FAQs on Dasavatharam

Some guys have claimed they haven't understood chaos theory which plays such an
important part in the film. As a physics student, I've decided to explain it a bit
so that people can appreciate the brilliance of the film.
What is Chaos?
Basically a chaotic system is one wherein long term predictions are impossible.
Like for example, if I push a car, I know that it is going to move and it will
continue to do so if I go on pushing it on and on. However, in a chaotic system,
this situation cannot be predicted over a long period of time. Weather, for
example, is a chaotic system. No matter how good your instruments are, you simply
cannot predict the weather with 100 per cent accuracy over a long term basis and
forecast it.
What is the Butterfly Effect?
It is the most important component of a chaotic system. Basically, small
perturbations results in amplifications which completely destroys the original
nature of the system and makes prediction impossible. If a butterfly flaps its
wings in Africa, it could result in a cyclone in USA.(Mark the word COULD.) A
highly dumbed down explanation of the butterfly effect is in the film Anniyan,
where Vikram's sister dies because a liquor shop owner sells liquor on a dry day.
OK, how does Dasa incorporate it?
In essence, Dasa talks about eight characters who are inconsequential as such, but
are integrated in a larger picture. Without Bush, the plane would have been called
back. Without Shinghen, Govind would be dead. Without the tsunami, the world would
have been destroyed. Even Krishnaveni (the old woman) plays a very important role.
If she had not put the vial in the idol, maybe Govind would have recovered it then
and there and a powerful weapon would have been unleashed. The very fact that it
went into the idol meant that it was being accelerated to its destiny. Without
Kaifulllah Khan, Govind would have never escaped... the list simply goes on.
OK, so does the film talk about theism or atheism?
Neither. It talks about how humans drive the destiny of the world.
The idol that is drowned in the sea along with Rangarajan in 12th century by
Chozha king results in a fault being developed at the bottom of the ocean and
creates tremors more than 800 years later. These tremors result in the Tsunami.
This again is a classic case of Butterfly Effect wherein a seemingly
inconsequential event (the drowning of the idol) saves Tamil Nadu from being wiped
off the face of the earth.
Now tell me, does THIS movie lack a story? This movie has the most beautiful story
ever attempted in Indian cinema. Unfortunately, Indian viewers and critics are
obsessed with the "boy meets girl" and "revenge" themes, so they fail to see the
story in this master piece.
� Chaos Theory
Think out of the box to understand Dasavatharam Masterpiece by Kamal. For all
those who didn't like the movie� my only advice is please come out of your world
and think OUT of the BOX. Dasavatharam is one of the classics . Right from the
12th century to 21st century the coincidence are beautifully penned and
picturised. Kamal just ROCKS in all his characters. Special kudos to the editor
and the background score. Everybody had done a neat job right from Napolean, Asin,
Maliika Sherawat to the tiny bits. Whoever says the story is missing.. should
first understand the chaos theory and should be open to accept the facts. Simple
to say watch it for:
1) Kamal
2) Special effects
3) Reason for Tsunami
4) Miracles of God
5) Lastly to understand the coincidence of unsaid truth..
Tamil cinema is been taken to the next era by the entire team of Dasavatharam.
Only thing is the audience should be ready to accept the changes.
One thing we had noticed is why people didn't get the real subtext and reason for
the various roles and hence the title.
If you knew the real dasavatharams of Lord Vishnu and their characters you can
appreciate the script more.
Let me explain, starting with the best adapted role:
1. Krishna avatar - Vincent Poovaraghavan
Lord krishna is actually a dalit, he is dark-skinned [shyamalam]. He saved
draupadi when she was being violated and he was the actual diplomat in
mahabharatham. Lord krishna dies of an arrow striking his lower leg. Now look at
how vincent was introduced.. he appears when asin is about to be molested and he
saves her like draupadi. Vincent is the dalit diplomat, fights for land issue
[soil issue to be exact] and dies from the metal rod striking his leg. Oh even
five of vincent's men are drugged at P. Vasu's.. sounds familiar???
2. Balarama avatar - Balarama naidu
This is an easy given. as the name suggests and the role personifies you can
easily get it.
3. Mathsya avatar - Ranagaraja nambi
nambi is thrown into water in an act of trying to save lord from being thrown into
sea, though vainly. what more clue do you want?
4. Varaha avatar - Krishnaveni paatti
During the mukunda song, krishnaveni paatti does varaha avatar in the shadow
puppetry. The frame freezes on it for a second. there is the clue. Moreover, in
varaha avatar lord actually hides earth so as to protect life forms. Here too
krishnaveni hides the germs - life form inside the statue so as to protect.
5. Vamana avatar - Kalifulla khan
remember in vamana avatar, lord vishnu takes the vishvaroopa, that is the giant
form! Hence the giant kalifulla here symbolises vamana avatar.
6. Parasurama avatar - Christian Fletcher
Parasurama is actually on an angry killing spree and killed 21 generations of the
particular kshatriya vamsa. Hence the real KILLER... Guess what thats what our
Fletcher is! He comes around with the gun [modern upgrade for axe] and kills
everyone around. I have to check if he kills 21 people though. :-D
7. Narasimha avatar - Shingen Narahashi
first of all the name itself is a play on the words singam [means lion in tamil]
and narasimha [the avatar being symbolised]. Lord Narasimha manifests himelf to
kill the bad guy and he also teaches prahaladha. In the movie, he shows up to kill
the killer fletcher! and is also a teacher.. Lord Narasimha had to kill the asura
with bare hands and hence the martial arts exponent here.. get it?
8. Rama avatar - Avatar Singh
Lord Rama stands for the one man one woman maxim, kind of symbolising true love..
Here Avatar portrays that spirit by saying that he loves his woman more than
anything and wants to live for her.
9. Kalki avatar - Govindaraj Ramasamy
As you know, the hero in kaliyug can be none other than the Kalki avatar!!!
10. Koorma avatar - Bush
This is the most loose adaptation I couldn't clearly comprehend. But if you look
at the real koorma avatar, the lord is the turtle/tortoise that helps in stirring
the ksheera sagara and bringing out the amruth. This essentially creates war among
the devas and asuras. Similarly today Bush facilitates war between you know
whom... May be Kamal also indicates that this avatar is a bit dumb like the
tortoise...