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[Veena music]

[Kerala traditional drum music]

[Dramatic music]

[Theyyam screaming] [Traditional drum music]

[Theyyam screaming]

[Theyyam screaming]

[Theyyam screaming]

[Theyyam screaming]

[Theyyam screaming]

[Theyyam screaming]

[bird singing]

[Dramatic music]

Ahh..

Have this now.

How long have you been sitting here without taking anything?

You’re so immersed in it and forget even your routines.

When this bangle gets finished,...

...all the costumes and ornaments for Nandoottan’s Theyyam are ready.

[Peaceful music]

Oh! There is no school tomorrow.

- So you are going to bring Nandoottan, aren’t you?/- Yes.

Then Panikkar will lose his sleep, won’t he?

Kannettan, you know it well that Nandu is so dear to my father.

Yes, of course I know.

Father... Father...

Yes... you?

Your expectation went wrong, didn't it?

That went wrong a long time ago.

[Dramatic music]

Father, your innuendoes don’t seem to stop, do they?

Even though you didn’t have me, didn’t you get my son?

When I am old, that’s the only hope.

You go in and have something.

-Mother - Yes.

Have you been here for long, my dear?

No, mom, I’ve come just now.

I went out to collect some coconut fronds.

- There’s tea. Have some. - No mom.

[children murmuring]

There is so much to be copied from your notebook.

I’ll give you your notebook tomorrow.

This has become regular now, if I went to see Theyyam.

You please complete the story you began to tell.

Then Hiranya asked Prahlada.

Where is this Vishnu of Yours? Is he here?

Without any fear Prahlada told him that he is in earth and heaven,...

...in pillar and post, in everything and everywhere.

The angry Hiranya asked him. If so, is there your Vishnu in this pillar?

He took the cudgel and hit that pillar in rage.

The pillar broke open and Narasimhamoorthi (half man-half lion) emerged.

At that time of dusk, on the threshold of the mansion, He tore open Hiranya’s chest.

He tore out his guts and then ....

[Boy chant in Unison]

[Boy screaming as Theyyam]

[Boy screaming as Theyyam]

[Boy screaming as Theyyam]

[Boy screaming as Theyyam]

[Boy screaming as Theyyam]

Enough! Stop it!

[Dramatic music]

Grandpa! Ahh..

For you. Do you like it?

Mm.. Mm?

Mm?

Your mother has come.

Won’t you go home along with her?

I am not willing.

Aren’t you hungry? Eat something. Go.

Yes. Eat something. Go.

Prakashan is not at all around these days.

He has work, yet to be finished.

Alright. What I want is that you should be happy.

He looks after me with great love and care.

Um..

- Grandma! - Yes, son.

Here’s some mango. Eat it and let us go home.

I made tea for him.

No. We'll have it from our home. If we are late, we may miss the boat.

Besides, Kannettan wants to go somewhere.

Have it.

Are you going my dear?

[soft music]

Let's go.

We’re leaving, mom.

Study well! OK? Go, then.

Bye father!

Be careful while crossing the river. It is an ebb tide.

Be careful, my girl!

Father!

[dramatic music]

[sentimental music]

[Chenda - drum music]

You should feed the chicken, mother.

Daughter, a few people are coming with a marriage proposal for you.

Take it.

Prepare it well; so that they will get a good treat.

- Is your father home? - Yes.

Rajesh Panikkar is from Kuttikkol. I am waiting for them.

He has seen you from a house on the eve of Theyyam.

[dramatic music]

You may see them on the way.

By the time you are back we will leave, do you hear?

[dramatic music]

Greetings!

[dramatic music]

Come in and sit down please.

She has gone to college

I’ve seen her.

I have nothing else to say.

[Men murmuring]

Returned early? Anything special?

Yes, it is ok and set.

- In our own place. - Where?

Panikkar’s daughter.

[Emotional music]

Yes. Our Ambu Panikkar’s daughter.

- Ambu Panikkar’s daughter? - Yes.

[dramatic music]

The boy saw you on his way; he said.

Let her enter home, Narayani!

Will it not be good, if it is after a little more study?

