Jump to content

Malayalam cinema

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by WriterListener (talk | contribs) at 03:30, 22 April 2019 (→Landmark films: unsourced). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Not to be confused with Malay cinema.
Malayalam cinema
A scene from the film Vigathakumaran
No. of screens1100 single-screens in Kerala state of India[1]
Main distributorsAashirvad Cinemas
Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments
Mulakuppadam Films
LJ Films
Friday Film House
Galaxy Films
Revathy Kalamandhir
Merryland Studio
Navodaya Studio
Graand Production
Sree Gokulam Films
August Cinema
Kalasangham Films
Produced feature films (2016)[2]
Total134
Gross box office (2016)[3]
National filmsIndia: ₹22 billion (US$260 million)
Indian cinema

Malayalam cinema is the Indian film industry based in the southern state of Kerala, dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Malayalam language. It is also known by the sobriquet Mollywood in various print and online media (a portmanteau of Malayalam and Hollywood).Malayalam film industry is the fourth biggest film industry in India.[4] The films produced here are known for their cinematography and story-driven realistic plots. Works such as Marana Simhasanam and Vanaprastham were screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.[5][6] Marana Simhasanam garnered the coveted Caméra d'Or ("Golden Camera") for that year.[7][8][9]

In 1982, Elippathayam won the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival, and Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 by the British Film Institute. Rajiv Anchal's Guru (1997) and Salim Ahamed's Adaminte Makan Abu (2011) were Malayalam films sent by India as its official entries for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards. Adoor Gopalakrishnan has won the International Film Critics Prize (FIPRESCI) for his works such as Mukhamukham (1984), Anantaram (1987), Mathilukal (1989), Vidheyan (1993), Kathapurushan (1995), and Nizhalkkuthu (2002).[10]

Other films which achieved global acclaim include Chemmeen (1965), which received a Certificate of Merit at the Chicago International Film Festival, and a Gold Medal at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Cinematography.[11] Piravi (1989) won at least 31 international honours, including the Caméra d'Or – Mention Spéciale at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival, and was screened at the Un Certain Regard.[6][12] Swaham (1994) won the Bronze Rosa Camuna at the Bergamo Film Meeting in Italy.[6][7][8][9] The first 3D film produced in India, My Dear Kuttichathan (1984), was made in Malayalam.[13] The first CinemaScope film produced in Malayalam was Thacholi Ambu (1978).[14]

During the early 1920s the Malayalam film industry was based in Thiruvananthapuram, although the film industry started to develop and flourish only by the late 1940s. Later the industry shifted to Chennai (formerly Madras), which then was the capital of the South Indian film industry. By the late 1980s, the Malayalam film industry returned and established itself in Kerala[15] with the majority of locations, studios, production and post-production facilities being located in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Several media sources describe Kochi as the hub of the film industry.[16][17][18][19]

History

Active Malayalam film production did not take place until the second half of the 20th century: there were only two silent films, and three Malayalam-language films before 1947.[20][21] With support from the Kerala state government production climbed from around 6 a year in the 1950s, to 30 a year in the 1960s, 40 a year in the 1970s, to 127 films in 1980.[20]

Origins 1928

The first cinema hall in Kerala, with a manually operated film projector, was opened in Thrissur by Jose Kattookkaran in 1907. In 1913, the first permanent theatre in Kerala was established in Thrissur town by Kattookkaran and was called the Jose Electrical Bioscope, now Jos Theatre.[22][23][24]

The first film made in Malayalam was Vigathakumaran. Production started in 1928, and it was released at the Capitol Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on 23 October 1930. It was produced and directed by J. C. Daniel, a businessman with no prior film experience, who is credited as the father of Malayalam cinema.[25] Daniel founded the first film studio, The Travancore National Pictures Limited, in Kerala.[25] A second film, Marthanda Varma, based on a novel by C. V. Raman Pillai, was produced by R. Sundar Raj in 1933. However, after only being shown for four days, the film prints were confiscated due to a legal battle over copyright.[25]

The first talkie in Malayalam was Balan, released in 1938.[citation needed] It was directed by S. Nottani with a screenplay and songs written by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. It was produced by Modern Theatres at Salem in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Balan was followed by Gnanambika in 1940, which was directed by S. Notani. Then came Prahlada in 1941, directed by K. Subramoniam of Madras and featuring Guru Gopinath and Thankamani Gopinath.

Until 1947 Malayalam films were made by Tamil producers. Artist P. J. Cherian[26] was the first Malayali producer to venture into this field and the trend then changed. He produced Nirmala in 1948 with Joseph Cherian and Baby Joseph his son and daughter-in-law in the lead roles as hero and heroine. He also cast many other family members in other roles, breaking the taboo that noble family people do not take up acting. Thus Nirmala became the first film produced by a Malayali, setting many firsts for introducing play-back singing, cinema with a social theme where the entire family could sit together and watch it. Artist P.J. Cherian was the first cinema producer to explore the possibility of music and songs in cinema, and thus became the pioneer to introduce play-back singing in cinema. The lyrics of the film penned by the legendary Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup became so popular that song-dance sequences became essential ingredients of Malayalam cinema.

