Kanavu (Dream)

When you travel along a highway, you tend to notice the well maintained asphalt, the maniquered lawns, the big trees, fields stretching up to the horizon, carpet of blossoms.

But on a closer look and if you are not in a hurry, you will notice that your scenery is also dotted with tiny way side flowers. They are as beautiful, perhaps more important than the dominating landscapes. Kanavu, the alternate school tucked away in the hills of Wynad forest, is one of them.

The children of Kanavu come from wrecked homes. Brought up like orphans by parents. Their mothers spend their meager daily earnings on watching movies, while fathers drink it up. In between the children remain abandoned.

This dream may not produce an Amitab Bachan (Film Star), Sachin Tendulkar (Cricketeer) or an Abdul Kalam (Scientist). But their dream is small to make a good human being out of the members of their commune. Kanavu is a commune of tribal children. In Kanavu, children learn to live together and live together to learn.

The children do not follow any syllabus or curriculum. You can see them harvesting the string beans and ladies fingers practicing their martial art, listening and grasping their own history, singing their own songs, watching and understanding the film, “Rashamon” by Kurosawa.

This documentary tells the story of the children of Kanavu in the background of the aadivasi situation in Kerala and the so-called terminology of Kerala Education Model.

It is easy to be critical. But we in Third Eye, believe in focusing, people’s attention on the positive aspects of this pluralistic society.

Inspired by the hopes of Kanavu, a 35 mins documentary shot over three years with the idea to support the children in any possible manner.

For Enquiries:
Kanavu,
Cheengode,
Nadavayal, Wynad District,
Keralam-670 721,
Tel: 00 91 4936 211113/4

2001/DV/35 Mins/Malayalam/English

Festivals

• Film South Asia 2001 Katmandu
• Mumbai International Film Festival(MIFF) 2002
• 3 Continent Film Festival, Argentina 2003
• `We Feel Responsible’ Film Festival, Chennai 2005

Press Reports

“The film documents a unique experiment in cultural formation and learning that is unfolding in the Wayanad District of Kerala under the initiative of Malayalam novelist K.J. Baby.” - THE HINDU Aug 10, 2005

Related Links

Stories of Vernacular Educators Chapter 5 K.J.Baby and Shirley-Multiworld.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanavu