Chembai: My Discovery of a Legend began as a journey by Soumya Sadanandan to watch her favorite singer, Dr. K.J. Yesudas, perform live at a concert in the village of Chembai, in Palakkad district of Kerala which led the filmmaker to new personal discoveries.[1]
| Chembai: My Discovery of a Legend | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Soumya Sadanandan |
| Written by | Vinu Janardanan, Manu Chandran |
| Cinematography | Ajai Rahul |
| Edited by | Ajai Rahul |
Production company | Psyche Entertainments |
Release dates |
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Running time | 36.11 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
The village of Chembai was found to be entirely musically gifted and even a layman enjoyed a classical Karnatic music performance, just as a trained individual would. This quality was found to be attributed to the real gem of the villages Kottai and Chembai, Padma Bhushan Chembai, the Karnatic classical singer who wasn't merely an artiste, but was the man who valued the power of knowledge and music above all.[2]
This film is a collection of anecdotes recollected by the disciples of Chembai, an attempt made by the filmmaker to learn about the man who has been the key inspiration behind the Chembai Parthasarathy Music Festival that has been going on for over 100 years now.[3][4]
Soumya visited Chembai Parthasarathy Music Festival during its 100th year in March 2014, where she noticed that, the festival did not receive the attention it deserve. She shot whatever she could using her phone and, went back to Cochin with it, where she discussed with her friends about making a film, then researched and planned to make it.
The team visited Chembai village later in February 2015 to shoot additional shots and many times later. The first cut of the film was released in September 2015 and later, interviews of Dr KJ Yesudas and few other eminent personalities were added and the final cut was released in 2016.
The film was shot mostly at the village of Chembai, Palakkad, Kerala. It took two years to make the film and the first public screening was held at Chembai Village, where the work was appreciated and blessed. The film is narrated in Malayalam, but has English subtitles.
| Sl No | Title | Raga | Talam | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jagadaananda Kaarakaa | Natai | Adi | Tyagaraja |
| 2 | Era Napai | Hanumath Thodi | Adi | Patnam Subramania Iyer |
| 3 | Shiva Shiva Shiva Eranada | Panthuvarali | Madhyaadi | Tyagaraja |
| 4 | Karuna Chaivanendu | Sriragam | Adi | Irayimman Thampi |
| 5 | Thaye Yashoda | Thodi | Adi | Oottukkaadu Venkatakubbaiyyar |
After its first screening at Chembai, the team is conducting screenings at several places around the world, after which they plan to make it available for viewing online.