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PESUM PARAI ( THE TALKING DRUM)

Pesum Parai (The Talking Drum) is a short film which revolves around the life of an autistic child and his struggles to communicate with people around him on a daily basis. He lives with his parents and grandfather. Drawings and paintings are the only modes through which he communicates. His psychiatrist identifies a troubled mind in his drawings and expresses concern to the grandfather. The
psychiatrist brings home a caretaker to help the grandfather in managing Nandhu. The autistic boy, Nandhu, belongs to a Brahmin family, considered to be the highest in the Hindu societal caste hierarchy, and his caretaker belongs to the so-called ‘untouchable’ Dalit community.
The boy then gradually develops a connection with his caretaker through the ‘Parai’ drum which is played by the latter. The drum therapy is gaining popularity all over the world for channelling energies of autistic children, providing a mode for creative expression, and helping them tackling anxiety and meltdowns. In this film, Nandhu, discovers that playing the ‘Parai’ drum is therapeutic. There is a significant improvement in Nandhu’s creative expression after exposure to the ‘Parai’ drum therapy. The subject of caste discrimination is also dealt in the movie by portraying an autistic boy belonging to a high caste Brahmin community (who worship the cow), showing an inclination for playing the ‘Parai’ drum which is made from dead cow’s skin played by the so-called untouchable Dalits. Just like a child having autistic disorder, the Indian Hindu society also faces casteism which is a disorder of the society as a whole. Just like autism, there is no cure, but things can be brought to a near-normal scenario.

  • MAHARAJAN SHANMUGA SUNDARAM
    Director
  • MAHARAJAN SHANMUGA SUNDARAM
    Writer
  • MAHARAJAN SHANMUGA SUNDARAM
    Producer
  • MAHARAJAN SHANMUGA SUNDARAM
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    FICTION
  • Runtime:
    26 minutes 54 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 25, 2015
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Tamil
  • Shooting Format:
    DIGITAL
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • The Kids Film Festival
    Madrid
    Spain
    Best Social Denunciation Film
  • IndieFilmfest
    San Diego, California
    United States
    Awarded in the category of Disability Issues
  • Accolade Global Film Competition
    San Diego, California
    United States
    Awarded in the category of Liberation/SocialJustice/Protest
  • International Film Festival of Prayag
    Allahabad
    India
    Special Jury Award
  • 3rd Noida International Film Festival
    Noida, UP
    India
    Special Festival Mention
  • 6th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival
    New Delhi
    India
    Official Selection
  • Barcelona Planet Film Festival

    Spain
    Official Selection
  • iChill Film Festival
    Manila
    Philippines
    Official Selection
  • Wolves International Independent Film Awards

    Lithuania
    Official Selection
  • We Care Film Fest
    New Delhi
    India
    Official Selection
  • Salem Short Film Festival
    Salem
    India
    Official Selection
  • Mexico International Film Festival 2016
    Mexico
    United States
    Official Selection
  • 19th Neyveli Short Film Competition
    Neyveli
    India
    Best Film Award
Director Biography - MAHARAJAN SHANMUGA SUNDARAM

S.MAHARAJAN M.tech (Structures)
Buddha Gaya, Plot No.39, Door No.2/213, Karpagambal Nagar, 2nd Street, Kottivakkam, ECR,Chennai-41.
Email: raamaha@gmail.com
Mobile: 95000 45988________________________________________

Profile

A highly motivated and hard working individual with good interpersonal skills and a honest personality in all respects.

Personal Details

Date of Birth 17th April 1982

Father’s Name T.K. Shanmuga Sundaram

Nationality Indian

Sex Male

Languages Known English and Tamil

Designation

Managing Partner, Sabarmathi Foundations, Builders and Developers

Academic Qualifications

B.E., (Civil), M.Tech. (Structures)

Qualifications related to Film Making

Participated in the short film workshop conducted by Nizhal and Pathiyam

The director’s first Short Film Bodhi Vriksha has been shortlisted and screened in the All India Short Film Festival organized by NACT, Bangalore in the month of December 2012.

Bodhi Vriksha has also been shortlisted and screened in Rolling Frames International Short Film Festival 2012 at Bangalore.

Bodhi Vriksha Short Film won an award at a competition organized by Periyar Thidal, Erode,Tamilnadu.

Awards and Accolades for Short Film Pesum Parai (The Talking Drum)

1) Special Jury Award – International Film Festival of Prayag, Allahabad
2) Award in the Category “Disability Issues” – IndieFilmfest, San Diego, California
3) Special Festival Mention – 3rd Noida International Film Festival, Noida, UP
4) Best Social Denunciation Film – The Kids Film Festival, Madrid, Spain
5) Award in the Category “ Liberation/Social Justice/Protest” – The Accolade Global Film Competition, San Diego, California
6) Official Selection - 6th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival, Delhi
7) Official Selection – Barcelona Planet Film Festival, Spain
8) Official Selection – iChill Film Festival, Manila, Philippines
9) Official Selection - Wolves International Independent Film Awards, Lithuania
10) Official Selection - We Care Film Fest, New Delhi
11) Official Selection - Salem Short Film Festival, Salem, Tamilnadu
12) Official Selection – Mexico International Film Festival 2016
13) Best Film Awards - 19th Neyveli Short Film Competition, Neyveli, Tamilnadu, India

Achievements

Received the “Indian Leadership Award for Infrastructure and Design” from “ Indian Economic Development and Research Association” at the National Seminar on Indian Economic Growth and World Peace held on 6th June 2009 at New Delhi

Received the “International Gold Star Award” from “All India Achievers Foundation” at June 2010 at New Delhi

Received the “Glory of India Award ” at the Friendship Banquet Programme at Bangkok, Thailand on 26th March,2011

Received the “International Gold Star Award” for Outstanding Services, Achievements and Contributions at the Friendship Banquet Programme at Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 18th November,2011

Received an appreciation letter from our honorable (former) President Mr.A.P.J.Abdulkalam for involvement in Research work.

Appeared in Sun TV for a program by name “namma ooru vingyani” for my B.E. Project “Earthquake Resistant Design using Tyres as Dampers”.

Hobbies and Passion

Have a great passion towards Film Making and a voracious reader of various books related to literature and cinema.

The above mentioned details are true to the best of my knowledge.

Place: Chennai S.Maharajan

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The short film is dedicated to all the people who are shunned by the society