Polyvocality in Kerala Café: Through a Sociological Looking-glass

Abstract

This paper looks at the multiple voices of Malayalee (belonging to the southern Indian state of Kerala) consciousness as observed in the film ‘Kerala Café' (2009), an anthology of 10 short films by 10 different directors, on the common theme of ‘journeys'. The culture sensible voices in each of them underlie the contemporary face and phase of Malayalam film industry (Mollywood), which has always been known for its story-centric filmmaking inspired from the psyche of its own people. In this paper, each of those films are reviewed and analyzed for its sociological significance, exploring in the process what it takes to be a native of Kerala, the larger motives and circumstances that influence the lifestyle, habits and attitude of the people here. Though the paper doesn't claim to define the characteristics of an average Kerala-born individual, surely it is an attempt at deeply probing the driving factors of life in Kerala, as reflected in the film. More than a social critique, it is intended as a social and psychological inspection, going by the belief that cinema can be a mirror to society.