Dawn and dusk elusive and illusive
Your absence hurts as a grief effusive"
"My child, with ideals lofty & true
No soul on earth can surpass you"
"Where have you gone, my dear?
Our hills & forest call from far and near"
"Our entire clan is in distress
Searching for you, dear princess"
"Nowhere to be seen, my dear?
Our entire hamlet is searching now here"
Walk that way.
Do you need some fruits?
Sir...
Whatever you are saying...
I don't understand.
Whatever I am saying...
You don't seem to understand either.
To go back to my own village...
I don't know the way.
If I am able to meet the 'collecotor'...
I was told I can study in a school.
That was the only reason,
I ran away from home.
I want to meet the 'collecotor'...
Please help me!
Here, take this.
Come on.
Why are you crying?
Eat and appease your hunger.
Whose child is this?
Hold this.
My dear...
I don't know whose child
She is burning with fever.
Get up, dear.
'Come, dear, get up'
Seat her in that chair.
Sit down.
Don't be scared.
Can you check the child.
She is unwell.
Inhale and exhale...
Give me that injection
What is the girl's name?
We don't know, doctor
We had gone to the temple.
She was shivering and lying
under a tree over there.
I didn't have the heart to abandon her.
So I brought her here, doctor.
This is only a normal fever.
But the child is a bit weak.
A couple of drips will do her good.
Wait for 3 hours and take her.
I have an errand to run, doctor.
Can I come back and take her?
I'll pay the fees and go.
- It's okay, I'll attend to it.
- Thank you, doctor.
Aiyo!
'Wretched fellow!
Hit the child and drove away'
'Someone call for an ambulance'
'Lift her'
Who admitted her in the hospital?
An auto driver admitted her, sir
'We interrogated him too
He is not at fault'
'Take her to the hospital'
'Her life is not in danger'
'Her hands and legs are fractured'
'She had an IV line on her hand
when she was admitted'
Her ovaries...
has been stolen
From such a young girl?
Bloody heartless!
Let me get hold of the rascal!
Did you ask the booth police?
Yes, sir, but the police arrived
a bit late to the spot.
The bystanders took her
to the hospital, sir.
- Send the CPR copy to all the stations
- Okay, sir
If they receive any call about
a missing child, inform me immediately
- Okay, sir
- You can go
- Are all of you here?
- Yes, sir
- 'Good day to all
- Vanakkam, sir'
Collector sir has come
to our special village meeting
He is presiding over this meeting, okay?
For the water tank in ward 3
Rs 300000 was the fund allocated
2,25,000 has been spent already
Contractor says he can finish
the rest of the job
Rs 300,000 for street lights.
Excluding all this, we have collected
a temple festival fund of Rs 300,000
- Do all of you agree?
- Yes, sir
- Good morning, sir
- Tell me, sir
Sir, 4 days ago a child was
involved in an accident
Accident?
We are unable to understand
the language she speaks.
We haven't been able to identify.
Nor has anyone come looking for her.
But repeatedly she says 'Collector'
trying to convey something to us
So I think it will be better
if sir can come over here.
Sir is in a meeting
I'll convey this immediately.
- Okay?
- 'Okay, sir'
- Greetings, sir.
- Greetings.
It has been ages since lamp posts
were erected in our village
But we have no current
nor light, sir
Our village has been blessed
with your presence.
Kindly help us get electricity, sir.
Sir, this is not a meeting to find faults.
This meeting is for you to
claim what is rightfully yours.
If your streets are not lit
as it should be, ask for your right boldly.
Decisions made in a village meeting...
It is equivalent to
a law passed in the Parliament
Even the Court cannot refute it...
But the decisions taken,
Should be only for
the welfare of the village.
No religion should be
targeted or demeaned.
Nor should an
individual benefit selfishly.
There should be no separate agenda.
This meeting is convened
for the welfare of your villagers.
Even I am a mere bystander...
