REJASWALA – FOR THOSE WHO SEE PERIODS AS IMPURE Movie Review – Rejaswala (English version) – Menstrual Movie Mela, May 2020

This is the translated review for the movie Rejaswala – The Menstruating Woman, a Malayalam short film, shown on day 4 (29 May 2020) in the Menstrual Movie Mela.

REJASWALA – FOR THOSE WHO SEE PERIODS AS IMPURE

Amritha Padmakumar’s Rejaswala examines the layers of menstrual narratives to understand the discourses on menstrual purity. It deeply analyses the socio-cultural aspects of menstruation.

The movie clearly travels to see the cultural changes in attitudes and practices related to periods from the late 1940’s till current times. The film starts with explaining the traditions of North Malabar region of Kerala. Further the current myths are also explained in the movie. There has been a steady progress in our social outlook from the 1940’s to now. But still, periods still remain a reason for seclusion in our minds. In the part where 2 young women are concerning, they also mention some experiences in their hostel lives. Instead of asking if a roommate was on periods, they ask, if communicating a secret, their friend if she was on “chums”, a code word for periods.

Even now among women too there is a form of secrecy in discussing about menstruation. As if sharing a classified information, using code words, these discussions progress. Just a small survey in our classrooms would give us numerous such code words to describe menstruation. Dairy milk, martyr, red alert are some examples.

The movie also shows few important clippings of a doctor who speaks about menstruation. She tells how the menstrual blood is never impure, but rich in stem cells. Harvesting these stem cells from the menstrual blood is getting popular these daysdays, as it has potential to be used in treating cancer.

Rejaswala tells us strongly that menstruation should never be used as a tool to either isolate or discriminate against women. The film’s cinematography and creative representation of blood and the menstruating women is striking. While supporting the need to do away with illogical practices, Rejaswala, shows how women are suppressed across decades in the name of menstruation.

The original review in Malayalam can be found here. It has been written and posted on her own blog by Ms. Chaithanya, a budding feminist and gender trainer from Kerala. She is currently pursuing Master’s degree in Gender Studies, from Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Chennai.