Kaathal: The politics beyond the core

A bold theme, some flawless acting and a minimalistic treatment/script by Jeo compensating for his explicit political messaging style.

We start viewing a normal family through our conventionally conditioned 'lens'(conditioned by society). A middle aged 'couple' (husband Mathews and his wife Omana). Something looks amiss from blank look on their faces but not the regular toxicity. When 'introvert' Mathews prepares to take a larger role in the society, as Omana's younger brother puts it (or as most of us males conclude), a dose of libertarianism leads Omana to seek divorce citing homosexuality (extra marital) of Mathews with Thankan, a non-descript. The beauty of movie lies in the stark simplicity of the reason that grudgingly becomes acceptable to everyone, including her husband, the parents, relatives, the church, and the society.

My two cents that might be lost on some.

Cent#1) 'Hierarchy of Identities'

As the movie progresses, the conventional identities of 'husband' and 'wife' disintegrates into two human beings struggling within a societal bond or contract. The most poignant moment comes Omana (after having won her case) helps Mathew understand "I have fought this case not only for me (as a female) but also for you (the deprived homosexual)". That opened my eyes.
Our society has evolved through a social order where a hierarchy of power equations have been negotiated and established. A hierarchy where the 'straight' Male stands supreme followed by the 'straight' female. The 'not straight' males is considered by the other two as not 'manly enough' and ranks below. Omana finally realized this power position and hence took the initiate to seek freedom for both identities.

When Mathew's dad confirms his son's real identity and loses their case, his dad hugs him asking for his forgiveness. This triggers an admission of wrongdoing and ask of forgiveness by Mathews to his wife Omana for denying her a life as he was afraid to come out of the closet.

But in this round of apologies, we do not see the lowest (Thankan - the ridiculed) in the rung getting consoled. Thankan's constant anguish reminisced of Brokeback Mountain, Ennis and Jack...the pain so palpable.

And this leads to my second point, the wider politics of majoritarianism that has caused the first.

Cent#2) Majoritarianism

We human beings have inherited an animal/tribe DNA ruled by majority. However, the progress of civilization has been measured by how the marginalized are treated. As Gandhi said, "My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest shall have the same opportunities as the strongest...". But throughout history, rules and culture have been set by the majority. 

The minorities have been always marginalized and persecuted. The harmless 'left-handed' still struggles to open doors and windows in a right-handed world.

In Kadhal, we see the religious and societal institutions that represent the backlog of past trying to negotiate with the individual (Omana and Mathews) and slowly coming to terms. Judicial laws supersede the 'Natural' laws (that represent the morality of the past). Though Justice is blindly based on facts, the core finally wins to convince enough witnesses to finally speak up.

To conclude, 'Kadhal: The Core' tries to state this. At the core of oneself is one's identity including sexual orientation. That’s non-negotiable. And from that core stems its 'love' for itself and its relationships. Till now, we have based our morality on the righteousness of a union of 'opposites' with the 'sole' purpose to procreate. A logic dictated by theology that God designed the world and its purpose.

However, scientific facts proves that diversity and evolution are the essential nature of Life itself. As Yuval Harari (intellectual and historian) argues his case 'Anything that exists is by definition Natural...Chimps use sex to cement political alliances, to establish intimacy and to diffuse tensions...Even organs have evolved beyond their primary purpose". There is nothing unnatural about constant evolution and evolution has not purpose in itself (Listen to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l56IdoPHmKc ).

Live and Let Live.Lokah Samastah Sukinho Bhavantu. As Thankan and Mathews drive off against a backdrop of rainbow, one is reminded of Bacon's words. 'Hope is the beacon of Life'.

Mollywood and Malayali have something to rejoice.