He’s a busy Theyyam artist. We'll fix it.

And of course a good boy for you

[sentimental music]

[soft music]

[dramatic music]

[uplifting music]

[drum music]

[Sewing Machine Whirring]

Nandu!

You didn’t forget. Brought it. Eh?

He likes these things rather than food.

Let him draw.

Mm.

- Have you finished? - Yes, just a minute.

[Sewing Machine Whirring]

Sweetie, come.

[dramatic music]

Come dear, have your food.

What are you doing? Come.

Let’s have food, come.

Come, sit here.

- Where is he? - Went to wash his hands.

Enough for me.

Enough. - Give him some more

Hey, stop it. No drumming before the served food, OK?

Have the food dear.

Enough.

Enough.

Have it.

- You also sit with us. - Yes.

- Dear, - Mm

Nandootta?

Yes.

You’re always thinking only about Theyyam. Is that enough?

Mm?

Don’t you want to become great by learning something?

Don’t you?

Mm?

No, father. I only want to perform Theyyam.

Father, why don’t you take me to your home?

[dramatic music]

- Father - Mm

Father has slept.

[dramatic music]

We’ll go. Of course,

One day we’ll go there.

You sleep now.

[calm music]

Prakashan, several years have passed. Why don’t you still go there openly?

People still pass unwanted remarks on him. Isn’t it better to avoid them?

Can we ever correct them all?

Kannetta, some people are so irritating.

I wonder why I don’t give a slap on their faces.

Prakashan, that’s correct.

[People murmuring in the distance]

Get down.

[Folk song playing in the background]

Be careful.

[Distant folk song continues]

Hold him.

Kannetta, I’ll be back.

Hmm.

Will you people return today itself?

You know it well about Nandoottan. We’ll be returning, anyway.

[Laughing]

- We’ll be back. - OK

[Distant folk song continues]

[folk song]

[Folk song playing in the background, actors murmuring softly]

Prakashan...

Prakashan... Nowadays, you are not at all seen around.

Oh, nothing special about it. I’m doing well.

You’d been after her for long, hadn’t you?

Yes, he had been.

But in her mind, there was only Prakashan.

Even if from another caste, He married the girl he had loved.

There are people who talk a lot about caste...

...and jilt their lovers just in the name of caste.

I know what you said now was against me.

You can say whatever you like.

Now it is a shame for the whole family.

After it, uncle hardly comes out of his home.

Everything having passed, Why don’t you people reconcile yet?

We’ve seen how deeply they loved each other.

Why are you people so stubborn?

We feel ashamed to face the people of our caste.

How intimate you were once, as cousins!

Will you stop it?

Hey, no, stop it! Stop!

You go on singing.

Sing a new song. You go on singing.

Sing..

I can’t sing anymore. There is no mood for it.

Come on, sing, please.

No... No... I cannot.

No... No... I cannot.

Please sing dear... sing...

If he is happy, I’ll sing.

Done... you keep on singing...

[Murmuring]

Come on... sing.

Ready.

Yes.. Ready..

[folk song]

[ONE INDIA, ONE PEOPLE, LET’S ORGANIZE]

Grandma... I’m going.

Dear, wait... you forgot to take your plate.

You need to eat up all your food.

Your teacher said that you used to waste your food.

OK. Grandma

I feel dizzy as I couldn’t sleep last night.

Hey... Come.

[Chenda - drum music]

If you go in, you’ll be late for the exam.

Come fast... it is late already.

[Chenda - drum music]

Come... Come... We’re moving.

Have you studied everything?

It is maths today... I don’t know a single thing.

[devotional music]

[Traditional Chenda Ensemble Plays]

[Traditional Chenda Ensemble Plays]

[Traditional Chenda Ensemble Plays]

[Traditional Chenda Ensemble Plays]

[Traditional Chenda Ensemble Plays]

Sweetie... why are you sitting alone here?

Children should never sit in this sacred grove.

Rush to your school now. Make it fast.

Why are you late?

- Good Morning Teacher. - Good Morning, sit down.

[Traditional Chenda Ensemble Plays]

Let there be good to all.

[Children Laughing Playfully]

Devanandan, you stand up.

