Kochi in Making: Polyphonic Articulations of Space and Subjectivities in Contemporary Malayalam Cinema

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to scrutinise the aesthetic construction of the urban space of Kochi, a south Indian port city, in contemporary Malayalam cinema. It argues that there is a noticeable shift in how urban environments are portrayed in recent narratives, with a prevalent use of short lenses to articulate the urban setting. Such portrayals convey the perception that the city is not a static entity but rather an ongoing process that entails a series of evolving ideas. Contemporary narratives set in the urban geography of Kochi illuminate the multifaceted nature of urban landscapes and their varied impact on individuals. Through the deployment of particular cinematic devices and stylistic tools, these narratives achieve a polyphonic articulation of space and subjectivities.