(14th Century)
In the fertile and beautiful village of Panaiyur...
...there existed a clan deity named Ayali.
Since Ayali was considered to be a virgin Goddess,
men were prohibited from entering the temple premises.
Only women can enter the temple.
In fact, only the girls who hadn't attained puberty...
...were allowed to touch her and pray.
When Panaiyur flourished under the blessings of Ayali...
...a youngster from the neighbouring village had come there to extract honey.
When a drop of honey spilled...
...and fell on a young girl from Panaiyur,
...love blossomed between them.
When they fell deeply in love...
...they were unmindful of breaking rules of their village.
The lovers, fearing the wrath of the villagers...
...eloped the village to save their lives.
After this incident, the Panaiyur village faced many issues.
The fields turned into ashes, the fishes in the river died,
and the cattle died too.
Things got worse when chicken pox spread all over the village.
Panaiyur village became a hostile place to live.
"Ayali is punishing us for the mistake committed by that girl"
"If we live here anymore, we'll perish too",
...feared the villagers and decided to leave.
They were ready to leave their roots, but not their deity.
When the whole village was hesitant,
a small girl child stepped forward...
...and grabbed a handful of soil from Ayali Deity's foot.
Later, they wandered many places trying to make a living.
Finally, they arrived at village near Pudukkottai called Veerapannai.
"Finally, Ayali's anger has subsided and she has permitted us to live here"
"This is our home" they felt...
...and decided to build a temple for Ayali over there.
"Our deity was angered by a girl's act"
"And if it must not repeat,"
"marry off the girls once they attain puberty ",
...decided the people of the village, unanimously.
And the girls vowed not to break that tradition, at any cost.
Even after 500 years, Veerapannai villagers have not changed this tradition.
Nobody dared to break or question this practice.
"AYALI"
Hey! Stop.
How can you be so unmindful of your pallu?
Your aunts will be ready to peck you with their words.
They will criticize me to have raised you so carelessly!
Behave like a girl and walk with some composure! Not like this!
Get used to looking down while you walk!
Isn't your mom here yet?
What is keeping her so busy at home?
Can't she be punctual even for a wedding?
Panneer has made grand arrangements.
Saw the gifting ritual trays? They have doubled the gifts!
-Greetings. -Greetings. Welcome.
-Looks like a grand wedding arrangement. -So happy you're here.
-It feels so satisfying. -Welcome, dear.
-Greetings. -Welcome Tamil.
Look all around you.
Girls just a little older than you are married with two kids.
Wipe your tears or I'll break your legs!
What is going on here?
Is this how you talk to your daughter at this hour?
-Now leave. -Yeah, you keep pampering her!
-Crying during final hours of wedding. -I know to take care of her.
Dear niece, you have tears gushing out like a river.
Droves of pigs can be bathed with it.
I'm scared, aunt.
What are you scared about now?
My niece can prepare rice and gravy without her mother's help.
You are already good at taking care of a home.
You can even tend cattle. What else do you need?
If you keep living in fear,
your in-laws will dominate you.
You must learn to be fierce, like a snake.
Only then they will leave you alone.
But do not bite anyone out in haste.
Just keep this in your mind. Okay?
Sister, look.
You've got a runny nose from all the weeping. Wipe it off.
You will face this situation too. I'll laugh too.
She will weep only for today.
Once she starts living with her husband, she would just look through us.
-Welcome, dear leader. -Greetings.
-Greetings to one and all. -Welcome, sir.
-So Panneer, how are you? -I am good.
Please have a seat.
Welcome, in-law.
Kasi's son Kumar Veerapannai Village, from Pudukkottai district...
...and Panneer Selvam's daughter Revathy from the same place,
are to get married as decided by the elders.
The girl attained puberty just four months ago.
Announcing it to everybody present.
The bride's family is giving double gifts in gifting ritual,
30 sovereigns of jewels, 20 acres of land for the bridegroom.
Rathnam, do mention about the three lakh rupees too.
Okay.
Apart from all that, they are also giving three lakh rupees cash.
Whoa! Three lakhs!
I'm saying I don't want dowry yet I'm not finding a bride to marry.
I'm asking everybody gathered here, do you all give your consent?
Yes, we give our consent.
What do you elders have to say?
What do you expect me to say?
What else than our pride to talk about?
Who else has such a tradition in this world to boast about?
