Thiruvananthapuram:
Popular
Malayalam
film
actor
Jayaram,
a
skilled
percussionist
in
real
life,
will
be
seen
beating
the
drums
on
the
silver
screen
also.
Known
for
his
natural
acting
and
comedy-tinged
roles,
Jayaram,
who
has
also
acted
in
several
Tamil
films,
is
doing
the
role
of
a
'chenda'
player
in
the
upcoming
film
by
eminent
director
Shaji
N
Karun.
'Chenda'
is
a
wooden
percussion
instrument
used
in
temple
rituals
and
festivals
as
well
as
classical
and
folk
art
forms
like
Kathakali
and
Theyyam
in
Kerala.
The
film
Swapaanam,
shooting
of
which
is
progressing
at
a
village
in
Palakkad,
explores
the
inner
struggles
and
agonies
of
a
skilled
'chenda'
player
and
how
the
exceptional
creativity
of
the
artist
makes
him
an
alien
in
his
own
family
and
village.
Jayaram
has
been
the
natural
choice
for
the
role
because
of
his
interest
and
talent
in
percussion,
said
Shaji.
"The
actor
himself
is
an
excellent
percussionist.
His
talent
in
playing
the
instrument
is
the
main
reason
which
made
me
to
choose
him
for
this
role.
I
did
not
think
of
casting
any
other
actor
when
I
concesptualised
the
character," Shaji
told
PTI.
Jayaram,
who
used
to
find
time
to
perform
'chenda'
at
temple
festivals
despite
his
busy
shooting
schedules,
has
already
appeared
playing
the
instrument
in
some
of
the
films
but
this
is
for
the
first
time
that
he
is
doing
a
full-length
character
of
a
percussionist.
He
has
also
enthralled
'chenda'
enthusiasts
by
playing
at
public
venues,
partnering
with
maestros
like
Mattannoor
Shankaran
Kutty.
(PTI)
Continue
to
read
more
in
slide
show.
Jayaram
Turns
Chenda
Player
"In
his
25-year
long
career,
Jayaram
has
essayed
a
large
number
of
family-oriented
hero
roles.
But,
the
role
in
Swapanam
will
surely
break
all
these
conventional
images
about
him.
I
think,
this
role
will
be
considered
as
the
best
in
his
acting
career," K
Harikrishnan,
scriptwriter
of
the
movie,
told
PTI.
Jayaram
Is
Seen
With
150
Percussionists
Besides
Jayaram,
around
150
percussionists
from
across
Kerala
are
also
appearing
in
the
movie,
he
said.
"Our
society
will
accept
and
appreciate
the
talents
of
artists
but
to
a
certain
limit.
We
will
not
entertain
them
if
they
go
beyond
those
prefixed
boundaries.
That
is
the
reason
why
some
exceptionally
talented
artists
become
alienated
in
our
society."
Jayaram
Is
Alienated
Artiste
In
Swapanam
"Our
protagonist
in
Swapanam
is
also
such
an
alienated
artist
who
celebrated
his
art
and
life
in
an
anarchical
way,"
the
award-winning
scriptwriter
said.
Jayaram
The
movie
journeys
through
various
phases
of
the
life
of
a
man
including
love,
insanity
and
death.
Kadambari,
an
US-settled
Odissi
dancer,
is
the
heroine
in
the
movie.
Jayaram
Popular
actors
Siddique
and
Vineeth
appear
in
significant
roles
in
the
film,
which
is
scheduled
to
be
released
during
the
Onam
season
in
September.