Yakshaipparu - Henna Hooli (Kannada)
Abhimanam - Bharya Bhartulu (Telugu)
Appooppan - Thaatha Mandulu (Telugsu)
Pakarathinu Pakaram - Prathighatana (Telugu)
Paavappettaval Devata (Nagiah, Kumari, Suryakumari etc) 1941 ***
*** One who have seen the classic Telugu movie, will not forgive the Malayalam producer for the Malayalam remake - a bore film. The classic Telugu has the singing star V Nagian (In malayalam Satyan), Kumari (Kamaladevi in Mal.), Vidhubala (T Suryakumari ) Sadhna (Bezvada Rajaratnam), Seshamamba (Aranmula Ponnamma)
The Telugu film directed by B N Reddy remains a classic. Malayalam film just boring, Horrible so to say to watch.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Dignified Imitations
Whatever may be the act, it becomes dignified when one approve it is are true to himself.
Imitation - The film music followed the way from the beginning. And some consider it shameful, yes shameful it is. To inherit somebody's property. But, when you admit that you have snatched it from somebody, at least you are true to yourselves. But one denies it and claims to be his own. Yes this is what happened in the case of the imitation from Thenmavin Kombath
The imitation of the Pankaj Mullick melody - Piya Milan ko aana .... from Kapal Kundala.
Do you know, this tune was imitated in Tamil , upto my knowledge three times.
1. Ashok Kumar 1941. M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and T V Kumudini sang in the tune of Piya Milan ko aana.... The Tamil duet - "Ullam Kavarumen Paavaai..."
2. Same year, 1941 in the Tamil film "Sanyasi" T S Jayal sang a comedy song, "Koyyapazham Vaangaleyo...." in the same tune.
3. In the tamil film of 1941 itself, "Seetha Jananam" also, P G Venkateshan (who is popularly known as Tamil Saigal) sang a song in the same tune. I dont remember the lyrics, I have got the gramphone records of these songs.
The difference with our Malayalam composer and the composers/singer of the tamil imitations is that, the singers and the composers openly, and with some pride, said that they imitated the Pankaj Mulllick number in Tamil.
Imitation - The film music followed the way from the beginning. And some consider it shameful, yes shameful it is. To inherit somebody's property. But, when you admit that you have snatched it from somebody, at least you are true to yourselves. But one denies it and claims to be his own. Yes this is what happened in the case of the imitation from Thenmavin Kombath
The imitation of the Pankaj Mullick melody - Piya Milan ko aana .... from Kapal Kundala.
Do you know, this tune was imitated in Tamil , upto my knowledge three times.
1. Ashok Kumar 1941. M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and T V Kumudini sang in the tune of Piya Milan ko aana.... The Tamil duet - "Ullam Kavarumen Paavaai..."
2. Same year, 1941 in the Tamil film "Sanyasi" T S Jayal sang a comedy song, "Koyyapazham Vaangaleyo...." in the same tune.
3. In the tamil film of 1941 itself, "Seetha Jananam" also, P G Venkateshan (who is popularly known as Tamil Saigal) sang a song in the same tune. I dont remember the lyrics, I have got the gramphone records of these songs.
The difference with our Malayalam composer and the composers/singer of the tamil imitations is that, the singers and the composers openly, and with some pride, said that they imitated the Pankaj Mulllick number in Tamil.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Notable Movies from Literature
The following is a database MSI is building with the data provided by B Vijayakumar. This is an effort to collect the movies from literature
Click here for the MSI Literature Database
Click here for the MSI Literature Database
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
History of Playback Singing in South India - Some Thoughts
It could be said that Rukmini, Lakshmi's mother was in some way instrumental for the popularisation of playback singing in South Indian cinema.
Playback singing started in Indian cinema with Dhoop Chaon (Bhagyachakra in Bengali. Film simultaneously made in both languages).
That was in 1935.
In the south, playback singing for the first time happened quite accidentally, which was not preplanned. And the producer and director of south India, whose work in the cinema field remains unique, the great A V Meiyyappa Chettiar was the person behind the playback singing in South India.
At the legendary Prabhat Studios (now converted as National Film Archives and Film Institute, Pune) a film "Nanda Kumar" was being produced in Hindi and Tamil simultaneously. The legendary Durga Khote in Hindi, and T P Rajalakshmi as Yashoda. The great singing star T R Mahalingam acted as the child Krishna in the tamil version, and I hope this was his debut film also. The voice of the actress who took the role of Devaki, Chettiar is not of appreciable quality. Chettiar replaced her voice by a noted classical singer of that time, Lalitha Venkatraman who was settled in Bombay. This remain the first playback instance in South Indian cinema.
Probably the Hindi composer C Ramchandra might have sung the first male playback in South. C Ramchandra started his career in Tamil, composing music for the tamil film "Jayakkodi" in late 1930s. In the 1941 tamil film produced/directed by the Hindi actor/director Bhagwan, "Vanamohini" C Ramchandra was the composer. He sang also under the nickname Chitalkar, playback to the hero M K Radha.