Vellinakshatram (1949) was the first movie to be made in Kerala and it took shape at the Udaya Studios at Alleppey.

1950s

Malayalam cinema has always taken its themes from relevant social issues and has been interwoven with material from literature, drama, and politics since its inception. One such film, Jeevitha Nouka (1951), was a musical drama which spoke about the problems in a joint family.

In 1954, the film Neelakuyil captured national interest by winning the President's silver medal.[27] It was scripted by the well-known Malayalam novelist Uroob, and directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat.

Newspaper Boy (1955) contained elements of Italian neorealism. This film is notable as the product of a group of amateur college filmmakers. It told the story of a printing press employee and his family being stricken with extreme poverty.[28]

The music took a turn away from the trend of copying Tamil and Hindi song. The poets Tirunainaarkurichy Madhavan Nair – Thirunaiyarkurichy, P. Bhaskaran, O.N.V. Kurup, and V.R. Varma rose up in this period as film lyricists. Brother Lakshmanan, Dakshinamurthy, K. Raghavan, G. Devarajan, M.S. Baburaj, and Pukhenthey Velappan Nair started a distinct style of Malayalam music. Kamukara Purushotaman, Mehboob, Kozhikode Abdul Kader, AM Raja, P.B. Sreenivas, K. P. Udayabhanu, Santha P. Nair, P. Leela, S. Janaki, P Susheela, B. Vasantha, Renuka, and Jikki were the most prominent singers of the 1950s.[citation needed] The drama artist and school teacher Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai lent many of his skills to cinema in this period.

1960s

Ramu Kariat, one of the directors of Neelakkuyil (along with P. Bhaskaran), went on to become a successful director in the 1960s and 1970s. P. Bhaskaran directed many acclaimed and hit films in the 1960s and 70s. The cameraman of Neelakkuyil, A. Vincent, also became a noted director of the 1960s and 1970s. Notable films of this decade include Odayil Ninnu, Bhargavi Nilayam (1964), Chemmeen (1965), Murappennu (1965) and Iruttinte Athmavu (1966).

Malayalam cinema's first colour film was Kandam Bacha Coat (1961).

Chemmeen (1965), directed by Ramu Kariat and based on a novel of the same name by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, went on to become very popular, and became the first South Indian film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.

Most of the films of the 1960s were animated by the nationalist and socialist projects, and centred on issues relating to caste and class exploitation, the fight against obscurantist beliefs, the degeneration of the feudal class, and the break-up of the joint-family system.[29]

In the 1960s, M. Krishnan Nair, Kunchacko and P. Subramaniam were the leading Malayali producers. Thikkurusi Sukumaran Nair, Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Madhu, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadur, S.P. Pillai, K.P. Ummer, Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair, Raghavan, G.K. Pillai, Muthukulam, Joseprakash, Paravur Bharatan, Muthayya, Shankaradi, Govindankutty, K.R. Vijaya, Padmini, Ragini, Sharada, Sheela, Ambika, Jayabharathi, Arumula Ponnamma and Sadahna were among the more popular actors active in this period.[citation needed]

During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Kunchacko made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema, both as a producer and as director of some notable movies. He started Udaya Studios in Alleppey (Alappuzha) in 1947, reducing the travel to Madras (Chennai) for film crew and actors. This boosted Malayalam film production in Kerala.[citation needed]

Many directors sprang up in this period. P.N. Menon made Rosy and later Chemparanthi. G. Aravindan and Adoor Gopalakrishnan also started work in 1960s and became famous later.

1970s

Adoor Gopalakrishnan is one of the pioneers of Indian parallel cinema.

The 70s saw the emergence of a new wave of cinema in Malayalam. The growth of the film society movement in Kerala introduced the works of the French and Italian New Wave directors to the discerning Malayali film enthusiasts. Adoor Gopalakrishnan's first film, Swayamvaram (1972), brought Malayalam cinema to the international film arena. In 1973 M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who was by then recognised as an important author in Malayalam, directed his first film, Nirmalyam, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. G. Aravindan followed Adoor's lead with his Uttarayanam in 1974. K. P. Kumaran's Adhithi (1974) was another film which was acclaimed by the critics. Cinematographers who won the National Award for their work on Malayalam films in the 1970s were Mankada Ravi Varma for Swayamvaram (1972), P. S. Nivas for Mohiniyattam (1977), and Shaji N. Karun for Thampu (1979). John Abraham, K. R. Mohanan, K. G. George, and G. S. Panikkar were products of the Pune Film Institute who made significant contributions.[citation needed]

During the late 1970s, some young artists started seeing Malayalam cinema as a medium of expression and thought of it as a tool to revitalise society. A noted director, Aravindan, was famous in Kerala as a cartoonist before he started making films. His important movies include Kanchana Sita (1977), Thampu (1978), Kummatty (1979), Chidambaram (1985), Oridathu (1986), and Vasthuhara (1990).

The 1970s also saw the emergence of the notable director P. G. Viswambharan with his debut film Ozhukinethire and mythical film Sathyavan Savithri, which was well accepted.

