Jwala (1969)

Prem Nazir, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Adoor Bhasi, Manavalan Joseph, Kaduvakkulam Antony, Sarada, Sheela, Aranmula Ponnamma, Pankajavalli etc.

Impersonation in crime and murder investigation was a technique adopted in thrillers both in fiction and on screen. Hindi films like Shakti Samanta’s China Town (1962), a box office hit of 1960s, was one such film that followed this trend. This was picked up in the South too. Puthiya Paravai (Tamil-1964) produced by Sivaji Ganesan was inspired by the British film Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958) directed by Michael Anderson. It was the unusual success of the Bengali movieShesh Anka (1963) based on this same movie that prompted Sivaji Ganesan to go for a Tamil remake.

The Malayalam film Jwala released on August 26, 1969, produced by Kunchacko under the banner of XL Productions also followed the crime investigation technique adapted in these films. Directed by M. Krishnan Nair and shot at Udaya Studios, the film stood out for its brilliant music composed by G. Devarajan. The dialogues were by S. L. Puram Sadanandan for the story by Kanam E. J.

Saraswathi Amma (Aranmula Ponnamma) and Bhavani Amma (Pankajavalli) are neighbours. Saraswathi Amma’s son Ravi (Prem Nazir) is in love with Bhavani Amma’s daughter Rajamma (Sheela) and their marriage is fixed. But the marriage does not take place. The reason was that Saraswathi Amma’s spendthrift husband had borrowed a huge amount of money before his death and their property was confiscated a day before the wedding. Bhavani Amma refuses to marry her daughter to Ravi.

Saraswathi Amma, for the sake of family honour, gets Ravi married to Kunjomana (Sarada), her brother Neelakantan Pillai's (Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair) daughter on the same date. Disappointed and depressed, Rajamma refuses to accede to Bhavani Amma’s request to accept other marriage proposals. Saraswathi Amma dies. Before her death she files a case against the confiscation of the family property. The court decides in her favour.

Bhavani Amma repents on her deeds. Kunjomana gives birth to a child. Bhavani Amma now pretends to be a well-wisher of Ravi’s family. Ravi and Kunjomana blindly believe her. Bhavani Amma accompanies Ravi and Kunjomana on their journey to Guruvayoor. Kunjomana dies in an accident. Rajamma now takes care of Ravi’s child and soon the old lovers get married.

Kunjomana's ghost appears before Ravi and Rajamma on the first night itself. The apparition continues to haunt them. The village astrologer says that the ghost has come to see her child. To get rid of the ghost, Bhavani Amma plans to kill the child and engages a man for it. The child is kidnapped. Suspicious over the behaviour of his mother-in-law, Ravi decides to investigate the kidnapping and Kunjomana's death. The investigation unfolds the story behind the death of Kunjomana and the case of the missing child. Bhavani pushes Kunjomana from a hilltop when Ravi was not around. Neelakanta Pillai, who was suspicious about the death of his daughter, reveals that the ghost was none other than his younger daughter, who resembles her sister and was pretending to be a ghost. The film ends happily with the news that the child is safe.

Sarada impressed in the double role. Also striking were the comic interludes involving Kaduvakkulam Antony and Manavalan Joseph.

Five songs written by Vayalar Rama Varma and set to music by Devarajan turned instant hits.Kudamullappoovinum Malayalippenninum… (K.J.Yesudas-B.Vasantha), Jwala jwala njan oru dukhajwala… (P. Susheela), Vadhu varanmare…, (the happy version sung by Susheela and the sad one by Vasantha) and Tharakappoovanam arinjilla…(Yesudas- Susheela) have stood the test of time.

Will be remembered: As a successful crime-suspense thriller and for its excellent music.

Ammu (1965)

Sathyan, Madhu, Ambika, Prem Nawaz, Adoor Bhasi,Sukumari etc.

