Original subtitles

'This movie is based on a true story'

'Some incidents, characters and period of time have been changed according to the story'

'Some characters are purely fictitious'

'No animals or birds were harmed during the making of this film'

'Animals and birds were filmed after obtaining approval from the concerned authorities'

'Our folk deities born of shedding blood are dominated by other religions'

'Their legends survive only in villages today.'

'In such a village...'

'Madeswara'

What an awful nightmare!

'No one is out here'

What's wrong with you, lady?

How can you, sir?

How can you sleep so soundly like a monkey lying on its stomach?

I need Rs 500 urgently, sir

- Take it out and give me - Money, huh?

What are you asking?

What?

Forgot, eh?

How could you ask me this, sir?

Didn't I give you my savings for safe keeping?

This man is happily yawning!

Savings, huh?

Aiyo! How can you ask at this unearthly hour?

I open the post office only at 9:00 a.m

Go home, come back in the morning

No, sir, I have to buy food for my Selvi

Only if I leave now

I can return before she wakes up

- Listen - Please give me

Will you wake me up at midnight just for buying snacks?

'Sir'

I can't give now, go I have rules to follow

'What rules, sir?'

Pain in the neck is here!

She is asking you her own savings, eh?

She saves it in your post office to use when there's a need

Just give it to her, sir

Hey! You think Govt officers don't have a life of their own?

Do you know legally I can't touch anything at this hour?

How is this fair, sir?

A lady has come all this way at this hour just because it is an emergency

You are churning out some rules?

An offspring who doesn't help parents in a crisis or money not spent when needed

...are worthless, sir

Simply open the locker and give her the cash, sir

We can face the repercussions

'I think they keep an alarm to wake up just to give me a hard time!'

'He's new to the job, right? We have to teach him the ropes'

This is another nuisance!

'Imagine having Pearl as a donkey's name'

'This wretch is named after Goddess Sellayi'

'I insisted on a Govt job More fool me!'

I should slipper myself

You have only Rs 250 in your account

You want Rs 500 How can I give you?

Selvi is about to deliver any moment now, sir

Only if I buy her what she wants she will give birth to healthy babies!

Oh gawd! Are you deaf or what?

I can't give you more than what is in your account

'Hey postman!'

'Is that girl going to run away from our village with your money?'

As if she won't return it

Give her the cash she asked

Shucks!

This cash is like sugarcane fed to an elephant!

- No chance she'll return it - 'Why are you naive and soft?'

- 'How can I be rude to the officer? - Didn't I ask him forcefully?'

'Old man, I asked him first'

Fine, you are taking excess cash

But I must make an entry where I can get signal-

'May you be blessed, sir I'll see you later'

Right, sir

'My wife will yell at me See you in the morning'

'Alright'

'What's done is done Switch off the light and go to sleep'

The British shouldn't have given you freedom, I swear!

Hello, sir

I'm Kaali speaking, sir Postman from Keezh Malai

'Yes, Kaali, what's the matter?'

What do I say, sir? These people give me hell here

I am asked to do everything other than a postman's job!

- I must walk miles to cal- - I went to the office to see you

- I was told you are here to make a call - Sir, 1 minute

'That's why I came here to see you'

Ssshhhh!

Hello, sir, can you hear me?

Sir?

- Yov! Sit down - Okay, sir

- Yov! - Sir

What are you doing here? Go over there and sit

'Crouching near my thighs!'

'I am trying to somehow request him'

'This man is biting my head off'

'Tell me, Kaali'

I can't get along with them, sir They don't let me do my duty

They use customs and traditions as lame excuses

They glorify their family deity Madeswaran

- 'I can even adjust this' - Hey! Slow down

Sir, they wake me up at midnight wanting money to buy snacks, sir

This village is backward by 50-60 years, sir

Save me, sir

Please get me a transfer, sir

Why are you blabbering?

It's just 1 month since you joined duty

Why do you need a transfer so soon?

'Isn't this your 1st posting?'

Er... yes, sir

Only if you work there for some time can you even think of a transfer

This village doesn't even need a postman, sir

'Help me sir, please'

Kaali, don't bug me early in the morning

Who doesn't have problems in this world?

See if you can handle this job If you can't do justice

Write a voluntary resignation letter and go your own way

Aiyaiyo! Sir

Please don't say that, sir

I am 33 and not even married yet

My parents are bride hunting based on this Govt job

I can't dance to your tune

Govt runs post offices for the welfare of the people

If you sit there getting paid and claim you find it tough

Aren't those living there for decades human beings?

'That post office has to be shut down if whoever comes there keeps cribbing'

Sir, I didn't mean that

Sir

Sir...?

'Signal gone!'

'Finished his call'

Sir, I wanted to ask you right then

In Aadhi Malai-

Can't you be patient? What's your tearing hurry?

You seem to be in a bad mood now

I'll come back tomorrow

'I am truly jinxed'

Hey!

Wait

Whatever it is, tell me now

Instead of knocking at my door in the middle of the night

Come with me

To the west over there

Have you heard of a hamlet called Aadhi Malai?

- A hamlet on top of that mountain? - Yes, sir

It has about 10 dwellings

A well-built gentleman like you lives there by the name Mookaiyan

He will be as tall as you, sir

I am thinking of asking his granddaughter as bride for my son

Feeling shy?

Sir

If you discreetly enquire about that girl and tell me

I can get my son married by January

I'm asking this out of curiosity Do I come across as a lunatic?

Why are you over reacting, sir? You are educated and well-informed

Only you can let me know It is after all for a good cause

The previous postman was the one who fixed my wedding

Don't be upset, sir

This is why I said I'll see you tomorrow

Look how your temper has made you cry

If you like, shall we find a good bride in this village, sir?

Is he home?

My sweetypie

- What are you doing? - Has he come?

Has the postman come?

- Are you rinsing your sari? - Has he come?

No, I'm grazing my cows!

- Oh god! - He has come, go and ask him

- Sir - What are you doing?

Postman, sir

Sir

Wait, sir, I have been waiting for you from morning

You are slithering away like a sand snake

Has Mariyammal got a letter at least today, sir?

Come in

Listen

It is only 1 month since I joined duty here

You have come 50 times till now

If you get a letter, I will bring it to your doorstep, man

Why are all of you torturing me like this?

Let go of my towel, sir

Mariyammal has sent a petition to the Govt

Clock is ticking Days are moving speedily

'For the poor and needy like us you are our Govt, sir'

'You are sitting tight here like a lump of tamarind!'