Also, commercial cinema in this period saw several worker-class themed films which mostly had M. G. Soman, Sukumaran and Sudheer in the lead followed by the emergence of a new genre of pure action-themed films, in a movement led by action star Jayan who is usually considered the first genuine commercial superstar of Malayalam cinema. However, this was short-lived, and almost ended with Jayan's untimely death while performing a stunt in Kolilakkam (1980).

Further information: List of Malayalam films of the 1970s

1980s

The Malayalam cinema of this period was characterised by detailed screenplays dealing with everyday life with a lucid narration of plot intermingling with humour and melancholy. This was aided by the cinematography and lighting. The films had warm background music.

In 1981 Fazil directed Manjil Virinja Pookal. Adoor Gopalakrishnan made Elippathayam in 1981. This movie won the British Film Institute award.[citation needed]

K. G. George released films including Yavanika and Adaminte Vaariyellu. This was the period during which script writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair started teaming up with director Hariharan to produce works like Panchagni, Nakhakshathangal, Aranyakam and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha.

John Abraham's films such as Amma Ariyaan addressed people's issues and raised the finance directly from people.

The period had movies with humour from directors like Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikkad, Kamal and Siddique-Lal. Piravi (1989) by Shaji N. Karun was the first Malayalam film to win the Caméra d'Or-Mention at the Cannes Film Festival.[6]

It was the period during which Mohanlal and Mammootty rose up. Mohanlal has won 5 National Film Awards, including 2 Best Actor, 2 Special Jury Award and an award for Best Film (producer). Mammootty won 3 National Award for Best Actor. In acting categories, Mohanlal has won the most number of National Film Awards (4) and the Kerala State Film Awards (6). Mohanlal holds the record for the most number of National Film Award nominations for an Indian actor, 13 times (as of 2014).[30]

Further information: List of Malayalam films of the 1980s

1990s

Some examples are Mathilukal (1990) directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Kattu Kuthira (1990) directed by P. G. Viswambharan, Amaram (1991) directed by Bharathan, Ulladakkam (1992) directed by Kamal, Kilukkam (1991) directed by Priyadarshan, Kamaladalam (1992) by Sibi Malayil, Vidheyan (1993) by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Devaasuram (1993) by I. V. Sasi, Manichithrathazhu (1993) by Fazil, Ponthan Mada (1993) by T. V. Chandran, Spadikam (1995) by Bhadran, Commissioner(1994) The King (1995) by Shaji Kailas, Hitler (1996) by Siddique and Desadanam (1997) by Jayaraaj.

Swaham (1994), directed by Shaji N. Karun, was the first Malayalam film entry for the competition in the Cannes International Film Festival, where it was a nominee for the Palme d'Or. Murali Nair's Marana Simhasanam later won the Caméra d'Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.[5] Guru (1997), directed by Rajiv Anchal, was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category for that year, making it the first film in Malayalam to be chosen for Oscar nomination.[citation needed]

Further information: List of Malayalam films of the 1990s

2000s

The millennium started with a blockbuster hit "(Narasimham)". In 2001 came the world's first film with only one actor in the cast, The Guard. Slapstick comedy was the predominant theme of the films of this era. C.I.D. Moosa (2003) by Johny Antony, Meesa Madhavan (2002) by Lal Jose and Kunjikoonan (2002) directed by Sasi Shanker are examples. Sequels to a number of successful films were made. Some movies were examples of exemplary film making, such as Meghamalhar, Madhuranombarakaattu, Nandanam, Perumazhakkalam, and Kazhcha. In 2008, Malayalam movie artists came together in the multistar film Twenty:20 to raise funds for the AMMA.[31]

Further information: List of Malayalam films of the 2000s

2010s

After several years of quality deterioration, Malayalam films saw the signs of massive resurgence after 2010[32] with the release of several experimental films (known as New Wave or New Generation films),[33] mostly from new directors. New Wave is characterised by fresh and unusual themes and new narrative techniques.[32][34] These films differ from conventional themes of the past two decades (1990s and 2000s) and have introduced several new trends to the Malayalam industry.[35] While the new generation's formats and styles are deeply influenced by global and Indian trends, their themes are firmly rooted in Malayali life and mindscapes.[36] The new generation also helped the Malayalam film industry regain its past glory.[37]

Salim Ahamed's Adaminte Makan Abu was chosen as India's official entry to the Academy Awards to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category in 2011.

Christian Brothers (2011) was released worldwide with a total of 310 prints on 18 March; it went to 154 centres in Kerala, 90 centres outside Kerala and 80 centres overseas, making it the widest release for a Malayalam film at that time. This record was later broken by Peruchazhi (2014), which released in 500 screens worldwide on 29 August.[38] Drishyam (2013) became the first Malayalam film to cross the 500 million mark at the box office. The film was critically acclaimed and was remade in four languages.[39] Later, in 2016, Pulimurugan became the first Malayalam film to cross the 1 billion mark at the box office.

