On October 7, Postcard17—an indie rock band from Kerala—released a music video titled '4 am', directed by Balaram J. At first, it may feel like a mellow song showcasing a night-time romance. But these youngsters have posed an important narrative by portraying a love story between a transgender sex worker and a watchman—enacted by Daya Gayathri and Abilash Nandakumar respectively. With a simple music video, Postcard17 brilliantly rewrites the dominant narrative of romance.
“We wanted to convey a romance and we wanted it to be communicated in a way that it resonates with the ordinaries of common life. I have befriended some sex workers and I got to learn how they yearn for their own space for a pleasant social life. They are also human beings who just want to be loved in the end. Even when there is a lot of exploitation in this space of work, it is often the society’s attitude towards them which is the most brutal,” Balaram said.
The young band wanted to trace out class conflicts and capture little moments of joy in a community that is often left in the dark and expected to never have fairy tale moments in life. The director, who is also a lover of city nightlife, said: “The nights in cities are often enlivened by a lot of people who are underprivileged. We tried to bring the nuances of city life, its streets, the rooftop romance, and all of it where it traces a certain beauty of an other-worldly feel with half of the city asleep, bringing a sense of novelty to the night.”
Balaram, NID graduate and animator, has done the animation film Oru Thudakkathinte Kadha, which has been screened in more than 30 film festivals. All set to release an independent feature film, Balaram firmly believes these little steps of change are the first steps towards a larger good.
The music video was conceptualised by Postcard17's main vocalist, Ananthu Balakrishnan, who is also the composer and lyricist of the album. These youngsters in Kochi are here with a big dream to string together varied stories through their creative world. The team consists of cinematographer Sachin Ravi, creative director Heidi Saadiya, and editor and colourist Gopal Sudhakar.
