Marattam - 1988
(Interchange)

Based on noted Malayalam playwright Kavalam Narayana Pannikar's work, Marattam is about the identification of an actor with his role, also the relation between viewer and actor.

This film has an overt resemblance to Rashamon, but beyond that there is nothing common. The form, the structural pattern, the narrative and the stylisation etc. are very different.

The last act of Keechakavadham (The Killing of Keechaka) is played on the stage. A character kills the lead actor of the play, this act he claims to have done since he detested the character the man portrayed. Three different plots of the same event reveal and remain unsolved. Each version is accompanied by different styles of folk-music of Kerala, Thampuran Pattu, Pulluvan Pattu and Ayappan Pattu.

The performers of the film were mainly drawn from the theatre and from Kathakali.

Direction: G Aravindan
Screenplay & Lyrics: Kavalam Narayana Panicker
Cast: Sadanandan, Krishnamurthy, Kalamandalam Keshavan, Urmila Unni, Krishnankutty Nair
Cinematography: Shaji N Karun

Also read :
Aravindan on Marattam