So take a wise decision
and I will fulfill it for sure.
Our demands will be met it seems.
All of you can leave without any stress
Sir, we got a call from the office
of the Superintendent of Police.
A young girl is involved
in an accident it seems.
The moment she regained consciousness,
She has been badgering them
to meet the collector.
So SP wanted to know-
How is the girl now?
She is alright.
- Let's go
- Okay
- Sir
- Which hospital?
- She is admitted in Govt Hospital
- Come
How is she now?
She is fine.
How are you, child?
Talk to sir...
Si...sir
I feel...
When I see everyone...
I feel so scared.
I want to go back to my own village
But...I don't know the way back home
Now I-
My mother and father
I want to see them.
Somehow take me back home.
I request you earnestly.
You will be fine.
Don't worry.
Did you understand the language she spoke?
I understood
This is the language the gypsies speak
I mean this is the wandering clan
kind of speech
I know a 'bhai' who knows this language
Let me fetch him for you
- Chandran
- Sir?
Don't be hasty
- This isn't gypsy language
- Is it so?
As far as I know this is some-
A mixture of Malayalam and Tamil
She must have come from
a mountain village nearby
Also,
Recently I heard of an author
who wrote about these hill tribes
- Author?
- 6 months ago
He fought on their behalf
for a permanent land deed.
I know him.
His name is Dhanraj.
- Bring him to me
- Okay, sir
This is Mr Dhanraj
- Vanakkam, sir
- Please come
Sir, I know this child very well.
She belongs to Poonkodi village.
What happened, sir?
She was in a minor accident.
Her life is not in danger.
Where are her parents?
Sir, when I enquired about them...
I was told her parents
and this girl are dead, sir.
Ranger is the main cause, sir
His ego got pricked because of
being suspended and he killed her parents.
The people fought
for their land till the bitter end.
But that ranger...
Like hunting down beasts
he started killing that tribe one by one.
These people who sowed
only seeds of affection.
Those forest officers planted
weeds of violence.
Today this child is
struggling for her life, sir
Does she know her parents have passed away?
As far as I know, she wont know, sir.
Then its best for her not to know.
Okay, sir
Sir...
- Sir
- Don't cry, dear
I feel so...
...scared
Take me back home.
Don't worry, child
I will take you back
as soon as you get well.
Why did you come here?
A lady teacher in Kottakudi told me...
If I meet the 'collecotor'
I can ask him to give us
a school for our village.
What happened to my grandfather...
Should never happen
to my mother and father.
So I left the safety of my mountains and
came down to the plains in search of him.
In my village,
I'll walk through the forest, carefree
Even if I see wild beasts,
I have never once been scared.
But here,
People I have met so far.
I felt for the first time in my life....
A deep sense of fear.
My...mother and father
Please take me to them
Sir, just as we thought,
She is unaware of her parents' death, sir
A teacher in the near-by village told her
to meet the collector, so she could study.
She ranaway hoping
somehow to meet you, sir.
Unfamiliar with the route,
she lost her sense of direction.
The poor child has suffered terribly,
not knowing how to return home.
Blindly trusting that if she met
you, she could study at a school.
She went through great suffering,
hungry and afraid, sir.
Sir...
I know this for certain, sir.
That mountain tribe isnt afraid
of even the wildest beasts there.
But that child tells me,
Im terrified of the people here, sir.
She wants to be back
with her mother and father
I will educate you and
make your dream come true
You don't worry about anything, child
I'm there for you
This is the 'collecotor'
you have been looking for
Don't spare the wrong-doer
whoever he may be
Check all the private hospitals
If anyone comes on recommendation
put him behind bars too
"Child so pure
Flower of nature"
'DISTRICT COLLECTOR OFFICE, THENI'
"I will take care of you hereafter
And enrich your life better"
"Girl, you came to stay forever
in my life as my daughter"
"Like the first streak of dawn to savor
painting my life with laughter"
"Life does not bloom
if you stand wilted in gloom"
"Take bold steps forward
Worry fetches no reward"
"If you quicken your footsteps with gusto"
"The entire village will follow
as your faithful shadow"
"Tender breeze, rise and blow, my dear"
Arrange for a meeting with
Tahsildar, DFO, Education department
I'll do it, sir
Sir, you are already delayed
Please go in
- Good evening, sir
- Hello, sir
- Sir waiting, please go in
- Thank you
How many schools have been opened
in the mountain villages in our district?
