Poojapushpam - Sivakumar's only Malayalam Movie ?

In the book titled, Sivakumar - 100, found a poster for the movie Poojapushpam with Sivakumar's picture on it (For those of you who do not know Sivakumar, he is dad of present day super starts Surya and Karthi)

For those of you who cannot read Tamil, here goes the translation.

Sarada Pictures "Pooja Puspam", Malayalam 18/07/1969

Producer: KS Annammal
Direction: Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair

We are still trying to validate the authenticity of this information. If you have watched this movie, please let us know

Yaar Manamakan

There is some misunderstanding regarding the Tamil version of this film Poothaali.  But now, I could confirm that the Tamil version was not dubbed one, but remake.  found this advertisement in Pesum Padam September, 1961 issue 

Tamil  film:

"Yaar Manamakan"   Neela Productions 

Stars - T K Balachandran,  V K Ramaswami,  D Balasubramaniam,  Kallapart Natarajan,  C S Pandian,  Sayiram,  Bagadur,  Kumari,  Santhi,. C K Saraswathi,  S D Subbulakshmi,  Tilakam Rajakumari,  etc

Direction - P Subramaniam

Music - Brother Lakshmanan  Studio - Merryland  Dialogues - Ilangovan 

Kadalamma (1963)

Adventurous fantasy tales from literature were a favourite subject of Indian cinema. Most of the film production companies set up their own ‘Story Department’ and in Malayalam cinema, established companies like Udaya Studios and Neela Productions had such departments. Tales of Vikramaditya, Arabian Nights , and the collection of stories Kasi Majhili Kathalu in Telugu written by Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu in 19th century were a treasure trove of material for these story departments. Stories of Malayalam films like Manthravadi (1956),Devasundari (1957) Pathaala BhairaviGulebakavaliwere developed from the said folk literature and they were successful.

Kadalamma released on August 31, 1963, produced and directed by M. Kunchacko under the banner X L Productions and shot at Udaya Studios was such an adventurous fantasy film for which Ponkunnam Varkey wrote the dialogues. The story was developed by the Udaya Studios crew. The film failed to impress the audience in spite of all the entertaining stunts, dances, special effects, camera tricks and comedy sequences.

To attract the audience, a few songs were shot in colour. Popular artists like Satyan, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Kottayam Chellappan, S. P. Pillai, B. S. Saroja, Rajasree (Gracy in the title cards) , Adoor Pankajam and Mavelikkara Ponnamma acted in the film. This was the debut film of actress Sushama (Maya in the title cards).

Queen Chithrangada (Mavelikkara Ponnamma) loses her only daughter Renuka (Rajasree) in her childhood. She was kidnapped by a gang of pirates led by Jayaraj (Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair) during the traditional annual festival on the seashore. Renuka is taken to a faraway island. The queen proclaims to reward half of the kingdom to the person who brings back her daughter from the pirates. Years roll by. Fisherman Velu’s (Sankaradi) son Neelan (Satyan) is in love with Karthika (Sushama), daughter of Karuppayyan (Kottayam Chellappan), chief of the fishermen.

The island in which Jayaraj lives is on the verge of being swallowed by the sea. Jayaraj approaches queen Chithrangada for her support to build a bund around the island and promises her that he would find Renuka. The queen is unaware of the fact that it was Jayaraj who kidnapped her daughter and falls for his false promise. She sends her men including Neelan to the island for the construction of the bund. Meanwhile Jayaraj lays eyes on Karthika and is besotted by her. Jayaraj wishes to get rid of Neelan.

Jayaraj’s intention was to marry Renuka and claim the reward of half of the kingdom proclaimed by the queen. But Renuka hated her torturer Jayaraj. In a fit of rage, he pushes her into a crocodile pit. But Neelan arrives just in time to save Renuka and she falls in love with him. Enraged, Jayaraj imprisons Neelan. . Since Renuka escapes, Jayaraj plans to present before the queen a slave girl who resembled Renuka and claim the reward. Neelan is freed from the prison by Renuka.