Chavittikuzhacha Mannu , a stage play written by Pulaakkattu Achutha Warrier, popularly known as P.A.Warrier in 1958, won the award for the best drama at the All Kerala Drama Festival held the same year at Trichur. The play was staged successfully at all the main centres in Kerala and various parts of the country. In 1965, it was made into a film titled Ammu by M. Kesavan under the banner of Vasanthi Chithra. Warrier wrote the script and dialogues for the film. But the film was a ‘poor’ performer at the box office. The box office failure of screen versions of successful stage plays was not new.

The screen versions of exceptionally successful plays like Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi(1962) and Atom Bomb (1964) are examples. The change in the title of the drama for its film version is attributed as a reason, to some extent, for the failure by some film critics.

The emotional family drama was reminiscent of Norwegian playwright Henrik Isben’s social dramas. Directed by N. N. Pisharady, the film was shot at Venus and Prakash Studios. Some of the songs tuned by M. S. Baburaj became hits.

A multi-starrer, Ammu had popular artistes like Sathyan, Madhu, Prem Nawaz, Adoor Bhasi, Ambika and Sukumari acting in it .

Shekharan (Sathyan) lives in a remote village in Kerala with his brother Bhasi (Madhu) and sister Sarada (Sujatha). The peaceful family atmosphere is thrown out of gear with the entry of Achumman (Adoor Bhasi), a distant relative of the family.

Bhasi and Sarada who loved Shekharan’s wife Ammu (Ambika) as a mother now turn against her because of the tricks played by Achumman.

Soon after, Shekharan leaves the family with his wife and daughter Thankam (Baby Saru) and they take refuge in Ammu’s house.

But ill fate follows Ammu to her home. Kalyani Amma (P. K. Saraswathi) is not happy with her elder daughter Ammu who is married to a poor farmer. Kalyani Amma is fond of her younger daughter Saroja (Sukumari) who is married to a rich man. Her brother Appu (Prem Nawaz) also supports their mother. Quite helpless, Ammu continues at her home facing all humiliation.

Though her father Sankunni Nair (Premji) loves Ammu and her family, he was helpless before his wife. Shekharan is humiliated by Kalyani Amma in public during the marriage of her youngest daughter. This forces Shekaran to leave his in-law’s home with his wife and daughter.

The split between Shekharan and Bhasi results in partition of family assets. Shekharan moves to his portion of the land and builds his home there. With the support of other farmers in the village, Shekharan becomes a very successful farmer.

He succeeds in developing irrigation facilities of agricultural land in the village. By this time Bhasi had become a drunkard in the company of the wicked Achumman and loses all his wealth.

Sankunni Nair is unable to bear the separation of his beloved daughter Ammu and grand daughter Thankam. On a rainy and stormy night, he leaves home to meet his grand daughter.

Kalyani Amma repents for her cruelty towards Ammu. Bhasi, repenting his actions, also reaches Shekharan’s house. Shekharan and Ammu receive all of them happily, and the family drama reaches a happy ending.

Sathyan and Ambika impressed the audience with their natural acting. Deviating from his comic roles, Adoor Bhasi performed the villainous character quite impressively.

Eight songs written by Yusuf Ali Kechery were composed by Baburaj. Thedunnathaare ee shoonyathayil …. (S. Janaki) was an instant hit. Other hits include, Mayakkara manivarna … (P. Leela),Ambili mama va va …. (P.Susheela), Konji konji paattu paadum ….. (K. P. Udayabhanu, Janaki), andAattinakkare aalin kombile ... (Thankam).

Will be remembered: For some of the songs, especially for Thedunnathaare ee Shoonyathayil …. (Janaki) and as a good family drama.

B. VIJAYAKUMAR

Bollywood Centenary Quiz

Based on the 100 years of Bollywood programme that was presented in youtube last year, a quiz programme is being planned.

MSI's B Vijayakumar works behind this effort as the researcher

Vaazhve Maayam (1970)

A. P. Pathrose, the Malayalam novelist popularly known as P. Ayyaneth, was famous for his novels with a social theme. Some of them were turned into films. His popular novel Vazhve Mayam was an instant hit. Produced by M. O. Joseph for Manjilas, and directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan, the film was a huge hit.