In recent years, Malayalam films have been gaining popularity in Sri Lanka.[40] Fans have cited cultural similarities shared between Sinhalese people and Malayalis as a reason why they have been gaining popularity in the country.[40]

Pioneering film-making techniques

Newspaper Boy (1955), a neorealistic film, drew inspiration from Italian neorealism.[14][41] Padayottam (1982) was India's first indigenously produced 70 mm film,[42] while My Dear Kuttichathan (1984) was India's first 3D film.[13] O' Faby (1993) was India's first live-action/animation hybrid film.[43]

Amma Ariyan (1986) was the first film made in India with money collected from the public. It was produced by Odessa Collective, founded by the director John Abraham and friends. The money was raised by collecting donations and screening Charlie Chaplin's film The Kid.[44]

Moonnamathoral (2006) was the first Indian film to be shot and distributed in digital format.[45]

Jalachhayam (2010) was the world first feature film shot entirely on a cell phone camera[46] and it was also an experimental film directed by Sathish Kalathil who is the director of Veena Vaadanam, the first documentary film in India shot with the same movie capture medium.

Villain (2017) is the first Indian film to be shot entirely in 8K resolution.[47]

Notable personalities

Directors

Malayalam cinema's directors have included J. C. Daniel, the director and producer of the first Malayalam film, Vigathakumaran (1928). Unlike other Indian films at that time, most of which were based on the puranas, he chose to base his film on a social theme.[48] Though it failed commercially, he paved the way for the Malayalam film industry and is widely considered the "father of Malayalam cinema". Until the 1950s, Malayalam film didn't see many talented film directors. The milestone film Neelakkuyil (1954), directed by Ramu Karyat and P. Bhaskaran, shed a lot of limelight over its directors.[41] Ramu Karyat went on to become a celebrated director in the 1960s and 1970s. P. Bhaskaran directed a few acclaimed films in the 1960s. The cameraman of Neelakkuyil, A. Vincent, also became a noted director of the 1960s and 1970s.[49] Another noted director of the 1950s was P. Ramadas, the director of the neorealistic film Newspaper Boy (1955).

In the 1970s, the Malayalam film industry saw the rise of film societies. It triggered a new genre of films known as "parallel cinema". The main driving forces of the movement, who gave priority to serious cinema, were Adoor Gopalakrishnan and G. Aravindan. People like John Abraham and P. A. Backer gave a new dimension to Malayalam cinema through their political themes. The late 1970s witnessed the emergence of another stream of Malayalam films, known as "middle-stream cinema", which seamlessly integrated the seriousness of the parallel cinema and the popularity of the mainstream cinema. Most of the films belonging to this stream were directed by PN Menon, I. V. Sasi, P. G. Viswambharan, K. G. George, Bharathan and Padmarajan.[50]

In the 1980s and early 1990s, a new array of directors joined the stalwarts who had already made a mark in the industry. This period saw the narrowing of the gap between the different streams of the industry.[41] Directors like K. G. George, Priyadarshan, I. V. Sasi, John Abraham, Fazil, Joshy, Bhadran, P. G. Viswambharan, Kamal, Sibi Malayil, Hariharan, Sathyan Anthikkad, K. Madhu and Siddique-Lal contributed significantly . There were also extraordinary screenwriters like M. T. Vasudevan Nair, T. Damodaran, A. K. Lohithadas and Sreenivasan, whose contributions were also commendable.[citation needed]

The 2000s saw a decline in the quality of Malayalam films. Many directors who had excelled in the Golden Age struggled as many of their films continuously failed critically and commercially. As a result, the gap between parallel cinema (now known as art cinema) and mainstream cinema (now known as commercial cinema) widened. The 2000s also saw a commercial film formula being created in line with Tamil and Bollywood films. Directors like Shaji Kailas, Rafi Mecartin and Anwar Rasheed directed blockbusters which had few artistic merits to boast of.[citation needed] Despite the overall decline, some directors stood apart and made quality cinema. Shaji N. Karun, Lenin Rajendran, Shyama Prasad and Jayaraj made films that won laurels. Notable directors who debuted in this time include Blessy, Lal Jose, R. Sharath, Ranjith, Roshan Andrews, Amal Neerad, Aashiq Abu, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Lijo Jose Pellissery.[citation needed]

Out of the 40 National Film Awards for Best Director given away till 2007, Malayalam directors have received 12. The directors who have won include Adoor Gopalakrishnan (1973, 1985, 1988, 1990, 2007), G. Aravindan (1978, 1979, 1987), Shaji N. Karun (1989), T. V. Chandran (1994), Jayaraj (1998, 2017) and Rajivnath (1999). There are several recipients of the Special Jury Award as well: Mankada Ravi Varma (1984), John Abraham (1987), Shaji N. Karun (1995) and Pradeep Nair (2005).[51][52]

Film music

Film music, which refers to playback singing in the context of Indian music, forms the most important canon of popular music in India. The film music of Kerala in particular is the most popular form of music in the state.[53] Before Malayalam cinema and Malayalam film music developed, the Keralites eagerly followed Tamil and Hindi film songs, and that habit has stayed with them until now. The history of Malayalam film songs begins with the 1948 film Nirmala which was produced by artist P.J. Cherian who introduced play-back singing for the first time in the film. The film's music composer was P. S. Divakar, and the songs were sung by P. Leela, T. K. Govinda Rao, Vasudeva Kurup, C. K. Raghavan, Sarojini Menon and Vimala B. Varma, who is credited as the first playback singer of Malayalam cinema.[54]