Jayaraj and the slave girl (again Rajasree – double role) reach the palace. Queen Chithrangada accepts the slave girl as her lost daughter. Jayaraj alleges that Neelan and his parents were supporters of the pirates who kidnapped the princess. The queen sentences to execute them. According to the custom of the kingdom, the person sentenced for execution is given a chance to save life, if he could bring the “Nagamanikkam”, the magical stone hidden in the seas. Neelan sets out on an expedition to bring the Nagamanikkam.

The queen decides to conduct the marriage of the slave girl with Jayaraj. And the climax—Neelan returns with the Nagamanikkam. Jayaraj’s wicked plans are exposed. Renuka, the real princess, reaches the palace. But by that time, Neelan’s parents and Karthika were executed. The queen proposes to conduct the marriage of Renuka with Neelan. But Neelan refuses, because his love was for Karthika. The film ends with the scene of Neelan getting drowned in the sea with Karthika’s corpse in his arms.

Songs written by Vayalar Rama Varma and set to tune by Devarajan became super hits. Instant hits were Paalaazhi kadavil neeraattinirangiya…. (A. M. Raja-P. Susheela), Mungi mungi muthukal vaarum…. (Jikki-S. Janaki). Other hits include Ethu kadalilo….(Susheela), Kadalamme kadalamme…. (P. Leela), Jaladevathamare,.. ( K.J. Yesudas- Susheela) etc.

Will be remembered: As the debut film of Maya (real name-Sushama) and excellent music.

Nakhangal (1973)

Socio-political story: A scene from the film


Nakhangal released on September 8, 1973, was an unusual film that told the story of an owner of a tea estate who believes in the ideals of a political party that fights for the rights of the workers, because she was a labourer-turned-estate owner.

Produced by Hari Pothen under the banner of “Supriya Films” and based on the novel of same title written by Vaikom Chandrasekharan Nair, the colour film was shot at Satya and Prasad Studios. The outdoor location of the film was tea estates in Kerala. The story pivots around two murder cases.

The success of the film is attributed to the scriptwriter Thoppil Bhasi and director A.Vincent. Some critics feel that the film was not as impressive as the novel.

Saraswathi (K. R. Vijaya), an inmate of an orphanage who believes in the ideals of a political party that fights for the rights of the working class is married to Mathew, an estate owner. The story of the film starts five days after the brutal murder of Mathew. A young graduate, Sankarankutty (Madhu) is appointed by Saraswathi Mathew as the Manager of the estate following the death of her husband. The past life of the important characters is narrated by powerful dialogues, rather than in usual visual “flashbacks” . A young leader of the estate workers, Yesudas (Raghavan), an estate worker Muthappan (C. A. Balan) and Saraswathi Mathew are the prime suspects in the case. Later, Muthappan is also murdered. Police frame false charges against Saraswathi Mathew . The local police was twisting the murder case in favour of real culprits, the estate owners Ramunni Menon (Veeran), John Sebastian ( Paravoor Bharathan ) and their group who murdered Mathew by mixing poison in the coffee served to him through Mathew’s servant Pankiyamma (T. R. Omana). They murdered Muthappan also who witnessed Mathew’s murder. Sankarankutty succeeds in unfolding the mysteries behind the murder of Mathew and Muthappan and saves Saraswathi Mathew from the false charges.

Sankarankutty’s lover Gomathi (Jayabharathi) and Yesudas are children of the party worker Achuthan Nair (Sankaradi) who were brought up in their childhood by Saraswathi when they were admitted to the orphanage following the death of their mother. Later Gomathi was brought up by a party worker Pappunni (S. P. Pillai). Ramunni Menon and his group is arrested by the crime branch. The film ends with a message – the real owners of the estates are the “workers” who built up the estates with their hard work. Saraswathi Mathew hands over the estate to the Union of the workers and leaves to the orphanage from where she came. But the local bureaucratic estate owners who were against his” pro workers policy” murdered him.

K. R. Vijay's was an impressive performance. The film dispensed with usual hilarious comedy scenes. The guest roles of Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Mathew’s concubine Kakkachi, Meena as Mathew’s sister Annamma , KPAC Lalitha as the illicit liquor vendor Maya, K.P. Ummer as Saraswathi Mathew’s brother etc were memorable.