Mariyammal hasn't got any answer only because of you

Won't everyone be happy if she gets a reply, sir?

Why are you bringing the roof down? I am just inches away from you

Lower your tone

- Tell me, what is your name? - Idikki

Pah!

Mr Idikki sir

I swear on your family deity Madeswaran

If Mariyammal gets a letter I will deliver it personally to her, okay?

Sir, if you had told me this earlier why will I come up and down so often?

Is it some kind of sacred vow?

'Coffee seeds'

'I had spread out the seeds to dry, what if it rains?'

Postman sir, don't forget You've sworn on our family deity

Treat this as priority

Otherwise our Madeswaran will spear your eyes out

'If you lose your sight you won't get a bride!'

Wait, man

I haven't got ready yet

I don't know how these clowns spring up

What?

[Malayalam] Cheta, stop, I want to pee

I can't stop here for too long

- Vanakkam, sir - 1 minute, urgent, I'll be back

- Come back soon - 'Okay, cheta'

Should I walk so far just to get this?

Can't you drive up to the post office and deliver it?

I've taken a vow not to look at those villagers

And you want me to break my vow!

Why are you so mad with them?

Not some world war, sir

I made a very small mistake

The villagers exiled me for that trivial matter, sir

- How can you park your jeep here? - Collector's orders, sir

Or else, is it my fate to serve those hill tribe savages?

All of them are arrogant fellows, sir

Okay, see you

I have given it to him, take it

Cheta, stop

- Cheta, wait - Hurry up, I have to go up till Munnar

Wait... I am coming, 'etta

Don't leave me behind

'Mariyammal has sent a petition to the Govt'

'Collector's orders, sir'

Ma, does the girl like me?

'Don't ask, son You got a Govt job'

- 'I thought you'll get a good bride' - Did she reject me?

'If you are a postman in a godforsaken mountain hamlet'

'Which girl will say yes?'

I am earning a fat salary

'What is the use?'

'Is there any good textile shop in your area for her to buy sarees?'

'As long as you are in that hamlet you won't get married, son'

'Theni district'

'To the District Collector'

'On behalf of the residents of Keezh Malai'

'Please close down the post office used merely as a monetary transactions'

'We request you humbly to open a new co-operative bank to serve our needs'

'Yours sincerely People of Keezh Malai'

Petition is correct

Just get the thumbprint of 20 villagers

- I'll handle the rest - 'Can I trust you?'

- 'Which family is he out to wreck' - I know the Collector

Here, anna

'Hey! I am entrusting you with this'

Give me tender coconut water Not the coconut jelly!

You'll get only if you specify

'As if you'll get if you glare!'

'This is really important and you're bothered about belly and jelly!'

'Only 20 signatures, Magizh I can get that easily'

'But you have to do it for me Don't mess it up'

- Hello, 1 minute - 'Tell me'

Be alert when you get their thumbprints

If they get to know you are tricking them, you are done for

Your postman's job will be in grave danger

Then you won't have a Govt job!

- Post - Coming, sir

You got it?

- Aren't you Vaanathi? - Yes

This is for you

Why is it so small, sir?

When I saw it on TV it was this big

Have you brought the wrong box?

Everything looks bigger on TV

- Don't fall for their gimmick - I don't want this, sir

You keep it and return my money

Why are you asking me for the cash? Go and ask the advertiser on TV

So my money is gone down the drain, huh?

Oh my God! My husband will kill me

- They have brains in their butts - 'You got cheated again?'

She heard me, that's it She'll make a mountain out of a mole hill

'She's burning my son's cash to cinders!'

Bad enough he will act like he's possessed

Now anklets have been tied to his feet!

- I don't cheat like that TV chap - Wonder how I'll manage this

May this TV man rot in hell!

When I saw it on TV it was as big as my husband's head

- Here - Don't know what to do

Add one more without cribbing

Why are you asking for my thumbprint again?

That is for-

To sanction a separate place for our post office

I am sending a petition to the Govt

That's a good idea

When you get married in the near future you need a house for your privacy

'Vaanathi'

Okay, sir

Your work got done?

It will be over in toto

Here

"I walked every street every day with a small white lie to get my way"

"Without giving any clue or hint I got the villagers' thumbprint"

"I took up a Govt job in this hill-village But they are sending me to Stone Age"

"I want to run away from here, alas! A town that's nowhere in the atlas"

"I strode down every street every day with a small white lie to get my way"

- Sweet offering from Pazhani? - Yes

Here you are

1 minute, wait

Add your thumbprint here

Sweet 'Panchamirtham'

'Lunch break 1:00 to 2:00 p.m'

- Let go, dear - Hey! Give me your hand

Our neighbors may be looking!

Your romance is never ending Don't you know to wear bangles?

"Coming; he has come here Our very own postman dear"

"In our good times and bad too his heart shines like gold so true"

Enough, thank you

"No one like you, night or day who will come seeking us all the way"

"If you aren't here to deliver none of us will get any letter"

"Aiya sir"

- We are short of one hand, coming? - Hey, don't get caught

"Sir, it is true, we agree we troubled you unnecessarily"

Sir, are you cooking lamb gravy?

Horse gravy, clear out

How rude!

"Sir, we think of you with love as our extended family now"

"How can you make us grieve by saying you want to leave?"

"Without you, none of us have any contact or address"

Aiyo! Gone... all gone

My respect, dignity, reputation all gone down the drain

All I did was read out the invitation to you

- Why are you causing such a ruckus? - Whose name was printed first?

Rasamani

Yes, that Nasty Mani!

As if he came and helped in the wedding preparations?

My husband and I were the ones who supported them first

Did you tell us what to do?

Or did I ask that Nasty Mani and do?

There's something called 'protocol'

Doesn't she have self respect? Shameless sister-in-law!

Forget my existence She is allergic to me

My husband raved about his sister like a broken record

He went overboard on his love for his sister

Shouldn't she respect her own brother?

Sivanayi, why are you shouting your throat hoarse?

Have we ever seen such a thing happen before anywhere in the world?

They have printed the names of some random brutes in a bright red ink

Your brother's name and mine are printed in black ink disrespectfully

How terrible!

Hey you! Listen, I'm cribbing here And you are busy sweeping there?

