Maadathy

Independent films are less known in Tamil industry. It's one of the realistic forms of cinema.

I think that one of the major reasons for the lack of realism in art is due to the artists compromising themselves in the name of mass desires and the fans' expectations.

Leena Manimekalai is one among the uncompromising filmmakers who express their thoughts wholly through their works of art regardless of good or bad, liked or disliked. She was introduced to me through her poems when her collection 'OTRAI ILAI ENA' was published fifteen years ago. Today I have read, watched and followed all her works. I personally had a little more exposure about her hard work and untiring efforts.

Maadathy is her recent and important work. Caste is a lethal effect of man's sixth sense. It's an awful result of his identity politics creating division amongst his fellow human beings.

A society that is oppressed as untouchables and even considered as a sin to look at. Showcasing the violence imposed on them even after being enslaved, their state of mind, problems faced in day to day life and their traumas, Maadathy is filmed amazingly illustrating a young woman living in the slopes of the serene western ghats. It is a must watch film which should be rightly appreciated and taken through a critical discourse.

Watched 'Maadathy' by Leena Manimekalai and am spell bound! Such a strong, compelling voice and amazing cinematic language. It broke my heart as well as welled it up with immense love for every living thing. Leena makes you live, smell, touch and see things from the depths of the lowest caste like no other film does. And it makes you realise that there is something lower than being from the lowest caste. Being a woman from that caste. Its heartrendingly beautiful, Maadathy - An Unfairy Tale and Leena Manimekalai is a voice to reckon internationally! Kudos to her courage, grit, persistence to make this film happen.

I had the chance, when I was in West Bengal, India, to watch the film Maadathy - An Unfairy Tale, by the dear friend Leena Manimekalai. A subversive female gaze at patriarchy and injustice. An authentic coming of age journey of a young girl from an "unseeable" caste in a far village in Tamil Nadu state, whose forced-occupation is to wash clothes of Dalits. A poetic un-fairy tale of "all that is seen and unseen", shocking, yet empowering as one gets its bottom line, which is also its tagline; Nobodies do not have Gods. They are gods

The film Madathy is taken brilliantly by Leena bringing to table the ugly face of patriarchy, power inequations and horrendous discriminations and violence against the vulnerable. I also lived with Madathy for those 1 hour 30 minutes. Such films are Welcome change agents. I really appreciate Leena for the crystal clear delivery calling spade a spade without mincing words or actions. She has brought out the best from all the actors. I am so glad that my little drop has been added to this ocean and proud of Leena and the crew. Best wishes always, Shameem

@leenamanimekalai @maadathythefilm

My heart was pounding, my stomach was churning and i was restless after watching this masterpiece - Maadathy - An Unfairy Tale. My fingers are trembling as I write this.

Gandhi once said "untouchability" is a sin against God. Leena portrays how societies in this 21st century still continue to engage with such an evil practice, so realistically and without a speck of exaggeration. The incidents that the film portrays is beyond my imagination. My mind also yearns at the same time for this to be sheer imagination. Cinema is not only about entertainment. Maadathy is an example that a film can be an effective tool that can help transform the society. My heartfelt wishes to your film, Leena.

@leenamanimekalai