As Sarpatatwam, a 28-minute documentary, premieres today (September 21) in Los Angeles, the short film’s creator, Methil Devika, says it is the realisation of a year of hard work. Focussing on a composition of a 11th century mystic, Devika burrowed into the significance of serpents in ancient civilisations and its symbolical implications. A trailer of the film that has gone viral gives tantalising glimpses of the documentary and visuals that are aesthetic and sensuous at the same time. “This is a composition that has been performed by many dancers. But I chose verses from the composition that demanded more exploration into the layers of philosophical thought, the details of which I can’t reveal now,” she says. The calling That is when serendipity came calling, giving her the opportunity she was seeking. Office-bearers of Nagayakshi temple in Palakkad wanted her to perform at the temple. “I said yes and decided to work on this particular composition. However, I found that a lot of research would be needed to undertake such a work and so, with great regret, I turned it down. However, a few days later, I got a call from Mannarashala temple (dedicated to Nagas) for a recital there. I felt it was too much of a coincidence and decided to take it up,” recalls Devika. Methil Devika | Photo Credit: Special arrangement While going through the lyrics of the composition, she found that the second part of the composition was not notated although the first part was. “Although I am not a trained musician, I took up the responsibility of setting it to music. That is when I discovered none of my regular musicians were free at that point of time. By then, I was determined to set the music myself, choreograph the dance and perform it too,” says Devika. It was again luck that played a part in choosing the main vocalist. Udupi- based Aparna Sharma rendered the song beautifully and Devika performed it at Mannarashala in October 2017. That was also around the time the accomplished Mohiniyattam danseuse and academic was planning to get some of her work archived, as she had never taken the trouble to document her choreography or recitals. “Some directors were approaching me with offers for acting in films. One of them was Rajesh Kadamba. I was not all that keen on acting in a film but I invited him to watch my recital at Mannarashala. In course of time, I decided to have him film my work, which would have a narrative that had to be in line with my research and interpretations,” explains Devika. Writing board She got down to work on the script and storyboard before having long discussions with Rajesh. The shooting took only 10 days but it was the preparatory work that ensured that the actual filming got over smoothly. With Devika as narrator, performer, scenarist and co-director and co-producer, Sarpatatwam showcases her multifaceted creativity. Beginning with a narration and beautiful visuals that explain the significance of Sarpatatwam, the docu moves to the Mohiniyattam performance. New terrain Generous with her praise for the director and film crew, she says she doubts if it would have worked so well with anyone else. “I was insistent that the focus should be on the dance and it should be aesthetic and factual. Rajesh was able to do justice to the theme and cinematographer Vipin Chandran’s frames beautifully enhance every scene,” she gushes. Rajesh Kadamba and Vipin Chandran on the sets of Sarpatatwam | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Watching Devika’s deep involvement in the work, her husband, Mukesh, also decided to join the venture. “I began with a small budget as it was my own production and I, initially, discouraged Mukesh ettan from working with us. He was not happy with my decision. Anyway, later, I changed my mind and we launched our production house ‘Chitrakutam films’. I am lucky Mukesh ettan is the co-producer because as there were international inquiries, the production had to adhere to those standards and needed a bigger budget. “I am glad he is also with me in the production. Sarpatatwam is the first in a series of docus I plan to produce on dance and related subjects. Once the screening starts, I will understand the kind of reception the film will get. As it is, a lot of universities and museums have got in touch with me to archive the film,” she adds. Methil Devika in a working still of Sarpatatwam | Photo Credit: Special arrangement She sees the completion of the film and her involvement in it as a “blessing” and a sign of some “divine intervention”. But she asserts: “This is a first step. Depending on how it goes, more such films are in the making.” DIRECTOR’S VISION “I had always wanted to work with Methil Devika and I first approached her with the script of a film that centred on a dancer. But she was adamant about not working in a feature film then. But I requested her to get in touch with me if she ever changed her mind or even if we could work together on a documentary. That is when she called me to watch her recital at Mannarashala and she followed it up with a suggestion for archiving it,” recalls Rajesh. Rajesh Kadamba | Photo Credit: special arrangement A veteran of several award-winning television programmes on Rosebowl and Kappa TV, Rajesh felt that instead of merely documenting the performance, it would have be better if she would enhance it with an explanation of the performance and its significance. “Since Madam was particular about not deviating from the essence of the recital, a narration was introduced as a preface to the dance,” elaborates Rajesh. While the main venue was the verdant greenery at Kowdiar Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, it was also shot at Iringole Kavu in Thrissur, the biggest sacred groove, and Mannarashala. “To make it as authentic as possible, we used the real organic powder while drawing the kalam instead of treating it as just a film. We treated it with great reverence,” he says. He is effusive in his praise of cinematographer Vipin Chandran, who, he says, remained true to the essence of the film. The trailer has been receiving rave reviews from all over and Rajesh hopes the film will pave the way to more such projects. SOARING ON CREATIVITY Filmmaker and sculptor Rajiv Anchal’s magnum opus is the Jadayupara project at Chadayamangalam and the sculpture of the bird, which has been eulogised in the Ramayana as the brave eagle that tried to save Sita from the clutches of Ravana. For the inauguration of the project, Rajiv filmed Methil Devika’s original choreography of a poem composed by ONV Kurup and set to music by M. Jayachandran. It has been rendered by Aparna Rajeev and Vidhu Pratap. ADOOR’S APPRECIATION An excerpt from auteur Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s response to the film. ...The documentary based on the.... centuries-old evocative song on the mythical Serpent God is at once a testament to Ms. Devika’s total dedication to the art and her unparalleled achievement. It is natural that she has conceived the treatment of the film and has chosen herself as its sole interpreter and performer...

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