Sanal Kumar Sasidharan is an independent filmmaker from Kerala with a very unique style and approach to filmmaking . I had seen one of his earlier films "Ozivudivasathe Kali" which literally blew me away with its complete non hollywood approach and style to filmmaking where the Camera is more like an observer . Sanal is a very artistic and bold filmmaker creating his own artwork . He stands out for his originality of vision and treatment and being able to arrest the viewer’s attention even into a thin narrative. Many of his films are literal and metaphorical at the same time where there is a representation of a larger narrative beyond the immediate narrative . His films are very contemporary and makes a scathing comment into our socio - political fabric . It is almost like he holds a mirror at you .. take a look at yourself almost to a point that it can become very discomforting . His representation of Women Characters are also very unique in his films . In the film "S Durga "the woman character and her boyfriend seems to be completely at the mercy of the night and human predators . In the film "Chola" , the victim of rape a young girl ends up killing her boyfriend in the midst of all encompassing nature . In the film "Kayattam" the woman protagonist Manju warrier is "Maya " , the all powerful whom we cannot completely fathom.
Coming to the movie "Kayattam" , this film almost takes on the form of Docu Fiction . Set in the Himalayas and shot in extreme weather conditions and altitudes the films opens with a sound track of a group a people singing in an unfamiliar language designed by the filmmaker . Here enters our protagonist Manju Warrier along with her young companion Gaurav Ravindran joining the trek camp. The other members of the team are a group of musicians men and women who are singing and speaking in the new language constructed by the filmmaker and a couple of Malayalee men played by actors Vedh and Sujith Koyikkal who are part of the trekking team and the guide . Manju Warrier's Characterisation is amazing .. she comes across as a mysterious & confident women non perturbed by Male advances.. As in all Sanal's films we are intrigued to know more about the woman protagonist and what happens to her in the film .. In a metaphysical way he probably draws an allegory to the woman character "Maya" that it is not possible to know everything ..such is the nature of Maya which is elusive . The unique language created and the group whom we don't know where they belong to seem to be in complete harmony and peace through the journey which is an interesting juxtaposition. Their songs also add meaning and layers into the narrative. The Cinematography & yellow color tones achieved are really beautiful . The sound design is very realistic with minimal or no use of background music in most of Sanal's films and in "Kayattam" again the sound design gives a wonderful texture along with dialogues, ambient sound and live songs played by the group.
Sharing a link to Isthako video song from "Kayattam"
Sanal is a new voice in Indian Cinema .. His films are not to be missed !!
R. Narayan Kumar
Cinematographer & Teacher
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