Didn’t you sleep yesterday?

He went to Theyyam last night.

What happened, teacher?

I heard some blessings being uttered.

Devanandan went to see Theyyam last night.

He’s been sleeping in class.

Anyway it is good that he has been blessed.

How high he scored in the exams!

Anyway, which Theyyam was it?

Was it Gulikan or Pottan?

It was Pottan, sir.

It was Pottan Theyyam sir.

OK, teacher, I’m going.

Oh, my God Pottan ... I wish I had your mask.

Here is the paper.

Try to write something you know rather than sleeping here.

Theyyam is good and it is OK.

But above all, you should concentrate on your studies.

Do you hear me?

[Chenda Drumming Begins]

Hey... look... I’ve got some red lucky seeds.

You and your red lucky seeds.

- How was the test? - It was tough.

How about you?

Not bad for me.

While I was writing, the teacher asked me so many things.

It made me upset and I couldn’t even reproduce the lessons I studied.

She told me that one should concentrate on studying above all other things.

Isn’t she right?

Maybe she is right.

But I want to be a Theyyam artist like my grandfather.

Hey, come fast...

Come on, come fast.

Look, his Theyyam obsession started again.

After all he is a Theyyam artist; Hence it is natural for him to have such an obsession.

- Will you pass the test? - Yea, I think I’ll.

You are a teacher, right?

You have to study, right?

How can you run away like this?

Look here.

You are not even able to study.

I told you to study.

Grandpa, is there only one Theyyam in that sacred grove?

No, there are several Theyyams.

You’ve been talking for a long time.

We’re talking about The Kailasa Cave.

Oh, is it?

So, is no one allowed inside it?

Not everyone could go in.

Only the man who is designated to light lamps inside the cave

on the last day of each month could go inside that cave.

No one else would dare to go there.

Because the deities are so powerful.

Even your grandfather, an exorcist, did never go in.

[folk song]

Stop it... stop it...

Please change the song... please...

What is to be sung then?

Here comes another one.

[folk song]

[folk song] [Distant Chenda Plays in the Background]

[folk song] [Distant Chenda Plays in the Background]

Damn it. That rhythm doesn’t work.

What rhythm? I didn’t do anything.

Not your rhythm... But the drumming you hear now.

Oh, it is our Panikkar.

What can we do?

We’ve to stop him now itself.

It’s become routine for him to play the drum during nights.

We need to stop it now.

Oh, leave it. You keep on singing.

No... no... we need to stop it now itself.

I’m going to him anyway. You can join me if you want.

They are so boozed up and have lost their sanity.

Will they make it a fuss? Will they?

You go on singing.

I am afraid they will make a fuss. You just go and see, please.

[Distant Chenda Plays in the Background]

Panikkar?

Will you stop it?

What happened?

There are people living around.

Your drumming is really becoming a menace for us.

Anyway it is a drum and it definitely has some sound.

Oh, your drum and drumming! That too in the middle of the night!

However I am your Panikkar.

You won’t allow us to sleep, will you?

Leave it, come... Come...

Why should I?

After all he is a boy, let him drum.

Oh! Drumming at midnight!

Leave it... come. He is our Panikkar.

Leave it Panikkar... There is nothing.

All right... I’ve stopped. I’ve stopped.

There is a time for everything. What is he up to?

If you dare drum again... mind you...

It is our Panikkar... Leave it... Leave it, please.

[Men murmuring]

[Chenda Plays in the Background]

[emotional music]

[dramatic music]

[Thunder Rumbles in the Distance]

Make it tight.

Now have a look at yourself.

Did you have a look?

Go and get blessings from your grandma.

Aneesh... get everything packed.

[dramatic music]

Oh my god! Bless us.

Nandoottan looks very pretty in this Theyyam attire, doesn’t he Panikkar?

It has been years since we performed on the other shore of this river.

Hence, I thought of performing on the other shore this year.

Anyway it is his father’s place, isn’t it?

[Soft flute music]

Do you feel pain, dear?

- A little - Never mind.

Pray from the bottom of your heart.

