| Director | Hariharan |
|---|
Kuttan Thampuran is the son of Subhadra Thampuratti and Kochanyian Thampuran of the Maangaattu Kovilakam. Kuttan has suffered from epilepsy since childhood. He is rough and violent in his character and is feared by all in the village. Haridas is his classmate despite being two years younger and has had a special bond with him since childhood. Hari always accompanies Kuttan and carries iron keys to assist him if a seizure develops. Both Hari and Kuttan grow up to be unsuccessful in life, and Hari is criticized for this by his father Bhagavathar, a well-known classical singer who himself has not been financially successful. Hari has had a liking for music, but Bhagavathar discourages him from it and persuades him to pursue a professional degree course. Kuttan, meanwhile, has had frequent epileptic seizures and is a nuisance in both his home and the village, despite seeking various medical treatments.
Unknown to Bhagavathar, Hari has a natural singing talent, which he displays at the local temple. Thankamani, who is dependent on Illam, is a student of Bhagavathar and falls for Hari after she hears him sing. Hari, though initially reluctant towards Thankamani, soon develops a passionate relationship with her based on mutual interest in music. Kuttan tells Hari that he is the only person who loves him, and they reaffirm their brotherly love. Meanwhile, Thekkemadom Nampoothiri advises that the only treatment for Kuttan is to get married. Both Valiya Thampuran and Thampuratti plan to get Thankamani married to Kuttan. Kuttan agrees to this, unaware of the affair between Hari and Thankamani. Thampuratti persuades Hari to forget Thankamani and leave the village for Kuttan's sake. Kuttan is devastated after coming to know about everything after their marriage and commits suicide.
Years later, an aging Thampuratti calls for Hari, who has now become a well-known singer in India, to visit her. Hari's visit to the village and subsequent happenings form the rest of the story. Meanwhile, Thankamani is paralyzed and unable to speak, probably from the shock of her forced marriage and then the subsequent suicide of her husband, Kuttan.
When Hari sings "Raaga Sudharasa" for Thampuratti, then hearing his voice, Thankamani attempts to sing along. Soon, she displays signs of getting cured. Thampuratti passes on, relieved that Thankamani can be reunited with Hari.