There is a rare treat in store for Ayyappa devotees during this Sabarimala season. That is because the first 2D animation film on the mythological hero in Malayalam is all set for its theatrical release. The 90-minute film, produced by Toonz Animation, in association with Animagic of Mumbai, depicts the life of young Manikandan at Pandalam, his childhood days at the ‘gurukul’, and the various miracles he performed.
The film also portrays Manikandan’s fight with ‘Udayana’, the slaying of ‘Mahishi’ and the instances that led to his friendship with a Muslim, Vavar, which is considered to be a symbol of religious tolerance.
The story behind the 41-day fast that Ayyappa devotees observe, the origin of the name ‘Kadakara Halli’, and the relationship between Ayyappan and a Christian family in Mavelikkara are some of the other highlights. According to P Jayakumar, CEO, Toonz Animation, the subject has the power to transcend borders, and has immense scope for animation. The film is a blend of mythology, history, action, adventure and fantasy. “But the film is being made without losing the basic essence of the original myth,” he says. The film-makers have taken considerable effort to achieve this aim. Mahesh Vettiyar, the writer and director, and his team had to do extensive research to piece together some of the missing links in the legend. Also, interactions with people, aged over 85 years, who live in and around Pandalam, revealed the many sides and interpretations of the story. There were plenty of tales of black magic and plots to kill Manikandan.
The challenge was to focus on the parts suitable for animation, while being original at the same time.
Being a period film, extensive consultations were done with the experts in the field and references were made to authentic religious scriptures and literature like ‘Sreebhoothanada Sarvasam’, ‘Sreemathbhoothanada upakyanam Kilippattu’, S.K. Nair’s ‘Ayyappan’ and C. Prasad’s ‘Pouranika Hindu Encyclopaedia’. The film, which has been shot in interesting locations in Cherthala, Alappuzha, Nillakkal, among other places, is slated for an early 2013 release.
The DVDs will be released in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. K Jayakumar, the former Chief Secretary and Malayalam University Vice-Chancellor, has penned the lyrics.
‘Swami Ayyappan’ will include a 20-minute footage depicting the complete array of events that happened during the ‘Mandalapooja’ and ‘Makaravilaku ‘ season.