Misunderstandings and suspicion in marital life was the theme of the story. The Malayalam filmPonkathir (1953) had a similar storyline. Tamil films like Griha Lakshmi (1955) and Deivappiravi(1960) also followed the same theme with success.Vazhve Mayam was remade in Hindi by J Om Prakash as Aap Ki Kasam (1974) with Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz in the lead roles. And this film set a box office record.

Shot at Arunachalam and Revathi studios the film had cinematography by Mehli Irani and some brilliant music by G. Devarajan. Sathyan, K. P. Ummer, Bahadur, Sheela, Kadeeja, KPAC Lalitha played significant roles in the film.

The unusual love story features three neighbouring couples working in the electricity supply office. Engineer Sudhi (Sathyan) his wife Sarala (Sheela), Sudhi’s junior colleague Sasidharan (Ummer) and wife Kamalakshi (Kadeeja), and lineman Kuttappan (Bahadur) and wife Gauri (KPAC Lalitha). Sudhi loves his wife but has a complex about his physical appearance. Sudhi begins to doubt the fidelity of his wife. Insecure and jealous, Sudhi suspects Sarala of having an affair with his colleague Sasidharan. One day Sudhi sees a man jumping the boundary wall of his house. He suspects it to be Sasidharan.

Now Sudhi starts spying on his wife. He even hides himself beneath the cot in his bedroom to catch his wife’s ‘secret lover’ red handed. Sarala is stunned to see him there. Angry and insulted Sarala, packs her bags and returns to her family.

Sarala’s father makes matters worse for them. He sends a divorce notice to Sudhi and the couple decide for a divorce. Sudhi loses peace of mind and becomes irregular in his official duties. Eventually Sudhi finds that it was Sasidharan’s wife who was having an affair and not his wife Sarala. He comes to know of this when he catches hold of a man jumping the wall and identifies him as his friend Ramachandran (Govindankutty).

Sudhi repents and goes to Sarala’s house to bring her back to his life. But he is late. Sarala had married an advocate, a widower, Neelakanta Pillai (Sankaradi). Sudhi loses his mental equilibrium, life becomes miserable for him.

Years roll by. Sudhi gets a marriage invitation along with a letter from Sarala – an invitation for the marriage of Sarala’s daughter. The letter informs him that it is his daughter. Sudhi goes for the marriage and blesses the bride. He returns home and dies of a heart attack. Sarala goes to pay her last respects to her former husband and dies there. A well-directed film, Sathyan and Sheela came up with stunning performances. Bahadur and KPAC Lalitha as the couple who keep quarrelling and unite the next moment, providing a contrast to the other couples, also performed their roles well.

Songs written by Vayalar Rama Varma were set to tune by Devarajan. Some of them like the duet ‘Seetha Devi swayamvaram cheythoru…’ (P. Jayachandran, P. Susheela), ‘Kalyana sougandhika poonkavanathiloru…’(Susheela), ‘Kaattum poy mazhakkarum poy…’ (Madhuri), ‘Chalanam chalanam…’ (K. J. Yesudas), ‘Bhagawan oru kuravanayi…’ (P. Leela) and ‘Ee yugam kaliyugam…’ (Yesudas) became super hits.

Will be remembered: As a good social movie with a message, for its brilliant acting, and for its excellent music

Snaapaka Yohannan (1963)

Hollywood films based on The Bible were very popular in India. But Indian films based on The Bible were rarely produced. The need for spectacular sets, expensive costumes, etc. might have kept away producers and directors from making one. Films like Gnana Sundari (1961) andGenova (1954), both with a Christian backdrop, were made in Malayalam. But they were not based on The Bible.

The Tamil film Magdalanaattu Mary (1957), produced by Citadel Films, must probably be the first Bible-based South Indian film. Snapaka Yohannan, released on March 31, 1963, was the first Malayalam film that told on screen a story from The Bible. The film was a huge hit. Produced by Neela Productions and directed by P. Subramaniam, the film was fully shot at Merryland Studios. Popular novelist Muttathu Varkey wrote the script and dialogues.

Jose Prakash performed the central character. Popular artists like Prem Nazir, Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair, Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair, G. K. Pillai, Miss Kumari, L. Vijayalakshmi, Pankajavalli, Kanchana etc. performed important roles.

