Sunday, January 9, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sariyo Thetto (1953)
Cast: Thikkurissi, Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar, S. P. Pillai, Jose Prakash, Miss Kumari, Meena Sulochana, Adoor Pankajam, Adoor Bhavani
FAMILY DRAMA Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nairand Meena Sulochana in a scene from the film
This Malayalam film, released in 1953, was the first directorial venture of actor- producer-director-scriptwriter-lyricist Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair. The story and dialogues were by also by him. Widely advertised as a family drama with a social theme, the film did not deal with any specific social issues. The story was in line with some of the other language films of the time, in particular Tamil films like ‘Andaman Kaithi' (1952), ‘Vazhkai' (1949), etc. The film was shot at Udaya Studios. The film was jointly directed by Thikkurissi and V. A. Reynolds.
The film failed to impress and could not set the box office jingling. The camera was handled by M. R. Ranganathan, edited by S. Williams, the dances were choreographed by Ramunni and Damodaran.
The star cast included some of the popular artistes and also introduced some new faces to Malayalam cinema. While Thikkurissi, Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar, S. P. Pillai, Miss Kumari, Sethulakshmi, Adoor Pankajam added star value, the film introduced Adoor Bhavani and Meena Sulochana, who later went on to become Thikkurissi's wife in real life. N. Damodaran, dance director also began his film career with this film.
The unusual story with strange twists and turns was far from real. The strange storyline is widely believed to be one of the main reasons for the film's failure. Technically the film was noted for its good camera work and editing.
Appu (Thikkurissi) returns from military service and gets employed in his hometown as a lorry driver. He lives happily with his mother (P. K. Kamalakshi) and younger sister Thankam (Meena Sulochana). Another sister of his, Sarada (Sethulakshmi), died while he was in military service. Her death left many unanswered questions. Sarada was a dance teacher and was in love with a rich landlord (Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar) who employed her to teach his daughter. Sarada was pregnant when she died. Rumours were that she committed suicide when she was betrayed by her lover, while others believed that she was killed by the landlord. Appu firmly suspected the landlord's hand in his sister's death.
One day Appu offers to give some school children a lift in his lorry. The owner dismisses him from service for this. Appu meets Geetha (Miss Kumari), the daughter of the cruel landlord and financier and they fall in love. Appu secures a job as her father's driver. Geetha becomes pregnant. She absconds and everyone think that she has eloped with her lover. The fact is that all these happenings were the doings of Appu. It was his plan to take revenge on the landlord who was responsible for his sister's death. Appu takes Geetha to an orphanage and leaves her there.
Meanwhile, Kalyani (Thankam), another woman who had fallen prey to the landlord's wicked machinations was awiting for her chance to get even with his wicked man. Kalyani roams around the town as a mad woman. Appu reaches the landlord's house at the head of a group of people who were subjected to his treacherous deeds. The terrified landlord climbs to the top of his house. Precisely at this moment Kalyani follows him and stabs him. The landlord falls to his death. Now Appu's revenge is complete. Geetha is brought back home along with her new born child. They donate a major part of their wealth to the orphanage and other poor people in the town.
Thikkurissi and Miss Kumari excelled in the lead roles. Deviating from his usual character roles, Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar was impressive in the negative role. The comedy scenes, involving S. P. Pillai and Adoor Pankajam,were copies from earlier films. This film also saw the debut of Jose Prakash as actor. He was cast as the manager of the orphanage.
The 14 songs written by Thikkurissi were tuned by V. Dakshinamoorthy. Some of the songs, like the devotional sung by Meena Sulochana, ‘Kamala lochana Kanna...' became very popular. The philosophical number sung by Jose Prakash ‘Paadu pettu paadangalil...' introduced a new trend in Malayalam cinema. This song had the title ‘Shariyo Thetto' that was repeated at the end of almost each couplet of this song. And this was used right through the film. The other hits from the film include the romantic number ‘Vaarmazhaville vaa...' (Jose Prakash-P.Leela), ‘Prathikara chintha …' (Dakshinamoorthy) and the comic song sung by Kuttappa Bhagavathar and Vijayalakshmi.
This song strung together almost all the titles of the Malayalam films released during that period along its lyrics. The song ‘Balanaam Prahladaneppole...' had the titles of films released during the same year like ‘Thiramala', ‘Velakkaran', ‘Lokaneethi' etc. This song pictured on S. P. Pillai and Omana was one of the highpoints of the film and a novelty too.
Will be remembered: As directorial debut of Thikkurissi. It will also be remembered as the debut film of Adoor Bhavani, Meena Sulochana, Jose Prakash as actor, and dance director N. Damodaran.
