Filmpermaker MK Ramadas in Riffku in Kozhikode 9. August | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh
What made MK Ramadas filmmaker to document the life of Cheravayal Raman was his desire to bring the story of a tribal farmer from Wayanad, who lives for nature, to an ordinary person on the screen.
His 42-minute document Nekal-Chronicle Paddy Man, who portrays the Septagenarian Agricultural and Padma recipient, gained a special mention in the category without a festorist at the 71 National Film Prize for 2023, he announced last week.
By the way, Mr. Ramadas began filming in 2018, before Mr. Raman received the fourth highest civilian nation’s prize.
On Saturday, August 9, in Kozhikod, which spoke on the outskirts of the ongoing Regional International Film Festival in Keral (Riffk) in Kozhikod, Mr. Ramadas said that the project hatched from its connection with the agricultural heritage of Wayanad. “After being born in Wayanad, harvesting and seeds was constant throughout my life,” Hindu said.
During his childhood, he and his father would get seeds from the Kuruma community, an experience that fundamentally shaped his recognition of agricultural traditions.
For many years, Mr. Raman has been protected by 55 varieties of original rice, as well as a variety of trees, herbs and spices in its three acre land. “Until 2021 I retained 60 varieties, but the progressive age and health complications forced me to reduce seed collection,” Padma Shri 2023 Padma Shri acknowledged after his announcement.
Mr. Ramadas, determined to capture the essence of the life and philosophy of Mr. Raman, overshadowed for five years of farmer’s efforts and documented the natural rhythms of agricultural life – sowing, growing and harvesting. “My intention was to simply document my life without any disturbance,” he said.
His journalistic background, Mr. Ramadas, proved to be helpful in establishing a connection with dedicated cameramen, producers and others who recognized the importance of the project and offered their support. “Nekal also has a political message, a political statement of a farmer who lives in a democracy,” Ramadas said.
Mr. Ramadas and Mr. Raman believe that seeds are not private property, but a gift of nature. “We are just here to take care of them. The seeds are moving from one generation to another – it has always been the Order of Nature,” Mr. Ramadas signed.
Published – 9. August 2025 20:29
