Breaking Stereotypes: Portrayal of Motherhood in New-Age Malayalam Cinema With Special Reference to Kumbalangi Nights and Uyare

Abstract

Motherhood has been an idealized stereotype in literary works and movies. The burden of the duties entitled to a mother in a patriarchal society often detriments the growth of the woman beyond the identity of motherhood. Motherhood theory puts forth the argument that motherhood is not a universal experience but is shaped by social and cultural factors. Motherhood is perceived differently across different cultures and is influenced by cultural norms, gender roles, class, race, and ethnicity. The experience of motherhood is often associated with sacrifice and selflessness, but it is also marked by guilt, ambivalence, and stress. Motherhood theory seeks to understand the multiple dimensions of motherhood and the various ways in which women navigate the challenges of raising children. The 2019 Malayalam movie “Kumbalangi Nights” was helmed by director Madhu C. Narayanan and produced by Fahadh Faasil. The mother in the movie, though absent in person, is portrayed as a strong and independent woman who has her own desires and ambitions. The movie uniquely deals with the absence of a mother yet how she is omnipresent in the lives of her children, a much more realistic motherhood, breaking away from the traditional stereotype of a self-sacrificing mother who puts her family before everything else. “Uyare” (2019), follows the story of a young woman, played by Parvathy Thiruvothu, who dreams of becoming a pilot but is attacked by her ex-boyfriend and left disfigured. The father in the movie, played by Siddhique is shown as a supportive and empowering figure who helps his daughter to overcome her trauma and achieve her dreams. These two movies portray how regardless of the presence of a glorified mother, self-reliant, strong individuals can be raised rather than upholding the stereotypical image of a selfless, sacrificing mother.