Review: Malayalam Cinema – A Living Mirror of Kerala’s Soul
To watch a Malayalam film is to peek into the diary of Kerala—with all its pride, prejudice, and unending complexity. As long as the coconut trees sway and the halwa shops stay open in the Jew Town of Mattancherry, Malayalam cinema will be there, whispering the secrets of the land back to its people.
The Social Beginning:
Malayalam cinema began with J.C. Daniel’s silent film Vigathakumaran (1928) . While other Indian regions focused on mythological epics, Daniel chose a family drama, setting a precedent for "social cinema" that remains a hallmark of the industry.
Malayalam cinema began in the 1920s, with the production of the first Malayalam film, "Bali" (1926). The early years of Malayalam cinema were marked by mythological and historical films, which reflected the state's cultural and literary heritage. The 1950s and 1960s saw the emergence of a new wave of filmmakers, who focused on social and cultural issues, such as casteism, feudalism, and social inequality. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the rise of a new generation of filmmakers, who experimented with innovative storytelling, cinematography, and music.
Malayalam Cinema and Kerala Culture: A Deep Dive into the Intersection of Film and Society
However, the definitive text is arguably Sudani from Nigeria (2018), which flips the script. Instead of a Malayali going abroad, it tells the story of a Nigerian footballer playing in Malappuram. The film is a masterclass in how Kerala has absorbed Gulf culture, creating a unique hybrid identity where halal food, mallu swag, and Islamic piety coexist with football hooliganism.
- Perpetuating stereotypes: Some films have been accused of reinforcing negative stereotypes about Kerala's cultural practices, like the portrayal of Ayurvedic medicine and traditional dance forms.
- Limited representation: The industry has faced criticism for the lack of representation of marginalized communities, like Dalits and Adivasis.
- Censorship and controversy: Films like Guru (1997) and Sakshyam (1992) faced censorship and controversy, highlighting the challenges faced by filmmakers in pushing boundaries and critiquing societal norms.
For a society that prides itself on high female literacy and gender development indices, Kerala has a shockingly conservative underbelly. Early Malayalam cinema was notorious for the "suffering mother" trope—the Amma who sacrifices everything while the men fail.