A glamour girl and singing star of the time Thavamani devi was the heroine. I have got few songs of the film - 78 rpms. Probably this was the first male playback in tamil/south india.
In the tamil film Sri Valli (1945) Rukmini acted in the heroines role, as Valli, the consort of Muruga. The singing star noted for his high pitch singing, T R Mahalingam was the hero. A V M Chettiar was very keen on the success/performance of his films. The feed back from the public, on the film, was not encouraging. It was felt that the singing of Rukmini did not match with that of Mahalingam. Music was governing factor in success of a film those days, and even to this day it is so. Chettiar withdrew the film from the theatres. Rukminis singing voice was replaced with the singing of P A Periyanayaki, a playback singer of the time. And the film went well. Rukmini took this as an insult and disgrace to her, and walked out of other films that she had entered contract with AVM. But chettiar did not mind it at all. And the success of Sri Valli became an inspiration for the other producers also to opt for playback singing for other singing stars also whose voice was not much impressive.
And this paved way for the heores with good looks, but NOT A GOOD VOICE, to play as heros in films. Before that the good looks was not the criteria to become a hero, it was Good voice that was important. Even singing stars of somewhat good voice like T R Rajakumari, G Varalakshmi, T R Ramachandran, etc also sang in the voices of Leela, Jikki, TMS etc etc.
A Note about PA Periyanayaki
A very gracious singer, voice somewhat resemble our P Madhuri.
Her most celebrated film was "Gnanasoundari" produced by Citadel in late 1940s. I hope in 1947 or 48. She sang playback for the heroine M V Rajamma, a singing star of early tamil/kannada cinema. Again this is an example of playback singing getting popularity, a singing star singing in the voice of a playback singer. All the songs sung by her in Gnanasoundari became super hits. "Arul Tharum Deva mathave...", "Jeeviya Bhagyame...", "Vettunda kaikal..." "Kanniye mamarithaye...." etc etc. She has acted in few films also, and I remember she acted in male role as Narada in an tamil film.
Playback singing started in Indian cinema with Dhoop Chaon (Bhagyachakra in Bengali. Film simultaneously made in both languages).
That was in 1935.
In the south, playback singing for the first time happened quite accidentally, which was not preplanned. And the producer and director of south India, whose work in the cinema field remains unique, the great A V Meiyyappa Chettiar was the person behind the playback singing in South India.
At the legendary Prabhat Studios (now converted as National Film Archives and Film Institute, Pune) a film "Nanda Kumar" was being produced in Hindi and Tamil simultaneously. The legendary Durga Khote in Hindi, and T P Rajalakshmi as Yashoda. The great singing star T R Mahalingam acted as the child Krishna in the tamil version, and I hope this was his debut film also. The voice of the actress who took the role of Devaki, Chettiar is not of appreciable quality. Chettiar replaced her voice by a noted classical singer of that time, Lalitha Venkatraman who was settled in Bombay. This remain the first playback instance in South Indian cinema.
Probably the Hindi composer C Ramchandra might have sung the first male playback in South. C Ramchandra started his career in Tamil, composing music for the tamil film "Jayakkodi" in late 1930s. In the 1941 tamil film produced/directed by the Hindi actor/director Bhagwan, "Vanamohini" C Ramchandra was the composer. He sang also under the nickname Chitalkar, playback to the hero M K Radha.
A glamour girl and singing star of the time Thavamani devi was the heroine. I have got few songs of the film - 78 rpms. Probably this was the first male playback in tamil/south india.
In the tamil film Sri Valli (1945) Rukmini acted in the heroines role, as Valli, the consort of Muruga. The singing star noted for his high pitch singing, T R Mahalingam was the hero. A V M Chettiar was very keen on the success/performance of his films. The feed back from the public, on the film, was not encouraging. It was felt that the singing of Rukmini did not match with that of Mahalingam. Music was governing factor in success of a film those days, and even to this day it is so. Chettiar withdrew the film from the theatres. Rukminis singing voice was replaced with the singing of P A Periyanayaki, a playback singer of the time. And the film went well. Rukmini took this as an insult and disgrace to her, and walked out of other films that she had entered contract with AVM. But chettiar did not mind it at all. And the success of Sri Valli became an inspiration for the other producers also to opt for playback singing for other singing stars also whose voice was not much impressive.
And this paved way for the heores with good looks, but NOT A GOOD VOICE, to play as heros in films. Before that the good looks was not the criteria to become a hero, it was Good voice that was important. Even singing stars of somewhat good voice like T R Rajakumari, G Varalakshmi, T R Ramachandran, etc also sang in the voices of Leela, Jikki, TMS etc etc.
A Note about PA Periyanayaki
A very gracious singer, voice somewhat resemble our P Madhuri.