"In this hamlet filled with strife there is no signal in my life"

"Do not abandon us, brother"

"Do not desert us, brother"

"Do not leave us behind, brother I have no choice but to go, sister"

"Do not desert us, brother I have no choice but to go, sister"

Really? Are you sure?

Yes, dear, even I saw our moustache man sign his name

'Ganesa'

Make me a cool drink

What, Mrs Ganesan? Romance is low key today?

'This street-trotter's eyes could not see my husband standing right here'

Add plenty of ice cubes

- Done, huh? - Yes, sir

'Ganesa, see you next week'

'See you, sister'

Wanting ice is the icing on the cake!

Won't you place the glass gently?

It is splashing on me

- It isn't cold at all - Pccht!

'Hey! Look at my face'

Hey! I'm talking to you

What are you doing with that empty bottle?

Then what, sir?

It seems you are taking the thumbprint of all our people for some good cause

Then why this partiality, sir?

Won't we contribute for a good cause?

Won't I feel proud if my name is on that list?

'Good question, dear!'

Is that your problem?

You pitch in your share too

Most welcome

Ganesan

Here

Make it strong just like you wanted

My clever husband!

You can sign your name in English?

I hold a degree, sir

Then why are you stuck here?

I got a job, I went to the city, sir

It didn't suit me

Even if I earned a decent salary it could cover only my rent and food

City life is mechanical with everyone behaving like robots, sir

I had a taste of it, I said 'be a bot, city-slicker!'

I ran back here to my hills

This mountain, people, God, culture and tradition

I like only this kind of living, sir

This is me

Even if I earn less, it is more than enough

I lead a contented life with my wife

You signed even without reading it?

How can you even ask, sir?

Then your uniform has no respect, right?

'Leave me alone'

'I didn't do anything'

'Don't know why this man is chasing me'

'First I have to pack my bags'

'Lazy lout!'

'Lying down here early in the morning'

'Shouldn't our postman have time to bathe and get ready?'

Petition ready

Can shut down the post office soon

Hey Ganesa

- Come, here - Coming, sir

'Look at his dress and face!'

'Mismatched like a red brick on a green banana leaf'

'Thalapathy' Vijay's film We won't get tickets if we go late

Wait, dear Didn't you hear sir call my name?

- Let's find out what he wants - Are you going very far?

I am going to Bodi, sir I need to do some shopping

Pccht! We are going to watch a film, sir

Your own love story can be made into a film

Do me a favor

Meet my friend Magizh in the Collector office, in Theni

Give this petition and tell him it is on behalf of Keezh Malai residents

- You submit it wherever he asks you to - Okay, sir

- Handle it with utmost care - Shall we go?

Height of romance!

Hurry up, dear We will miss the titles

'You know my speed in all deeds!'

I experienced it last night, you bet

"Waterfalls in plenty shower all over me"

[from 'Mehandi Circus']

'Hey! What are you doing here?'

Get out!

Walk in coolly through an open door

Is this a Govt office?

Or a community center?

Mariyammal

Periyapaarai street, Idamalai

'Akka, tell me the way to Idamalai?'

'Can you see this path here, sir?'

If you climb up and follow it you will reach a canal

If you head north, you'll find yourself on the path to Idamalai

- Simple route - Thank you

Why are you tagging along like his shadow?

Go back to our village

That letter... maybe is for me

Who is he, akka?

Following me like a pup from when I joined duty

That's a sad story, sir

He wrote some exam and was waiting to join a Govt job

Just then election was announced

That's it

From then on he has been waiting to get the confirmation letter

He never got the job order

He became mad because of that

But his family has been living here generation after generation

'He is an orphan roaming the streets today'

Okay, akka How far is Idamalai?

Just walking distance, sir

Get on to the right track

Then why do you say distant? Say it is nearby

'Sarcastic humor head to toe!'

I think this must be the right path

What if technology brings in 4G or 5G?

A postman can reach where no wifi can raise its antenna!

What brings you here, postman?

Nothing much, sir

I have to deliver a letter in Idamalai

Not bad, finally you are climbing up our hill

Mariyammal has got a letter

I have come to hand it over to her

Glory to Lord Madeswaran

The Lord has sent you here today of all days fortunately

I don't understand

Nothing great I'm going to Idamalai too

Let us walk together

Seeing the path divide into two I was quite confused

This is the right path

I see a flash of fear in your eyes

From the day I set foot here, your people scared me by saying God will poke my eyes

'Your guardian deity features in my dream too'

'Did you commit any crime?'

'Nothing of that sort'

'Our guardian will appear only in the dreams of wrongdoers!'

'That's why I was curious'

'Er... okay, what is the tale behind your guardian deity?'

'Ask the right question, brother'

'Only then I can answer'

'How can I just say something off the cuff?'

'Only what's in the pot can be served in the ladle'

'I am stuck with a bunch of barbarians!'

Thanks to us at least some % of land has been well preserved

Branding us like that, don't drive us out of here in the name of progress

'You are the one lagging far behind, brother'

'Climb up quick'

How much more to go?

'Just walking distance'

How much more to go?

Just walking distance, come

- How much more to go? - Just walking distance

Respected sir

How much more to go?

Just walking distance, my boy

Come along

'SIR!'

Why does she look as tiny as an ant from here?

'Young man, why are you panting like this?'

'Hurry up'

Gentleman sir, please slow down

'If I have to walk slower I may have to crawl!'

- How long does this path stretch? - This path?

Goes right up to the mountain top

Who laid a path in this mountain forest?

Now you've asked me the right question!

I don't understand

I meant in your department, till date how many people are working?

Sir, if you take entire India into account it will be more than 4 lakhs!

Do you know something?

Our Indian postal service is the largest in the world

That's good news

You can be the largest for all I care today

But there must have been a postman long before all of you

Yes, so what?

That man was Madeswaran

His feet etched all these paths

'150 years earlier'

'Madesu by now must have carried the mail bag and left?'

'Started, huh?'

'By now he would have reached the mountain top'

'And scanned the entire area!'

'Madeswaran lived in these hills as a man shedding his blood, sweat and tears'

'Millions of people are alive and going about their daily life today'

'Will you believe if I tell you he is the sole reason?'