The main trend in the early years was to use the tune of hit Hindi or Tamil songs in Malayalam songs. This trend changed in the early 1950s with the arrival of a number of poets and musicians to the Malayalam music scene. By the middle of the 1950s, the Malayalam film music industry started finding its own identity. This reformation was led by the music directors Brother Laxmanan, G. Devarajan, V. Dakshinamurthy, M.S. Babu Raj and K. Raghavan along with the lyricists Vayalar Rama Varma, P. Bhaskaran, O. N. V. Kurup and Sreekumaran Thampi.[55] Major playback singers of that time were Kamukara Purushothaman, K. P. Udayabhanu, A. M. Raja, P. Leela, Santha P. Nair, P. Susheela, P. Madhuri and S. Janaki. Despite that, these singers got high popularity throughout Kerala and were part of the Golden age of Malayalam music (1960 to 1970).

In the later years many non-Malayalis like Manna Dey, Talat Mahmood, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Hemalata and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam sang for Malayalam films. This trend was also found among composers to an extent, with film composers from other languages including Naushad Ali, Usha Khanna, M. B. Sreenivasan, Bombay Ravi, Shyam, Bappi Lahiri, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Salil Chowdhury, Ilaiyaraaja, Vishal Bhardwaj and A. R. Rahman scoring music for Malayalam films.[55] This can be attributed to the fact that film music in South India had a parallel growth pattern with many instances of cross-industry contributions.[citation needed] The late 1950s through mid-1970s can be considered as the golden period of Malayalam film music in its own identity. Along with the leading music directors, the likes of M. B. Sreenivasan, M. K. Arjunan, Pukezhenty Vellappan Nair, M. S. Viswanathan, A. T. Ummer, R. K. Shekhar, Salil Choudhury and lyricists like Thirunainar Kurichi Madhavan Nair, Mankombu Gopalakrishnan and Bharanikkavu Sivakumar, numerous everlasting and super hit songs were delivered to the music lovers. The soft melodious music and high quality lyrics were the highlights of these songs.

K. J. Yesudas, who debuted in 1961, virtually revolutionised the Malayalam film music industry and became the most popular Malayalam singer ever along with K.S. Chitra. The trio of Vayalar, G. Devarajan and Yesudas also made unforgettable songs like the earlier trio of Kamukara, Tirunainaarkurichy and Brother Laxmanan. Yesudas became equally popular with classical music audience and people who patronised film music.[56] He along with P. Jayachandran gave a major face-lift to Malayalam playback singing in the 1960s and 1970s. K. S. Chithra debuted in 1979, and by the mid-eighties, she became the most sought after female singer in South India.

By the late 1970s, the trends in music started changing and more rhythm oriented songs with a western touch came with the dominance of music directors like Shyam, K. J. Joy, and Jerry Amaldev. The lyricists were forced to write lyrics according to the tune in these days and were often criticised for quality issues. However, from 1979 to 1980, the revolutionary music director Raveendran along with Johnson and M. G. Radhakrishnan led the second reformation of Malayalam film music by creating melodious and classical oriented music with the soul of the culture of Kerala. Lyricists like Poovachal Khader, Kavalam Narayana Panicker and Bichu Thirumala in 1980s and Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, V. Madhusoodanan Nair and Gireesh Puthenchery in the 1990s were part of this musical success. Contributions from Kannur Rajan, Bombay Ravi, S. P. Venkatesh, Mohan Sithara, Ouseppachan, Sharath, Vidyadharan, Raghukumar and Vidyasagar were also notable in this period. K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chitra and singers like M. G. Sreekumar, G. Venugopal Unnimenon and Sujatha Mohan were also active then. A notable aspect in the later years was the extensive of classical carnatic music in many film songs of the 1980s and 1990s. Classical carnatic music was heavily used in films like Chithram (1988), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Bharatham (1991), Sargam (1992) and Sopanam (1993).[citation needed]

At present, the major players in the scene are young composers like Rahul Raj, Prashant Pillai, Shaan Rahman, Bijibal, Gopi Sundar, Alphonse, Rajesh Murugesan, lyricists Rafeeq Ahmed, Vayalar Sarath and Anil Panachooran, and singers Vineeth Sreenivasan, Vijay Yesudas, Shweta Mohan, Manjari and Jyotsna Radhakrishnan, along with stalwarts in the field.