B. VIJAYAKUMAR
FAMILY DRAMA Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nairand Meena Sulochana in a scene from the film
This Malayalam film, released in 1953, was the first directorial venture of actor- producer-director-scriptwriter-lyricist Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair. The story and dialogues were by also by him. Widely advertised as a family drama with a social theme, the film did not deal with any specific social issues. The story was in line with some of the other language films of the time, in particular Tamil films like ‘Andaman Kaithi' (1952), ‘Vazhkai' (1949), etc. The film was shot at Udaya Studios. The film was jointly directed by Thikkurissi and V. A. Reynolds.
The film failed to impress and could not set the box office jingling. The camera was handled by M. R. Ranganathan, edited by S. Williams, the dances were choreographed by Ramunni and Damodaran.
The star cast included some of the popular artistes and also introduced some new faces to Malayalam cinema. While Thikkurissi, Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar, S. P. Pillai, Miss Kumari, Sethulakshmi, Adoor Pankajam added star value, the film introduced Adoor Bhavani and Meena Sulochana, who later went on to become Thikkurissi's wife in real life. N. Damodaran, dance director also began his film career with this film.
The unusual story with strange twists and turns was far from real. The strange storyline is widely believed to be one of the main reasons for the film's failure. Technically the film was noted for its good camera work and editing.
Appu (Thikkurissi) returns from military service and gets employed in his hometown as a lorry driver. He lives happily with his mother (P. K. Kamalakshi) and younger sister Thankam (Meena Sulochana). Another sister of his, Sarada (Sethulakshmi), died while he was in military service. Her death left many unanswered questions. Sarada was a dance teacher and was in love with a rich landlord (Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar) who employed her to teach his daughter. Sarada was pregnant when she died. Rumours were that she committed suicide when she was betrayed by her lover, while others believed that she was killed by the landlord. Appu firmly suspected the landlord's hand in his sister's death.
One day Appu offers to give some school children a lift in his lorry. The owner dismisses him from service for this. Appu meets Geetha (Miss Kumari), the daughter of the cruel landlord and financier and they fall in love. Appu secures a job as her father's driver. Geetha becomes pregnant. She absconds and everyone think that she has eloped with her lover. The fact is that all these happenings were the doings of Appu. It was his plan to take revenge on the landlord who was responsible for his sister's death. Appu takes Geetha to an orphanage and leaves her there.
Meanwhile, Kalyani (Thankam), another woman who had fallen prey to the landlord's wicked machinations was awiting for her chance to get even with his wicked man. Kalyani roams around the town as a mad woman. Appu reaches the landlord's house at the head of a group of people who were subjected to his treacherous deeds. The terrified landlord climbs to the top of his house. Precisely at this moment Kalyani follows him and stabs him. The landlord falls to his death. Now Appu's revenge is complete. Geetha is brought back home along with her new born child. They donate a major part of their wealth to the orphanage and other poor people in the town.
Thikkurissi and Miss Kumari excelled in the lead roles. Deviating from his usual character roles, Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar was impressive in the negative role. The comedy scenes, involving S. P. Pillai and Adoor Pankajam,were copies from earlier films. This film also saw the debut of Jose Prakash as actor. He was cast as the manager of the orphanage.
The 14 songs written by Thikkurissi were tuned by V. Dakshinamoorthy. Some of the songs, like the devotional sung by Meena Sulochana, ‘Kamala lochana Kanna...' became very popular. The philosophical number sung by Jose Prakash ‘Paadu pettu paadangalil...' introduced a new trend in Malayalam cinema. This song had the title ‘Shariyo Thetto' that was repeated at the end of almost each couplet of this song. And this was used right through the film. The other hits from the film include the romantic number ‘Vaarmazhaville vaa...' (Jose Prakash-P.Leela), ‘Prathikara chintha …' (Dakshinamoorthy) and the comic song sung by Kuttappa Bhagavathar and Vijayalakshmi.
This song strung together almost all the titles of the Malayalam films released during that period along its lyrics. The song ‘Balanaam Prahladaneppole...' had the titles of films released during the same year like ‘Thiramala', ‘Velakkaran', ‘Lokaneethi' etc. This song pictured on S. P. Pillai and Omana was one of the highpoints of the film and a novelty too.
Will be remembered: As directorial debut of Thikkurissi. It will also be remembered as the debut film of Adoor Bhavani, Meena Sulochana, Jose Prakash as actor, and dance director N. Damodaran.