Her most celebrated film was "Gnanasoundari" produced by Citadel in late 1940s. I hope in 1947 or 48. She sang playback for the heroine M V Rajamma, a singing star of early tamil/kannada cinema. Again this is an example of playback singing getting popularity, a singing star singing in the voice of a playback singer. All the songs sung by her in Gnanasoundari became super hits. "Arul Tharum Deva mathave...", "Jeeviya Bhagyame...", "Vettunda kaikal..." "Kanniye mamarithaye...." etc etc. She has acted in few films also, and I remember she acted in male role as Narada in an tamil film.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sreerama Pattabhishekam (1962)
Cast: Prem Nazir, Prem Navaz, Thikkurissi, G. K. Pillai, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Jos Prakash, Miss Kumari, Adoor Pankajam etc.
EPIC ADAPTATION Prem Navaz and Shanti from a scene from the film Sree Rama Pattabhishekam
‘Sree Rama Pattabhishekam,' released on October 11, 1962 was the second Malayalam film based on the ‘Ramayana', the first being ‘Seetha' (1960) produced by Udaya Studios. The film was produced and directed by P. Subramaniam under the banner of Neela Productions. Tales from ‘Ramayana' were performed on the stage from time immemorial and was a staple subject in all forms of Indian performing arts. Cinema was also fascinated by the epic.
The silent film ‘Lanka Dahan' produced and directed by Dada Saheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema, in 1917 was the first Indian film based on the epic. Several silent films and sound films were produced based on Ramayana tales. The Hindi film ‘Rama Rajya (1943) produced and directed by Vijay Bhatt is considered as the best Indian film based on the epic. The film was a sequel to the Hindi film ‘Bharat Milap' (1942) produced and directed by him. ‘Sree Rama Pattabhishekam' closely followed the story line and the sequences of ‘Bharat Milap'.
‘Bharat Milap' as well as its Tamil dubbed version ‘Bharathan' (1950) was box office hits in Kerala also. The grand success of ‘Seetha' might have prompted P. Subramaniam to make another film on the epic with portions of the story not told in ‘Seetha.'
Both ‘Bharat Milap' and the Tamil film ‘Sampoorna Ramayanam' (1958) focussed on the character of Kaikeyi, step mother of Rama and one who was instrumental in banishing him to the forest. Durga Khote performed the role of Kaikeyi in the Hindi film, while G. Varalakshmi did this role in Tamil. Both of them left an indelible imprint on the audience with their sterling performance.
Almost all the popular stars of the time like Prem Nazir, Prem Navaz, Thikkurissi, G. K. Pillai, Kottarakkara, T. K. Balachandran, Jos Prakash, Miss Kumari, Adoor Pankajam, were part of ‘Sree Rama Pattabhishekam.'
Vasanthi , who had acted in Tamil films like ‘Maadappura' (1962) was cast in the role of Seetha. This was her first Malayalam film. The versatile Kaviyoor Ponnamma also made her film debut in this film. She played the role of Mandodari, the consort of Ravana.
The dialogues written by the noted playwright Nagavalli R. S. Kurup were impressive. Camera by Kannappa, coupled with special effects, brought to the screen flying images, magic arrows, etc. The film was edited by another debutant N. Gopalakrishnan. The dances were choreographed by Thankappan and performed by Padmini Priyadarshini, Sukumari and Shanthi. The music composed by Brother Lakshmanan was based on classical ragas, dispensing with the usual practice of imitating other language film tunes.
One of the scenes in the film won wide appreciation, even from the critics. This showed Ravana trying to justify his actions including the abduction of Seetha. Here the ten heads of Ravana speak, which revealed the imagination and cinematic skill of the director.
The duration of the film, full three hours, was too short to depict the story of Rama, from his birth to his coronation. The director attempted to string in important scenes through song sequences.
The emotional and dramatic sequences like banishment of Rama to the forest, death of Dasharatha, wedding of Rama, encounter with Parasurama etc. were given prominence. A few scenes, like the parents of Sravan Kumar cursing Dasharatha, were shown as a flashback.
On the whole the film succeeded in showing the main events of the epic quite effectively. The film was a huge hit.
Prem Nazir played Rama, while his real life brother Prem Navaz was Lakshmana. Both of them came up with impressive performances. Thikkurissi as Dasharatha, T. K. Balachandran as Bharatha, G. K. Pillai as Vishwamithra, Jos Prakash as Sumanthra did justice to their characters, while Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair was superb as Ravana. Miss Kumari excelled as Kaikeyi. Adoor Pankajam as Manthara and Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Mandodari impressed. But Vasanthi as Seetha was a flop. Not being very charming and comparing her to others before her who were captivating in the same role were reasons attributed to Vasanthi's failure.
Comic scenes involving S. P. Pillai also failed to create a ripple of laughter.
There were 12 songs in the film penned by Thirunainarkurichi Madhavan Nair. The tunes composed by Brother Lakshmanan and some of them became big hits.
