'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra' is continuing its reign as the most successful Mollywood release of this Onam season, despite the presence of Fahadh Faasil's 'Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira' and Mohanlal's 'Hridayapoorvam'. Dominic Arun's fantasy-action flick is inching closer to the Rs 100 crore milestone, with Kalyani Priyadarshan earning accolades for her spectacular action sequences and aura as a female superhero.
'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra' is as local as it gets for a Keralite, as the plot is spun around regional folklore and popular myths. The writers and directors have made a genuine effort to manifest Kerala's rich cultural fantasies and myths on a global stage. It did pay off dividends, as Chandra's adventures in contemporary Bengaluru have impressed moviegoers across the country, with even the Telugu and Tamil dubbed versions of the film making commendable collections. According to box office analyst A.B. George, 'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra' has collected more than Rs 80 crore on Day 6 and is set to enter the Rs 100 crore club on Wednesday.
For those who have watched the movie and would like a deep dive, here is a little something. For those who are yet to watch Chandra's action-packed super-hero/natural adventure, beware, there are minor spoilers ahead.
Upon her arrival in Bengaluru from Sweden, Chandra is handed a book "They Live Among Us" by one of her old accomplices. He says, "you are going to love it," as it has details to surpass even "Aithihyamala". When it comes to ghost stories, black magic, and demons, it doesn't get better than "Aithihyamala" for Malayalees. It is the cornerstone for all 'Yakshi' tales.
What is ‘Aithihyamala’?
Written by Kottarathil Sankunni, "Aithihyamala" is a monumental work that has earned a permanent place in the minds of Keralites. Kottayam native Sankunni (23 March 1855 – 22 July 1937), a Sanskrit-Malayalam scholar, developed a universe of stories from pre-European, medieval Kerala in this magnum opus, which is often compared to the Thousand and One Nights, the Panchathanthra, or Aesop Fables in its relevance, significance, and literary magnificence. Some of Malayalam pop culture's favourite poster boys like Kayamkulam Kochunni, Kadamattathu Kathanar, and Parayi Petta Panthirukulam come from "Aithihyamala." Kadamattathu Kathanar, whose story was the plot to a popular television series in the first decade of the century, is set to make a comeback through Rojin Thomas-directed 'Kathanar: The Wild Sorcerer'. Malayalam actor Jayasurya will be essaying the role of the famed priest with magical gifts.
"Aithihyamala" in Malayalam means a garland of myths or legends. The stories were originally published in the 'Bhashaposhini magazine' over a period of 25 years, from 1909 to 1934, before being compiled into eight volumes. It contains 126 stories in all, based on myths about saints, siddhas, ghosts, rulers, Ayurvedic experts, elephants, and legendary creatures and supernaturals.
Not just its legends, but the various traditions, customs, beliefs, and other social aspects of medieval Kerala could be learned from this work. It is precisely these elements that form the subject matter of this great work. The abundance of stories, along with their variety, is the unique feature of this collection. "In fact, this treasury of tales can rightly be described as the encyclopaedia of Kerala’s traditions. That is why this monumental work is regarded as one of the priceless classics of Malayalam literature, and why it continues to command great respect among literary critics," a report once claimed.
