IFP on Instagram: "Can we imagine a Russian film that captures the fierce spirit of Kaali through Kerala’s Kathakali in a psychedelic short film and in animation?! Talking Hands of Travancore (1981) does just that. Directed by Vladimir Pekar, this Soviet short uses stylized visuals to showcase Kathakali’s hand gestures, or mudras. In the Kaali sequence, the goddess dominates the screen with fiery eyes, sharp movements, and commanding presence. Her gestures embody both destruction and protection,