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Friday, April 26, 2024
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MALAYALAM AYAAL
EDITOR'S PICK
Ayal
is a story on intense human relations. It’s a story of a man who effortlessly
floated along the estuaries of time, the back waters of Vembanad. If love is the
flowering of one’s own heart, can it have a direction? Is it Scalar (direction
less). This is an uncomfortable question raised by him, the protagonist, Guru
Dasan. The film problemetises the conventional fabric of human relations, its rules
and its sanctity. It could be a rebellion against the pseudo morality often
professed and seldom practiced in Kerala!
Set in late 1950s the film uses the symbols of Serpentine Worship and socio
political rebellions during that period of time to create an ambience for
storytelling. The protagonist Dasan was a practicing Pulluvan, who had an aura
of ascribed divinity around him. He had two wives, Janaki and Chakara.
Janaki’s love with Dasan was platonic, but Chakara true to her name was
possessive. Dasan along the course of time becomes passionate with Devaki
Antharjanam, the wife of the village landlord as well. Be it wine, women or
smoke, Dasan had no restrictions. His mastery over the profession was
unparalleled. Due to the ascribed divinity around him, he was unquestioned. But
not for too long, something happens which makes his life topsy turvy! The event
also brings out the tenacity and quality of relations he had.
The film picturises the various shades of love and problemetises the
conventional concepts around it. Its also an attempt to transcend the
definitions of love and to explore the flowering of bonds which are deep rooted
than love. What do we call it?
