Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai - A horse is a horse

Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai

2011, Tamil

Genre: Village Drama

Director: Suseenthiran

Stars: Appukitty, Saranya Mohan, Inigo Prabakaran, Aruldoss

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Despite Vedas, Vedanta, Ramayana and the rest, nothing can begin to describe the fervor of the Tamil people for their heritage and history.  The Chitthirai Thiuvizha of Madurai stands as testimony to a devotion that is unfathomable and yet all so human. Indeed, to label it as Hinduism would be to lessen the depth of emotion the people place on it. For this annual festival has nothing to do with what religion one belongs to, or how one defines God, or even if one believes in God. It is only about Azhagar, the Beautiful Symbol of the people of Madurai Maavattam.  

For the people in the little hamlet of Mallayapuram, where this film is set, there is only one important purpose, to safeguard the intricately crafted wooden horse that Azhagar rides every year when visiting the town.  The stage for the story is set when the horse goes missing.

The suspects are numerous, from the local DMK youth to the soothsayer, to a mendicant from Kerala who is brought to help search for the kuthurai. An interesting turn of events occurs happen when a live horse is found in the village and becomes replacement for the wooden one. 

What is one person's coincidence is another person's miracles.  The fact that the town suddenly prospers, people are cured of illnesses, and romance blooms, is counteracted by the arrival of man claiming to be the horse's owner. This young man's name - Azhagarsaami.

The urban among us can only watch with wonder at what feels like the Gods Must Be Crazy. We are but mere observeers to the humorous tale of police frustration, tradition, and raw human emotion. As such, Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai  offers a charming vignette, revealing to us the poetry and humanity that keeps Tamil culture uniquely its own.