Sir, under our control
are 39 mountain hamlets.
8 villages have boarding schools
that provide mid day meals
Children from the remaining 11 villages
go to the school in the nearest village
Teachers appointed in these schools
are doing so as a duty with no other go
"Girl, you came to stay forever
in my life as my daughter"
"Like the first streak of dawn, hereafter
painting my life with love & laughter"
- Sir
- Please sit down
I don't want any secret
or surreptitious stuff
'Think of everyone as equals'
Whatever it is, talk openly
Sir, a lot of villages do not send
their girl children to schools
Sir, girls after they attain puberty
...should not inter-act with young boys
is a custom they strictly follow
We face a language issue too
Not everyone is fluent in Tamil
Mudhuvar, Navalar, Valiyar
Mullukurumbar, Malai Vettuvar
Badugar, Kaadar,
Irular, Kaatunayakar
They speak a different language alien to us
'All of them find it hard to study
in Tamil medium of education'
Kallakudi, Sangankudi, Paramamkadavu
Irupugal, Poonkodi,
Kurinjikodi, Udumbanpaarai
More than 10 communities like this have
rejected the concept of school education
Sir, we have submitted reports
to the previous collector too
'He did not take any action'
When our own superiors
don't take any action
...what can we do, sir?
If you all keep giving excuses
like this, what can be done?
Tamil poet Bharathidasan has said
'Education is like a sweet plantain'
We should make education
ripen like a fruit to taste sweet
Because of our inconvenience
we should not make education bitter
They have still not got the education
you and I got and that is bothering me
I need all their details from
all your departments immediately
Okay, sir
I'll talk to the minister and
arrange to open a school there
"The sky showers rain on you
like your mother with love so true"
"When you cup it in your hand now
for you, my child, no more sorrow"
'PRIVATE HOSPITAL SEALED FOR ILLEGAL ACTS'
"The earth as your father guides you ahead"
"Protecting you in every path you tread"
"Hills and land around will be
your kith and kin eternally"
"In the lullaby of the leaves wonderful
life will no longer be a burden woeful"
- How is she, doctor?
- She is alright now
We'll remove the cast after 1 week
She can walk normally after that
Call me anytime
if you need any help, doctor
Thank you, sir
"Child so innocent
Flower of the forest"
"Like eye and lid are never apart
I'll protect you with all my heart"
"Girl, you came to stay forever
in my life as my daughter"
"Like the first streak of dawn hereafter
painting my life with love & laughter"
Meenamma, her name is Kurinji
- She will be staying with us from now on
- 'Okay, sir'
'KHRUSHCHEV LIED'
"For those who toil all day through
to make their dreams come true"
"The Lord comes rushing always
to lend a hand and words of praise"
"Goddess of Wealth will garland and cherish
those who relentlessly rise to accomplish"
What, Meenamma?
Do you understand this child's language?
I asked you if you understand?
"The sky shows the way to a new day
if today is disheartening in every way"
"You will lead a life without any woe
thanks to a new tomorrow, my dear doe"
"Your efforts despite the pain
will replace your loss with gain"
"Be bold and brave, walk ahead
without worrying your pretty head"
- Hello
- I'm Collector Muthuvel speaking
- Yes, sir
- Let Kurinji study here
She won't feel she has been abandoned
I'll take care of
everything from now on
As time goes by, we can tell her
about her parents' demise later
I'll make arrangements to open a school
for that community very soon
Okay, sir
Sir, generally officers like you
Pass orders and
move on to the next job
But I am happy you are empathizing with her
and following up with so much sincerity
"If you quicken your footsteps with gusto"
"As your faithful shadow
the entire village will follow"
"Tender breeze, rise and blow, my dear"
"Anticipate your dreams coming true here"
Which school did
the child study previously?
