Cast: Salim Kumar, Ramesh Pisharody, Shivaji Guruvayoor, Usha, Jaffer Idukki, Subheesh Sudhi, Sohanlal, Babu Annur, C R Omanakuttan
Direction,Story, Screenplay, Dialogue: Salim Kumar
Producer: Salim Kumar, Madhavan Chettikkal
Production House: LJ Films Pvt Ltd,
Music: B R Bijuram
Lyrics: Swami Samvidananda
Cinematography: Sreejith Vijayan
Editing: Premsai
Art Direction: Davinci Suresh
Costume Design: Razak Thiroor
The heritage of any culture lies in it’s tombs. The eternal sleep of the dead have many stories to tell – tales of a folklore obscure to the weary traveler. But when Aaron Eliyahu began his journey to trace the roots of his Jewish culture, he had no idea that one day he’d become a living tomb in his own hometown.
Set in the backdrop of Mala Grama Panchayat, ‘Karutha Joothan’ is a story of a Jew who sets out on a journey in pursuit of his heritage, only to meet with an accident on his return, making his family to believe that he is no more. Recovering after years of coma, he returns to his hometown, only to find out that his family has left for Israel, the Promised Land. He learns that his properties are in the control of the Panchayat, and much of his land has been encroached by the villagers. The pivot of the film lies in Aaron’s struggle of existence in his village thereafter, having to even seek refugee in the verandah of his own home, which is now Mala post office.
The film has been beautifully crafted, paralleled by a dexterous performance by Salim Kumar. The impermanence of material ownership is deeply woven into to the storyline. Relationships that thrive on possessions and the subtle filaments of survival are important aspects that can be traced through the dialogues and deeds of the characters. The purposeful disregard by Aaron’s former student, and the advocate’s comparison of Aaron to the Mritaks of Uttar Pradesh, all point out to the sheer inconsistency called life. Despite being thrown into the streets, the desolate Jew’s staunch friendship with Beerankunj, his special bond with his student, and his hope to see his mother someday are what pushes him through each day till his ultimate realization that his roots are now obscure.
‘Karutha Joothan’ is a dark reminder that with time, old monuments and relics have to give way to the newer artifacts. However, most often than not, it is the tombs of the under-represented that are buried to build bigger graveyards of the living. What we desperately hold on to today, will leave us for better avenues tomorrow. Our possessions are only momentarily ours. As the film gently reminds us, the greatest truth lies in the day we meet out maker-the culmination of not just a life, but an entire culture finally fills but the palm of a hand.
My Rating: 4/5
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