The romantic number ‘Chollu sakhi chollu sakhi...' (P. Susheela), the dance number ‘Mohini njaan Mohini njaan..' (S. Janaki), a solo ‘Pookkatha kaadukale…' by K. J. Yesudas and a duet by Kamukara Purushotaman and Susheela, ‘Parannu parannu pongum...' were the other popular songs.
A few verses from the ancient Malayalam poetic work ‘Ramayanam - Irupathinalu Vruttham,' believed to be written by Thunjathu Ezhuthachan, like ‘Mamatharuni Seethe…' (Kamukara) were also included in the film.
Will be remembered: As the debut of Kaviyoor Ponnamma, editor N. Gopalakrishnan and the first Malayalam film of Vasanthi. And as one of the early Malayalam films based on ‘Ramayana'.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tamil Movies made in Malayalam
| Original Tamil | Malayalam Remake |
|---|---|
| Nalla Thankal 1935 | Nalla Thanka 1950 |
Ethir Parathathu 1954 | Nitya Kanyaka 1963 (Remade in Hindi as Sarada - 1957) |
Hindi version with Rajkapoor and Meenakumari excelled. Nitya Kanyaka with Ragini and Satyan , was just an average film. The Tamil film with Sivaji and Padmini also was a huge hit at the box office. | |
| Yaar Payyan 1957 | Bhagya Mudra 1967 |
Chitthi 1966 | Achante Bharya 1971 (Remade in Hindi as "Aurat" 1967) |
The Malayalam version directed by Thikkurissi spoiled the spirit of the film and the story. In Tamil and Hindi, Padmini was the heroine. In Malayalam, her sister Ragini. Adoor Bhasi in Malayalam spoiled the film in the role of the husband of the heroine, whereas in Tamil the corresponding role played by M R Radha remain his best. | |
Neerkumizhi 1965 | Aaradi Manninte Janmi 1972 |
Kuzhanthaiyum Deivamum 1965 | Sethubandhanam 1974 (In Hindi as Do Kaliyan. 1968.) |
Malayalam remake was not as successful as the Tamil and Hindi. Jamuna as heroine and G Varalakshmi as the villainous character excelled in their roles. Jayabharqthi and Sukumari in the corresponding roles - just average in the Malayalam remake. | |
Ponnukku Thanka manassu 1973 | Bhoomidevi Pushpini aayi 1974 |
Miss Mary 1955 | Miss Mary 1972 (In Hindi - Miss Mary, In telugu - Missamma) |
An all time classic family comedy drama. The Tamil, Telugu as well as the Hindi films considered as classics. The Malayalam attempt could be treated as a mere waste, except for some songs. The music of all the three versions remain timeless. In Hindi Meena Kumari, and in Tamil and Telugu Savithri performed the heroines roles. In Malayalam Jayabharathi. | |
Ramu 1966 | Babumon 1975 (In Hindi - Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein. 1964. The Hindi film is the original) |
Tamil film is considered as the best, a box office hit, with excellent performances by Gemini Ganeshan, K R Vijaya. The Hindi flm with Kishorekumar and Supriya Choudhary failed to attract the audience. Malayalam attempt, may be below average at the box office. | |
Kalyana Parisu 1959 | Sammanam 1975 ( In Hindi as "Nazrana" 1961) |
All time classic in Tamil with Gemini Ganeshan, Sarojadevi and Vijayakumari, one of the best of director Sreedhar. Hindi with Rajkapoor, Vyjayanthimala, Usha Kiran was not as successful as the tamil. But the Malayalam remake the worst, Sasikumar's direction or the performance of the artists did not come up to comparatively fair level. The music of Hindi and Tamil became evergreen. Music wise also Malayalam did not come up. | |
Pettal Thaan Pillaiya 1966 | Ashtami Rohini 1975 (Kunwara Baap - 1974 in Hindi.) |
The Tamil original the best with MGR and Saroja devi. Hindi with Mehmood and Bharathi also did well at the box office. Malyalam remake just an average, or flop | |
Thayilla Pillai 1961 | Pravaham 1975 |
The tamil film directed by L V Prasad, a family drama was just an average film with Muthukrishna, M V Rajamma, L Vijayalakshmi etc in the lead roles. The reason for this remake in Malayalam - directed by Sasikumar - might be the good story of the film. But the Malayalam film also could not create waves. | |
Kuzhanthaikkaka 1968 | Omanakunju 1978 ("Nanha Farishta" in Hindi - 1969) |
Again a waste film in Malayalam. The Tamil as well as the Hindi with Padmini in the lead role and a child artist did well at the box office. | |
Pukuntha Veedu 1972 | Sindhu 1975 |
Sabash Meena 1958 | Chirikkudukka 1976 (Dil Tera Diwana - 1962 in Hindi) |
Tamil film remain the best, with Sivaji and Miss Malini in the lead roles. Music by T G Lingappa remain evergreen. Hindi film with Shammi Kapoor and Mala Sinha also succeeded at the box office. Malayalam film with Nazir and Vidhubala also did well, but not as the tamil or Hindi. | |
Annai 1962 | Amma 1976 |
