Synopsis Kaliyappan, a hangman, lives in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore with his wife Martakam, daughter Mallika and son Muthu. His other daughter is married. Kaliyappan's ageing body and soul show signs of caving in under the weight of accumulated guilt of the executions he has carried out. He finds solace in drinking the local liquor in the faint hope of not having to carry out any more hangings. Muthu is a follower of Mahatma Gandhi . Mallika, meanwhile reaches , reaches puberty, and her parents withdraw her from school and hold a religious ceremony on the occasion. One day a royal messenger arrives to order another execution. Kalliyappan has no choice but to follow him, much against his own will. He seems unfit to carry out the hanging and is fed liquor to strengthen himself. Meanwhile, his daughter makes the acquaintance of a young boy to whom she is attracted; but her brother-in-law covets her, rapes and kills her. Reality and imagination intertwine in Kaliyappan's mind...