She hasn't studied in any school yet
She is a beginner
'She is from the neighboring tribal hamlet'
She doesn't know to speak Tamil
'But she understands to a certain extent'
She's my responsibility hereafter
I'll take care of everything, sir
We can fill up the form
and admit her tomorrow
Thanks, ma'am
Why are you upset?
What happened, Kurinji?
Sir
I didn't want to be the only one to study
I didn't come looking for you
only for myself
Our entire-
Our entire community should benefit
That's why I came here
In this school
The education you are giving me
If you can extend it to my village also
Everyone will be happy
and ready to study
Okay, dear
Why are you worried for this?
You can study along with
the children from your clan
But you have to be happy, okay?
Chandran, collect all the details from them
Take Kurinji and go to her hamlet
- Okay?
- Mountain top?
The officers you need
will accompany you
All of you do what is required
for all your neighboring tribal villages
Kurinji
Now you can happily
go to Poonkodi village
Okay?
Your dream of a school in your village
will come true very soon
Whatever and whenever
you need anything
Don't hesitate to ask me, okay?
I'll always be there for you
What are you thinking, dear?
Did you understand what I just told you?
Sir
With whatever trust
I came from the safety of my hamlet
With the same faith
I want to take back with me
I would like you to come with me too
If you come along
The people of my village
and my parents
...will be very happy
What is this child saying, sir?
Arrange for us to go to
Poonkodi village tomorrow
Sir, just because she wishes it
don't nod your head and agree, sir
It is hard to hold our head high later
The village is not near by...
It is in the center of three hills.
So used to the cool comfort
of air conditioned cars
When we see a flight of stairs
we enquire if there's an elevator
It is not that easy to climb up
those mountains, sir
We will be dehydrated
and lie somewhere in between
The dangerous beasts over there don't know
your designation or I'm your secretary, sir
This won't work out, sir
I'll call the forest officer here and
send this girl safely with him, sir
If you get startled by the mountain
the height of it will weigh on us more
Running the Govt is not just
in the hands of the ruling party
It is also how officers like us function
We are going up that hill.
Make the arrangements.
You have decided already.
I'll take care of the other arrangements.
Make it fast...
Sir, after this point
we can only go by walk.
Follow me, sir
He doesn't realise the consequences...
Watch your step, sir
Are you aware?
Hey, mind the horses.
Don't slip and fall down.
It is not a horse, donkey
Next ride, huh?
Have we reached the hamlet?
Hungering for ham now, huh?
We are only quarter way through.
It is a long climb to the top.
Is it that peak over there?
What peak?
Not that, man
You see the hill over there
- The mountainside above that
- Aiyo!
We have go 10 km
downhill from there.
10 kilometers?
If you tell the collector
I have a weak heart
I'll slowly back out and go back
Even to climb up a mountain, now you know
you need your beloved bro-in-law
I think you are avenging
a long time revenge.
You have a hole in your heart.
This man has a bad knee.
That chap is diabetic
If all you officers are roaming around
with various ailments, who will work?
'Watch your step and walk'
'Don't roll backwards'
I have a catch in my back
I can't take a step forward.
'Let's carry on'
Sir, we'll wait here, sir
Sir...
Turn around once.
You won't gasp for breath.
A river flows nearby,
You'll feel better
if you dip your feet in it.
Everybody turn around...
Hey uncle!
Turn around
For what?
If you look back at the path you walked...
Your gasping will stop it seems.
Who said so?
This girl just said.
Now stop piling questions.
- Turn around
- Oh! Straight from the horse's mouth, eh?!
Thank God!
Everyone turn around
I feel I can catch my breath now
- Hey, fish
- What, man?
This little girl knows
more scientific facts than we do.
She is too brilliant.
What's this fruit?
Growing all over the place.
Mangosteen fruit.
- What's that?
- Great source of nourishment.
He's got into his doctor avatar!
I am starving.
Pluck a few fruits for me.
Ask me directly, not roundabout way
saying good for kidney or as chutney.
Sir, please wait.
Please don't pluck it
Fruits within our hand's reach
we reserve for elephants
The fruits above are
for sparrows and doves
What is hidden from our eyes is for us.
I can pluck and give you
the fruits we can't see easily.
Whatever she said is going above my head!
Sir, what did she say just now?
Fruits at our hand's reach is for elephants
Whatever fruits seen above
is for all the birds
Really!
Whatever is hidden from our vision
She says, only that is for us.
Oh!
Don't we have to really hunt
for good souls in our land?
Yes, that is true.
Very humble girl
Give a fruit to sir.
It is okay if I am unable to
understand that girl's language
But just like she said, as soon as
I dipped my feet in the water
Every ounce of pain
in my body vanished into thin air.
What is that bundle you are carrying?
It is an emergency case
So we are taking her to the doctor
Oh! You are carrying a human being?
Go carefully and save that life.
Imagine what a terrible life
they are leading!
You should study well, son
You too, my dear girl
- You should not struggle like me.
- Okay, pa
Let me see how long we have walked
Is there no other path?
No, sir
Shortcuts have been blocked
by some wretched fellows
We have to walk around 8 km
for a distance of 4 km to the school.
When the river floods, that's it
We have to sit at home for 3 months
We have been giving pleas
and petitions to the Govt.
We are fed up.
They promise to build a bridge.
Five years later, they will
repeat the same promise.
We are used to
these false promises.
Kindly climb up carefully, sir
Where is that fence?
Sir, this is the fence.
Hey, fish
We think these tribal men
are stuck inside a forest.
But they know politics
like the back of their hand.
They are more knowledgeable than you.
- Break down this fence now
- Huh?
- I said 'break down this fence'
- Whaaat?
Why hesitate when our collector
has ordered us to do so?
Let some good come out of this.
Hey, fish.. Break everything away.
Go over there and break it.
Yov, lungi! If anyone dares
to erect a fence here
Tell him I will strip him head to toe!
Hereafter if anyone erects a fence
in the forest, break it to pieces
If anyone stops you,
tell them the Government's got your back.
Our Kurinji has come back home to us
She has come back.
- Aunt, come here.
- She has come atlast.
Come here.
Where have you been all these time?
Thank God for bringing her back.
The 'collecotor' is here
to meet all of you.
Where are my parents?
Where are they, aunt?
Both of them have left us, dear.
Ammmaaaa!
Kurinji
Nothing in life stays
with us permanently.
Only our education
is a part of us till we die.
I don't see you as an ordinary girl.
I see you as a revolutionist who fought
for the education of many other girls.
The education I bring to your clan will
laud you as a sterling example to follow.
Your entire village
should be proud of you.
The doors of my house
will always be open for you.
You can walk in anytime
as a daughter would.
- Take good care of this child.
- Yes, sir
No one has to be scared
of anything anymore.
This is your forest.
If you have any problem,
I'll come and support you.
Sir,
If we call people for work,
four persons rush in
for one man's job.
If I tell them the work is on the hillside.
They tell me they have their own graveyard,
Why should they go to the mountain and die?
There is no road, no electricity.
Wild animals pose a problem.
No one is coming forward
with all these disadvantages
But someone who loves education like you,
A good teacher will definitely come.
But it will take some time.
What is this, Chandran?
It's 50 years since we got Independence...
And we are not even able to
give education to those tribal children.
