Pazhamthamizh Paattizhayum - Dance by Ami Jayakrishnan & Tonya Sheenson | Vocal: Job Kurian

CREDITS:
Film: Manichitrathazhu (1993)
Music mixed and remastered: Dan Jose, Lal Media
Vocals: by Job Kurian for Rosebowl Channel

Dance & Choreography: Ami Jayakrishnan & Tonya Sheenson
Videography & Editing: Justin Jacob

Instagram:
Ami Jayakrishnan - @ami_jay
Tonya Sheenson - @tonyasheenson
Justin Jacob - @justinjacob92

Mental health problems come in many forms and are unique to each person. In India there is a huge societal taboo about mental health. Rich, poor, educated, alternate – for some reason, mental health problems often used to be, and sometimes still are, associated with the supernatural or other worldly inexplicable phenomenon. Despite coming leaps and bounds since then, the topic is still something that’s disregarded by many. People are ostracised and healthy conversations to offer support and understanding don’t always happen. This needs to change. Let’s talk about metal health.

Films are a major part of Indian life – since the 70s several amazing films in Indian languages have tried to address mental health as an awareness issue; Thaniyavarthanam, Thalavattam, 9, Moonnu, Devdas and 3 Idiots to name a few. One such film that received blockbuster success was Manichitrathazhu where the lead actress played by the inimitable Shobana has a “split” personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder / multiple personality disorder). Director Fazil created a gripping tale that really questioned our attitudes towards mental health, and the film went on to be remade into several other languages.

We picked this iconic song from the film as it really resonated with our cause to create more conversations about mental health awareness issues especially within the Indian community.