https://doi.org/10.67147/literariness.v1i3.021
Beyond the Visual: The Narrative Role of Sound in Sookshamadarshini
HUSNA AMEEN
Assistant Professor of English
University College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
ORCID: 0009-0009-5156-9401
husna@universitycollege.ac.in
Abstract: Films are complex narratives constructed through multiple elements, among which sound plays a crucial role. This study investigates the function of sound design as a fundamental architect of narrative progression and meaning in the 2024 Malayalam film Sookshamadarshini, directed by M. C. Jithin. Positioned within the broader framework of Sound Studies and its applications in Malayalam cinema, the study addresses a critical gap in understanding how sound actively shapes cinematic storytelling. The paper explores the dynamic interplay between sound and narrative structure, emphasizing diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, musical scores, silences, and recurring sound motifs.
Furthermore, the study examines the existing audio description track on Disney+ Hotstar as a tertiary narrative layer, functioning both as an accessibility feature and a parallel narrative structure. Employing a rigorous scene-by-scene close reading of pivotal moments in the film, the study demonstrates how Sookshamadarshini utilizes sound to generate suspense, foreshadow events, and amplify emotional resonance. These findings offer a nuanced case study that positions sound in Sookshamadarshini not merely as a supplement to the visual narrative but as a fundamental structuring element of its narrative architecture.
Keywords: Accessibility, Audio Description, Cinematic Storytelling, Diegetic, Narrative Progression, Narrative Structure, Non-Diegetic, Sound Design, Sound Studies, Malayalam Cinema
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