B. VIJAYAKUMAR
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Remakes from Hindi
Malayalam Movie Hindi Equivalent
Vivahitha
Brahmachari
Deepam
Ragam
Maattoli
Anjali
Laava
Bheekara Nimishangal
Archana Teacher
Vanadevatha
Sneham
Anupallavi
John Jaffer Janardhan
Puthiya velicham
Thuranna Jail
Angam
Bandham
Himam
Ivide Thudangunnu
Jeevitham
Odaruthammava Aalariyaam Chashme Baddhoor
Ee sabdham innathe sabdham Aaj ki aawaz
Jeevante jeevan
Pathamudayam
Ayalvasi oru daridravasi
Ninnishtam Ennishtam
Chekkaranoru chilla
Suprabhatham
Ee Kaikalil
Mindapoochakku Kalyanam Chit chor
Jeevitham
Odaruthammava Aalariyaam Chashme Baddhoor
Ee sabdham innathe sabdham Aaj ki aawaz
Jeevante jeevan
Pathamudayam
Ayalvasi oru daridravasi
Ninnishtam Ennishtam
Chekkaranoru chilla
Suprabhatham
Ee Kaikalil
Mindapoochakku Kalyanam Chit chor
Creative Side of Priyadarsan - Poochakkoru Mukkuthi
But most of his creations as some of may know, are lose adaptations of hollywood movies. It is none other than Priyadarshan.
MAKING OF POOCHAKKORU MOOKKUTHI (The fans of Priyan pardon me, but this is a fact. I have not come across any pin pointing on this film in line with my findings. If somebody know, please favour me with feed back. And also, if ever you get chance to watch these movies, please).
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi can be considered as combination of two tamil films (at least 90 % of the film) except for the climax.
The tamil fims - Rajarani (1956) directed by A Bhimsingh + En Manaivi (1942) directed by Sunder Rao Nadkarni.
The sequences involving the mistaken identity of Menaka, confusion created regard to the relation between Nedumudi Venu and Menaka, Sukumari suspecting Nedumudi Venu, etc
This sequence is just a copy of the situation in Raja Rani. Padmini playing role corresponding to that of Menaka, N S Krishnan playing that of Neumudi Venu, and T A Madhuram that of Sukumari. Sivaji Ganeshan playing the role corresponding to Mohanlal.
Coincidences are welcome, and in English literature we call it accidental incidences. But can some one imagine a scene, in which Sukumari suspects, and thinks that she caught hsesr husband red handed has a predecessor scene ? Yes there is. In Raja Rani - T A Madhuram comes to the Balcony of her house to just clear her comb after combing the hair and discard the fallen hair to the garden, then she finds Padmini hiding behind the bushes, a dove on her head, and N S Krishnan enters the bushes to pick up his walking stick which by mistake he throws to the bushes.
Hope now you got the point. A ditto scene is there in our Priyans film also. Involving Sukumari ( T A Madhuram), Menaka (Padmini), Nedumudi Venu (NS Krishnan) and Mohanlal (Sivaji).
The story line also somewhat same. Padmini being mistaken to be the rich lady T A Madhuram.
And such scene from En Manaivi also copied. That is in the climax scenes involving Soman etc. In the film En Manaivi I remember Sarangapani, Padma etc were the stars.
MAKING OF POOCHAKKORU MOOKKUTHI (The fans of Priyan pardon me, but this is a fact. I have not come across any pin pointing on this film in line with my findings. If somebody know, please favour me with feed back. And also, if ever you get chance to watch these movies, please).
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi can be considered as combination of two tamil films (at least 90 % of the film) except for the climax.
The tamil fims - Rajarani (1956) directed by A Bhimsingh + En Manaivi (1942) directed by Sunder Rao Nadkarni.
The sequences involving the mistaken identity of Menaka, confusion created regard to the relation between Nedumudi Venu and Menaka, Sukumari suspecting Nedumudi Venu, etc
This sequence is just a copy of the situation in Raja Rani. Padmini playing role corresponding to that of Menaka, N S Krishnan playing that of Neumudi Venu, and T A Madhuram that of Sukumari. Sivaji Ganeshan playing the role corresponding to Mohanlal.
Coincidences are welcome, and in English literature we call it accidental incidences. But can some one imagine a scene, in which Sukumari suspects, and thinks that she caught hsesr husband red handed has a predecessor scene ? Yes there is. In Raja Rani - T A Madhuram comes to the Balcony of her house to just clear her comb after combing the hair and discard the fallen hair to the garden, then she finds Padmini hiding behind the bushes, a dove on her head, and N S Krishnan enters the bushes to pick up his walking stick which by mistake he throws to the bushes.
