IDSFFK 2026: ‘Aavasam’ captures cultural transformations under pressure of dominant political order
The documentary 'Aavasam' explores how subaltern folk deities and cultural practices are being reconfigured to align with dominant Hindutva narratives. The film examines these transformations as part of a broader political project that uses belief systems to reshape social and religious identity.
Why it matters
The documentary provides a critical look at how cultural heritage and religious practices can be co-opted for political agendas in contemporary society.
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.
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