[dramatic music]

[folk song]

[folk song]

[folk song]

[folk song]

Now it is time for kuruthi (an act of blood sacrifice)

[folk song]

[folk song]

Accept their Dakshina.

Come, grandpa... Come.

Panikkar, shall we enter?

It is a call from God. Let’s go in.

- Theyyam is coming - Mm.

Masters, can we perform Theyyam?

It has been a long time since you’ve come.

Who is the performer?

Time has changed a lot. It is very hard to get boys to perform.

Then where did you find him from?

He is my daughter’s son.

You need not perform here.

Master?!

I mean what I said. You need not perform here.

[dramatic music]

Anyway it is the boy’s wish. Let him dance.

No, no... You’re not allowed.

Get lost.

Panickar..

This is for Theyyam.

Please forgive us.

[dramatic music]

Why are you staring like that?

It's not the first time you are seeing

You are getting used to it.

He will come.

He is your father.

[folk song]

[hand bell rings]

You’re all drenched.

It was raining heavily.

We had to stop in the middle.

Exactly as I saw in my dream.

What is that?

Nandoottan, come.

Apply some turmeric on him.

Go and take a bath.

Dear, please bring me that medicated oil.

What happened father?

I have swelling in my leg.

We’ve been walking for a long time, anyway.

Give it to me.

No, father. I’ll apply it on your leg.

Dear, where is your mother?

She went to the shop to buy something.

An unexpected thing happened today.

What was that, father?

Nandoottan went to his father’s house.

We were not supposed to go. But somehow he went in.

He received a lot of blessings from his grandmother.

[Soothing music]

Kichu...

Kichu?

Hey... you...

He may be going to play Theyyam with him.

What an idiot!

What the hell.

The ball is going.

Nandu, bring that ball.

[Chenda Rhythms]

Instead of taking the ball are you playing with these tender leaves of coconut?

Kannetta, our bad reputation does not disappear...

...even after all these twelve years of our marriage.

It is strange that nowadays my son also has to endure this.

Even my cousin is....

There are also some natives to support him.

Enough for me...

I strongly feel like running away from this place to somewhere else.

Where nobody recognizes us.

Now you need not think that way.

It is his idiocy that made him say such things to Nandoottan.

What kind of idiocy?

I felt like giving a tight slap on his face.

Why should he be called a cousin?

After making some money, he is now active with his caste organization.

Still there are blind casteists in our place.

[dramatic music]

I feel very comfortable at my workplace as I am working with migrant labourers.

They won’t understand my worries; and me theirs.

[dramatic music]

Kannetta, please wait for me.

I will be back soon after paying a visit to my son.

How fast is time moving! Your time of return is approaching.

Yes, only two weeks are left now before I leave.

You can wait till the Theyyam festival ends, can’t you?

That’s why I came during this time.

Prakasan is coming. You need not talk to him.

I am not at all going to.

You stop there.

[Tension music]

Have you got anything to say?

Don’t you hear me?

What did I say, for that?

Come on, tell me.

Why do you lurk in the darkness to slander me?

That’s not nice for anyone.

If you’ve something to say, tell me face to face.

Tell me now what you’ve to say.

Tell me...

- I didn’t say anything about you. - What do you think you are doing?

Are you the spokesman for the crazy casteists here?

On earning money from the gulf, Do you feel like a leader here?

Who do you think you are?

Come on, let’s move.

Are you the leader of the caste here?

Come on... move...

If you dare again...

I’ll teach him a lesson.

We’ll think of it later. We’ll better go now.

Now you may leave, I'll see you soon.

Sucks to you.

A filthy bunch of caste activists!

He should not be left like this. What does he think he is?

Wait... let him see what I've got for him.

Aneesh, make it fast.

- Dear, will you take the drum? - Yes.

[dramatic music]

OK, grandma, I’m leaving.

The Theyyam at the sacred grove begins today, doesn’t it?

Yes

I wish to see my father performing the rituals.

It is the place where we started our love affair, wasn't it?

[soft dramatic music]

Nandoottan is also going there with my father.

He’ll be playing drums there.

We’ve to return soon after those rituals.

As I’ve to go to work tomorrow...

