Atayalangal (English: The Imprints) is a 2008 Malayalam-languagebiographicaldrama film directed by M.G. Sasi and produced by Aravind Venugopal under the banner Valluvanadan Talkies. Govind Padmasoorya plays the lead role of autobiographical character of Nandanar (1926–1974), well known for his child literature and philosophical army stories. The film is particularly based on Nandanar's autobiography Anubhavangal.[1]
Premise
Set in the backdrop of a Valluvanadan hamlet in Kerala, the film depicts the three different types of hunger of human life: that of body, spirit, and mind. Jyothirmayi plays the female lead role of Meenakshikutty whose love transforms the hero into a soldier fighting for his cause. The film opened in Kerala theatres on 5 September, after several post-production difficulties.[2]
Director M. G. Sasi has commented, "Atayalangal takes you through the kaleidoscopic world which Nandanar created through his works comprising children's literature, re-creations of rural life and stories which smell of blood and gunpowder. Hunger is the leitmotif of the film, especially hunger of the body and mind. The movie presents in a framework all these hungers, heightened or lessened, which form the substance of all human life in all ages."[3]