Where the gods give up caste! (Pilot)

Where the gods give up caste! (Pilot) from Floating Weeds on Vimeo.

‘Where the gods give up caste!’ is a look at the origin of Theyyam (a traditional dance form of North Kerala, and predecessor to the more famous Kathakali) and the role it, together with other art and cultural expressions, can play in creating a casteless, borderless society.

Theyyam is a traditional dance form of North Kerala. A form not as famous as Kathakali but no less illustrious, no less colourful, no less engaging, a lot more ancient. 'Theyyam' or 'Deivam' literally means God. It was originally devised, arguably, as a form of expression wherein the lower castes not allowed entry into temples created their own. When they donned the Theyyam they became Gods and mingled with man casteless, creedless, without any prejudice.

Caste system, comparable to racism, and segregation based on religion is still rampant in India. I was brought up in a household where there was no place for caste or religion. In this film I explore the connections of Theyyam with caste, and compare it with the role the other arts and crafts of North Kerala have played in tackling casteism and communalism.

This film is not only my statement against caste and communalism it is my tribute to the various art forms and the people of Kerala and in specific my awe at one of the brightest and most colourful phenomena, Theyyam, and the people behind the art.