...I can’t stand the cold of these winter nights.

Mm..

Mm? Mm...

- Then you go and get ready - You finish the tea

Okay.

[devotional song]

[Chenda Drums]

It is not fair for this boy to play the drum here.

If we allow him to do this, next he’d start performing Theyyam.

Stop it... you...

There are others for it. Not You.

[dramatic music]

Here comes, a great drummer!!!

You take him along.

Ask him to keep the drum there itself.

- Come, Keep it there. - No, mother.

- Keep the drum there - No, I can’t.

Grandpa...

Stop it, come.

It is enough. You come with us. No.

Grandpa...

- We'll go home. Come - Come

No, I won’t come.

I want to play the drums.

Come, come with us.

[sentimental music]

No mother, we’ll wait for some more time, please.

Mother...

We won’t allow such things here.

Dear, come with us.

He has started playing drums.

What if he performs Theyyam soon?

- We cannot allow such things here. - Will you please stop?

We can never agree to this.

Let him be here and watch Theyyam like us.

Here, we’ve designated certain castes to play the drum and perform Theyyam.

They are the only people who are to do it.

Look, here we are the only people to raise voice against this.

Most of the others need Panikkar for their various personal purposes.

Will you please stop?

You’re so boozed up. That’s the problem.

It would have been better if we hadn’t taken you along.

That boy is not from the Theyyam performers’ caste.

Then why is he a part of those people?

You go and tell them.

This issue affects the entire village. Therefore, we can never agree to it.

- I want to play the drums. - OK

- I want to go to the sacred grove. - Yes, we’ll.

Now you just come with us.

Leave me. Okay.

Come with us now.

We are going home.

Leave me alone.

What wrong did I make to be ousted from that place?

- You did not do anything wrong. - Tell me father...

Mother, you tell me.

I was sent out of the classroom for several reasons ...

...for not doing homework, for being a nuisance in the classroom etc.

But there was a reason for it.

But why did they send me out from here?

All are making fun of me for you two belong to different castes.

Father, what is the caste?

Mother, what do you really mean by it? [Father]- It is nothing...

[Father]- Nothing.

Fireflies, elephants, cows... all such creatures are alike.

But we are many. Why it is so?

Why at all did you two get married?

All are making fun of Nandoottan because of that.

My dear son...

[Theyyam song]

Leave me alone, I’ll walk.

Don’t cry dear... we’ll go home now.

[Theyyam Performance]

[Theyyam Drums Beating Rhythmically]

[Sacred Chants Echo Through The Temple]

[dramatic music]

You should not have done this to my grandchild.

All the people here are complaining over this.

Isn’t he from my blood?

That may be true.

Let him be here as a mere spectator.

But he should not indulge in anything else.

That’s true. What if he performs in the future?

Are we to watch him performing?

That can never be allowed.

Because we want to continue the customs and rituals of this place intact.

Panikkar, you just need to mind your performance part.

[dramatic music]

Dear, please don’t worry.

There are more Theyyams and festivals to come.

I am an outcast in those places also, aren't I?

Don’t lose your heart and it is time for school now.

Get up.

[dramatic music]

[suspense music]

[mystery music]

It is heard that when the designated one lights the lamp at the entrance of the cave,

he attains a certain holiness from within.

When the designated one with the lamp in his hands walks for long...

...through the darkness of that cave,

He reaches near the lamps beside the Kailasa Stone.

After that, he has to light the lamp much above the Kailasa Stone.

When that lamp also is lighted,...

it is believed that this place of ours and its natives...

...would receive the blessings from those deities.

[dramatic music]

Let there be good to all.

[Theyyam Drums Beating Rhythmically]

You’re ousted from my place, aren’t you?

[Theyyam Drums Beating Rhythmically]

Leave it. Do you feel sad?

I'll be there with you protecting you forever.

I’ll be there as your mother.

Let there be good to all.

[Theyyam Drums Beating Rhythmically]

[Theyyam screaming]

[Theyyam Drums Beating Rhythmically]

Let there be good to all.

At my place, there were squabbles between rivals on the issues of...

..."me and mine" versus "you and yours", wasn’t there?

