P.A. Backer (1940–1993) was one of the "new wave" Malayalam film directors of the 1970s and 1980s. Backer was born in 1940 in Thrissur, Kerala State.[1] Whilst still a student Backer worked as a journalist for Kuttikal and Poomottukal.[2] He then worked as an assistant to director Ramu Kariat (1960).[1] He made his debut as a producer in 1970 with Olavum Theeravum which won the state awards for the best film and best cinematography.[3] He turned director in 1975 with Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol which won for him the State award for best director. Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol (When the River Kabani Turned Red), a bold movie about a leftist political activist, was released during the Indian Emergency. Some other notable movies by Backer are Manimuzhakkam (Peal of Bells), Chuvanna Vithukal (Red Seeds/Seeds of revolution), Sree Narayana Guru and Sanghaganam (Chorus). Sree Narayana Guru won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. His last film as a director was Innaleyude Baaki (The Balance of Yesterday; 1988). He died on 22 November 1993, aged 53, at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram. He was survived by his wife Anita Backer.[4]