I approached Kumaran Asan through the eyes of director KP Kumaran: Sreevalsan J Menon

Sreevalsan plays the legendary Malayalam poet in ‘Gramavrikshathile Kuyil’ , the first feature film on Asan

In connection with Mahakavi Kumaran Asan’s 150th birth anniversary, Gramavrikshathile Kuyil, a film on the poet, reaches cinemas on April 8. Directed by auteur KP Kumaran, the film stars senior Carnatic vocalist Sreevalsan J Menon as Asan. This is the first film to be made on the popular renaissance poet of Malayalam., a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru, and also a philosopher, social reformer and entrepreneur. Born in 1873 at Kaayikkaram, in erstwhile Travancore, Asan’s life was closely intertwined with the struggle for an egalitarian society in Kerala, where caste did not determine a person’s life.   

At a time when artistes are being discriminated on the basis of caste and religion, it is pertinent that a film on a progressive thinker like Asan is being released.

“When Kumaran sir suggested that I act as Asan, I was taken back, considering that I have never acted before in a film,” recalls Sreevalsan. Although a little reluctant to take up the role, the director made it clear to Sreevalsan that the film would not be made if he declined to do it as it demanded someone who would be able to act, sing and render Asan’s immortal verses.  

“Then, I had to rethink my decision. I trusted his vision and entrusted myself to his direction. I approached Kumaran Asan through the eyes of Kumaran sir, a repository on Asan, his works and philosophy,” says Sreevalsan, who has also composed the music for the film. To prepare for the role, Sreevalsan was also given a two-volume compilation of Asan’s works by the director.  

The film is set during the last six years of the poet, after he had to quit the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), of which he was the secretary for 15 years. By then, much of his great works had already been written.

“We touch upon different aspects of Asan’s life through his poetry and his work. The film focusses on the inner turmoil of a man who was a trailblazer. Asan was a nominated member of the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha, the first legislative assembly in Travancore.  We have recreated portions of his speech wherein he spoke about the need for representation of youth from ‘backward communities’ in government jobs,” says Sreevalsan.

The speech was shot in VJT Hall in Thiruvananthapuram, which was then the Legislative Assembly building.