March 2023
Poruvazhy, India


MALANADA
a film by Vincent Moon
᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛᚛

Once a year, around the Malanada Temple in Kerala,
thousands gather for a singular worship of Duryodhana, the antagonist in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. This is the only temple in India dedicated to him. It sits atop a hill, surrounded by paddy fields.
The seven karakals (villages) cross those fields carrying huge ceremonial towers among other offerings, accompanied by the constant beat of drum ensembles that set the rhythm for hundreds of men bearing statues.
The towers eventually bow before the temple, which, in return, offers no divine representation.
This film was recorded in that mystery.

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From a collection of recordings made in South India • march 2023

WATCH FILM - https://youtu.be/vmRs028YYCk