Vanaprastham (1999)
Kunjikkuttan
Fabulous
An impoverished low caste Kathakali performer Unacknowledged illegitimate son of a Brahmin and his servant
Arjunan
"The epitome of manliness'
"The only one to whom the omniscient Krishna spoke as if they were equals"
"Though I put up a performance with the limited knowledge I possess, Arjunan is in fact a stranger to me"
Subhadra
Author, daydreamer, mythical Arjunan's lover
Niece of the Diwan
"കണ്ടു ഞാൻ തോഴി എൻ കാമാനുരൂപനെ.. കണ്ടു ഞാൻ തോഴീ കൺകളിൽ കാണ്മത് ഇളകാത്ത മിന്നൽ ആ… കൈകളിൽ വിണ്ണിനെ വെല്ലുന്ന പൗരുഷം വന്ധ്യമാവുകയില്ല കാമിതം.. അന്തരംഗമറിഞ്ഞതിൽ .. പിന്നെന്തു വീണ്ടുമൊരന്തരായം.. പിന്തിരിഞ്ഞിടുകില്ല ഞാൻ കണ്ടു ഞാൻ തോഴി"
My friend, I saw my the handsome man who is most suited to me.
In his eyes, [I saw] unwavering lightning.
His hands [posses] the virility that conquered the heavens.
My desires won't be barren.
What is the hindrance after knowing [his] inner musings?
I will not draw back, my friend, for I have seen him.
What happens when the art is divine and intoxicating but the artist is a mere human being?
What happens when an actor blessed by talent and grace is forced to lead a life cursed by caste and class divisions?
"I was waiting for you to finish your makeup. I see him as the son born to Arjunan from me. He is not the son of Kunjikkuttan. Please don't consider him like that. You don't have such a son"