Malayalam film -no comparison with the original. The tamil film directed by Krishnan Panju remain one of the best performnces of the verstatile genius of Indian cinema, P Bhanumathi. What a stunning performance - she took the entire film on her shoulders. As a childless woman, even her eyes expresses her mental agony. And as the mother who is reluctant to share the love of her adopted son with the real mother, who happens to be her own sister, she presented a heart melting performance. Showcar Janaki as the real mother also shined. Singing in her own voice, she mesmerised the audience. A Malayalam remake could have been avoided. | |
Deerghasumangali 1974 | Ayiram Janmangal 1976 |
Suryakanthi 1973 | Priyamvada 1976 |
Panam Panthiyile 1961 | Ozhukkinethire 1976 |
Pennai Nambungal 1973 | Kuttavum Sikshayum 1976 |
Padithal Mattum Podhuma 1962 | Kanyadanam 1976 |
Nenjil Oru Alayam 1962 | Hridayam Oru Kshethram 1976 (Dil Ek Mandir - 1963 in Hindi) |
Directors Sreedhars classic film produced within very short time. An all time classic in Tamil, Hindi. In Malayalam also the film was a success, a good movie with stunning performance of Sri Vidya. A low budget film in all the languages, hit the box office. The fact that the Hindi and Tamil films had long run in Kerala, did not affect the Malayalam film. In all the languages , musical hit. The performance by Meena Kumari in the Hindi version the best. In Tamil it was Devika (mother of present day actress Kanaka) who performed the role. | |
Iru Kodukal 1969 | Mohavum Muktiyum 1977 |
One of the best of director K Balachander with Showcar Janaki and Jayanthi in the female lead, this female oriented films remake in Malayalam just flopped at the box office. | |
Bhagapirivinai 1959 | Nirakudam 1977 (Khaandaan in Hindi - 1965) |
The film succeeded in all the languages. Tamil with Sivaji and Saroja devi the best. HIndi with Sunil dutt and Nutan also became a huge hit. Kamal Hassan s performance as the crippled young man who loves his elder brother more than his life remain one of the best of the versatile actor. | |
Pasamalar 1961 | Santha Oru Devatha 1977 (Rakhi in Hindi. -1962 ) |
A mere waste in Malayalam. The Tamil film remain an all time hit with captivating performance of Sivaji, Gemini Ganeshan, Savithri. In Hindi Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar and Wahida Rehman. The film which tells the story of dedicated love between a brother and sister, the Malayalam film failed in presenting the story in an impressive manner with Madhu and K R Vijaya in the lead role. | |
| Karpakam 1963 | Vishukkani 1977 ( Rishte Naatey in Hindi. 1965) |
Good family drama - super hit in Tamil. With Gemini Ganeshan, K R Vijaya and Savithri in the pivotal roles, a musical hit too with all the songs of the film in the voice of P Suseela. The Malayalam fllm also became a super hit - with good music by Salil Choudhary. Performance wise the Malayalam film lacks behind the Tamil and Hindi films. It could be said that the music was the deciding factor in the success of the Malayalam version. In Hindi Rajkumar, Nutan and Jamuna. Nutan excelled in the role of the heroine. A Malayalam remake worth watching. | |
Engal Thanka Raja 1973 | Ithanente Vazhi 1978 |
Chila Nerangalil Chila Manitharkal 1976 | Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar 1977 |
Kannagi 1942 | Kodungallooramma 1979 (Again remade in Tamil as Poompuhar) |
In no way can be compared with the tamil original, except for the good music of the Malayalam film. The stunning performance of P Kannamba as Kannagi remains an icon of the heroine of the Tamil epic Chilappathikaram. K R Vijaya, by her looks or acting did not come up with a near comparison with the character. Music saved the film from immersing into obscurity. | |
| Naanum Oru Penn 1963 | Hridayathinte Nirangal 1979 (Main Bhi Ladki Hoon - in Hindi - 1964 ) |
A block buster in Tamil and Hindi. How dare P Subramaniam to produce such a hopeless film in Malayalam with a newcomer as the heroine. The Malayam film flopped. Tamil film with S S Rajendran and Vijayakumari in the lead roles and Hindi film with Dharmendra and Meenakumari in the lead remain classics. The Malayalam film sunk into obscurity. | |
Alayamani 1962 Oru | Ragam Pala Taalam 1979 ( In Hindi as "Aadmi" 1968) |
A Block buster in Tamil and the Hindi remake also became a classic of Dilip Kumar. The Malayalam remake flopped. Music of the Tamil film by Viswanathan Ramamoorthy and of the Hindi by Naushad also remain evergreen to this day. Music of the Malayalam film did not impress. | |
Mullum Malarum 1978 | Venalil Oru Mazha 1979 |
Super hit Rajnikant movie in Tamil, the Malayalam remake also succeeded with Madhu, Srividya in the lead roles. Music of the Malayalam movie also became super hit, with novel songs like - Ayala porichathundu... | |
Kai kodutha Deivam 1964 | Palunku Paathram 1970 ( I remember very much, Hindi remake also has come. Dont remember now, have to locate) |