Young composers like Rahul Raj and Prashant Pillai are not only known for their catchy tunes, but also for bringing in a lot of electronics, digital sound and a variety of genres in Malayalam film scores and songs.[57]

The National Award-winning music composers of Malayalam cinema are Johnson (1994, 1995), Bombay Ravi (1995), Ouseppachan (2008), Ilaiyaraaja (2010), Issac Thomas Kottukapally (2011), Bijibal (2012) and M. Jayachandran (2016). Until 2009, the 1995 National Award that Johnson received for the film score of Sukrutham (1994) was the only instance in the history of the award in which the awardee composed the film soundtrack rather than its songs. He shared that award with Bombay Ravi, who received the award for composing songs for the same film. In 2010 and 2011, the awards given to film scores were won by Malayalam films: Pazhassi Raja (2010; score: Ilaiyaraaja) and Adaminte Makan Abu (2011; score: Issak Thomas Kottakapally). Ravindran also received a Special Jury Award in 1992 for composing songs for the film Bharatham.[citation needed]

The lyricists who have won the National Award are Vayalar Ramavarma (1973), O. N. V. Kurup (1989) and Yusuf Ali Kechery (2001). The male singers who have received the National Award are K. J. Yesudas (1973, 1974, 1988, 1992, 1994, 2017), P. Jayachandran (1986) and M. G. Sreekumar (1991, 2000). Yesudas has won two more National Awards for singing in Hindi (1977) and Telugu (1983) films, which makes him the person who has won the most National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, with eight. The female singers who have won the award are S. Janaki (1981) and K. S. Chithra (1987, 1989). Chitra had also won the award for Tamil (1986, 1997, 2005) and Hindi (1998) film songs, which makes her the person with the most National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer, with six.[citation needed]

Landmark films

Year Title Director Notes Ref.
1928 Vigathakumaran J. C. Daniel First Malayalam feature film. [58]
1933 Marthandavarma P. V. Rao First copyright case in Indian film industry as well as literature publishing of Kerala. [59]
1938 Balan S. Nottani First talkie in Malayalam. [60]
1948 Nirmala P. V. Krishna Iyer Introduced playback singing in Malayalam cinema. [61]
1954 Neelakkuyil P. Bhaskaran
Ramu Karyat 		Considered[who?] the first mature film in Malayalam. The film excelled in direction, screenplay, acting and music. [41]
1955 Newspaper Boy P. Ramdas First neo realistic movie in Malayalam. [62].
1961 Kandam Bacha Coat Shiyas Chennattu First colour film. [63]
1964 Bhargavi Nilayam A. Vincent First horror film. [64]
1965 Chemmeen Ramu Karyat First Malayalam as well as South Indian film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film, and the first film to participate in an international film festival. [65]
1965 Murappennu A. Vincent First film to shoot outdoors. [66]
1966 Iruttinte Athmavu P. Bhaskaran First serious attempt at sensitive storytelling. Considered to be the masterpiece work of P. Bhaskaran and Prem Nazir.[clarification needed] [66]
1967 Chithramela T. S. Muthiah First anthology film. [67]
1972 Swayamvaram Adoor Gopalakrishnan Pinoeered "new-wave cinema movement" in Malayalam. First Malayalam film to win the National Film Award for Best Direction. [68]
1974 Kanchana Sita G. Aravindan Pinoeered independent filmmaking in South India.[clarification needed] [69]
1978 Thacholi Ambu Navodaya Appachan First CinemaScope film in Malayalam. [70]
1982 Padayottam Jijo Punnoose First 70mm film in South India. [71]
1984 My Dear Kuttichathan Jijo Punnoose First 3D film in India. [13]
1986 Amma Ariyan John Abraham First Malayalam film produced by collecting fund from public. The only South Indian film to feature in British Film Institute's Top 10 Indian Films list. [72][73]
1993 O' Faby K. Sreekuttan India's first live-action/animation hybrid film. [74].
1994 Swaham Shaji N.Karun First Malayalam film to compete for the Palme d'Or of the Cannes Film Festival. [citation needed]
1997 Guru Rajiv Anchal First Malayalam film to be submitted as India's official entry to the Oscars to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 1997. [75]
2005 Athbhutha Dweepu Vinayan The film was given an entry into the Guinness Book of Records for casting the most number of dwarves in a single film, and its lead actor Ajaykumar was given an entry for being the shortest actor to play the lead in the history of cinema. [76]
2006 Moonnamathoral V. K. Prakash First Malayalam digital movie, and first high-definition (HD) cinema to be digitally distributed to theatres via satellite. [77]
2009 Pazhassi Raja Hariharan First Malayalam film to get a home video release in Blu-ray format. [78]
2010 Jalachhayam Sathish Kalathil First feature film shot entirely on a Mobile phone camera. [79].
2012 Grandmaster B. Unnikrishnan First Malayalam film to release with subtitles (English) in outside Kerala, in other than film festival screenings. [80]
2013 Drishyam Jeethu Joseph First Malayalam film to cross ₹500 million (US$6.0 million) gross collection from theatrical revenue. [39]
2016 Pulimurugan Vysakh First Malayalam film to cross ₹1 billion (US$12 million) gross collection from theatrical revenue. [81]
2017 Villain B. Unnikrishnan First Indian film to be shot entirely in 8K resolution. [82]

Kerala State Film Awards

Main article: Kerala State Film Awards

The Kerala State Film Awards[83] are given to motion pictures made in the Malayalam language. The awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy[84] since 1998 on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Government of Kerala. The awards were started in 1969. The awardees are decided by an independent jury formed by the academy and the Department of Cultural Affairs. The jury usually consists of personalities from the film field. For the awards for literature on cinema a separate jury is formed. The academy annually invites films for the award and the jury analyses the films before deciding the winners. The awards intend to promote films with artistic values and encourage artists and technicians.