The film told in brief the story of The Bible, with a special focus on the character of St. John The Baptist (Snapaka Yohannan). Yohannan (Jose Prakash) is brought up in the deserts by his mother fearing the order of the King of Judea who, in an attempt to get rid of infant Jesus, ordered the killing of all infants in Bethlehem. Yohannan grows up and preaches the righteous path of life. He criticises the incestuous marriage of Antipas (Thikkurissi), his brother’s wife, with Herodia (Pankajavalli). Antipas had abandoned his faithful and pious wife Mariam (Miss Kumari).

At the instance of Herodia, her secret lover Naamaan (Kottarakkara) captures Yohannan and attempts to kill him. But Yohannan escapes. Mariam enters the palace of Antipas disguised as a servant maid. She comes to know about the secret plan of Herodia and Naamaan against Antipas. Fascinated by the dance of Herodia’s daughter Salomy (L. Vijayalakshmi) Antipas promises to gift her with whatever she demands. Prompted by her wicked mother, she demands the head of Yohannan. And Yohannan is beheaded. Even Salomy’s lover Julian (Prem Nazir) hates her for this cruel deed. Antipas comes to know about the wicked plans of Herodia and Naamaan and they are punished. Jose Prakash excelled in the role of Yohannan and many consider it the best in his career.

Out of the ten songs in the film, two were written by Vayalar Rama Varma and the rest by Thirunainarkurichi Madhavan Nair. The music was by Brother Lakshmanan. Aakasathin Mahimavey… ( P. Leela), Oshana Oshana … (Kamukara Purushothaman, Jose Prakash, A. P. Komala, C. S. Radha Devi) and Bethlehemile… (Leela, K. J. Yesudas and chorus) became hits.

Will be remembered: As the first Malayalam film based on The Bible, for some of the songs and for the performance of Jose Prakash.

Puthiya Aakaasam Puthiya Bhoomi (1962)

Successful stage plays have often been adapted on screen since the birth of Indian cinema. The first talking film Alam Ara (1931) was the screen version of the Parsi play of the same title written by Joseph David, a renowned playwright. In the South, the legendary dramatist Pammal Sambandham Mudaliar’s playKaalavarshi was the first in this series which was filmed as Kaalava (1932) in Tamil.

In Malayalam, Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair’s successful stage drama Sthree, which was adapted on the screen under the same title in 1950, was the first in this genre. Most of the successful plays staged by KPAC, a prominent professional drama troupe in Kerala, were made into films under the same titles. Mudiyanaya Puthran, released in 1961, was the first in this series of KPAC plays.

The successful stage play Puthiya Akasham Puthiya Bhoomi was written by Thoppil Bhasi in 1959 and staged by KPAC the same year. It won the Sahitya Akademi award for the best play that year. T. E. Vasudevan produced the film version under the same title in 1962 and was honoured with the National award in the best regional films category.

The film did not do well at the box office hit though the play was a huge hit.

Directed and edited by M. S. Mani, the film was shot at Narasu Studio and Newton Studio in Madras.

The film pointed a finger at the corruption in key sectors of administration like irrigation and the unjust exploitation of natural resources.

Agriculture is the occupation of the majority of the people in Mulankavu, a remote village in Kerala. The village suffers from drought and lack of irrigation facilities. With the support of other farmers in the village, Kunju Nair (Thoppil Krishna Pillai) gets permissiom from the Government to build up a bund to store water for irrigating the agricultural land.

Sukumaran (Satyan) is appointed by the Department to explore the possibilities of increasing the storage capacity of Velayar Dam near the village. His father-in-law (Kottayam Chellappan) is the Chief Engineer of the dam. Johnson (Kottarakara) owns estates surrounding the dam and most of his estate holdings will be drowned if the capacity of the dam is increased. Corrupted by Johnson, Sukumaran’s father-in-law gives a report against increasing the capacity of the dam.

Sukumaran finds that by increasing the capacity of the dam, the irrigation problem of Mulankavu and neighbouring villages will be solved.

