| J. C. Daniel | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 April 1893 Agasthishwaram, Nagercoil, Travancore |
| Died | 29 May 1975 |
| Years active | 1926 - 1928 |
| Influenced | Malayalam cinema |
| Spouse | Janet |
| Awards | 1929 - Public Mirror Prize (Vigathakumaran) |
J. C. Daniel was the first film-maker from Kerala, India. He produced, directed, wrote, photographed, edited and acted in the first film made in Kerala, named Vigathakumaran meaning the Lost Child. He also established the first film studio in Kerala, named The Travancore National Pictures. It was near the present Public Service Commission office, Pattom, Trivandrum...[1] He is considered as the father of Malayalam cinema.[2] The Government of Kerala instituted the J. C. Daniel Award as a part of the Kerala State Film Awards, to honour lifetime achievements in Malayalam cinema.
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Daniel was born on 19 April 1893 in Agasthishwaram, Nagercoil, Travancore. The place in now under the governance of the State of Tamilnadu. He finished his formal education from Maharaja's College, Trivandrum. He was interested in martial arts and was an expert in Kalarippayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala. He published an English book titled Indian Art of Fencing and Sword Play in 1915, when he was 22.[3]
Daniel was well aware of the scope of cinema as a public medium. He wished to popularise Kalarippayattu by harnessing the popular influence of cinema. At that time the common mass of Kerala were not even aware of cinema, hence the idea was quite a challenge. He took the challenge and left to Madras (now Chennai) to learn techniques of film-making and to acquire necessary equipments for the purpose.[4] Madras was the budding centre of film production in South India and had the only permanent talkies in South India, named Gaiety which was established in 1912.[5] However, he could not get what he wanted from Madras and was even denied permission to enter various studio premises in there. That didn't make him to give up. He travelled to Bombay (now Mumbai), the centre of Hindi cinema production. He asked the Studio Owners for entry claiming that he is a teacher from Kerala and wanted to teach his students about Cinema and got entry to the Studios there.He could gather enough knowledge and equipments for film production from Bombay[4] and came back to Kerala to fulfil his dream.
In 1926, Daniel established the first film studio in Kerala named The Travancore National Pictures. He made money for the purpose by selling a piece of land in his name for Rs. 4 lakh.[1] With all set, he started production works of the film of his dreams. He wrote the script and titled it Vigathakumaran. He directed and wielded the camera for the film, which was mute. He was also the pratogonist in the film. He also did most of the post production work including editing. The theme of the film was of social significance and was one of the early films in that genre. Most of the Indian films at that time were based on stories from the puranas and films with social themes were scarse.[1]
Vigathakumaran was exhibited in Trivandrum at the Capitol Theatre on 7 November 1928.[4] Despite being the first film made in Kerala and the social significance of the film, it faced wrath of certain orthodox groups in Kerala, due to the presence of a woman in the film. At that time acting in films were considered as an act at par with prostitution.[4] During the screening, stones were pelt on the screen, damaging it.[6] The film did moderate business at the box office and the collections were way less than the expenditure.
The movie was also exhibited in Alleppey at the Star Theatre . Since it was a silent movie, there was an announcer at the theatre who would explain the story and the situation. Alleppey being one of the most important port towns in Kerala during that time, the audience were more liberal. They received the movie with exhilaration. There was a minor glitch when the screen faded and the audience booed. The announcer explained that since this is the first Malayalam movie, there will be some minor problems and the audience received the statement with applause.
It is said that J.C.Daniel himself came to Alleppey with the film box, since there was only one print.
The first Malayalam actress was a daily wage labourer named Rosie from a place called Thaikkat near Trivandrum. She used to come with lunch to act in the movie and go for her work in the evening. Since she acted in the movie and that was considered at par with prostitution,[4] some of the orthodox society burned down her hut. She fled to Tamilnadu where she got married and spent the rest of her life. Nobody knows the whereabouts of Rosie after she left Trivandrum.[6]
Vigathakumaran was also screened at Quilon, Trichur, Tellichery and Nagercoil.
Daniel suffered from debts and to overcome the situation, he had to sell his equipments and close down his studio.[4] That was the end of his film career.
Daniel spent the rest of his life as a dentist at Palayamkottai. He was into poverty towards the last days of his life spent at Agastheeswaram. Though he applied for pension under the scheme for ailing artists, the Government rejected it since he was born in Tamilnadu state. In his book and articles noted Film Journalist Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan firstly established that Vigathakumaran was the first Malayalam Cinema and J. C. Daniel was its architect as Director, Producer, Cinematographer and Hero. He described the story of Vigathakumaran in articles published since 1960, but Kerala Government has rejected his crusade because of Daniel was not a Malayalee. The Government version was that if Daniel want Pension or financial assistance, he has to apply it for Tamil Nadu Government, because he is living Agastheeswaram in Kanyakumari district. Though his ancestors were from Changanacherry, in Kerala and Daniel was born in Neyyattinkara and educated in Trivandrum, the Kerala government was reluctant to approve him as a Keralite. The crusade of Chelangattu Gopalakrishnan against this negative attitude has finally met victory. The same Kerala government has approved Daniel as a Keralite and even placed him as the 'Father of Malayalam Cinema'.
In May 1975, J. C. Daniel died.
The Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala instituted the J. C. Daniel Award in honour of him in 1992.[1] The award, a part of the Kerala State Film Awards is to honour lifetime achievements in outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema. From 1998, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, an autonomous body under the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala hosts the award.
The awards are instituted by the J.C. Foundation, which was founded in memory of J.C. Daniel by his family and friends. The awards are given away annually for achievements in Malayalam film-making. An award is also given for the best novel.[7]