Santhosh Kodenkeri, who has directed Ravike Prasanga, shifts focus to Shathamanagala Nambike, a documentary that explores faith as something lived and carried through generations.
“I wasn’t looking at faith as something dramatic. It is part of everyday life, and I wanted to keep it that way on screen,” says Santhosh.
Set in the small village of Thodikana, the film centres on the 13th-century Sri Mallikarjuna Temple, a quiet space nestled in the Western Ghats. Surrounded by forested hills and flowing rivers, the temple sits away from the usual tourist routes but remains deeply connected to local belief.
“Thodikana is not widely known, but once you visit, there is a certain calm that stays with you,” he says.
Interestingly, the documentary brings together footage shot over the course of a year into a tightly cut 24-minute film. “We had a lot of material, but the idea was to keep it concise and not overextend it,” Santhosh adds.
He places the temple within a wider cultural map that includes nearby sites like Kukke Subramanya, Talakaveri, and Kodagu, but keeps the narrative rooted in one place.
“Those places are well known, but this film stays with Thodikana. People who go there often feel like returning,” he notes.
The documentary also focuses on details that define the temple’s identity. The Matsya Teertha, a sacred pond within the premises, plays a key role in its rituals. “The fish are believed to be manifestations of Lord Vishnu, and offerings are first given to them. It is a practice that has continued for years,” he explains.
Visually, the temple stands out for its Kerala-style architecture. “The wooden structures and tiled roofs reflect an older way of building. It has history, but it does not try to present itself loudly,” he says. With Shathamanagala Nambike, Santhosh keeps the approach simple. “We observed the place as it is and let it speak for itself.”
