It was when elopements and honour killings were reported on a daily basis that Balakumaran began his series, ‘Kanne Vanna Pasunkiliye’ for Kumudam Life . Striking a different path in style and substance, it was meant to attract the youth but a lot of it dealing with the actions and reactions of the elders. Belonging to different communities, two young lovers struggle to be united. The fairytale end comes after the two overcoming several challenges. The boy is determined to tie the knot with the consent of the parents, who act tough, the mother threatening to take her life. Bold and beautiful, college student Bhanu is prepared for anything to unite with her beau.
From capturing the campus mood to the simmering caste feelings in rural Tamil Nadu, Balakumaran gave the familiar theme a new look with his powerful descriptions. Dialogue, however, was the highlight with crisp comments and repartees adding sauce to the narration. The writer had shed several years describing the intimate moments shared by the lovers.
Many lines are crossed, conventions breached and faiths shaken before the love story comes to a happy end. A stroke of genius is the entry of the boy’s elder brother and the girl he proposes to marry. Billed as a matrimony of convenience, this couple a shade more mature than our lead pair, turn things around by being protective and intelligent. It is in the depiction of this portion rather than the wooing in the city ambience that Balakumaran scores. For the serial reader, he kept the interest alive by coming up with twists. Walking the razor’s edge, he pulls off a positive climax, where the elders’ don’t lose their dignity and the youth achieve their goal without compromises.
It is patience, love and understanding, which emerge as winners over sickles, blades and bullets. May be a fantasy but definitely a message loud and clear — freedom to love is most important. Not surprising because love was one emotion Balakumaran swore by and analysed in his works.