Malayalam remake under the direction of Thikkurissi sunk without leaving a trace. Tamil film remains a all time hit with good story, good acting and music. Sivaji, Savithri in the lead roles. Touching story of a girl with immature and child like mind and character. Savithri excelled in the role. | |
Raja Parvai 1981 | Nancy 1981 |
Avargal 1977 | Sreeman Sreemathi 1981 |
The Malayalam remake, though was not that much successful at the box office, it was a good remake in Malayalam. Srividya excelled in her role as the courageous woman who fights agains the injustice towards her by her busband. | |
Kudiyiruntha Kovil 1968 | Dhruvasangamam 1981 |
Remake of the super hit MGR movie which flopped at the box office | |
Engiruntho Vanthaal 1970 | Amruthavahini 1976 (In Hindi the same year 1970 - Khilauna) |
Tamil as well as the Hindi were block busters. And comparatively Hindi was more successful with good performances by Sanjeev Kumar and Mumtaz. In Tamil Sivaji and Jayalalitha. Malayalam flopped. | |
Ezhai Pedum Paadu 1950 | Neethipeetham 1977 (An adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel "Les Miserables"- |
And a novel of the same title as the film authored by Sudhananda Bharathi) The Tamil film remains a classic,though it did not create wonders at the box office. Good performance by Nagiah , Padmini etc and melodies by M L Vasanthakumari. The Malayalam film just an average film. | |
Major Chandrakant 1960 | Karthavyam 1982 |
Good acting by Madhu and Jagathi. But the film failed at the box office. | |
Paalai Vana cholai 1981 | Ithu Njangalude Katha 1982 |
One of the very successful remakes. The Malayalam remake succeeded like its original. Captivating performances by Suhasini in Tamil and by Santhi Krishna in Malayalam. Probably the best film of Santhi Krishna in Malayalam. | |
Vidiyum Vare Kaathiru 1981 | Saram 1982 |
Chattam oru Iruttarai 1981 | Maattuvin Chattangale 1982 |
Engal Vadhyar 1980 | Guru Dakshina 1983 |
Nooravathu Naal 1984 | Ayiram Kannukal 1986 |
Successful Malayalam remake of the box office hit of Vijayakant in Tamil. In Malayalam good acting by Mammootty and Shobana. A good suspense thriller in Malayalam. | |
Savale Samali 1970 | Randu Lokam 1977 |
Unsuccessful remake of the block buster Sivaji-Jayalalitha starrer Tamil film. | |
Poova Thalaiya 1969 | Balapareekshanam 1978 |
Unsucessful remake of a commercial hit by K Balachander in Tamil. Performance of the action hero Jayashankar and the villainous role performed by the versatile genius and singing star of early tamil cinema, S Varalakshmi was the high point of the tamil movie. In Malayalam Raghavan and Sukumari failed to impress the audience by their corresponding roles. | |
Bhadrakali 1976 | Pichippoo 1978 |
Galatta Kalyanam 1968 | Snehikkan Samayamilla 1978 |
Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam 1955 | Nagamatathu Thampuratti 1982 (As Devta in HIndi - 1956) |
Malayalam film also succeeded in collecting at the box office. But not like the Tamil original or the Hindi remake. With Anjali Devi, Lalitha and Gemini Ganeshan in the Tamil; and with Anjali Devi, Vyjayanthimala and Gemini Ganeshan in the Hindi, the film was one of the best fantasy tales ever produced in Tamil as well as Hindi. But the Malayalam remake did not rise up to that status. In Tamil as well as the Hindi, the vampish role of Lalitha and Vyjayanthimala respectively was main attraaction of the film. In Malayalam Unni Mary failed to impress the audience by the corresponding role. In Tamil as well as the Hindi, the films were musical hits | |
Monday, November 22, 2010
Chemmeen (1965)
Cast: Sathyan, Madhu, Sheela, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Adoor Bhavani, S. P. Pillai, Adoor Pankajam etc.
Cult Classic Sheela with Sathyan, left, and Madhu in the film Chemmeen
‘Chemmeen,' released in 1965, put Malayalam cinema on the national map. The film won the President's Gold Medal for the best film of the year. The film acquired cult status in the history of Malayalam cinema besides being the first South Indian film to win the coveted President's Gold Medal for the best film. The film was released commercially on August 19, 1966.
The film was based on a highly acclaimed Malayalam novel of the same title by the renowned novelist and Jnanapith winner Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. First published in 1956, the novel won the award for the best literary work from Kendra Sahitya Academy in 1957 and was the first Malayalam novel to receive the national honour.
‘Chemmeen' was translated to more than 30 languages which include major Indian languages and foreign languages. The novel was accepted as part of the UNESCO collection of Representative Works - Indian series.