For ages, we have been doing our duty for our girls with sincerity.
What we follow is not a mere 50 year old tradition.
but 5000-10000... Yes my dear in-law?
Lets give our consent, there is a marriage waiting to happen.
Didn't you hear him? Consent is given. What are you waiting for?
It's an excellent wedding function!
So, let's go and eat. What do you say?
Sport a smiling face!
(Government higher secondary school) Do I've to repeat everyday?
Aren't you in 9th grade? Isn't this your line?
Why are you all feeling so shy to stand in this line?
They are already worried when will be their last day here.
They come here everyday fearing that.
All the line arrangement she does is useless.
You all better stick to this line!
When posted in a new village, one should learn the local practices.
She wants to impose things just to spoil the village's reputation!
Let's just do what we are paid to do, sir.
Do you think reforming this village is our job?
Come again! Reform this village?
Do you think we are spoilt, in order to reform us?
Mythili, why are you standing here now?
You class line is empty over there. Go, stand there. Listen to the head master.
What's your problem? I am not blocking you, right?
I feel so shy to stand alone. Why don't you try instead of lecturing?
Why wouldn't I? I will, when I go to 9th grade.
My foot!
Hey!
Who is that? Who is that disturbance?
You! What's that noise?
-Stop it! Don't you have sense? -Who is that? What happened, sir?
I was preparing for my class, madam.
This noise was so disturbing.
-Oh, is it? -What's going on?
Please have a look.
I've set up an achiever's board. It'll motivate the students.
Madam, nobody in this village has ever cleared the 10th grade exam.
First let someone pass the 10th grade, then you may set up this board.
That's unfair! We are suppose to educate then, not Laugh.
Poor students.
You boast about your village...
...but not a single boy has passed 10th grade.
And girls? Never have they studied 10th grade.
-You don't let them study. -Madam!
This is our village's tradition and practice.
Don't ever poke your nose into this. Consequences will be serious.
Okay, sir.
You please go and prepare for your class.
Hand over the power to a wretch and this is how arrogant they will behave!
I'll pay the full amount in two months and then get it registered.
-I trust you Thavasi. -So happy to hear that.
You are accumulating so many properties.
How much wealth will you amass for an only child?
What does your total wealth amount to?
You must ask that to my daughter.
The amount of love she believes I have on her, is the wealth I've amassed.
See you.
(T. Savitri BA MA M Phil PhD HEADMISTRESS)
Are there so many degrees one can study, teacher?
There are many more. Will you study?
-Hey! Don't give way. -Girls, make way!
-Will you give way or not! I said, move! -Quiet. Don't move.
Hey, don't you cheat! Give that to me.
-How dare you cheat me? -Stop fighting.
-Hey, don't write. -You keep quiet.
(T. Tamilselvi. R. Mythili)
Why are you writing my name?
You usually top your class, right? Obviously, your name must be here.
-What are you girls up to? -Teacher...
-Leave my skirt. -Stay put!
What were you writing on it?
Well teacher, isn't this board to put the names of top-ranking students...
First, did you read what's the board all about?
SSLC Toppers Name list...
If you study well and secure 1st rank in 10th grade...
...then I'll write your names with paint, on this board.
If you write it with chalk, it'll disappear in no time.
Should your names be written on the board using chalk or paint?
You guys decide that. I leave it to you.
-What's the baby's name? -Kavitha.
Please come. Open your mouth.
Name please.
Turn around.
Open your mouth wide.
She's caught cold.
Please give this medicine. It'll cure her.
The kid falls sick very often. Also she goes weak and faints.
-How old is the baby? -Six months old.
-Do you feed mother's milk properly? -No, sir. This is my sister's child.
She passed away during delivery. I'm taking care of her.
I don't have a child yet, sir.
Getting married at such a young age is very dangerous.
Many have stopped this age old practice.
But why is it still followed in this village?
Many kids will die during pregnancy. Many women die during delivery.
-Doesn't it happen? -It does and they know it very well.
But they don't change their practices.
They claim that it's their village's culture and tradition.
The girls in this village do have dreams and goals.
But once they attain puberty they hide it. In fact they forget it.
They are too young to go through all this.
They must let children be children.
What could be worse than loosing one's childhood, sir?
Even after knowing that this is torture,
they still impose the same on their daughters.
Those mothers, I tell you...
But a legal action can be taken, isn't it?
Possible!