"He runs across hills and forest"

"When he gets the news, without rest he runs to deliver letters in earnest"

"He guards the forest diligently"

"He crosses hills and dales duly Delivers letters most dutifully"

"Harkara as messenger par excellent Reads out many a truth to the recipient"

"Paid by the Govt monthly He delivers news daily"

"Postman always on his feet"

"Our postman we love to greet"

- Marudhu, repairing your thatched roof? - Madesu

Preparing for the rainy season

Drink some rice-starch water

- I will take leave? - Take care

"He fills his bag with affection His legs follow his mission"

"Till his last breath tirelessly he fulfils his duty breathlessly"

"Bandits can hear crystal clear bells tinkling on his spear"

Give us whatever you have

Otherwise we will take your life out

All the paths here were laid by my feet walking and running

Where are you trying to show your looting and robbery?

If we gave you right of way because you are a Govt employee

How dare you act like a sepoy!

"Harkara; nimble on his toes"

"Our postman can bash up his foes"

Escape!

'Tide is unusually high today How do we cross this stream?'

Only if the path chosen is hard our name will be etched for eternity

Tie it real tight

"He shares joys and sorrows equally He stands as our kith & kin factually"

"If difficulties cover the wilderness and the whole forest is in darkness"

"He will pave the path for us to a bright future of total bliss"

"Drenched in pearls of sweat; striving he came to Eesan hills for a living"

"With address and name on the cover he gave everyone an identity forever"

'Eesan Malai'

"Harkara; harbinger of news"

"India's first postman"

May you lead a happy, healthy life

[loud scream]

'Durga!'

What happened?

Aiyo!

'Why did you not choose a safer spot to relieve yourself?'

That is a snake bite

Fang marks are really deep We are too far from our destination

- I have no idea what to do - Sir?

Kindly move aside

- What happened? - A snake bit her, brother

Such a bad omen for an auspicious trip

Do not panic, sir

How could you be so careless?

'Tighten your grip on your wrist'

'Lord Shiva, cure this poor victim of this Bengal Krait's venom'

'Nothing to fear, Durga'

The pain must have subsided now

Less painful than before

Do not worry Not just medicine

- I have added my prayers too - Alright

You will recover definitely

Be courageous

It is said, 'God will guide those who are directionless'

You came at the right time and saved my daughter

All that is fine

Whom are you visiting in Eesan Malai?

- To someone known to us, brother - Yes

- 'Isn't that Madeswaran?' - Keep quiet!'

- 'Sir, give medicine internally too - Okay, my boy'

- 'Sangaiya anna' - Come, Madesa

'In earlier days, messages were sent only for royal purposes'

'Now common people like you and me can also communicate'

'Madesh, come

Here

Give it to Madesh

- What did you say? - Let him taste it

Drink it

[slurping]

[slurping loudly]

Tastes delicious, sir What is this?

Tea

D...?

Tea

Oh!

Bring a tea packet for Madesh

Oh God!

[loud slurp]

Aha!

If I think, this is the plight of good hearted souls

I feel terrible, sir

'The situation is not good in Chennapattinam'

'Taxes levied are so high people cannot pay'

'Sir, my brother has come We can talk later'

Come, Madesa

He is Muththaiya My close friend

This is his son

Has no one else come with you?

Who else should come?

- 'Someone is insid- - Stand right there'

Give it to me

'Do not follow me inside'

This is my brother Your husband-to-be

'You are not letting me in?'

'Let me see how long you do this'

I am off to water the fields

Our British master called you Go, meet him

First you leave without circling this hut!

Sir

I intend telling Madesu I just know you

I am not telling him you are an enemy of the British or how they backstabbed you

He thinks English men like James are good for our homeland

I am just not able to change his mind

We will see

As you say, sir

'In those days, 1/3 of the land was ruled by the British'

'In order to know the various ways he can benefit from the land he was ruling'

'He had sent engineers from Chennapattinam'

'To all his conquered regions'

John, please communicate the details to them in Tamil

'Two such engineers had come to our Western Ghats'

'After they left Eesan Malai'

'They lost touch with the company it seems'

'So post master James received a letter asking him to enquire about them'

Master

Master

Greetings, sir

- Shaving time for master? - Yes, sir

Sir

Isn't this our Kalanji?

Why have you tied him up, sir?

2 foreigners were doing research in our forest, right?

Yes, they had come here from Britain, master

- Both of them are missing - Aiyaiyo!

On enquiry, we found out this drunkard has taken them into the forest

Sir, I am not aware of anything

- Munusamy - 'Coming, sir'

Tie his stomach with a hammerhead insect

I do not know anything, sir

I do not know Please... no, sir

'Oh God! Tell him not to do this, sir'

I do not know anything

'Sir... sir'

I swear I do not know Master... please, sir

He has a hammerhead insect twisting into him, right?

By now, it will be piercing his navel like curd being churned in swirls

'I cannot bear the pain'

'They asked for a wild swine'

I got tempted by foreign liquor and took them hunting

Sir, it is getting late

- I have to serve the British boss - Alright, you can leave

Thank you, sir

Ask him to untie me, sir

Master... please

Go on... speak up

Next they were planning to visit Aadhi Malai, sir

If you enquire over there you will get more information, sir

'I will never do anything without asking your permission, sir'

Ask him to untie me, sir

- You should be scared - It is clawing my insides

- You should be scared of me, your overseer - It hurts like hell... throbbing

Wait for me

Are you spinning a yarn?

As if a British fellow lived here

That too 150 years ago?

Don't think you can fool me

That's the truth, my dear man

My grandfather and his grandfather roamed this forest and died here

This was told by my grandfather to my father who in turn told me

The history of this mountain was handed down by word of mouth

In fact world history is also handed down in the same way

It stands testimony to time

Why glare at me for this?

Master

These 2 men were the last to see them

Did you help them in Aadhi Malai?

Yes, sir

'We carried him in a palanquin everywhere'

'Not only that, sir'

'In fact we helped him in all kinds of downloading!'

One day, not paying heed to our repeated words of caution

They took their guns and went hunting into the forest, sir

'That is the last we saw of them They never came back'

We did not find any mortal remains So I assume a tiger must have mauled them

Do you know where they kept their research documents?

'I do not know that, sir'

But all their belongings are still in the bungalow in Aadhi Malai

I will call you back if needed

- You can leave - Thank you, sir

Alright, sir

'Not even bothered about the death of his men'

'The British master started wondering what their research was centered on'

Madesa, this British fellow has drawn on boulders all over the place

- Why should that bother you? - 'No, I just thought'

'He is supposedly a good man'

May be it is some welfare scheme for us

Thanks to his rule here our land is being developed

Is that too much to digest?