Moreover, the villages can be supplied with electricity. Sukumaran’s father-in-law is scared that the true report on the expansion of the dam will expose his manipulations. He threatens Sukumaran and requests to hold back the report recommending expansion of the dam. Faithful and loyal to her husband and the country, Sukumaran’s wife Usha (B.S. Saroja), supports her husband and requests him to proceed with the project. The villagers offer labour for the construction work at reduced rates. The expansion work starts.

Meanwhile, a time bomb is planted in the work site by Usha’s father to sabotage the project as a last attempt to conceal his manipulations. Usha comes to know about this secret plan, but before she could reach the site, the bomb explodes taking the lives of Sukumaran and several other villagers at work.

The film ends with a scene in which Usha pays homage with flowers to her husband and the other workers who died.

There is also a sub plot to the film that tells the tragedy of Kunju Pillai’s daughter Rajamma (P.K. Leela), who is fascinated with cinema and is exploited by her brother-in-law Gopu (Bahadur), husband of her sister Ponnamma (Ragini). Satyan excelled in his role of the faithful engineer. Comedy scenes involving S.P. Pillai as Mammooty, the village tea shop owner, impressed.

Nine songs written by P. Bhaskaran were composed by M.B. Sreenivasan. The romantic duet Thamara thumbi vaa…. K. P. Udayabhanu, P. Leela), the dance number Murali Mohanakrishna…. (C. K. Revamma-Leela) became instant hits. Other hits include Asha tan poonthen …. (Jamunarani). Neram poy…. (K. S. George-Leela&chorus), Premathin naattukari….(P. Susheela) etc.

Will be remembered: For the National award and the music, especially the duet Thamara thumbi vaa…

Nadi (1969)

Several Indian films were made with the river as the backdrop. The films talked about the lives of the people settled on the banks of the river, their lifestyles, their loves. The Hindi films Nadhi Kinare (1939) and Nadiya Ke Paar (1949) are examples of such films.

The Malayalam film Nadhi, released in 1969, was based on a story written by the noted stage and film actor P. J. Antony. Periyar provided the backdrop for the film. The dialogues were by Thoppil Bhasi.

The plot veers around two traditional Christian families and their long-standing feud that is rekindled when they occupy two rice boats anchored on the banks of the Periyar. The entire film was shot on the banks of the river at Aluva.

Produced by Supriya Productions and directed by A. Vincent , this was the first colour film of the director who created some of the best black and white classics like Bhargavi Nilayam (1964), Murappennu (1965), Ashwamedham (1967) etc. Music by G. Devarajan was the highpoint of the film.

Vincent won the Kerala State Award for Best Director, while Baby Sumathi won the award for the Best Child Star. The film went on to become a box-office hit.

Thomman (Thikkurissi) and Varkey (P. J. Antony) are heads of the two families who are war with each other. Baby (Baby Sumathi), daughter of Varkey’s widowed daughter Leela (Ambika), shares a special friendships with Thomman’s son Johny (Prem Nazir). Varkey’s daughter Stella (Sharada) falls in love with Johny. Stella’s love affair is not approved by her family, especially by her brother Sunny (Madhu). Sunny often gets into an altercation with Johny. The family feud reaches a feverish pitch.

Varkey’s alcoholism turns serious. His family decide to return home. The night before this Baby accidentally falls in the river and is drowned. Thomman’s family go over to Varkey’s boat and offer their sympathies. Both the families make arrangements for the funeral.

Suddenly, Varkey turns hysterical, grabs a rifle and shoots at Johny. But Sunny comes in between and is shot. Before he dies Sunny gives his sister Stella’s hand in marriage to Johny.

The songs written by Vayalar Rama Varma and set to music by Devarajan turned out to be immortal hits.

Aayiram paadasarangal…, Kayamboo kannil vidarum… , Puzhakal malakal…(K. J. Yesudas),Nityavishuddhayaam kanyamariyame… (Yesudas & chorus), Panchatantram kathayile…,Thappukottampuram thakilukottampuram… (P. Susheela) have stood the test of time.

Will be remembered: As a good family drama, for winning State awards for A. Vincent and Baby Sumathi and for its Excellent music