Leave it.

Is it enough if I grant your wish to perform as myself?

Is it enough?

I’ll be there with you forever.

Let there be good to all.

[Theyyam Drums Beating Rhythmically]

[dramatic music]

Today's Theyyam was fantastic, wasn't it?

Of course. It was great.

Panikkar, please come and get your wages.

I wanted to say something to you.

I have lost my physical fitness and mental strength.

Next year, I’ll not be there to perform Theyyam.

What are you saying Panikkar? Why?

I am tired.

You search for someone else.

[dramatic music]

[The murmur of the crowd] [dramatic music]

What can we do?

He is an excellent Theyyam performer.

[suspense music]

Where will he be?

Where can I search for this boy?

- Did he say anything to you? - No, he didn’t.

Why 'no'? Why are you crying after letting him go free?

Where should I go to search for him?

What should I do? Where should I go?

Can you please tell me something.

I don’t know what to do.

Here comes our son.

There.

Dear

Hey,

My dear son.

My dear son.

- Where have you been? - We've been searching for you.

Nandu... dear...

Hey..

You did not go to school...

What happened to him?

Dear... Nadootta...

[dramatic music] Dear... Nadootta...

Dear....

What happened to you?

Haven’t you got your parents here?

Were you afraid?

Tell me, were you afraid?

Don’t worry....

Nothing has happened.

Don’t worry... relax...

Say something to us dear.

Please say something.

Dear?...

Hey, what happened?

What is this?

- Come... let’s go home. - Come

Shall we go home?

Come...

Where have you been?

[dramatic music]

♪Hail thee, our supreme teacher, hail thee... ♪

♪Hail thee, our supreme teacher, hail thee... ♪

♪Hail Lord Siva and Parvathy♪

♪Hail all those Holy Scriptures♪

♪Hail thy father and mother on the stage♪

[dramatic music]

♪I bow to the god, the supreme♪

♪And I bow to thee, the evergreen Goddess Earth. ♪

♪ Faint Mantra Echoes Within the Music ♪

♪Hail thee, our supreme teacher, hail thee... ♪

♪Hail thee, our supreme teacher, hail thee... ♪

♪In the land of hundreds of thousands of gods, ♪

♪In a sacred grove where I received my golden bangle, ♪

♪In the land of hundreds of thousands of gods, ♪

♪In a sacred grove where I received my golden bangle, ♪

♪A place which I blessed to be healthy and where I have driven away the sorrows♪

♪Why does it still rain fire on my house?♪

♪Why does it still rain fire on my house?♪

♪Hail thee, our supreme teacher, hail thee... ♪

♪Hail thee, our supreme teacher, hail thee... ♪

♪Hail Lord Siva and Parvathy♪

♪Hail all those Holy Scriptures♪

♪Hail thy father and mother on the stage♪

[dramatic music]

What are you up to?

Where are you taking all these things too?

I have been performing Theyyam for all these years.

If my place and its natives don’t need this Panikkar,

Then, why should I keep all these things?

I am going to give it all to my boy.

[dramatic music]

I’ll be back soon.

Nadoottan...

Nadootta...

- Grandpa... - Nandootta...

- Grandpa...

All these things are for you dear...

Yes..

There was no Theyyam in my mind while I performed there yesterday.

I told them that I would not anymore perform Theyyam which descended from my mind

- Prakasan... - Yes.

I still dream of my grandchild becoming a great Theyyam performer.

I bless you dear...

Let me go now dear.

Father, we’ll have some tea.

- No. - Have some tea. Please wait.

She is alone there. I’ve to go.

Grandpa...

[dramatic music]

How eagerly my son wished to perform a Theyyam!

Nadootta...

You carry on.

Get ready as the Theyyam you prefer.

We’ll be there to watch you performing.

[dramatic music]

[Ceremonial Chenda Rhythms Build]

[Ritual Drumming Intensifies]

[Performer Howls in Divine Ecstasy]

[Performer Howls in Divine Ecstasy]

[dramatic music]

[Slow, Echoing Chenda Pulses Through the Silence]

[dramatic music]

[Dramatic music fades out]