They may be living on the top,
But their livelihood
is still a bottomless abyss!
Teaching is not a job, Chandran.
It is a service.
Whatever the outcome,
I have given that girl my word.
Not just that, Chandran.
This is our duty.
Try your maximum best.
I'll definitely try, sir.
- Good morning, sir
- Tell me, sir.
Regarding this school matter,
Has this Government or officers
ever said no to any of your requests?
The Government Order has been passed.
The selected teachers
don't want to accept the post.
They are canceling their order.
What to do?
I'm not sure if it will happen soon.
I think it will take time.
'Education always'
'Wants to give something to others'
'Instead of just being happy at work'
'I wanted to work to make others happy'
'If you study, you can scale new heights'
'I wished the people on top to study too'
'I became a collector
from being a teacher'
'I resigned as a collector'
'And for those people'
'I took up the job of a teacher again'
'I realised I can create
many more collectors'
- Kurinji
- Sir
- Read this out to everyone
- Okay, sir
'Building 1000s of dining halls'
'Erecting 16,000 temples'
'And so many other such charitable deeds'
'May you be blessed
by educating an illiterate'
'Excellent, Kurinji'
'Who wrote this, Kurinji?'
'Poet Bharathiyar'
Dear...
Don't you worry.
In the form of the hustling
wind, or the air you breathe...
we are with you.
Do not give up on
this people like we did.
Don't you ever go back on
the decision that you made.
Your upcoming generation will remember you.
Greetings, everyone.
To stand in front of you on this stage
is giving me confidence and motivation.
The main reason behind this,
The man who was my father and mother,
The man who served us all,
The man who made me
stand here as Kurinji IAS.
My first salute
to my dear teacher.
Everyone is a teacher who imparts
his or her knowledge to others.
In that way, sir did not
merely educate me.
He instilled in me
a lot of confidence too
Just because girls will start
asking questions if they are educated.
For many centuries we were
denied our right to knowledge.
But only we know the reason behind it.
Many social activists like Ambedkar,
Periyar, Jyotiba Phule, Gandhi
...have fought for equal education
Even among the four castes
distinguished by their differences
...if one from the lower caste learns
Even one from the higher caste
will seek knowledge from him
'Quote from Sangam poetry'
There is an important message in that song
If a lower person goes up, it doesn't mean
the person on top comes down in stature
It means, everyone is equal
That is the beauty of education
Sir, in your 25 years of service
You have created 8 collectors,
6 IPS, 15 teachers and the list goes on
And all of them are tribal people
from the mountains
How do you feel about this, sir?
Doing something for our society
is not an achievement
I am doing my duty for these people
Education is doing its part by
imparting it back to the people
If the roots are strong and run deep
The trees will spread
their branches and grow tall
'In the mountain villages
near Bodi, in Theni district'
'Only 2 teachers have been appointed
for the students in this entire area'
'Hesitating to climb the hill daily
to reach the school'
'Teachers are absent more often than not
is a complaint lodged by the people there'
'I passed 12th grade and wished to
do my under-graduation in nursing'
'Due to flooding of this river
and no proper road facilities'
'I couldn't attend counseling in time'
'We don't have electricity
in our village after 6:00 p.m'
'I don't go to school'
- But do you wish to study?
- Very much
'Education will develop a society'
'Realizing this, a teenage girl
from a tribal village'
'...is the first girl from her village to
score maximum marks in 10th grade'
'Sangavi who hails from this village
aspiring to be a doctor'
'Passed NEET exam and
distinguished herself'
'...as the first generation
student to attend college'
'Neethu Sen has passed the exam heaping praise
and credibility to Thoda tribal village'
Judge at the young age of 23
'That too, hailing from Pazhangudi village
with zero facilities or exposure'
'Considering education and protection
as her first and foremost task'
'Sreedhanya, a tribal girl in Wayanad,
Kerala district passed her civil service'