{{short description|2000 Malayalam-language film}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}} {{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}} {{Infobox film | name = Mazha | image = Mazha poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Lenin Rajendran | producer = G. Harikumar | writer = Lenin Rajendran | narrator = | based_on = ''Nashtappetta Neelambari'' by Madhavikkutty | starring = Biju Menon <br /> Samyuktha Varma<br /> Lal <br /> Thilakan | music = '''Songs:'''<br>Ravindran<br>'''Score:'''<br> Biju | cinematography = S. Kumar | editing = Beena Paul<br />B. Ajithkumar | studio = Millenium Cinema Productions | distributor = Murali Films<br />Aakash Films<br />Thanoof Films | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2000|8|4}} | runtime = | country = India | language = Malayalam }} '''''Mazha''''' ({{Translation|Rain}}) is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Lenin Rajendran based on the short story ''Nashtappetta Neelambari'' by Madhavikkutty. It stars Biju Menon, Samyuktha Varma, and Lal. The musical score was composed by Biju and the songs were composed by Ravindran. The film won five Kerala State Film Awards, a National Film Award, and a South Filmfare Award.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/lenin-rajendran-chronicler-of-the-oppressed/article26151634.ece | title=Lenin Rajendran: Chronicler of the oppressed | newspaper=The Hindu | date=February 2019 | last1=Praveen | first1=S. r. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/jan/15/avante-garde-auteur-who-successfully-straddled-parallel-and-commercial-cinema-1925163.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203092110/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/jan/15/avante-garde-auteur-who-successfully-straddled-parallel-and-commercial-cinema-1925163.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 February 2019 | title=Malayalam director Lenin Rajendran successfully straddled parallel, commercial cinema }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/not-having-voice-owning-it-different-dubbing-trends-malayalam-cinema-156552 | title=From not having a voice to owning it: Different dubbing trends in Malayalam cinema | date=15 October 2021 }}</ref>
==Plot== ''Mazha'' tells the love story of Bhadra (Samyuktha Varma) and her music teacher, Sastrigal (Biju Menon). The film begins with teenager Bhadra coming to learn music under Sastrigal and getting infatuated with him and his singing in Sivapuram. The story describes her character and behavior in a nice mood. In her teenage years, Sivapuram is a beautiful village inhabited by Tamil Brahmins, including the shasthrikal. She falls in love with her music teacher (shasthrikal) because of her young age and curiosity towards his music.
The story runs in the surroundings of the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu. Bhadra's creative talents for poetry starts to flourish under his influence. Sastrigal is not much aware of Bhadra's love and considers her only as his talented student. Coming to know about Bhadra's infatuation, her parents take her with them, and Sastrigal is obliged to marry his fiancée(Sindhu).
Bhadra becomes a doctor (like her father) and is married to Chandran (Lal), who is a computer engineer. Chandran happens to see her diary one day, and the relationship goes for a toss. Of course, there are no names in the diary. So he goes on to doubt every male in her life – including the elderly senior doctor Thilakan. He becomes a victim of his drinking and dies of a related illness.
In the end, Bhadra sets out in search of Sastrigal to Madurai, where she discovers that Sastrigal also has lost much – his wife is a mental patient. The final shock is when she finds out that Sastrigal has lost his beautiful voice to cancer.
==Cast== * Samyuktha Varma as Dr. Bhadra Nair * Biju Menon as Ramanuja Sasthrigal * Lal as Chandran * Sindhu Shyam as Jnanam * Thilakan as Dr. *Devi Ajith as Gayathri * Urmila Unni as Saraswathy Madhavan Nair *Jagathy Sreekumar as vaikunda Shastrikal
== Music == The film's score was composed by Biju and the nine songs featured in the film were composed by Ravindran. The lyrics were by Bharathiyar, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, O. V. Usha, Yusuf Ali Kecheri, and K. Jayakumar.
{| class="wikitable tracklist" style="font-size:95%;" ! # !! Title !! Singer(s) !! Raga(s) !! Lyricist |- | 1 | "Ithramel Manamulla" | K. J. Yesudas || Mohanam || K. Jayakumar |- | 2 | "Manjinte" | K. S. Chitra || Bageshri || K. Jayakumar |- | 3 | "Geyam Harinaamadheyam" | K. J. Yesudas, Arundhathi, Neyyattinkara Vasudevan || Charukesi || Yusuf Ali Kecheri |- | 4 | "Himashaila" | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chitra, Arundhathi || Neelambari, Kharaharapriya, Kalyanavasantam || Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri |- | 5 | "Vaarmukile" | K. S. Chitra || Jog || Yusuf Ali Kecheri |- | 6 | "Aashaadham" | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chitra || Amrithavarshini || K. Jayakumar |- | 7 | "Paarukkulle Nalla Naadu" | Neyyattinkara Vasudevan || Jonpuri || Bharathiyar |- | 8 | "Aaraadyam" | Asha G. Menon || Mohanam || O. V. Usha |- | 9 | "Himashaila" | K. J. Yesudas || Neelambari, Kharaharapriya, Kalyanavasantam || Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri |}
==Reception==
Despite positive reviews, the film was a commercial failure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=rediff.com, Movies: Sleaze time, folks! |url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jan/24mallu.htm |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.indiainfo.com/malayalam/reviews/mazha.html |title=Indiainfo: Malayalam: Movie Reviews |website=movies.indiainfo.com |access-date=24 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010211012840/http://movies.indiainfo.com/malayalam/reviews/mazha.html |archive-date=11 February 2001 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
According to Arun of ''The Indian Express'', "it's due to the phenomenal success of ''Narasimham''. Its massive success cast a gigantic shadow that devoured the entire Malayalam film industry. Well almost "The ''Narasimham'' hangover is terrifically strong and it has, at least for the moment, killed the prospects of good films. I don't see any other reason for the failure of well made female-oriented films like ''Mazha'' and ''Madhuranombarakkattu."''<ref>{{Cite web |title=rediff.com, Movies: Sleaze time, folks! |url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jan/24mallu.htm |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2022}}
==Awards==
;National Film Awards * Best Lyricist: Yusufali Kechery ;Kerala State Film Awards * Best Actress: Samyuktha Varma * Best Lyrics: O. V. Usha * Best Background Score: Biju Paulose * Best Singer: Asha G. Menon * Best Sound Recordist: N. Hari Kumar ;Asianet Film Awards * Best Actress : Samyuktha Varma * Best Lyrics : O V Usha & Jayakumar * Music Direction : Raveendran * Best Female Playback Singer : K S Chithra * Voice of the year : Asha G Menon * Best Supporting Actor : Biju Menon ;Filmfare Awards South * Best Malayalam Actress : Samyuktha Varma
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|0333890|Mazha}}
Category:2000 films Category:2000 Malayalam-language films Category:2000s romantic musical films Category:2000s musical drama films Category:Indian romantic musical films Category:Films scored by Raveendran Category:Indian musical drama films Category:Films directed by Lenin Rajendran Category:2000 musical films