Arivu Mattu Guruvu/The Word and The Teacher

Synopsis

What is it like to revisit an era that pioneered the spread of knowledge at the dawn of modernity, from the post-truth world of today? Modern ways of communication & transportation built on the ethos of hope & dedication, vision & purpose, was all about creating more divide & boundaries? This period film takes up a journey with Ferdinand Kittel, a missionary from Germany who served in southern India, mastered more than 2000-year-old language called Kannada and did monumental work in the field of lexicography & philology. Facing the wrath of his superiors, this “failed missionary” went on to transcend the boundaries of religion, language & geography to herald a new beginning. The film unfolds his challenging journey as a stream-of-consciousness, provoking the viewer to ponder upon the very essence of faith & belief, of speech & action, and that of words & meaning in today’s world.