In 1965 Babu Ismail produced the film version of the novel under the banner of Kanmani Films. The story of ‘Chemmeen' is set in a fisherfolk community settled in the southern belt of the coastal area of the state. The highly emotional melodrama told the tragic love story set in the backdrop of a fishing village interlinked with some ancient beliefs that exists among the community.
The Hindi film ‘Nadiya Ke Paar' (1948) produced by Filmstan under the direction of Kishore Sahu, with Dilip Kumar and Kamini Kaushal in the lead roles, was probably the first Indian film that focussed on the life, customs, traditions and beliefs of the fishermen. The Malayalam film ‘Thirakalkkapuram,' was a sequel to ‘Chemmeen.' But this film failed badly at the box office.
‘Chemmeen' was a huge hit. It was one of the earliest colour films made in Malayalam. Besides the National award, the film won a Certificate of Merit at the Chicago Film Festival. The film was screened at the 2005 Brisbane International Film Festival as a part of the retrospective on 50 years of Malayalam Cinema.
The dialogues written by the popular playwright S. L. Puram Sadanandan closely followed the local parlance and slang of the fishermen community, as used by the novelist. Directed by Ramu Kariat, the film was canned by cameramen Marcus Bartley and U. Rajagopal. The editing was by Hrishikesh Mukherji. The superb musical score by Salil Choudhary was another major strength of the film. This was the debut Malayalam film of the composer. The film brought to Malayalam cinema playback singer Manna Dey.
The film included the top acting talents of Malayalam cinema like Sathyan, Madhu, Kottarakkara and Sheela. The theme of the film was based on a myth prevalent among the fishermen communities along oastal Kerala. The myth is about chastity. They believed that if a married fisherwoman loses her chastity while her husband is away at sea, ‘Kadalamma' or the sea goddess would consume him. This myth is perpetuated by the novelist in his novel through a tragic love story. This was adapted for the film quite impressively. Karuthamma (Sheela), the daughter of a fisherman Chembankunju (Kottarakkara) is in love with a fish trader, Pareekutty (Madhu). Chembankunju's only aim in life is to own a boat and net. Pareekutty finances Chembankunju to realise this dream. This is on a condition that the fish caught by Chembankunju will be sold only to him. Karuthamma's mother Chakki (Adoor Bhavani) comes to know about the love affair of her daughter with Pareekutty, who belongs to another religion and warns her to keep away from such a relationship. A fisherwoman has to lead a life within the boundaries of strict social traditions and an affair or marriage with a person of another religion will subject the entire community to the wrath of the sea.
Karuthamma sacrifices her love for Pareekutty and marries Palani (Sathyan), a young fisherman. Karuthamma accompanies her husband to his village. Karuthamma gives birth to a child and she has endeavoured to be a good wife and mother. But the scandal about her love affair with Pareekutty makes her family life unhappy. Although Palani accepts that Karuthamma's affair with Pareekutty did not break the barriers and slip into illegitimate relations, the village does not believe it and Palani is censured.
Chembankunju becomes more greedy and heartless. His dishonesty drives Pareekutty to bankruptcy. Chakki dies of illness and Chembankunju marries Paappikunju (C. R. Rajakumari). On the arrival of her stepmother, Panchami (Lata), Chembankunju's younger daughter leaves home and joins Karuthamma. Chembankunju's savings is manipulated by his second wife. The setbacks in life turns Chembankunju mad. Palani's friends ostracise him and refuse to take him with them for fishing.
One night Karuthamma and Pareekutty meet each other by a stroke of fate and their love is awakened. Palani is alone at the sea and baiting a shark. Caught in a huge whirlpool Palani is swallowed by the sea. The film ends with Pareekutty and Karuthamma found dead, holding their hands, their bodies washed ashore. At a distance lies a baited, dead shark.
The film was dubbed to major Indian languages. Timeless music created by the Vayalar-Salil Choudhary combination was a highpoint. All the four songs became super hits. It is said that Salil Choudhary composed the tunes first and lyrics added in. Manna Dey sang his first Malayalam song, ‘Maanasa mainey varoo...' which was an instant hit. The solo by K. J. Yesudas, ‘Kadalinakkre ponore...' was based on an improvised tune of a very popular Bengali folk song composed by Salil Choudhary ‘Hai hai ki hayrilam...' The chorus led by P. Leela and Yesudas, ‘Pennale pennale ...,' based on a folk tune also became very popular.
Will be remembered: As the first South Indian film to receive the President's Gold Medal. As the debut Malayalam film of music director Salil Choudhary and playback singer Manna Dey.
Cult Classic Sheela with Sathyan, left, and Madhu in the film Chemmeen
‘Chemmeen,' released in 1965, put Malayalam cinema on the national map. The film won the President's Gold Medal for the best film of the year. The film acquired cult status in the history of Malayalam cinema besides being the first South Indian film to win the coveted President's Gold Medal for the best film. The film was released commercially on August 19, 1966.