'He laid all the railway tracks for us'

'Of course he did for his convenience And you keep defending him!'

- Alright - What?

Come, let us eat

You go, I will bathe and join you

'Documents have been well packed in the box, Madesa'

'Hand it over to our 'durai' safely

'Fellow runners, my friends All compact and intact?'

'Yes... yes, all packed like sardines'

'This weighs more than a tonne'

'What is it they would have written?'

Madesa, shall we open this and see the contents?

As if you can understand even if we open!

We have Madesu to read it out to us

That is a crime

They have trusted us and given us this job

You really think a tiger would have killed those 2 foreigners?

Then what? If we trespass into their habitat?

As if it will hug and cuddle them!

You do not even know to hug your own wife and you talk of a tiger!

Why do you both keep squabbling like a wife and mistress?

Move at a brisk pace

We have to cross the river before sunset

Why are they blocking our path?

I do not know

You will not get what you expect

'You had better change your mind and leave'

Hand over your belongings and go

We will not harm you

If you had known about me you will not be obstructing my path

I know about you

But you are stubborn not knowing about me

Hey! What do I need to know about you?

This mountain village is filled with bandits like you

The British are reigning supreme on our land

So our main task is to loot his possessions

To protect our villagers from the likes of you

Our 'durai' has employed me as 'harkara'

This exchange of words is a waste of time I think

Exactly what I am saying too Leave way and we will be on our way

If you are truly brave

Defeat me in 4 notch 'silambam' fight and then go

If you have taken that decision

It is a good chance for me too

'He has taken 2 notches'

'They have won 3 notches each'

Come, Sangaiya

What is the matter? You called everyone urgently

I want to share something important

Madesu brought some documents from Aadhi Malai today

'Anna'

- Tell me, Sembatti - Bravo!

Well! This is jackpot

I am so happy

Regiment would reward me and honor me

Madesh, you are my faithful servant

- Sangaiya - 'Coming, sir'

Sangaiya

Here, master

This is for you

- For me? - Take it

- Yeah - Thank you, lord

- Good job - I will take leave, sir

'The British lord had conspired a scheme on a large scale'

'If his dream is fulfilled we are destined for doom'

'God help me!'

- 'Careful, sir - Do you have any sense?'

Sir, roll the postman to one side, right up to the top

Is this a path for donkeys?

This roly-poly has to be carried not rolled

- 'Sorry, sir' - How can you be this clumsy, son?

A donkey is brushing you off the path so easily

Should you not stand firm on your feet?

Gentleman sir

Tell me honestly at least now

How much more to go?

Let me see

Twin boulder and then above it is Triple branch

You do not want to hear?

Donkey owner

How much farther is Idamalai?

It is all walking distance, sir

'Just climb step by step higher'

[groaning]

The people in your hamlet know only one dialog?

I accept defeat

I can't handle you or this mountain

Do me a favor

Kindly give this letter to Mariyammal on my behalf

May God bless you

I'll rest here for a while

I'll go back in the evening to the post office

How can you say this?

Mariyammal will be happy to receive the letter from your hand

Dai... dai!

Hey! Bumble bee

Where are you going all by yourself?

What, grandpa?

Where is your father? Not riding pillion with you?

No, he is at home

What is this, grandpa?

Postman is crawling like a frog on all his fours?

Shall I give him a ride in my 2-wheeler?

Hey! Postman You are a froggie

Postman who jumps like a frog

You should not mock people older than you

Looking at this Postman's face I feel like laughing, grandpa

Hey! Shut up Where are you coming from?

Me? I bought 'parotta' mixed it with gravy and had a good lunch

- Went all by yourself? - Yes

Aren't you scared?

Scared?

What should I be scared of?

Our demigod Madeswaran is with me every step of the way, no?

- Have you seen him? - Oh yes!

Of course I have

He was as tall as a palm tree

With hair flowing so long

Hands and legs as broad as tree trunks

Gigantic and holding a spear in his hands

He is roaming around in our jungle

Haven't you seen him?

[whirring noise of an engine]

'Hey! Watch your step, bumble bee'

What did Madesu do for you?

He was paid for his job

He got married at the right age and led a happy life

I am 33 and still a bachelor

Neither did he oppose the British and help our nation in some way or the other

What big scheme would the Brits have stolen in this godforsaken hamlet, huh?

From toddlers to octogenarians

...glorify Madeswaran as part of culture and tradition

You are backward by 50 years

Should I climb all this way just to deliver this single letter?

Govt is wasting money maintaining this post office and paying a postman!

[gong bell ringing]

[gong bell for the second time]

Lord Madeswara

Son, don't listen to any story half way and jump to a hasty conclusion

'Intermission'

'Collector Office Theni district'

I've got a splitting headache

- Make that tea fast, anna - 1 minute, sir

Magizh anna

Yes

Good afternoon I enquired inside

I was told you are in the tea shop

I am coming from Keezh Malai

Our postman has sent-

Aren't you Ganesan?

- Yes, anna - Sir, tea

Hey... hey! What are you doing?

- Do you want tea? - Aiyaiyo!

I have to go, my wife is waiting outside the Collector's office

'Give me that peanut packet'

These British fellows can brew whisky, brandy and all those drinks

Nothing can compare with our tea, right?

Even this tea was thrust on us by the British

You bet the British gave us tea!

Japanese gave us coffee

Which village are you from?

What does it matter where I hail from?

Trust me, tea was introduced by foreigners

Toddler to old man in my village know this

You are from Keezh Malai, right?

You are very sharp

- Got the petition? - Here

Super!

'You get what you want by just submitting a petition!'

'Yes, anna, only those who have authority can bring about a change for us'

'Don't go too much to the side Stick to the center of the path'

Karuppu, steer the goats properly

Okay, 'ka

I'm telling you Herd it right in, Karuppu

These goats don't listen to me

What a surprise, sir Didn't expect to see you here

You've climbed up all the way

I was going down just to meet you

Why? Who needs a 'midnight' snack now?

Here, sir

My savings cash Rs 250

Rs 500 that I earned this week

This amount Rs 250 is what you gave me 'excha'

Is the account tallying, sir?

You spoke nineteen to a dozen for this small an amount!

I don't have the machine now to make an entry of this amount

What is this, sir?

You are obsessed with that 'machine'

As if you will run away somewhere?