International Film Festival of Kerala

Main article: International Film Festival of Kerala

The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is held annually in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. It was started in 1996 and is organised by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the State Government. It is held in November/December every year and is acknowledged as one of the leading film festivals in India.[85]

Film studios

The Travancore National Pictures[86] was the first film studio in Kerala. It was established by J. C. Daniel in 1926 in Thiruvananthapuram,[87] which was then a part of Travancore. Producer-director Kunchacko and film distributor K. V. Koshy established Udaya Studios in Alappuzha in 1947.[88] The studio influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of Madras, Tamil Nadu to Kerala. In 1951, P. Subramaniam[89] established Merryland Studio in Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram. The other major studios are Sreekrishna (1952, Kulathoor), Ajantha[90] (1958, Keezhmadu – now extinct), Chithralekha[91] (1965, Aakkulam), Uma Studio[92] (1975, Vellakkadavu), Navodaya[93] (1978, Thrikkakkara) and Chithranjali[93] (1980, Thiruvallam).

Organisations

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA)[94] is an organisation formed by artists of Malayalam cinema. It aims to act against piracy, to safeguard the interests of member actors and actresses, and to serve as a common forum to raise concerns and address issues. The activities of AMMA include endowments, insurance schemes, and committees on wages and benefits on revision, funds for research, pensions, and education loans for the children of the members. The organisation ventured into film production in 2008 with Twenty:20 to raise funds for its activities.[95]

Organizations such as Kerala Film Producers Association, Kerala Film Distributors Association, Kerala Cine Exhibitors Federation, Hyperlink Film Club and Kerala Film Exhibitors Association have coordinated work stoppages.[96]

