ആശാൻ(Asan) I āśān I
A film that gets you closer to the extremely complex style of singing of Master Kalamandalam Gangadharan.
Interview with Writer/Director Ratheesh
Watch ആശാൻ(Asan) I āśān I on YouTube
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
As a connoisseur of the art form ‘Kathakali’, I had the opportunity to listen to the Master closely. His complex style and uncompromising approach to music made him a man of few audiences. Thus, I felt it it was my responsibility to make this film so that there will be something left of him, saving for the future. This documentary forms part of a documentation project which collects and publish informal recordings of the Master done since the 1960s.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This definitely throws light onto an area of performing arts and vocal music support to theatre, which is a very important aspect of the art form ‘Kathakali’ and quite unpopular to world theatre audiences.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This is the story of an Artist. Though the discipline he practiced is not so universally popular, the nature of art/artist described in the film does communicate universally.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
I made an audio interview with the Master in 2009. A second interview in 2010, as part of another documentary project which was about a disciple of the Master. The dream to work on this film was always pending due to a lack of funds. However, in 2014, the producer of my previous documentary film offered me a hand, a few art lovers also offered support. So I had the primary script written for further planning. However, those plans kept on changing; the master was hospitalized in between, making the production a difficult one. He was 79 years old and could not sing as he could during his younger days.
This film features the last appearance of the Master on stage, also, a recording of the last time he ever sang. The final script was prepared after all the filming and before the post production, resulting in a totally different work to what was initially planned.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
From the few ‘known’ viewers, I have received a very positive feedback. Those who watched the film did see the importance of it as a ‘needed’ work to keep the Master’s importance to the future world.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really. My wanting to make this film was pretty much personal, it was because of the responsibility I felt for making this. Now I can foresee that the history of ‘Kathakali’ will absorb this work.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
My initial idea was to get the Master known to the world beyond ‘Kathakali’. I could see that his Art deserves an exposure to audience outside its regular realm. On the other hand, an outside recognition will lead people to listen to the Master even more attentively, since the Master had experienced such neglect throughout his lifetime.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All, I would say, if any such amplification is possible, if the film could be presented before the world public, that alone will be a huge gain.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Presenting an incomparable Artist, I wish that the film could bring people to know about this art form and its particular approach to vocal music.
The music represented in this film does not coincide with any idea of Indian music popularly known.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The major project I have in mind now is to make a documentary on the life and songs of the marginalized people in the state of Kerala, India. The state has gone through many social reforms during the last 100 years. However, the life of these people hasn’t changed much. The way the common society looks at them, the way they underrate them is something painful to me. So I plan to make a film which will journey through the art practices of these people, which I hope will be an eye-opener to others.
Interview: September 2016
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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ആശാൻ(Asan) I āśān I
A film that gets you closer to the extremely complex style of singing of Master Kalamandalam Gangadharan.
Length: 69 mins
Director: Ratheesh
Producer: G. Sunil
Writer: Ratheesh
About the writer, director and producer:
This is the third documentary film of Ratheesh. The first one was a 74 mins documentary and the second one was a 5 mins short documentary.
G. Sunil has produced all three of Ratheesh’s works.
Key cast: Kalamandalam Gangadharan, V. Kaladharan, Matambi Subrahmanian Namboothiri, etc.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Release date: 7th February 2016
Where can I watch it in the next month?
As of now, the film is available to watch online.