'Trust human beings, sir'

I will come and collect the receipt later

Sir, look

That is Selvi!

Selvi is a goat, huh?

She loves to eat these millets broken and mixed together

On that night, she was so stubborn insisting she wanted only that for dinner

She went to bed hungry

She was about to deliver any moment I felt her kids were ready to pop out

I panicked, sir

When it is an urgent issue, whom do we have in this Eesan Malai jungle other than you?

- Tell me - Then what happened?

I woke you up and got the cash, no?

I meant, what happened to the goat?

Why do you raise your tone and call her a goat?

Refer to her as 'Selvi'

Okay, what happened to your Selvi madam?

I went before dawn, bought millets and gave her a ground mixture

Only after she ate that did she deliver her kid safe and sound

Kaali... hey!

Kaali

What... Kaali?

Of course, if you had sent me away empty handed refusing to give me cash

Can you be seeing him now alive and suckling?

'That's why I named the kid after you'

'Isn't he adorable, sir?'

Alright, sir, given a chance I will be talking till sunset

You have your job to do

You carry on

Do you have a letter in your bag, sir?

Whom is it for?

That is a letter from the Govt for Mariyammal in Idamalai

For Mariyammal?

For Mariyammal aunt who lives in Idamalai?

Why don't you read it out to me?

I am so eager to know

That is wrong, my dear girl

I am sure it is bound to be good news

Go and hand it over to her soon

She has been waiting for this letter for the past 4 years!

She will be so happy when she sees this

'Only your arrival has brought a ray of hope in our lives'

4 years?!

'I wish I at least knew the contents of that letter'

Pchht!

Shucks!

Mr Postman

Are you looking for this?

'We are unable to enter the British master's bungalow'

- Thin gruel water, father - Give him

- Drink, brother - Thank you

We do not know how to take the documents from them

I have immense respect for you

'But all of you are conspiring behind my back'

Why is this Madasamy anna coming to our house?

Tell me without concealing anything, sir

'Madasamy's intention is to destroy the British administration'

And to negate the fear our people have towards the British

That is why he has tried to loot the mail bags from you

He has never looted any possession belonging to our villagers

The British who are looting our land and our people

Whaaat?

You think the British are looting our land and our people?

Sir, I agree I am a young man

But I know what is happening in and around to a certain extent

A bandit in North India was caught by East India Company employee

And has given a statement Do you know what?

I have murdered more than 750 people till now

I have looted more than 1000 times

I was roaming freely before you conquered our land

Only now, caught by you I am waiting for the noose round my neck

This is the state of our land before the British set foot here

People lived in fear wondering if they can return home safe and sound

Do you know this?

My brother's wife went with her child to her hometown for the temple festival

She was brought back as a corpse

The bandits killed her and kidnapped an innocent toddler

Whether my nephew is dead or alive

Where is he now?

The moment we think of him our scarred heart bleeds

Based on some horrible incidents that you have experienced

'You are believing the Brits to be good hearted'

Do you know the grave blunder your ignorance has made you commit?

You lost your cool seeing Madasamy here

'Have you ever thought why the British who live beyond the seas invaded our land?'

'The meat stored in Britain had gone rancid on a large scale'

'People were unable to buy meat'

'The British were at their wit's end'

'He roamed many countries seeking a solution'

'Finally he landed in India'

'He started trading with our spices Turmeric, pepper, cloves'

'He bought these spices at a very low price'

'Marinating the rancid meat they started selling their stock'

'They made a huge profit'

'They took the permission of Queen Elizabeth I immediately'

'They founded East India Company for the sole purpose of trading with India'

'They returned to our homeland'

'In the course of time'

'They created discord and drift amongst us'

'They started ruling our kingdoms one by one'

'200 years ago'

'A company that came just to buy mere spices from us'

'...is ruling our entire country'

'Do you know what is even more cruel than this?'

'Our homeland that yielded grains worth 1000s of tolas of gold'

'Under the British rule was reduced to hunger and starvation'

'We have to pay 90% of our yield as tax to the British Govt'

'If we are unable to do so, he grabs our land and donates it to zamindars'

'Our people were already suffering unable to pay the exorbitant taxes'

'A worse danger was around the corner'

'The monsoon due that year failed'

'So the yield came to rock bottom'

'The people were pushed to the state of eating grains from their granary'

Aiyo!

'But even then he did not stop the tax collection spree'

'When our people dying of hunger'

'Pleaded to him with outstretched hands'

We are dying of hunger, master Please show some mercy

'I will give you 1 meal a day'

'But you must work for us'

'He fed these people too weak even to stand on their feet'

'With 1 meal a day which was just gruel'

'He made them build the Buckingham canal'

'And also made them lay the railway tracks'

'Using the railway facilities built by our people's sweat and tears'

'Not leaving even an iota of anything'

'He scraped everything of value from here to Britain'

'Famine started dancing with gay abandon'

'Millions of people were reduced to mere skin and bones'

'How can anyone survive just inhaling the air around them?'

'They died in bunches and heaps'

'All this did not happen in some distant faraway land'

'In our Chennapattinam'

'Incidents occurred in the streets of Vyasarpadi and Perambur were barbaric'

'My entire lineage is being destroyed'

'It is on top of our famine-genocide'

'The British flag has been hoisted and is fluttering carefree'

You live in the hills here and that is why you are blissfully ignorant

You had no chance to know either

How do you know all these facts and figures?

'Even I worked for the British just like you, my dear boy'

'I was the Tahsildar in Fort St George'

'Though I saw all the atrocities he committed in front of my own eyes'

'I am sinner who kept my mouth shut'

'People like me occupying a seat of authority'

'Whatever the ruler who has the upper-hand stooped to do'

'Only because we do not oppose and question them, the common man is suffering'

'Unable to bear my guilty conscience'

'I sold my assets and built porridge tank to feed the poor people'

'But I could not afford to continue beyond 1 month'

'Those foreigners looted the plains'

'And have now turned towards our mountains'

'Burrowing into the Western Ghats'

'Laying railway tracks through the hills'

'He intends linking all the ports'

'Already railway is the most important cause of destruction of Chennapattinam'

'If even this scheme is implemented'

'Not just food and grains'

'But whatever he sets his eyes on'

'Why... even you and me'

'He will transport us as slaves to his country'

'Our land that has survived the attacks of so many foreign invaders'

'It will turn into a graveyard due to the avarice of these colonists'

From their bungalow in Aadhi Malai documents pertaining to this selfish scheme

You have blindly delivered in ignorance

Those documents are ready now to be dispatched to Chennapattinam

And from there to London

After that, they will come here with their families and armies, bag and baggage

Now I have no idea what to do

By your grave blunder

The future generations

They will be born as slaves and die as slaves under the British

Let me go, sir

Tie him to that staff

Please let me go, sir

- Sir - Tie him real tight

Why did you bring me here, sir? What wrong did I do?