Hope now you got the point. A ditto scene is there in our Priyans film also. Involving Sukumari ( T A Madhuram), Menaka (Padmini), Nedumudi Venu (NS Krishnan) and Mohanlal (Sivaji).
The story line also somewhat same. Padmini being mistaken to be the rich lady T A Madhuram.
And such scene from En Manaivi also copied. That is in the climax scenes involving Soman etc. In the film En Manaivi I remember Sarangapani, Padma etc were the stars.
Adoor Bhasi's First Movie
I think Thiramala was his first film. The songs book of the film clearly show that he acted in the role of a shopkeeper I am attaching a copy of the page showing these details.
Amma - I dont have the songs book completely, only few pages. I dont think he has acted in Amma. I will look into the matter and inform
And it was in Mudiyanaya Puthran that he got a commendable role.
Amma - I dont have the songs book completely, only few pages. I dont think he has acted in Amma. I will look into the matter and inform
Curios in Malayalam Cinema
1. HIndi film "Dunia Naa Maane " (1937) - Kunku in Marathi. produced by Prabhat films under the direction of V Shantaram remain a classic. The film had no background music. Only natural sounds. And for the songs also - the singing stars htting cups together, beating on the floor with stick etc to give orchestral effect to the song. And for two songs, the heroine playing a gramaphone record of instrumental music as background for the singing. A Great film, I believe it is in this film that a full length English song was sung (by Shanta Apte.
A poem by Longfellow - Psalm of life.
"In the worlds great field of battle....... as I remember).
In Malayalam film "Kodiyettam" also, I understand only natural sounds are there. No orchestral background music for the film.
2. In Padunna Puzha, the comedy King of yesteryears, Adoor Bhasi acted in the role of Mother, daughter and son (I have not seen this film, read so somewhere which I noted down)
3. The genius writer, director of Malayalam cinema Padmarajan - he dubbed for the Phayalvaan in the film "Oridathoru Phayalvaan". He lent his voice to Prathap Pothen also in the film "Novembarinte Nashtam"
4. This is my observation, and not mentioned anywhere, I have not come across at least so far. In the Malayalam film "Aana Valarthiya Vaanambaadi", I doubt - It was Adoor Pankajam who lent her voice to the Tamil actress C K Saraswathi (acting as Shanti's mother) and Aranmula Ponnamma that lent voice to S D Subbalakshmi (Hero Sreeram's mother. SD Subbalakshmi is the stepmother of dancer Padma Subramaniam, )
5. Jyothi Venkatachalam, who was Governor of Kerala acted in the Malayalam film in a guest role - "Bharya Oru Manthri"
6. Film stars act as original film stars in films. Mammootty, Mohanlal etc have acted in some films, for example Mammootty in the film "No.20 Madras Mail" as film star Mammooty.
I think, it was Satyan who acted in such a role for the first time in Malayalam. In Chathurangam he acted as Satyan, who comes for a college day celebration in the film.
A poem by Longfellow - Psalm of life.
"In the worlds great field of battle....... as I remember).
In Malayalam film "Kodiyettam" also, I understand only natural sounds are there. No orchestral background music for the film.
2. In Padunna Puzha, the comedy King of yesteryears, Adoor Bhasi acted in the role of Mother, daughter and son (I have not seen this film, read so somewhere which I noted down)
3. The genius writer, director of Malayalam cinema Padmarajan - he dubbed for the Phayalvaan in the film "Oridathoru Phayalvaan". He lent his voice to Prathap Pothen also in the film "Novembarinte Nashtam"
4. This is my observation, and not mentioned anywhere, I have not come across at least so far. In the Malayalam film "Aana Valarthiya Vaanambaadi", I doubt - It was Adoor Pankajam who lent her voice to the Tamil actress C K Saraswathi (acting as Shanti's mother) and Aranmula Ponnamma that lent voice to S D Subbalakshmi (Hero Sreeram's mother. SD Subbalakshmi is the stepmother of dancer Padma Subramaniam, )
5. Jyothi Venkatachalam, who was Governor of Kerala acted in the Malayalam film in a guest role - "Bharya Oru Manthri"
6. Film stars act as original film stars in films. Mammootty, Mohanlal etc have acted in some films, for example Mammootty in the film "No.20 Madras Mail" as film star Mammooty.
I think, it was Satyan who acted in such a role for the first time in Malayalam. In Chathurangam he acted as Satyan, who comes for a college day celebration in the film.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)