Kochi: "While a more talented hand grinds coconut, I was groping over Foucault's ideas," a prominent Malayalam critic once wrote in a sharp blow against patriarchal household that are prevailing still.
Nowadays it is a common feature in many households across the country that qualified and talented women are confined to the kitchen walls while freedom and fruits of life are entitled to men exclusively.
At times, the kitchen chores and motherhood are glorified as sacred things only to bar the women from challenging the norms.
These norms are boldly questioned by The Great Indian Kitchen, which is streaming on Neestream now.
Directed by Jeo Baby, who also makes a brief appearance in the movie, has made several departures from the norms ingrained in the movies. The film begins with "Thanks Science" which gives a suggestion on what is ensued in the following 100 minute
The leading role, Nimisha's character is a naïve, brisk character with a charming smile on her face always. But later on, when the marital life proceeds this charm dips into complexities. Nimisha has enliven the layered character at its best.
Suraj also has played his role aptly as a conformist of traditions and norms in the society without making any provocations.
However, the ever-present character of the film is the kitchen itself as the title suggests. The director has done justice to the selection of the title by exposing the galley's misogyny and oppressive structure at its minute details.
The movie also liberally takes on the current political scenario and fearlessly attacks superstitions which so far very few film makers have dared to deal with.
As a whole, the Great Indian Kitchen will burn the patriarchal conscience a lot, for sure.