All the songs written by Vayalar Rama Varma and set to tune by Devarajan became hits. Instant hits were “Krishnapakshakkili chilachu….” (Yesudas, humming by Madhuri), “Gandharva Nagarangal….” (Madhuri) , and “Pushpamangalayam….” ( Yesudas) . Other hits include “ Nakshathrangale Sakshi….” (Yesudas, chorus) and “Maathaavey Maathaavey….” (Suseela) .

Why remembered:

As a good social film with a moral

Kaattuthulasi (1965)

Udaya Studios, established by producer-director Kunchacko, introduced several heroines from other South Indian languages to Malayalam cinema. He even changed their names, Rajashree became Gracy in Bharya (1962), Sharada became Rahel in Inapravukal (1965), and Rushyendramani of early Telugu cinema was introduced as Sree Ramani in Palaattu Koman(1962). In 1965, Kunchacko introduced A.B. Shanthi ( Vennira Adai Nirmala in Tamil) as Ushakumari in Kaattu Thulasi , which was released on July 9, 1965. Following the success of the film Ushakumari became a busy star in Malayalam.

Directed by M. Krishnan Nair, and shot at Udaya Studios, the film had dialogues by Thoppil Bhasi for a story developed by the Udaya team. Ghost stories were a trend in 1960s. Hindi films likeBees Saal Baad (1962), Woh Kaun Thi , Kohra(1964) were all films of this genre and did well in Kerala. The success of these ‘musical hits’ must have prompted Kunchacko to produce a Malayalam film of this kind.

Popular artistes like Sathyan, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair and Adoor Bhasi starred in the film besides the two new faces Sharada (Rahel in title cards) and Ushakumari. Sharada was introduced to Malayalam cinema through Inapravukal released in April the same year. Music by M.S. Baburaj was the highpoint of the film.

The story revolves around a tea estate in the mountain slopes of Kerala. Shekhara Pillai (Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair) is a planter. His son Chandran (Sathyan), who returns to the tea estates after his higher studies, falls in love with an estate labourer Thulasi (Ushakumari). Shekhara Pillai is against this as he wants his son to marry an educated girl from a rich family. But Chandran is firm and makes it clear that he will marry only Thulasi. A myna gifted to Chandran by Thulasi is first killed by Shekhara Pillai as an indication of his protest against his son’s love affair.

Chandran leaves the estate on a business tour. Taking the advantage of the situation, Shekhara Pillai engages his goons to kill Thulasi. The helpless girl is pushed off a mountain top. News spreads about Thulasi’s ‘accidental death’. But Thulasi was lucky.

She falls on to a haystack and escapes without injuries. The tribals who find her, takes her to their colony.

Chandran returns and hears the shocking news. He loses his mental balance. Shekhara Pillai conducts the marriage of Chandran with Lalitha (Sharada).

Lalitha nurses Chandran as advised by the doctors. Every night Thulasi, accompanied by her pet dog, comes to the estate to see Chandran. People believe that this is Thulasi’s ghost.

Lalitha is determined to unfold the mystery behind all this.

She succeeds and comes to know of the circumstances that led to Thulasi’s ‘disappearance.’ Lalitha brings Thulasi to Pillai’s estate bungalow. Chandran is stunned see his beloved alive.

Chandran dies of a heart attack. Thulasi, who believed that she was the cause of Chandran’s death, commits suicide by jumping down from the mountain top. Lalitha’s attempt to save her fails.

All the songs written by Vayalar Rama Varma and tuned by Baburaj became hits. Songs likeSooryakaanthi sooryakaanthi …(S. Janaki), Gangayaar ozhukunna naattil … (P. Susheela), Thulasi Thulasi vili kelkoo …(P.B. Sreenivas), Velli chilanka aninjum kondoru … (K.J. Yesudas-Jikki), andMaina maina manjadikkili …(Yesudas- Jikki) are still remembered.

Will be remembered: As the debut Malayalam film of Ushakumari and for the excellent music, especially the classic S. Janaki song Sooryakaanthi, sooryakaanthi …

Films and the Ramayana

A still from 'Kanchana Seetha'

A still from 'Sree Rama Pattabhishekam'

B. Vijayakumar is a film historian and columnist


The month of Karkidakam (mid July to mid August) is also called the Ramayanamonth. Reading the Ramayana, especially during this month, is a timeless tradition handed down by generations. Let’s take a look at some of the films based on the epic or adaptations of the stories from the Ramayana.

This ‘tradition’ in Indian cinema began from the Silent Era. Films like Dada Saheb Phalke’s Lanka Dahan (1917) and G.V. Sane’s Ram Janma (1920) were some of the earliest. Vijay Bhatt’s Hindi/Marathi bilingual Bharat Milap (1942) and its sequel Ram Rajya (1943) are regarded as the most successful screen adaptations of the Ramayana. Ram Rajya has the unique distinction of being the only film to have been watched by Mahathma Gandhi in his life.

Two successful Malayalam films of the early period are Kunchacko’s Seetha (1960) with Prem Nazir and Kusalakumari in the lead and P. Subramaniam’s Sree Rama Pattabhishekam (1962) with Prem Nazir and Vasantha as Rama and Seetha. Both these films were direct copies of Ram Rajya and Bharat Milaprespectively.

Most of the Tamil and Malayalam films of this genre were dubbed versions of Telugu films. For example, Seetha Swayamvaram (1976) was the Malayalam dubbed version of Bapu’s super hit Telugu mythological Seetha Kalyanam (1976).

Kanchana Seetha, (1977) directed by G. Aravindan, was an adaptation of C.N. Sreekantan Nair’s play published in 1961 and successfully staged the same year. Produced by K. Ravindran Nair under the banner of General Pictures, the film won the National Award for the Best Director. Aravindan wrote the script and dialogues; the film had excellent camerawork by Shaji N. Karun and amazing art by Artist Namboodiri. The colour film was shot at outdoor locations in the forest areas on the banks of the Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. The film told on screen the story of Uttara Ramayana. Seetha symbolises Nature. The character never appears in the film but her presence is compellingly evoked in the moods of the forest and the elements such as the rustling of the wind in the trees or as the rain bringing harmony where discord threatens. The roles of the epic heroes were played by tribal people belonging to the Rama Chenchu sect, who claim lineage to the mythological Rama. The film was not a commercial success. Aravindan’s film had very few dialogues. The film significantly differed from all other adaptations of Ramayana in the characterisation of the central characters like Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha etc. The characters were humanised, contrary to the way in which mythological characters were usually depicted on the screen with magical powers.

In several other Malayalam films emotional moments from the Ramayana were co-related with melodramatic scenes through songs. The popular number Sree Ramachnadrante arukil…(K.J. Yesudas) from Oonjaal (1977) relates the scene with Rama’s wedding procession that is stopped by Sage Parasurama. Mattoru Seethaye kaattilekkayakkunnu…. (Kamukara Purushothaman-Tharavattamma:1966 ) connects Seetha’s abandonment to the sequence in the film. Other popular songs in this list are Raman, Sree Raman …( P. Jayachandran-Ayodhya: 1975), Ashoka vanathile Seethamma…( Kamukara Purushothaman-Kallichellamma: 1969); Ramayanathile dukham…(N.V. Haridas-Kayalum Kayarum:1979) etc.

Though titles of some Malayalam films are taken from the Ramayana, the storyline are in no way related to the epic. For example, Ashwamedham (1967), Lanka Dahanam (1971), Puthrakameshti(1972), Panchavati (1973), Sethu Bandhanam (1974), Maa Nishada, Aranyakaandam, Ayodhya, (all 1975), Ahalyamoksham (1976), Yudha Kaandam (1977) etc.

There are also a few songs in Malayalam that sing praise of Rama. Some of the popular ones areRaghukula nayakane Sree Rama…(Malathi ) and Bhaktha parayana….(M. K. Kamalam) both fromBalan (1938), and Thriprayarappa Sree Rama….(Vani Jayaram: Ormakal Marikkumo,1977).

Nellu (1974)

Prem Nazir, Mohan, Prem Nawaz, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadur, Jayabharathi, Kanakadurga, Kaviyoor Ponamma, Kaviyoor Ponnamma etc.

Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi (1959), Kaattu Maina (1963), Kaattu Mallika(1966) etc. were some of the Malayalam films that had the jungle as its backdrop. The colour film Nellu, released on August 23, 1974, was the first Malayalam film that portrayed life of the adivasis of the State. The story was centred on Thirunelli village, in Wayanad, and the surrounding jungles.

Nellu was based on an award-winning novel of the same title by P. Valsala which was first published in 1972 and was a bestseller. The novel deals with the customs, manners, beliefs, taboo s and prejudices of the Adiyar tribal community in Wayanad and created a sensation when it was published. Produced by N.P. Ali under the banner of Jammu Films International, the film was shot almost entirely in Thirunelli and the villages around.

The excellent cinematography by Balu Mahendra, who was making his film debut, made Nellu a beautiful, outdoor visual treat. Directed by Ramu Kariat, the script was written jointly by Kariat and K.G. George. The dialogues were by S.L. Puram Sadanandan. Another highpoint of the film was the music by Salil Chaudhary. Latha Mangeshkar made her Malayalam film debut with a song that turned super-hit. Hrishikesh Mukherji and Appa were the editors.

Prem Nazir, Mohan, Prem Nawaz, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadur, Thikkurissi, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Jayabharathi, Kanakadurga, Kaviyoor Ponamma, Adoor Bhavani etc were cast in important roles. An array of popular actors like S.P. Pillai, K.P. Ummer, Innocent, Rani Chandra and Sumithra appeared in guest roles.

On his pilgrimage to Thirunelli temple and to immerse the ashes of his mother in the sacred river Papanashini that flows beside the temple, Raghavan Nair (Prem Nazir) befriends the family of Savithri Warasyar (Kaviyoor Ponnamma), a widow. He stays with the family at her request.

Nair comes across the life of the tribals. Their struggle against Nature, superstitions, the servility and exploitation they put up with, all of this become notes in his diary. The story is narrated through Nair’s observations.

Kurumatti (Kanakadurga), is a tattooist of the tribal community and is married to Chathan (JAR Anand). She tries to seduce Mallan (Mohan), a handsome tribal youth. Chundeli (Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair) who was away from Thirunelli for a long time returns to the village with his wife Pembi (Adoor Bhavani) and daughter Mara (Jayabharathi). Mallan and Mara fall in love with each other. Chundeli and Pembi agree to their marriage.

Kurumatti is upset by this. She spreads rumours that Mara and Mallan belong to same gothra or clan and so, according to the tribal traditions, cannot marry.

The tribal chief (Thikkurissi) imposes a ban on their marriage. Mara runs away with Mallan. The tribal community turns against them and the chief imposes a penalty for their breaking the traditions. Mallan leaves Thirunelli in order to earn money to pay the penalty. Mara stays in a storeroom at Savithri’s house.

Savithri’s younger brother Unnikrishnan (Prem Nawaz) is drawn towards the charming Mara. On a rainy day he rapes Mara and leaves the village. Mallan is afflicted by malaria but reaches the village with the money. He dies of the disease. The tribal chief sentences Mara to be lapidated and driven away from the tribal colony. Raghavan Nair intervenes and promises to keep Mara away from the colony. He requests Savithri help Mara and she accepts the tribal woman as her daughter. The film ends with Raghavan Nair leaving Thirunelli.

Kanakadurga excelled in her very complex role. Adoor Bhasi as the Postman, Ummer as a hunter also impressed. The comic scenes involving them and S.P. Pillai did not distract from the main plot.

Hrishikesh Mukherji won the Kerala State award for the best editor for this film.

The songs written by Vayalar Rama Varma and set to music by Salil Chaudhary turned super hits.Kadali kankadhali… (Latha Mangeshkar), Neelaponmaane … (K.J. Yesudas- P. Madhuri), Kaadu kuliranu… (P. Susheela) and Chembaa chembaa…(Manna Dey, P. Jayachandran & chorus) are still popular.

Will be remembered: As Balu Mahendra’s debut film, for Lata Mangeshkar’s first Malayalam song and for the music.