Exit common man's celebrity: T A Razaq

KOZHIKODE: The exit of T.A. Razaq, the award-winning Malayalam script writer, leaves a vacuum in the cultural space of Kozhikode. Many lament that the city has lost its soul. He was born in Kondotty in Malappuram and the city was his second home. Fondly called as Razaqji by the dear and near, he was a lively presence at all venues discussing issues faced by children at government children's home, shortage of funds for the pain and palliative movement, mentoring of 'problem students' under 'Our Responsibility to Children' (ORC) and the rehabilitation of mentally disturbed wandering in the streets.

Thousands gathered to have a last glimpse of Razaq at the Town Hall when his body was laid to enable the public to pay their last respects. Writer K.P. Sudheera, who was closely associated with the man for more than a decade, told DC that with his death, the city had lost the common man's celebrity. "He was accessible to all. He found time to be present wherever he was invited," she said.

Ms Sudheera feels that Razaq had an inkling about the imminent death. "He told me about his unfinished tasks and themes to write when I visited him at the hospital. A communist to the end, he was much concerned about the poor and their struggles," she added. He picked up his characters from among the innocent folk from the agrarian setting of Kondotty and surrounding hamlets. His films reverberated with the rustic grace.

ANGELS executive director Dr V. Venugopal said that Razaqji represented the vanishing humanity of the era in its full bloom. "He always kept in his mind the love and compassion for the fellow being. It is sad that Razaqji who campaigned for organ donation had to bow out after failure in organ transplantation. He was eager to donate his organs.    

He had recently undergone liver transplant and contracted an infection which resulted in organ failure and consequential death. Experts say that the donor was infected with dengue fever virus. His death came at a time friends were organising a programme to mobilise funds for his treatment.

Humanity was hallmark of Razaq Film scripts

An overload of humanity, perhaps the common trait of Malabar life, is the hallmark of T.A. Razaq’s scripts. As the Kondotty man found his characters from his surroundings, they are invariably deep-rooted in village values. Among the 30-odd scripts he penned, Kanakinavu (1996) and Perumazhakkalam (2004) were the notable ones for their  themes of humanity winning over religious overtones.

In both the films, Razaq conveyed the impending threat of religion encroaching into public space. Kanakinavu narrated the innocent lives of the timber merchants of Malappuram beautifully interwoven with secular perceptions. A childless Hindu couple taking care of Muslim children and their escape from the native place in search of peace makes the film.

“Razaq was predictive in Kanakinavu. He had the vision of a great artiste about the future of our society,” observed Sibi Malayil, who directed the film. It bagged the award for best story and script that year. Perumazhakkalam again shed light on humanity. It dealt with the pangs of a Brahmin widow who pardons a man who accidentally killed her husband in the Gulf.

Soothing melody made the perfect turf for all Razaq’s stories. Notable in this category is ‘Ghazal’ (1993). At the same time, he also penned for pure commercial blockbusters including Nadodi, Karma, Mayabazar, etc. Razaq started his tryst with art through theatre when he was studying in class 8. He wrote scripts for many one-act plays.

Before donning the cap of a story writer, Razaq assisted directors in Dhwani and Vachanam. Kamal-directed Vishnulokam was Razaq’s first script which came before the audience. Razaq has published an anthology of poems titled, Daivathod Nuna Parayaruthu.

Mortal remains laid to rest

The mortal remains of the noted film personality T.A Razaq (58) was laid to rest at the burial ground of Thurakkal Juma Masjid in Kondotty after funeral service with state honours on Tuesday. Hundreds gathered at his ancestral home in Kondotty and later at the Moyinkutty Vaidyar Memorial Centre to mourn and pay their last respects.

A commemorative meeting was also held at the Centre after the last rites. Mr Razaq died on Monday at a private hospital in Ernakulam after a long battle with liver ailments. He was born in Kondotty in Malappuram and was active in theatre since his school days.