Do you remember your father sold you 20 years ago, to your landlord for Rs 13?

I felt sorry for you And spared you all these years

'I will give you a chance to pay back your gratitude'

Why is Madasamy visiting Madesu's house?

Master, I do not know anything

Tell me the truth

- Master, let me go - I will send you back as slave for life

The bulls are being castrated

Only then the bull will be tethered well enough to plough the field!

True, both a bull and a slave should feel no emotions

'If it has feelings it will rebel and run wild'

Sir, please let me go

Please untie me

Do not punish me, sir

Master, please release me

Do not torture me, sir

I feel embarrassed, sir Please do not put me to shame

I will work as a slave, sir

Give that to me

Let me go God help me!

'Let me go, sir'

Free him, da

Do it now, I say

Hey! Madesu

Threatening ME with your spear!

First release him

Or I will pierce it into your Adam's apple

How dare you equate a beast and a human being?

Oh... oh... oh wow!

What is happening here?

'Kangani'

Why have you tied him up like this?

Chetty bought this fellow when he was young

He paid Rs 13 to work as his slave

Now this chap is refusing to go back

I was enquiring and Madesu objected

Durai, there is no connection between him and his father borrowing money from Chetty

Besides, how can a man become another man's slave?

So... the problem

...is between your Chetty and Madesh's friend

How about you both fighting each other?

That will be good entertainment for me as well

What are you saying?

How can he be an opponent on an equal footing with me?

The way he is scared of you

Should he not feel the same with me, his overseer?

So what do you want me to do?

Can I tell you my idea, sir?

Ask him to compete in 'Stone-Notch' in Silambam martial arts

'He will definitely lose'

Just in case

If Madesu wins the contest

Spare Marudhu's life

Otherwise... we can send him as slave to his landlord

'Excellent idea to save your friend'

'Instead of being just and pulling up the overseer'

'James Durai regarding it as entertainment shocked Madeswaran'

'You claimed the British boss is a good man at heart, anna'

- Go - Aiyo!

'Let me see how your friend saves you!'

'Do not cry'

'Be brave, my friend'

'Let the game begin'

Thank you, brother

Bravo! Bravo!!

It was brilliant Brilliant show indeed

I am impressed I knew you would do it

'You have proved your worth'

'I have an important task assigned specially for you'

"Ideas and intellect we sow to succeed"

"Let us destroy those who kill the seed"

"Spewing rage within the pyre we shall burn our foes in red hot fire"

"We will awaken unity"

"Serve a feast of patriotism in solidarity"

"We shall break open our prison walls to kill them if they oppose our ideals"

"We do not fear boundary or barrier"

"We fear not to oppose either"

"Break the shackles that bind us with good deeds with diligence"

"Face-off with courage and confidence"

"Nor fear to hold our head high above all"

"Even the black blanket of every night has never defeated the sun blazing bright"

All these years I have led a blindfolded life

I have no idea why, but my heart feels heavy and wounded

Durga, tomorrow may be my last run?

Please do not think like that

Tomorrow if we finish this task alone properly

We can live peacefully happily somewhere else

Hey! Why did you come this side?

Everyone is ready to go somewhere at Madeswaran's house, master

The reason is not known

You leave

Madesh

Bag

This document is very important

I am giving it to you

Because I trust you

Please take it safely

Can we trust Madesu?

He has wagered his family

Definitely he will come here with the documents

Only if Madesu comes here before sunset can we escape from here

Sir, I can hear footsteps of someone coming

Sir, do not express any anxiety

'Pretend you are occupied'

Why is he coming here?

Come, master Welcome

Greetings, master

Please sit down

Is it some important task?

Where is your brother Madesu?

Today is his mail-running day

By now he must be on the mountain track

Madesu has run into the forest off the beaten track

What to do now, master?

Master... master

- Sir - Both brothers

Ganging up to trick the East India Company?

'Kalimuthu...!'

You are a traitor to our land and people by being a bootlicker to the British

How dare you call me by my name!

'Oh gawd!'

- Father! - Hey!

'Father'

Bloody tramps!

'Get up Lift him up'

I will gouge your eyes even if you stare at me

How dare you lay your hand on me!

How did you suddenly become so bold?

Madesu's wife will be inside the hut

Drag her out

Master, no one is inside

She has escaped, sir

MADESUUUU!

What happened, Durga? You have come alone this far?

That overseer came with his men to our hut

Durga

You have been employed only as the barber Have you turned into a betrayer?

When I came to shave you

I would have slit your Adam's apple too

I spared you only because my work is worship for me

Get lost, you chameleon!

Hey!

Ask her the whereabouts of her husband

If all of you should be alive

'Tell her to reveal the hiding place of Madesu'

Kindly do not divulge that information

My husband who was loyal to his British master and you is dead now

That is all and you can torture me all you want

This is my answer

Hey! Tell her to blurt out the truth

Otherwise claiming her to be a widow I will force her to commit 'sati'

Do not tell him the truth, dear

Hey! Stack the logs right now

"Ideas and intellect we sow"

"Unity we will awaken now"

"Boundaries we do not fear at all"

"We will not be scared to stand tall"

Hey! Set fire

Indian dog!

I trusted him so much

But he betrayed me

Go inside and check

Check in the backyard

No one is inside the hut

All of you

Find him and bring him here

'The Brit Durai could not digest Madeswaran's treachery'

Sokka, tell him the truth

You expect me to betray Madesu just to stay alive?

- Bloody mongrel! - What a shame!

At least you tell me Where is he hiding?

He really does not know Please spare him, sir

You cannot catch him

Nor can you seize the documents from him

'Aiyo!'

'After killing his friends'

'The Brit 'Durai' who was looking for Madeswaran in a mad frenzy'

'Found out our harkara's hiding place'

I can hear the night sparrow trilling in the south

This is the perfect place to get proper signal, brother

I just cannot understand how

May be it filters via Kerala

Forget about the signal

Did that 'Durai' nab Madesu? What happened after that?

