IDSFFK 2026: ‘Aavasam’ captures cultural transformations under pressure of dominant political order

A scene from the documentary Aavasam being screened at the 18th IDSFFK. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Even the most perceptive minds might not always notice the slow social and cultural transformations that happen around them. Aavasam (Habitus), a documentary directed by Kiran K.R., a student of the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, is notable in how it documents such changes. Kiran begins on a personal note, recollecting memories of a small deity placed under a tree near his home in Palakkad district. In the present day, the deity which was solely one family’s worship place had transformed into a temple.The documentary, being screened in the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam (IDSFFK), observes how familiar cultural practices and meanings are gradually shifting under the influence of a dominant political and cultural order. Ritual practises surrounding Maadan, Karuppaswamy and other subaltern folk deities are reconfigured to align with the dominant Hindutva narratives and presented as manifestations of pan-Hindu gods. The filmmaker presents similar instances from elsewhere too, making it evident that it is not a one-off phenomenon, but part of a larger political project.The dominant narrative is reflected in not just how the name of the deity changes, but its food habits also undergo transformation. Those bringing about the change talk to the camera with disarming candour and complete conviction in their activities, while the activists analysing the changes make pertinent points about how communal organisations exploit belief for political ends. As one of them notes, new places of worship are constructed not only in stone, but also through the dominant narratives of the present.Adul Kamal’s arresting visuals and Vishnu P.’s eerie sound design and music makes the documentary an immersive experience. Published - September 29, 2026 08:01 pm IST