But the first ones to oppose it will be the same women.
Rani! Don't run away!
Stop!
Nothing to worry. Look at this.
Come here.
Look here. Look at this.
Do you know what this is called?
Stethoscope.
How was the sound of your heartbeat?
I felt like my heartbeat reverberated throughout this world.
This is not a toy.
It is using this stethoscope, doctors diagnose any disease...
...and save people's lives.
Just a while ago, that doctor examined many children with this.
To own this, you must become a doctor.
You can own one when you become a doctor. Now return it.
Everyone must have come and left.
-Eswari, do you recognize me? -Decoration looks good, right?
Decorations look fine.
What are you looking at?
Hey, you look very beautiful.
So are you.
Is my skirt good?
My uncle bought it for me from Trichy.
Can I ask you something?
Go ahead.
How did you attain puberty?
I was asleep at night.
I dreamt of having severe pain.
Suddenly I got scared and woke up.
I felt something in my thighs.
When I checked, it was covered in blood.
I panicked and screamed out.
Mom came, saw it and started laughing.
I was confused!
Then Amudha, Devi... everybody rushed to my home.
The made a tent out of sarees in the verandah and made me sit inside it.
First, they fed me raw egg.
Eww!
I couldn't drink it.
Then they fed me Sesame oil, Sesame seed sweet, honey and lot more.
I took advantage and demanded...
...Boondi, Ola Pakoda, Laddu, Jangri and many more food items.
They bought anything I demanded.
Then in the morning, from my uncle's house...
Eswari...
...I can see the gifts for gifting ritual and looks very grand.
Did you fix her marriage?
Yes. We have fixed Ramesh as her bridegroom.
My husband's elder sister's son.
Also, sister-in-law...
...Tamil also looks on the verge of attaining puberty.
Looks like soon there will be a good news in your home too.
What is it, mom?
Look here.
Hereafter you should learn to behave yourself. Don't run around like a child.
What did I do to earn this, mom?
You didn't do anything. I am just telling you.
Just remember what I tell you.
If you get cramps in your lower abdomen...
...or if you find blood stains in your inner thighs,
don't talk about it to anyone.
Don't even look at anyone.
Bow down your head and come straight to mommy.
Are you talking about attaining puberty?
How did you know? Who told you about it?
Mythili told me, mom.
She said puberty happens during the night.
Forget that crazy girl.
It can happen at any time.
When Mythili attained puberty...
Remember their family had that goat with white spot on it's forehead?
They slaughtered it and made spleen fry, liver delicacies for her
-I'll also make it for you. -Mom!
Promise me you won't slaughter our goat Ranikutty.
Fine, we'll ask dad to buy meat from the shop.
Yes. Also...
...from Saradas, I want five silk skirts, glittering bindi, Ponvandu bindi...
and Nethi chutti (forehead jewel).
When you attain puberty,
your dad will celebrate it like a festival in the village.
Ask for the moon and he will get you that too.
Mom, will you buy me a stethoscope?
What's that?
Mom, it is very similar to this one.
Doctors plug it their ears and hold other side on to the chest.
You can hear the heartbeat loud and clear.
Is that all? Here, listen to it.
Mom!
Your heartbeat sounds exactly like mine.
After all I'm your mother.
Our heartbeats will sound exactly the same.
Then dad's heartbeat?
It'll be same as ours.
The other day when I used stethoscope, I could the heartbeat so loud and clear.
Fine, don't forget what I told you.
And you don't forget what I told you.
-Hey, run! -Quick, before teacher sees us.
You have school this Saturday, which is tomorrow.
-Did you get the circular notice come? -It did, turtle.
-What did you say? -I said "It did, tutor"
Yes, turtle! Yes, turtle!
Who is that, calling me a turtle? I'll rip you apart!
Sister, Mythili sister looked awesome in that half saree.
Why don't you wear half sarees?
There's still time.
Mythili! Mythili!
Come let's hang out near the well.
My grand daughter is an adult now. You tiny kid, show her some respect!
Get lost!
You oldie! Did I call you? I'll pelt this salt on you!
-Just shut up! -You shut up, you tiny fellow!
Tamil, what is it? Go away!
Come, let's go.
No, I won't. Mom will scold me.
Come!
Sister, there are raw mangoes hanging on trees, in the field. Come on.
Let's have them with salt. Shall we?
Why are you standing here? Go inside!
