KOCHI: Tracing the life and journey of a musical maven like V Dakshinamoorthy needs an unbridled passion for art, determination and perseverance. A doggedness so intense that documentary maker Manu Mohan spent nearly three years making ‘Dakshinayanam’, a documentary on the late legendary musician.
The idea that was born when he was a PG student at RLV College, Tripunithura, during late 2012, will finally unravel onscreen this Thursday at the TD Hall, Ernakulam.
The value of the contributions made by the great musician was not lost on Manu, an art student. And, when he wielded the camera and began following the doyen a year before his death, he wanted to capture the great man’s journey.
“I sought the help of Swami’s (Dakshinamoorthy) disciple Midhun Jayaraj and began following him everywhere, including the many concerts he performed. I was scared he wouldn’t give me permission to shoot him. But, once he caught me capturing him, at Makreri Anjaneya Temple, Kannur, at 2 am, he burst out but then calmed down. That’s my first encounter with him,” says Manu. The filming then resumed with the permission of the composer.
“He gave us a long quote for ‘Dakshinayanam’, which is a rare feat,” says Manu.
But, the filming came to an abrupt end with the death of Dakshinamoorthy on August 2, 2013. But, by then, Manu had enough footage and the remaining were responses from musicians who worked with the maestro. At that time singer Yesudas had arrived to attend the inauguration of the Dakshinamoorthy memorial auditorium, where he broke down while remembering his ‘guru’. Yesudas permitted Manu to use the footage. Interviews with singer K S Chitra and composer Sreekumaran Thampi followed and Manu could also realise his dream of getting a response from composer Ilayaraja, who spoke in detail, about working with the legend. The narration of the one-hour documentary is by M D Rajamani, who has also scripted it, and takes us through the childhood, life and work of Dakshinamoorthy.
His career trajectory in movies is dealt in detail. Rare pictures of his have also been shown in the documentary. “A lot of research was involved in the project. His family helped me a lot. They provided articles and rare photographs, besides sharing their experience, which proved to be a valuable asset for ‘Dakshinayanam’,” says Manu. The screening of ‘Dakshinayanam’, organised by the Bank Employees Arts Movement Ernakulam, will begin at 5.30 pm. This will be followed by a musical nite featuring the songs of Dakshinamoorthy. For details: 9447608219.