But Malayalam cinema is not a passive observer. It has historically played a crucial role in challenging and modernizing Kerala’s cultural consciousness.
The 1970s and 80s saw the rise of "parallel cinema" driven by the Leftist intellectual movement. Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Elippathayam (1981) is a masterpiece of cultural deconstruction. The protagonist, a feudal landlord, is trapped in his crumbling tharavad , literally unable to step into the modern world. The rat (the eli of the title) represents the democratic revolution that has eaten away his power. This is pure Keralite psychoanalysis.
One of the most significant contributions of Malayalam cinema to Kerala culture is its portrayal of the state's rich literary and artistic heritage. Many Malayalam films are based on literary works, such as novels and short stories, and have helped to popularize Kerala's rich literary tradition.
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