If you climb up straight over there

She will be lying on a coir cot outside some house like an orphan

She is Mariyammal

Gentleman, finish the rest of your story

Go and hand over the letter first to Mariyammal

You can find me here anytime

- Tell me the climax - Go, brother

'First attend to your job'

Do you know where I can find Mariyammal?

'Coir cot' Mariyammal, huh?

She will be lying on a cot somewhere there

Climb up straight on this same path

'Mariyammal'

Who is that?

Aren't you Mariyammal?

Postman, huh?

I'll get up and come

Awwwww!

Ouch!

I am not able to get up like I used to, in the blink of an eye

Without minding the trouble will you come closer and give me?

You have got a letter from the Govt

Though so many years have passed

I have finally got a reply from the Govt

Without getting annoyed can you please read out the contents?

Tell me, my dear boy

Your 4 year struggle has not gone down the drain

Pension for you as a widow

Plus senior citizen pension of Rs 1000 per month

Through the postman himself

Govt has certified you will be paid

Forgive me

I am so grateful to you

Please don't use such big words

After my husband passed over

My 2 sons went away to the city to earn a living and be more comfortable

When I was a lonely tree here

I was able to have 1 meal a day thanks to the monthly pension of Rs 1000

Even if months change the cash was constant, my dear

Another postman just like you will come in search of me and give it to me

4 years ago

They changed the system and said I must go to a bank to collect my pension

When I went down once to collect my pension

I fell into a pit and broke my hip

That was when I laid down on this coir cot

I have really had a hard time, my boy

Surviving like this without being of use to anyone

Even now I was thinking why should I be breathing?

You came at the right time and saved me from penury like our Madeswaran

Hereafter if you give me Rs 1000

I will spend the rest of my life without any difficulty

Mariyammal has won She got her pension money

- Did the postman visit her? - Yes, he did

You'll get Rs 1000 soon You can celebrate

'Mariyammal has won'

Grandma, the postman kept up his word

You'll get Rs 1000 too

Our Madeswaran has showered His grace on these good souls

We will get our pension money of Rs 1000

My dear son, will you take me to that hill temple once?

I must offer my thanksgiving to Madeswaran

'What is this, my son?'

'I feel so shy, my dear boy Everyone is staring at us'

'Why should you feel shy?'

'Son, lower me Let me walk'

I can walk from here, son

I was able to climb this hill and give you the long awaited letter

As if I can't bring you to this temple walking distance from here?

'Harkara, Memorial for Madeswaran Guardian Deity of Eesan Hills'

'His footprints were last imprinted here'

'Madeswara, please fulfil my wishes'

'Bless everyone with peace and prosperity'

Gentleman sir

'What a surprise Postman has come here'

'Madeswaran could not escape from the trap laid by the British'

'He brought Madeswaran and tortured him for many months'

'Right in front of Madeswaran'

The 'durai' shot dead all the people associated with him'

Even then he did not reveal the hiding place of the documents

'Finally to make him blurt out the truth'

He forced Madeswaran to sit on this

[agonizing scream]

[loud wail of anguish]

"Our family deity we sanctify Do not leave us and die"

"As kith and kin we are here for you"

"Cut not our ties so loyal and true"

"Paths you etched with your feet untiring"

"Await your return; undeniably inspiring"

"If we hear, God's feet you have attained"

Hey!

Lord

'Tell me, why is he not telling the truth?'

'No one can bear this kind of pain, sir'

'I do not know why he is being so stubborn'

"Your tears blood-stained on our homeland rained"

Enough!

God! Take his life

Why are you torturing him like this?

"Today by the hillock-side where our people reside"

"Madeswara! Today in our hill-side where basil plants bloom far & wide"

"Before you could be revived today inhaling this herbal fragrance in array"

"Along with you, basil herbs withered away"

"Today with bated breath we wait for you Sprinting on our hills like you usually do"

"Your cries of anguish, no longer audible your sprint in life is now at a standstill"

"In and around Eesan Malai; sorrowing even the wind has stopped blowing"

"Brow to toe, your blood drained totally"

"Our entire clan in a shroud of melancholy"

"Paths you etched with your feet untiring"

"Await your return; undeniably inspiring"

"We heard the news you have passed over"

"Lord Shiva ordained a misdeed in disfavor"

"Your blood as seed bloomed to be"

"You; Madeswara, our guardian deity"

'To save his homeland and his people'

'He tolerated that excruciating pain'

I came all the way up here only to offer my respects and gratitude

He did not die that day

He took another avatar

Every single person who comes here

Takes a new birth

After Madeswaran's soul left his body

Few days later

That British 'durai' was found dead His body had been pierced by a spear

Madeswaran manifested as God to punish the wicked on earth

To reform people who had bad intentions

People started believing he protects this forest as our guardian deity

They believed him yesterday

They believe it even today

And continue their faith in all the tomorrows to come

'Madeswara'

Protect us, Madeswara

- Sir, eat at least a handful with us - What happened, sir?

Why are you so late today, sir?

'Come in, dear Where are you going now?'

'Wait, dear Let me find out why'

Sir...?

How could you do this, sir?

Ganesa, I thought-

I believed you so much, sir

How can you of all people do this?

No, Ganesa, I thought

I thought this was like all typical Govt jobs

Magizh anna showed me the secretary's room and left, sir

The room was jam packed with people breathing down your neck

I happened to look down at the cover

You have written the address as just 'Keezh Malai'

But there are 2 hamlets up there Idamalai and Aadhi Malai

You are the postman for them too

Wait

Strike out the address fully

Write Eesan Malai including them as one

We can give it tomorrow

Sir... sir

Sir

Oh God! Why are you hugging me like this?

This is why you should get married at the right age

Consider it done, Ganesa

I will find a bride here!

'Keezh Malai Post office'

'Stamps & covers for sale'

'Working Time 9:00 A.M To 5:00 P.M'

"Postman always on his feet"

'There is a tale behind every guardian deity in every village'

'That is not just folklore'

'It is the protest against injustice meted out to us'

'Only if we know the past history'

'We can understand the present'

'Only if we comprehend the present'

'We will have a future to look forward to'

'Hold a handful of our soil, you will feel the dampness of our blood that was shed'

'Kindly lend your ears'

'You will be able to listen to the sacrificing cries of our forefathers'

subtitled by rekhs

subtitled by rekhs calibrated at APInternational