The film was based on a highly acclaimed Malayalam novel of the same title by the renowned novelist and Jnanapith winner Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. First published in 1956, the novel won the award for the best literary work from Kendra Sahitya Academy in 1957 and was the first Malayalam novel to receive the national honour.
‘Chemmeen' was translated to more than 30 languages which include major Indian languages and foreign languages. The novel was accepted as part of the UNESCO collection of Representative Works - Indian series.
In 1965 Babu Ismail produced the film version of the novel under the banner of Kanmani Films. The story of ‘Chemmeen' is set in a fisherfolk community settled in the southern belt of the coastal area of the state. The highly emotional melodrama told the tragic love story set in the backdrop of a fishing village interlinked with some ancient beliefs that exists among the community.
The Hindi film ‘Nadiya Ke Paar' (1948) produced by Filmstan under the direction of Kishore Sahu, with Dilip Kumar and Kamini Kaushal in the lead roles, was probably the first Indian film that focussed on the life, customs, traditions and beliefs of the fishermen. The Malayalam film ‘Thirakalkkapuram,' was a sequel to ‘Chemmeen.' But this film failed badly at the box office.
‘Chemmeen' was a huge hit. It was one of the earliest colour films made in Malayalam. Besides the National award, the film won a Certificate of Merit at the Chicago Film Festival. The film was screened at the 2005 Brisbane International Film Festival as a part of the retrospective on 50 years of Malayalam Cinema.
The dialogues written by the popular playwright S. L. Puram Sadanandan closely followed the local parlance and slang of the fishermen community, as used by the novelist. Directed by Ramu Kariat, the film was canned by cameramen Marcus Bartley and U. Rajagopal. The editing was by Hrishikesh Mukherji. The superb musical score by Salil Choudhary was another major strength of the film. This was the debut Malayalam film of the composer. The film brought to Malayalam cinema playback singer Manna Dey.
The film included the top acting talents of Malayalam cinema like Sathyan, Madhu, Kottarakkara and Sheela. The theme of the film was based on a myth prevalent among the fishermen communities along oastal Kerala. The myth is about chastity. They believed that if a married fisherwoman loses her chastity while her husband is away at sea, ‘Kadalamma' or the sea goddess would consume him. This myth is perpetuated by the novelist in his novel through a tragic love story. This was adapted for the film quite impressively. Karuthamma (Sheela), the daughter of a fisherman Chembankunju (Kottarakkara) is in love with a fish trader, Pareekutty (Madhu). Chembankunju's only aim in life is to own a boat and net. Pareekutty finances Chembankunju to realise this dream. This is on a condition that the fish caught by Chembankunju will be sold only to him. Karuthamma's mother Chakki (Adoor Bhavani) comes to know about the love affair of her daughter with Pareekutty, who belongs to another religion and warns her to keep away from such a relationship. A fisherwoman has to lead a life within the boundaries of strict social traditions and an affair or marriage with a person of another religion will subject the entire community to the wrath of the sea.
Karuthamma sacrifices her love for Pareekutty and marries Palani (Sathyan), a young fisherman. Karuthamma accompanies her husband to his village. Karuthamma gives birth to a child and she has endeavoured to be a good wife and mother. But the scandal about her love affair with Pareekutty makes her family life unhappy. Although Palani accepts that Karuthamma's affair with Pareekutty did not break the barriers and slip into illegitimate relations, the village does not believe it and Palani is censured.
Chembankunju becomes more greedy and heartless. His dishonesty drives Pareekutty to bankruptcy. Chakki dies of illness and Chembankunju marries Paappikunju (C. R. Rajakumari). On the arrival of her stepmother, Panchami (Lata), Chembankunju's younger daughter leaves home and joins Karuthamma. Chembankunju's savings is manipulated by his second wife. The setbacks in life turns Chembankunju mad. Palani's friends ostracise him and refuse to take him with them for fishing.
One night Karuthamma and Pareekutty meet each other by a stroke of fate and their love is awakened. Palani is alone at the sea and baiting a shark. Caught in a huge whirlpool Palani is swallowed by the sea. The film ends with Pareekutty and Karuthamma found dead, holding their hands, their bodies washed ashore. At a distance lies a baited, dead shark.
The film was dubbed to major Indian languages. Timeless music created by the Vayalar-Salil Choudhary combination was a highpoint. All the four songs became super hits. It is said that Salil Choudhary composed the tunes first and lyrics added in. Manna Dey sang his first Malayalam song, ‘Maanasa mainey varoo...' which was an instant hit. The solo by K. J. Yesudas, ‘Kadalinakkre ponore...' was based on an improvised tune of a very popular Bengali folk song composed by Salil Choudhary ‘Hai hai ki hayrilam...' The chorus led by P. Leela and Yesudas, ‘Pennale pennale ...,' based on a folk tune also became very popular.
Will be remembered: As the first South Indian film to receive the President's Gold Medal. As the debut Malayalam film of music director Salil Choudhary and playback singer Manna Dey.
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