Sudheer Karamana performs the lead in Onkara
Onkara — a movie about Mavilan neighborhood — an obscure tribe of Kerala and their love for theyyam, a ritualistic dance type of the state, was lately screened on the fifteenth version of the Bengaluru Worldwide Movie Competition (BIFFES) in Bengaluru. The tribe of hunters, gatherers, and herbalists regard theyyam as sacred.
Director Unni KR says that theyyam is important to the Mavilans. “That’s what I’ve tried to point out within the movie,” says the filmmaker.
Onkara reminds of the blockbuster Kannada movie Kantara as far the theme is anxious. Each cope with theyyam, however the portrayal in Onkara is refined.
Onkara is reportedly the primary movie in Markodi, a dialect of the Tulu language, which doesn’t have a script.
From Onkara
The movie follows the lifetime of Karumban, a theyyam artiste and the son of Chinkam, the village head. Chinkam in Markodi means lion, and Chinkam leads the Mavilan neighborhood, akin to the king of the jungle. Karumban desires to observe within the footsteps of his father and turn out to be the following Chinkam. He and his household lead a lifetime of poverty. Karumban’s spouse means that he ought to take up farming however he’s consumed by his ardour for theyyam. His elder daughter Manikyam falls in love with a bangle vendor and elopes. The villagers flip in opposition to Karumban and query his proper to turn out to be the following Chinkam. In the meantime, Manikyam returns to the forest after being sexually assaulted. Chinkam orders the villagers to extreme ties with Manikyam.
The movie is peppered with theyyam performances by Karumban, essayed by Sudheer Karamana, making it a visible feast.
Theyyam is derived from the phrase daivam or god. The dance type was by no means meant to entertain however to invoke the deity and search blessings for prosperity. That’s how Theyyam has come to be the dance of gods. It’s believed that in the course of the efficiency, the artiste transcends his/her physique and connects with the divine.
With the face painted in shiny colors and dramatic eye-make up, donning an elaborate costume, an enormous bamboo headgear and distinctive jewelry, the male dancer performs to the beats of musical devices corresponding to chenda (percussion), kuzhal (double reed wind instrument), elathalam (cymbals). In an open-air setting, he then enacts the tales of Kari Chamundi (goddess of illness), Vishnumoorthi (a illustration of Vishnu), Bhagavathi, Raktha Chamundi and different gods.
The viewers is immersed in bhakti rasa whereas watching the dancer carry out with power and vigour. The costume, efficiency, open-air setting within the evening and lighting come collectively to make it a fascinating expertise.
There are greater than 400 kinds of theyyam. “This tribe’s theyyam is totally different and troublesome as properly. Our lead actor, Sudheer, skilled in it for six months,” says Unni.
The movie’s catalogue provides a holistic description of the position theyyam practitioners play within the Mavilan neighborhood. It says: “Theyyam artistes in the neighborhood create wonders and are deemed to own all-encompassing information. They go away behind their houses and family members to take up residence within the jungle and carry out miracles. Their abode, often called ‘Pathee’ is sought out by individuals who need steering in life. Their visions of the long run set a rhythm to Mavilan life.”
Aside from theyyam, the movie goes on to highlight different folks songs and dance types like Mangalamkali (wedding ceremony dance ritual) and Eruthkali of the Mavilan tribe. The movie paperwork their musical devices as properly corresponding to thudi and bamboo drums.
Whereas the movie was shot in 30 days in forests, the analysis by director Unni KR and Rajesh Thillenkeri, who has written the story, screenplay and dialogue, took three years. “The tribals have a troublesome life however they don’t complain. They need to stay like free birds. Onkara is an effort to doc the Mavilans tradition,” says Unni.