What do you want?
Nothing, aunt. Ask your daughter to join us to pluck mangoes.
She won't join you hereafter. Leave.
Aunt, we are just going to hang out by the well. Let her come.
Can't you guys understand?
Will one after the another keep coming. I'm wasting time explaining you all!
You'll know only if it happens in your family. Now, leave!
The faster you learn, the better you'll get!
Don't we know what's good and bad! They keep turning up, one after the other!
Don't these...
Scold me as much as you want but please send Mythili to school.
She is very smart student and she'll reach heights.
Enough of studies for her. Her marriage is fixed.
She still behaves like a kid. How will she live at her in-laws?
I must teach her manners and prepare her for marriage.
If she doesn't behave then I'll face the heat!
Only if girls study and become independent can they lead a peaceful life.
Only then they can face problems in life and fight against it successfully.
How can you throw them into somebody else's hand and lead a peaceful life?
Don't we parents know what's best?
We carefully choose the best for them, so that they lead a happy life.
She must not earn any bad reputation at her in-laws place. That is all I need.
She is a kid.
If she wears a saree, she'll look like a woman. How many times do I tell you?
If our men find out why you're here, it'll become a problem.
You better leave. Please leave.
Eww! Keeps yapping her gums away at me!
What's up? Got an earful, so early in the morning?
Your face looks dull.
Mythili didn't come?
Told you but you didn't pay heed to me. She has attained puberty.
She will be in and around her home, round the clock.
She won't join to play with us.
-She's got only us to play with! -Hey!
Her marriage is fixed. Do you think they will let play?
Stop going to her house, Tamil.
That grumpy face woman will scold you.
You better get to terms with it. Same fate awaits us!
"Did I sin by becoming an adult?"
"I am crying out. My heart is broken"
"I had to bury all my wishes and desires"
"My life is now over"
Tamil, how are you?
-I'm good. How are you? -Hey Mythili!
Coming, mom. You leave. We'll meet later.
How long will you take to feed hay to the goat? Come fast!
"I am like a chained slave now"
Try telling it to your father!
He will carry and pamper you when he hears it.
He will come to butcher me asking if this is how I raised you!
Don't ever take the topic of school hereafter.
"I forgot how to smile and it feels like I'm burning in a well of fire"
"My fate has been sealed"
You fool, drape the saree around your breast.
Do I have to repeat it time and again?
If Rathnam comes, he'll unleash hell!
You wretch, don't try to act smart with me!
Let my son come home. I'll deal you!
You filthy wretch!
Are you going to ruin my son's wealth? Our family will be ruined soon!
"O dear! O dear!"
Why are you lamenting for each and everything?
That is how a family functions.
You will have to hear comments and criticism.
My foot!
You keep scolding me for everything! What's my fault?
Just do what you're told to do. Go!
How many chores do I keep doing?
Do you think I have ten hands?
You're torturing me from morning till night!
What's your problem? How dare you talk back to me?
That's a woman's fate. You must do all the chores!
Look here, you better obey and behave yourself!
If you keep talking back like this, mind you!
"O girl. O poor girl"
"O my poor girl"
I regret attaining puberty!
We thought attaining puberty would be fun.
But that's only for few days.
They kill me saying "You're an adult. You have to move to your in-laws soon"
They fear everything and and torture me to death.
Each and every day is like a battle to survive.
Everybody at home hates me now a days.
I must not speak up. I must not laugh out loud.
I am unable to even sit in a place where I am in their sight.
My legs are aching from walking throughout.
Remember, after playing we would come home tired and have a sound sleep.
I do chores throughout the day.
But at night, I struggle to sleep.
It's been days since I slept well.
Look.
Look at this.
I keep telling that this brassiere is too tight and it hurts me...
...but my mom insists me to wear only this.
Look at the bruise.
Back when we take an off from school,
how happy did we feel about it?
But when I was banned from going to school hereafter,
I couldn't control my tears.
My heart is feeling heavy thinking all this.
Hey, please control yourself.
You'll make me cry too.
Stop crying.
You don't have much time left.
I'm warning you.
That's our fate.
My mom is not like yours.
She will listen to me.
My foot!
Your mom is the one who heads every girl's wedding in our village!
You fool! Do you think she'll let you continue your studies?
My dad considers me as his life.
He will listen to me.
When you attain puberty...
...you will see your dad's true colours.