Elippathayam

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RAT-TRAP

Art

Sivan

Editing

M. Mani

Music

M. B. Srinivasan

Sound

Devadas

Cinematography

Ravi Varma

Executive Producer

T. C. Shankar

Producer

Ravi

Script and Direction

Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Help! Sister, I got bitten by the rat!

- Where did it bite you?

- On my leg.

I can't see any mark...

Or was it my hand?

You're imagining things.

Sister, get some oil.

Get me some tapioca.

Coconut would be a better bait.

Watch a rat being trapped!

Rajamma, something fell on me.

- What is it, Brother?

- Something fell on me.

It worked! A rat has been trapped.

You wait here till dawn!

- Will it gnaw at the bars?

- Its teeth will fall off.

The wedding ceremony is at 9:30.

You'll be late.

Rajamma.

Rajamma, get my umbrella.

It's almost time.

Didn't you go to the ceremony?

Bring some water.

Let me wash the mud off.

Rajamma.

The cow.

Good heavens!

Times have changed.

There's no sign of the rains yet.

How are you, Uncle?

I have come to see you.

Rajamma, bring a mat.

No need. I'll sit here.

This porch is for visitors.

Our ancestors were practical.

They had foresight.

Thanks. You shouldn't have bothered.

Why do you look so depressed?

Could I please have

a glass of buttermilk?

I prefer buttermilk in this hot season.

Don't you want to know

what brings me here?

You don't need a reason to visit us.

I have come on a mission.

It's concerning Rajamma's marriage.

It is high time she married

or it will be too late.

It will be difficult

to find a suitable alliance.

I have good news.

An excellent proposal.

The man comes from a good family.

He's of excellent character.

He is around 45 years old.

She is not all that young either.

The only drawback

could be that he's a widower.

It's not considered bad these days.

I have told them

about our family and status.

I have promised them something more

than the normal share of property.

That's the practice, anyway.

They are genuinely interested.

Why are you silent?

Let me make it clear,

we won't find a better alliance.

I see...

Aren't you a relation of ours

by marriage?

I can't deny it

even though I have lost all my wealth.

But loss of wealth does not mean

loss of self-respect too.

What do you mean?

You shouldn't have insulted us like this.

In what way?

Couldn't you find anyone

other than a widower for my sister?

But then...

Let's not discuss it further.

Good God! I only acted for your good.

Just think of the number of proposals

I have brought.

Thanks. I have had enough.

I will accept

because I don't want to offend you.

Surprising! You're right...

I take buttermilk with chillies in it.

See you tomorrow.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I am dying to tell you something.

Quickly, before I forget.

All right, tell me.

A new teacher has joined our staff.

You've got no idea

how handsome he is.

We debated a long time in class.

One side swore

they had seen him in a film.

How could it be? Why would a film actor

take a teaching job here?

I'm going to the pond.

Are you coming to bathe?

Where did I put the soap?

I put it somewhere.

Strange, I can't remember.

I can't find it anywhere.

had it just now...

Or did I?

Have you seen it?

It's here!

The hot water is ready.

My dearest darling...

A life without you...

...is unimaginable.

My heart longs for you...

To be with you...

To be held...

...in your arms.

Haven't you washed?

Should I wash in cold water

and catch cold?

But I boiled the water!

When?

Mind where you put it.

Look, it's all chaff.

Isn't the master up yet?

The noise should wake him.

He gets up late

no matter what's going on.

These are difficult days.

We can't depend on labourers

any more.

They are not available.

And the few who are

lay down rules before working.

Sridevi, hurry.

It's almost 10:
00.

Make sure you pass your exams

this time.

Where's the time to study

with all that make-up to apply?

Come for a minute.

Does it look good?

Anything looks good on you.

No jokes. Be frank.

I'm telling you the truth.

Sridevi...

Your friend's here.

Catch, Mummy.

Hurry, we must leave

before someone sees us.

Let me eat.

Can't you obey me for once?

Wait a bit.

Who's there?

Come down, you little rascal.

It's you, young master?

Working in league, are you?

Get down.

- I'll jump.

- For God's sake, don't!

- I'll jump.

- My child, please don't.

Young master, do you mind

if we take these cashew nuts?

Are you here, Auntie?

Who is it?

It's you? Has Sister come too?

No, I have come on her behalf.

Is she not well?

Nothing serious.

Just her usual rheumatism.

You scared me, Son.

You scare too easily.

Have you eaten?

I came for our share of the harvest.

- When is your younger sister expected?

- Not before evening.

When will Uncle wake up?

Is he sleeping?

Can't you hear him snore?

Lmpertinent fellow.

No respect for your elders!

I won't be long.

Aunt, this is the limit.

I can't wait any more.

If he doesn't wake up,

I will have to wake him up!

Sleeping during the day

makes one slack and lazy.

Mind, he will punish you

for your impudence.

I'm not his ward!

You have been meddling with things

in her room!

What's so special

about all of you anyway?

Why are you staring at me?

Are you dozing, Uncle?

What's the matter?

Mother sent me...

Mother wants her share of the crop.

- What do you mean?

- I mean Mother's share.

Tell her I am not parting with it.

Father insists she collect her share.

If he can't support his wife and children,

let him say so.

I'll say so to him.

- I'm leaving, Aunt.

- Won't you have lunch?

I don't give a damn about your lunch.

Sridevi...

Someone's come. Go and see.

You bother me for every little thing.

Can't you go and see yourself?

Who is it?

I bet you don't recognise me.

I swear I didn't.

What a change!

With those dark glasses

nobody will recognise you.

Your father didn't mention

that you were coming.

I felt like coming home...

I took the next flight out.

The company pays the fare.

It is a surprise.

She has grown into a woman!

I brought this for you.

Sorry, I didn't invite you to sit down.

I'll make some coffee for you.

Young master, it's me, Mathew.

Don't you recognise me?

I did recognise you.

Are you on leave? Or...

Is life so hard over there?

Is it all manual work?

Yes, some manual work.

How have you gone so dark?

Have you been working in the sun?

I must leave. I have an appointment.

If you are going home,

tell your father I want to see him.

Has he gone?

Rajamma! Rajamma!

These rats are a menace.

It's the shirt you ironed yesterday.

We should poison them all.

They'll die and lie stinking.

Out of all our clothes

it picked on this shirt.

Sis...

Hurry up! There is a plane!

Come quick, it will disappear.

Where is it?

Too late.

The plane can't wait for you.

What's wrong?

I feel like I'm going blind.

I feel better. I can see now.

Still scared?

Madam...

It's you?

One never sees you resting.

Want to say something?

Nothing in particular.

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