A Documentary Project that made it for the Final round of 

Chitra Bhartiya Film Festival 2022

Ramayana Masam (month) is an important observance in the state of Kerala,  in the month of ‘Karkidakam’ of the Malayalam calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, it corresponds to the months of July to August. This occasion is also popularly known as ‘Karkidaka Masam’. 

Earlier, this month was considered difficult due to poverty and distress caused by uncertain/severe monsoon weather. To overcome all the bad deeds/this curse, the previous generation read Ramayana. It was considered as an auspicious practice wherein one had to finish the reading in given tenure.

I wanted to highlight the importance of this special month for Keralites from a traditional perspective. In earlier years, this month was observed with a lot of discipline and diligence. With passing generations, the importance of this month has gained several different notions. Through this documentary, I am trying to depict this transitioning dynamics of rituals in a South Indian family. The highlights include the importance and value of following the rituals of Karkidaka Masam from the Boomers II generation to Millennials to Gen Z. Explaining how each generation follows or intends to follow keeping in mind the explosion of digital media and  technology.

The beginning shows the actual ancient rituals, practices moving on to the present, aptly interwoven with the technological advancements influencing the current generation.

Three generations quoting their beliefs and the process that they are or intend to follow during the Karkidaka month (Ramayana Masam). 

I personally believe that Parampara - Kal, Aaj aur Kal is an attempt to showcase how these rituals are deeply rooted in the South Indian family with each generation discovering their own version of devotion. It provides a critical yet symbolic understanding of the evolution in human behaviour with influences from the external environment.