🎥 Kannappa Movie Critic — K.Ravindran Point of View

 




“Faith, devotion, and sacrifice are timeless. Yet cinema captures not just the story, but politics, identity, and interpretation.”

Mukesh Kumar Singh’s Kannappa brings one of South India’s most enduring legends to life: the hunter-saint who offered his own eyes to Lord Shiva. The film is visually stunning and emotionally gripping, but it raises a deeper question:

Whose story is Kannappa’s — and who has the right to claim him?

Kannappa: Tamil Shaivism’s Beloved Hunter-Saint

For centuries, Kannappa Nayanar has been a revered figure in Tamil Shaivism.
His extraordinary act of devotion — offering his own eyes to Shiva — is immortalized in Sekkizhar’s 12th-century epic, Periya Puranam.

Yet, in contemporary retellings, including this film, Kannappa is often framed as a Telugu hero, overshadowing his Tamil roots.

“Kannappa’s story is about devotion, not regional identity.”

What the Ancient Texts Actually Say

The Periya Puranam describes Kannappa as:

“Vettaravargatku vendanai, Kalahatti malaiyil vaazhndhaan” —
the leader of a hunting clan living in the hills of Kalahasti.

Key point: There is no mention of language or ethnicity.
Kannappa is defined as a Vettuva hunter, a tribal community found across Tamil and Telugu regions.
He is a man of the hills, devotion defines him, not language.

The Vettuva Tribe — A Trans-Regional Identity

Historical records confirm that Vettuvans lived across the southern Deccan, from Dharmapuri and Salem to Tirupati and Kalahasti.
They spoke Tamil, Telugu, or a mixed dialect.

“Vettuva” describes a way of life, not a language group.

Kannappa’s clan existed long before modern Tamil or Telugu nationalism. Any linguistic claim today is simplistic.

The ‘Telugu Origin’ Assumption

Modern scholarship often labels Kannappa a “Telugu saint” because Kalahasti is in Andhra Pradesh.
Scholars like K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and R. Nagaswamy have repeated this assumption.

But there is no primary evidence that Kannappa spoke Telugu. Geography alone has shaped this claim.

“Assigning him a modern linguistic label imposes contemporary politics on an ancient figure.”

The Film’s Triumphs — and Blind Spots

Highlights:

  • Forest landscapes are breathtaking

  • Emotional stakes are intense

  • The act of self-sacrifice is rendered with raw intensity

Blind spot: The film subtly reinforces the Telugu identity, reflecting a trend of claiming shared saints as regional symbols.
This risks disconnecting Kannappa from the Tamil tradition that first canonized him.

The Tamil Connection That Cannot Be Denied

Kannappa’s story entered history through Tamil literature and worship.
He became one of the 63 Nayanmars through Periya Puranam, not Telugu texts.
Tamil hymns, temples, and festivals preserved his memory, while Telugu folklore embraced him much later.

Tamil Shaiva tradition gave Kannappa his form, voice, and immortality.

The Danger of Political Ownership

Today, regional pride can turn into appropriation.
By presenting Kannappa solely as a Telugu devotee, modern narratives risk erasing the Tamil spiritual lineage.

Kannappa’s devotion was about losing self, not claiming territory.

Conclusion: My Point of View

While Mukesh Kumar Singh’s Kannappa succeeds as cinema, it falters as historical reflection.

  • No evidence exists that Kannappa spoke Telugu

  • Shaiva tradition, Tamil literature, and temple canonization root him firmly in Tamil Bhakti heritage

So, Kannappa’s tribute belongs more to Tamil spiritual history, yet modern politics risks reframing him as a regional icon.

Kannappa Nayanar belongs to no one region — but his memory, name, and song are Tamil gifts to all of India.

Mukesh Kumar Singh’s Kannappa is both a cinematic triumph and a reminder: devotion transcends politics, yet history deserves acknowledgment.

Comments

Post a Comment