Santhosh on the sets of the film
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The Tulu film, Pidayi, was declared runner-up in the Kannada film category at the recently-concluded 16th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes). What makes it interesting is that the director, Santhosh Mada, is a Malayali from Kannur.
Having spent his childhood in Mangalore, Karnataka, and nearby Manjeshwaram in Kerala, interacting with the Tulu-speaking community and studying in a Kannada medium school, he developed an affinity for the people and the language. It is one of the languages he grew up speaking, says Kochi-based Santhosh over the phone.
Before Pidayi, there was Jeetige, another of his films, which won the National Award for the best Tulu film at the 68th National Film Awards (2022). While Jeetige is special, Pidayi, his latest film, is dear to him. The film was selected in two categories — Chitrabharathi and Kannada cinema.
Pidayi focuses in on menstrual untouchability — the taboo surrounding menstruation. The story is about what happens when a modern, educated city-bred woman marries into a tradition-bound joint family. While she enjoys the advantages of being in a traditional family, the women being ‘banished’ to an isolated room outside the house while menstruating does not sit well with her. The film is about what follows and the changes thereof.
From left, Kaithaparam Damodaran Namboodiri, Ajayan Namboodiri and Kaithaparam’s son Deepankuran who scored the background score for the film
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
“Menstrual untouchability is practised even today in many families. My mother used to become ‘untouchable’ those days of the month and I have wondered about it as a child,” says Santhosh, 48. His questioning of the custom is nuanced yet hard hitting like the climax for instance, when the room where women stay during menstruation is converted into a puja room and the puja room becomes a study.
Making films in Tulu was not his plan initially. He wanted to make Malayalam films. The nephew of lyricist and music director Kaithaparam Damodaran Namboodiri, he grew up around Malayalam films. While accompanying his grandfather, actor Unnikrishnan Namboodiri to Chennai for a shoot, he met an assistant director Ayyappan, “He was the same age as me. That gave me the inspiration that I can also do it. Santhosh has assisted directors Jayaraj and Kamal.”
Although his Malayalam debut film was announced it did not pan out. What did happen was an opportunity to make a Tulu film, Lucky Babu, which was completed only recently. In the meanwhile, the other films happened.
Santhosh with Devi Nair on the set
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Santhosh first heard of pidayi from writer Ramesh Shettigar. “That was when I first heard of it. Ramesh was planning a short story on it. But I felt there was a film in it. The story resonated with our producer and his wife as well. We decided then to make a film. However, I wanted it to be a musical film, which is why I have included three bhajans.”
Having his uncle, with whom he lived as a youngster, write the lyrics for a film of his has been a long-cherished dream, which was realised with Pidayi. “There is a culture of bhajans sessions being organised at Tulu-speaking homes. It is a kind of ‘get together’ where the neighbourhood gathers to sing bhajans following, which prasad is distributed. And that presented me with an opportunity to have my uncle write the lyrics.”
With Kaithapram on board for the lyrics, Santhosh got in touch with popular Kannada vocalist Vidyabhushana. “He has never sung for films, this was a first for him. But I was able to convince him.” Ajayan Namboodiri is the music composer while the background score is by Deepankuran Kannadimana, Kaithaparam’s son. The editor of the film is multi-award winning Suresh Urs. The actors include Sharath Lohithashva, Devi Nair, Roopa Vorkady, Illa Vitla, Deepak Rai Panaje and Pusparaj Bolar. Devi, who plays the lead character Narayani (Nani), is yesteryear actor, Jalaja’s daughter.
Although he became a filmmaker via Tulu, he plans to make Malayalam films too in the future.
On being asked if there will be a theatrical release, Santhosh answers in the affirmative.
Published – March 26, 2025 02:14 pm IST