Yahiya, a small tea shop owner in Kadakkal, came into the national limelight with his novel protest against demonetisation. The 75-year-old had shaved half his head in protest and burned the money he failed to exchange. But, that was just one protest in a life filled with many such instances.
Sanu Kummil’s documentary Oru Chaayakkadakkarante Mann ki Baat is a chronicle of that life, told engagingly, with caricatures of various moments from his life used to enliven the narration. The documentary begins from his early years of struggle in a family of 13 children. Not much thought was given to education, as each of them had to work to survive.
‘Mookkupodi’ for guests
His unconventional ways were evident in the earlier days too. When he got married to his neighbour Suhara, he offered just ‘mookkupodi’ (snuff) to his guests, as the families did not have enough money for a feast. Soon, he went to Saudi Arabia. But what he had to go through there is reminiscent of Benyamin’s novel ‘Aadujeevitham’. For 18 years, he survived there in abject condition, looking after camels and goats. Using a forged passport, he landed in Mumbai, only to be caught and jailed.
Buried savings
Back home, he opened an eatery in a push cart. Once he got slapped by a policeman, who thought Yahiya was disrespecting him by tying his lungi up. From that day, Yahiya has been wearing a ‘maxi’, to free himself from the expectation of tying it up in respect.
He later set up a tea shop, which became popular for its local flavour and clean food. But ill luck followed him there too. Two men came for dinner late one night, beat him up and stole all his savings. Since then, he has been digging up the earth and storing his savings underground.
The demonetisation in November 2016 came as a huge jolt for him. He queued up in front of the bank to exchange his savings, ₹23,000 in cash. On the second day, his sugar level dropped and he collapsed. After he was discharged from the hospital, he burned all the demonetised cash. The next trip was to the barber shop to shave half of his head.
“Yahiya lives according to his rules. He continues his protests even now, shaving half his moustache on the first anniversary of demonetisation. The documentary has got good response wherever it has been screened. Yahiya too liked it,” says Sanu.
