Remembering Vanaprastham

Set between the 1950s and 1980s, Shaji N. Karun’s Vanaprastham takes us through the journey of Kunhikuttan, a Kathakali artist born to a lower-caste woman and a Namboothiri man. Due to the caste hierarchies prevalent at the time, the Namboothiri refuses to acknowledge his fatherhood and constantly shuns Kunhikuttan. Despite his talent, Kunhikuttan is an alcoholic, using alcohol to numb the pain of his upbringing and current existence.

As Kunhikuttan gains repute, he gets more opportunities to perform across various sabhas in Kerala. It is during one of these performances that he meets Shubhadra, an educated upper-caste woman who is enamored by Kunhikuttan’s portrayal of Arjunan. Defying the rigid caste

norms of the time, the two have an illicit affair, resulting in the birth of a son. However, she shuns him soon after, causing further heartbreak for Kunhikuttan.

Kunhikuttan becomes increasingly troubled. Not only is he denied any sort of  love or acknowledgement from his father due to his mother’s caste identity, but now he is also denied access to his son because of his own caste identity.

Watching this movie in 2024 made me reflect on the caste dynamics that existed in Kerala during those times and the oppression faced by people from non-privileged classes, even if they were acclaimed artists in an art form like Kathakali. It is disappointing and disheartening to recognize that there was a long period in our community when upper-caste men would impregnate lower-caste women and then proceed to shun and insult them. What is more alarming is how many in such upper-caste communities choose to deny or ignore these practices followed by their ancestors. The lived experiences and struggles of people from underprivileged communities cannot be easily erased.

Movies like Vanaprastham force us to confront the harsh realities of those times. A more sensitive approach would be to acknowledge the actions of our ancestors and strive to make amends through our actions today.

Kunhikuttan’s life is one of torment and despair, and Mohanlal delivers one of his career-best performances in this role. You cannot help but feel Kunhikuttan’s torment and anguish through his eyes. His life seems to be a series of heartbreaks, each one increasingly weighing him down to the brink of a breakdown, all of which is beautifully portrayed by Mohanlal. 

The cast comprises several acclaimed actors and Kathakali artists, but Mohanlal shines through as Kunhikuttan. For the film, the actor learned Kathakali and performed several padams, all of which garnered much appreciation from Kathakali practitioners and connoisseurs alike. It is safe to say that no other actor in this country could have done justice to this role like Mohanlal.

Vanaprastham is not just the tale of a tormented artist but also a powerful social commentary on the caste practices in Kerala and their impact on individuals.