- Swami Ayyappan, who was known as Manikandan during his lifetime, is a mythological super-hero. He is wise and well-versed in martial arts. He is soft and kind to the good and a nightmare to evil-doers. He had incarnated as the son of Lords Shiva and Vishnu to annihilate the demoness Mahishi and destroy evil.—Toonz
- A rare treat awaits animation aficionados and Ayyappa devotees this Sabarimala season. Toonz Animation India, one of Asia's largest studios is preparing to unleash Demons, Goddesses, Gods, Kings and Bandits onto cinema and TV screens across South India with their 90 minute animation film 'Swami Ayyappan'. The film shows the story of Manikandan, the boy who went on to be revered by millions. Swami Ayyappan co-produced by Animagic, Mumbai is the first 2D animation film on the mythological hero to be made entirely in India. The film highlights religious tolerance and secularism and is a brilliantly crafted blend of mythology, history, action, adventure and fantasy. All this is done, without tampering with the original story, or the real essence of Lord Ayyappa's Legend.—Toonz Animation India
- The film 'Swami Ayyappan' portrays Manikandan's life at Pandalam, his childhood days at the gurukul and the miracles he performed. The film also depicts Manikandan's fight with Udayana, the slaying of the demoness Mahishi and the instances that lead to his friendship with Vavar, a robber from Turkistan. This friendship is considered to be the epitome of religious tolerance till this day. Once the purpose of his embodiment is fulfilled, Manikandan gets united with the idol in the Sabarimala Temple and is hence forth known as 'Swami Ayyappan'.—Toonz Animation India
- Long long ago when peace and prosperity reigned the three worlds, an asura named Mahisha became invincible upon performing severe penances. Out of pride and arrogance, he wrecked havoc both on earth and the heaven. The gods ran helter-skelter. The trimurtis sat sadly pondering over what was to be done. Later the gods joined together and with their powers created Devi Chandika. The Devi slayed the horrible demon.
The slaying of Mahishasura enraged his sister Mahishi. She took a pledge that she would avenge the death of his brother by conquering the three worlds and destroying them. For this she appeases Lord Brahma through penance and earns a boon. Soon Mahishi goes on with her ravage upon the three worlds. The gods, seeking refuge, approach the trimurtis.
In the meanwhile, down upon earth, King Rajasekhara of Pandalam was depressed as he did not have a heir. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and spent most of his time praying for a baby. Mahishi kept on growing more and more arrogant. According to the boon she received, only a son born of Shiva and Vishnu could kill her. Henceforth she remained invincible. The gods requested Shiva and Vishnu to procreate a child. Vishnu took the form of Mohini and had a baby through Shiva.
When the Lord of Pandalam came to the banks of Pamba for hunting, he heard the cry of a baby. He goes looking for the baby and finds him. A very resplendent and lustrous baby boy. As he stood wondering whose baby it could be, Lord Shiva appears and hands over the baby to King Rajasekhara. Before leaving, Lord Shiva named the boy Manikandan.
The boy's life at Pandalam, his childhood days at the gurukul and the miracles he performed are the themes in this story. He, after fulfilling the purpose of his incarnation, getting united with the idol in the Sabarimala Temple is shown in this movie. This film also portrays Manikandans fight with Udayana, and how Vavar, a robber from Turkistan, became his friend. Vavars story is considered to be the epitome of religious tolerance. Several months of painstaking efforts have been put during the development of this story to keep justice with the historical facts and myths with references to various authentic texts and experts in Hindu mythology. The script offers a fabulous potential to match with the medium of animation. Song sequences in the movie shall also play a major part in story-telling. The presentation is such that the young and the old will like and adore the heroism of Lord Ayyappan.
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