Hridayam Oru Kshethram (1976)

Madhu and Sreevidya from a scene in the film Hrudayam Oru Kshethram


Madhu, Raghavan, Kedamangalam Sadanandan, Bahadur, Sreevidya, Baby Sumathi, Aranmula Ponnamma, KPAC Lalitha etc

Remakes of successful films from other languages were a trend in Malayalam cinema from its early days. But most such remakes were not as successful as the originals. Nenjil Oru Alayam (Tamil, 1962) written, produced and directed by V. Sreedhar, was a trendsetter. It was produced in less than a month and without the superstars of that time. Remade in other languages, Dil Ek Mandir (Hindi, 1963), Manase Mandiram (Telugu, 1966), Kunkuma Rakshe (Kannada, 1976), these versions were successful. The simple ‘love triangle’ story impressed audiences.

Hrudayam Oru Kshethram, the Malayalam remake of the successful story was released on December 24, 1976 remains an unusual success among the remakes. Produced and directed by P. Subramaniam under the banner of Neela Productions, and shot at Merryland Studios, this colour film was a musical hit. It had excellent music by G. Devarajan.

Madhu, Raghavan, Bahadur, Sreevidya, Aranmula Ponnamma were some of the popular stars in the film. Baby Sumathi became very popular after this film.

Doctor Ramesh (Madhu) and Prema (Sreevidya) are lovers. Ramesh goes abroad for higher studies. In his absence Prema is forced by her family to marry Harindran (Raghavan). On his return Ramesh is devastated when he hears this news. He decides never to marry and to devote the rest of his life in research and treating patients.

Years roll by. One of his patients is critically ill and has to be operated upon. The treatment progresses well. The patient is Harindran and Prema gets upset when she comes to know that the doctor treating her husband is her former lover. She is worried that Ramesh may take revenge on her by not treating her husband well.

Meanwhile, Harindran comes to know about the relationship between Ramesh and Prema. Without revealing that he knows their past, Harindran requests Ramesh to marry Prema in case his operation fails and he dies. The reason he gives is that he does not want his wife to be remain a widow. Prema, who loves her husband more than her life, tells Ramesh that she will end her life if her husband dies. And Ramesh promises her that he will save her husband even at the cost of his life.

Taking it as a challenge, Ramesh works day and night, consulting other doctors, to prepare well before he conducts the surgery. The surgery is successful and Harindran is cured. Ramesh gets excited at the result. All the hard work and pressure takes its toll on Ramesh’s health. He dies of a heart attack.

The emotionally charged story, tautly narrated on screen with pleasing music and impressive dialogues, ends with the inauguration of a hospital constructed in the name of Doctor Ramesh who devoted his life for cancer patients.

Sreevidya and Madhu excelled in the lead roles. Baby Sumathi, as a cancer patient who succumbs to the disease, also impressed.

The songs written by Sreekumaran Thampi and set to music by Devarajan stood out. Some of them likeMangalam nerunnu njaan…, Oru devan vaazhum….(both by K.J. Yesudas), Manassil theenaalam …. (P. Madhuri) became very popular. The other hits include Punchiriyo poovilveena….and Enthinenne vilichu …. (Madhuri)

Will be remembered: As a good social film and for its music.

Kochumon (1965)

Early Indian cinema focussed more on mythological, historical and fantasy-based themes rather than social stories. In the South, however, Malayalam cinema was exception and gave more importance to social stories, the first talkie Balan(1938) had such a plot. But with a few exceptions, these “socials” of the first three decades of Malayalam cinema were based on stories with unusual twists and turns and were stranger than fiction. Films like Yachakan (1951), Manasakshi(1954), Jailppulli (1957) etc are few examples to quote.

Kochumon released on October 8, 1965 followed this trend of ‘strange’ social stories far from reality.

Produced by Mammen George under the banner of St. George Movies, the film was shot at Newton Studios. Poovai Krishnan wrote the script for the story developed by Devadutt and the film’s director K. Padmanabhan Nair wrote the dialogues. Edited by V.P.Varghese, cinematography was by B.G. Jagirdar. Music composer Alleppey Usman, and lyricist P. J. K. Eezhakadavu were introduced through this film.

Popular actors of the time like Prem Nazir, Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair, Muthiah, Adoor Bhasi, Sheela, T. R. Omana and Adoor Pankajam among others acted in the film.

The producer, Mammen George, acted in an important role. New faces introduced through this film were K.P. Kurien and Nalini.

Annamma (T. R. Omana ) is in love with Chackochan (Thikkurissi), the rich landlord, and gets pregnant by him. He refuses to marry her and disowns her. Annamma gives birth to a baby boy and loses her sanity. She runs away from the village. Annamma’s father Mathappan (Muthiah) pleads to Chackochan to accept the child but he refuses. The child christened as George (Prem Nazir) is brought up and educated by Mathappan.

George gets a job as teacher at the village primary school. George falls in love with Lilly (Sheela), daughter of the wealthy Pappachan (Mammen George). Chackochan’s son Johny (K. P. Kurien) is a wastrel and Lilly rejects his proposal of marriage. George’s cousin Rosy (Nalini) is in love with Johny and all her attempts to reform him go in vain.

Annamma who regains her sanity returns to the village after 20 years and reaches Chackochan’s house looking for her son. A furious Chackochan mercilessly drives her away.

George was, so far, unaware of the secret of his birth. Mathappan, now, tells him the truth. Along with her son, Annamma goes to Chackochan’s house. Chackochan attempts to shoot Annamma, but she escapes. Johny is furious over the fact that it was George who came in between him and Lilly.

He shoots George, but Annamma who comes in between them gets hit and dies. Chackochan repents his actions and dies of a heart attack while attending Annamma’s funeral.

And as a happy ending to the ‘strange’ social drama, George and Lilly get married.

Prem Nazir and Sheela impressed the audience as the film’s romantic lead. The comedy by Adoor Bhasi, Adoor Pankajam and others were copies from earlier films.

Alleppey Usman composed music for the four songs written by P. Bhaskaran and four by the debutant lyricist P. J. K. Eezhakadavu. Instant hits were ‘Odi varum kaattil….’ ( Suseela, Yesudas /P.J.K Eezhakadavu ), ‘Maanathe Yamuna than…’ (Yesudas, Suseela / P. Bhaskaran) and ‘Maalaakhamaare marayalley…’ (S Janaki, chorus/ P. J. K. Eezhakadavu ).

Other hits include ‘Amma Amma uttavalo nee…’ (P.B. Sreenivas), ‘Pachila thoppile thathamma…’ (L.R.Easwari, chorus), etc.

Will be remembered: The debut film of music director Alleppey Usman and lyricist P.J.K. Eezhakadavu and for some of the hit songs.