See also

References

  1. ^ "STATEWISE NUMBER OF SINGLE SCREENS". Film Federation of India. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  2. ^ "The Digital March Media & Entertainment in South India" (PDF). Deloitte. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  3. ^ "The Digital March Media & Entertainment in South India" (PDF). Deloitte. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  4. ^ Kumar, K.G. (18 May 2009). "What Mollywood can learn from Nollywood". Business Line. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Festival de Cannes: Throne of Death". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d "PIRAVI". Festival de Cannes.
  7. ^ a b "SWAHAM". Festival de Cannes.
  8. ^ a b "MARANA SIMHASANAM". Festival de Cannes.
  9. ^ a b "100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time". IBNLive.
  10. ^ "Official Website of Adoor Gopalakrishnan". Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  11. ^ "Fifty and still refreshing" Archived 9 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine. The Hindu. 11 August 2006. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  12. ^ "Festival de Cannes: Piravi". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  13. ^ a b c thssk. "Casting a magic spell". Hinduonnet.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b "An interview with 'Navodaya' Appachan". Archives.chennaionline.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ official website of INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT Archived 4 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Prd.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved on 29 July 2013.
  16. ^ "Kochi sizzling onscreen". The New Indian Express. 29 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Mollywood comes home to Kochi". The Hindu. 4 March 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "Veedu". Malayala Manorama. 23 May 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ "Mini-film city at Ramanthuruth". The Times of India. 7 November 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ a b Roy Armes (1987). Third World film making and the West. University of California Press. p. 121. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  21. ^ AMMA. "malayalamcinema". malayalamcinema.com. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  22. ^ "A true adventurer". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  23. ^ "Cinema". Keralawindow. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  24. ^ "History of malayalam cinema". Cinema Malayalam. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  25. ^ a b c The History of Cinema, by Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan
  26. ^ "Artist P.J. Cherian". artistpjcherian.com.
  27. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 December 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  29. ^ C. S.Venkiteswaran. A historical overview. p. 1.
  30. ^ Aswathi (22 September 2014). "13 തവണ മോഹന്‍ലാലിന് ദേശീയ പുരസ്‌കാരം നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടു" (in Malayalam). Filmibeat. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  31. ^ "Mother of all multistarrers!". Sify.
  32. ^ a b "Malayalam new generation films failing to click?". indianexpress.com.
  33. ^ "Glorious 100". Khaleej Times.
  34. ^ "Malayalam cinema pushes the envelope : NATION – India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  35. ^ Vijay George (27 December 2012). "Arts / Cinema : The show goes on..." Chennai, India: The Hindu. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  36. ^ Venkiteswaran, C. S. "New trails of discovery". Frontline.
  37. ^ Gauri, Deepa. "Hit parade". Khaleej Times.
  38. ^ Nicy V.P (26 August 2014). "Malayalam Wrap up: Mohanlal's 'Peruchazhi' to Release in 500 Screens". International Business Times. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  39. ^ a b Rajaneesh Vilakudy (14 December 2014). "Is Drishyam, Malayalam cinema's biggest hit? Jeethu answers". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  40. ^ a b "Sri Lankan south's lost ties with south India". The Hindu. 17 June 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ a b c d "Cinema History Malayalam Cinema". Malayalamcinema.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ "Rediff Movies: Team of 48". Rediff.com. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  43. ^ "The Rhythm of Arts". Kalakeralam.com. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  44. ^ Rajmohan. "John Abraham". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ History of Malayalam Cinema. Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved on 29 July 2013.
  46. ^ "Film shot with cell phone camera premiered". Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  47. ^ "Mohanlals Villain shot an released in 8K resolution – Malayalam Movie News – IndiaGlitz". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  48. ^ Rajmohan. "History of Malayalam Cinema". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ Rajmohan. "History of Malayalam Cinema". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  50. ^ Rajmohan. "History of Malayalam Cinema". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  51. ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  52. ^ "www.oridam.com". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  53. ^ "Music". Keral.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  54. ^ K. Pradeep (25 April 2008). "Family affair". Chennai, India: The Hindu. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  55. ^ a b Jason Kaitholil. "Cinema History". AMMA (Malayalamcinema.com). Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  56. ^ "K.J. Yesudas". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ CONTRIBUTE ARTICLES/REVIEWS – The healing power of Music &n Archived 28 January 2013 at archive.today. Malayalammusic.com. Retrieved on 29 July 2013.
  58. ^ Special Correspondent (3 March 2013). "'Vigathakumaran' did not face caste hostility: Adoor". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 November 2016. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  59. ^ Vijayakumar, B. (27 January 2013). "Old is Gold: Marthanda Varma, 1931". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  60. ^ Staff Reporter (28 May 2013). "Celebrating 75th anniversary of Balan, the first Malayalam talkie". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  61. ^ "Tribute : Family affair". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  62. ^ "Newspaper Boy:' a flashback to the Fifties". The hindu. 20 May 2005.
  63. ^ "Columns : KANDAM BACHA COATU 1961". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 8 November 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  64. ^ kikvn (4 September 2006). "MACTA to remake 'Bhargavi Nilayam'". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  65. ^ "'Chemmeen' is 40". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  66. ^ a b "Notes". Mtvasudevannair.com. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  67. ^ B. Vijayakumar. (19 June 2011). "CHITRAMELA 1967". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  68. ^ Rajmohan. "Interview: Adoor". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  69. ^ Jayaram, S. B. (1992). Aravindan and His Films. Trivandrum: Chalachitra. pp. 1–36. OCLC 33983644.
  70. ^ Shivpprasadh, S. (10 May 2012). "He cast a 3-D spell". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  71. ^ R. Ayyappan (1 January 2000). "Sleaze time, folks". Rediff.com. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  72. ^ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (24 October 2011). "After Amma Ariyan, a new role". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  73. ^ "Top 10 Indian Films". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011.
  74. ^ "Of Faby and his father Interview with Director K. Sreekkuttan". Aiswarya Tanish.
  75. ^ Rediff On The Net, Movies: An interview with Rajeev Anchal, director of the Oscar-nominated Guru. Rediff.com (16 March 1998). Retrieved on 29 July 2013.
  76. ^ "Undapakru, shortest actor". Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  77. ^ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (1 September 2006). "Change of scene". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  78. ^ "Mammotty's Pazhassi Raja, the first Malayalam film on Blu –Ray!". Southscope.in. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  79. ^ "Film shot with cell phone camera premiered". The Hindu. 7 June 2010.
  80. ^ Moviebuzz (14 May 2014). "Malayalam films to come with English subtitles". Sify. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  81. ^ "Mohanlal's Pulimurugan becomes first Malayalam film to gross over 100 crore rupees". Deccan Chronicle. 7 November 2016.
  82. ^ "Mohanlal and team Villain gives a grand welcome". Times of India. 26 March 2017.
  83. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  84. ^ "HOME – Kerala Chalachitra Academy". keralafilm.com.
  85. ^ Saraswathy Nagarajan (6 December 2012). "Best of world cinema". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  86. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 June 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  87. ^ "The Kerala Movie Studio Legacy – JC Daniel's The Travancore National Pictures – OLD MALAYALAM CINEMA". OLD MALAYALAM CINEMA.
  88. ^ "Official website of INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT". kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 12 April 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  89. ^ "Visionary and entrepreneur". The Hindu.
  90. ^ K. PRADEEP. "The story of a studio". The Hindu.
  91. ^ "www.keralahistory.ac.in". keralahistory.ac.in. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  92. ^ Baiju Chandran. "The Capital of cinema". The Hindu.
  93. ^ a b "Untitled Page". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  94. ^ "Malayalamcinema.com, Official website of AMMA, Malayalam Film news, Malayalam Movie Actors & Actress, Upcoming Malayalam movies". malayalamcinema.com.
  95. ^ The Hindu (June 2006), AMMA office-bearers assume charge, Chennai, India, retrieved 25 December 2008{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  96. ^ "The Hindu Business Line : No show: Cinema bandh total in Kerala". thehindubusinessline.com.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Malayalam cinema.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Malayalam_cinema&oldid=893543711"