As the first death anniversary of the director of Ayyappanum Koshiyum, Sachy alias KR Sachidanandan has just gone by, reminiscing about the experience, Pazhaniswami S. Attappadi, the tribal youth from Attappadi in Palakkad District says, Sachi Sir Made Me Human Too.’

Those who have watched Sachi’s super hit Malayalam movie, Ayyappanum Koshiyum will never forget Pazhaniswami and Nanjamma, the two tribals from Attappadi. In fact, it was the virtue of Sachy’s mind that gave opportunity to the adivasis Pazhaniswami and Nanjamma in this cinema. Even Pazhaniswami too have few things to say among those who were beloved with Sachy.

Reminiscing about his experience of acting in the movie, Ayyappanum Koshiyum, Pazhaniswami says:

“I am a tribal, who is a representative of a community that still struggles to enter the mainstream of society. The movie was a dream come true for me. Will there ever be a chance in life for someone like me or someone in my community in cinema? Never. The Malayalam films that have been made so far have been insulting to the adivasis and the lower castes by portraying in poor light. Malayalam cinema has never given a dignified character to a person from the lower strata of society. Malayalam cinema used to criticise us as clowns. Why, we were never been accepted as human beings. As far as I am concerned, Sachy Sir is such a brave movie genius, who did shatter such public consciousness and traditional approach of the Malayalee.”

Stating that neither him or Nanjamma did not have any connection with the cinema industry, Pazhaniswamiwent on to appreciate Sachy for his willingness to cast them on his film and giving the opportunity to act in this commercial film.

“In fact, Sachy Sir gave us opportunity to us on par with Prithviraj and Biju Menon. That is is a humongous challenge. That is the challenge Sachy Sir undertake,” Pazhaniswami said.

“Although, there are many reputed and highly talented filmmakers in Malayalam film industry, nevertheless, none of them were willing to take such a bold step. Sachy Sir not only asked me to act in Ayyappanum Koshiyum, but also entrusted many responsible tasks to me. He also educated me about the many nuances of film making and further gave me great advices. After that, Sachy Sir said: ‘Pazhaniswami, you should make a movie on your community, as only you can present the story of your community in a sincere way. So, you have to learn movie making and make a cinema.’ Those words of Sachy Sir is echoing in my mind even today. Even our children were feeling embarrassed to sing our traditional songs in campuses.

But, the entire population of Kerala rendered the song he made Nanjamma sing. And so, Sachy Sir, who lead the cinema to a new path from the traditional ways, did give me a new life. Sachy Sir started a great experiment in Malayalam cinema by maintaining the dignity of the people who belonged to the lower strata of society. Just as the social reformer of Kerala Sree Narayana Guru made the Malayalees humans, Sachy Sir made me human too. No matter how many achievements you make in life, for someone like me who loves cinema in the spirit, the blessings bestowed by Sachy Sir cannot be forgotten. Debt cannot be repaid by birth.”

PRO: PR Sumeran.