SALT AND SURVIVAL: ALEENA MARIA VARGHESE’S LENS ON WOMEN’S DAILY BATTLES

Aleena Maria Varghese’s documentary Salt And Survival captures the struggles of five women in Kattikkunnu, Ernakulam, as they fight for food, clothing, and shelter. Supported by her long-time crew, the film reflects resilience and perspective, reaffirming her belief in journalism as a means of documenting meaningful human stories.

Aleena Maria Varghese, journalist and filmmaker at Mathrubhumi, has unveiled her second documentary, Salt And Survival, a work that follows her debut, Thankamani. For Varghese, curiosity is the compass that guides her storytelling, and it was curiosity that led her to Kattikkunnu in Ernakulam district. What she encountered there was a kaleidoscope of emotions—surprise, amazement, fear, delight, and disappointment—all woven into the lives of five women whose struggles became the heart of her film.  

The documentary is a meditation on perspective and attitude, reminding viewers that meaning in life often comes from how one chooses to see and endure hardship. For Varghese, documenting the lives of these women was not only a professional relief but also a reaffirmation of her purpose as a journalist. She describes the project as something so profound that it defies imagination, a testament to the depth of human resilience.  

The production of Salt And Survival was a collective effort, shaped by her long-time collaborators. Amal, Jensen, and Alvin formed the regular camera crew, while Nikhil Joseph captured sweeping drone visuals that lend the film its atmospheric depth. Editing was entrusted to Shiju KD, who had previously worked on Thankamani, ensuring continuity in style and tone. The design, handled by VP, added a visual coherence, while Meenakshi’s subtitles broadened accessibility, making the film inclusive for diverse audiences. Varghese acknowledges that the documentary would have been incomplete without each of these contributions, underscoring the collaborative spirit behind the work.  

At its core, Salt And Survival is about the elemental human pursuit of food, clothing, and shelter. While these are universal needs, the ways in which ordinary people strive to secure them are often extraordinary—dangerous, surprising, and adventurous. The film portrays five women whose daily lives revolve around this relentless struggle, offering a window into the courage and ingenuity required to meet basic needs in challenging circumstances.  

Varghese’s narrative is not simply observational; it is empathetic. She frames the women’s experiences as emblematic of broader social realities, where survival is not guaranteed but fought for with determination. The documentary highlights the paradox of ordinary lives lived through extraordinary means, revealing how resilience is forged in the crucible of necessity.  

The film also reflects Varghese’s philosophy of journalism. For her, storytelling is not about spectacle but about meaning—about capturing the essence of human existence and presenting it with honesty. Salt And Survival embodies this ethos, offering viewers not just a documentary but a lived experience, one that resonates with the universal truth of survival.  

In many ways, the documentary is a continuation of the themes explored in Thankamani, yet it expands the scope by focusing on collective female resilience. The juxtaposition of individual hardship with communal strength creates a narrative that is both intimate and expansive. Varghese’s curiosity, which she credits as the driving force behind her work, becomes a bridge between the audience and the subjects, inviting viewers to see beyond the surface into the deeper currents of human life.  

Ultimately, Salt And Survival is a story of endurance, collaboration, and perspective. It is a reminder that while goals may vary, the pursuit of life’s essentials unites humanity. Through the lens of five women in Kattikkunnu, Varghese has crafted a film that is both a document of struggle and a celebration of survival, reaffirming her commitment to journalism as a vocation rooted in curiosity and compassion.