Parinayam (1994 film)

Parinayam (Malayalam: പരിണയം English: Wedding) is a Malayalam–language film directed by Hariharan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The key characters are played by Mohini, Vineeth and Manoj.K.Jayan. The film also has a cast of character artists including Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Sukumari, Jagannatha Varma, Valsala Menon, Bindu Panicker, Bahadoor, Anila and Shanthi Krishna.

Parinayam won four national awards (Best Screenplay, Best Film on Other Social Issues, Best Music Direction and Special Jury Award for Cinematography), also won several Kerala State Film Awards. This film deals with the mental and physical agony that a young Namboothiri widow had to undergo for losing her chastity. Parinayam was loosely based on Smarthavicharam of Kuryeddath Thathri, that created a shock among Kerala in early twentieth century that led to the reformation of Namboothiri community.

Plot

Unnimaya (Mohini), a teenage girl, is married to Palakunnath Namboothiri ( Jagannatha Varma), a man in his sixties as his fourth wife. Unnimaya, an educated girl hailing from kizhakkedath Mana, a progressive family was forced to marry an old man due to various social factors and she finds it hard to adjust with the severe orthodox practices. The sudden death of her husband makes her face the brutal rituals practiced among Namboothriri community. She is made to live a lonely life, away from all colors and celebrations. Kunjunni Namboothiri (Manoj.K.Jayan), the elder son of Palakkunath is the only person who shows compassion and support towards her. Kunjunni is actively involved in reformation among the Namboothiri's and is considered as a rebel among the orthodox community. In was in those days, Unnimaya meets Madhavan (Vineeth) an upcoming Kathakali artist, with whom she falls in love. He gets her pregnant. The orthodox community suffered a shock when they knew about her pregnancy and decides to excommunicate her through Smarthavicharam. A group of senior Namboothiris under the leadership of Moothedath Bhattathiri (Thilakan) conducts rituals which even include physical torture. Unnimaya expects Madhavan to save her, but he denounces her. Realizing his cowardice to face the orthodox society, which may even excommunicate him for being from a lower caste, Nair, Unnimaya gains courage to face the orthodox Namboothiris. She answers back to the questions by them, which make them to excommunicate her by throwing her out of the family. But Kunjunni arrives as her savior. The progressive Yogakshema Sabha but finds his ways too bohemian and dismisses him from the group. Kunjunni support her at his house. Madhavan realizing his mistake arrives to accept Unnimaya, but now she shows him the door claiming that he is not the father of her unborn child. Unnimaya involves in social service and becomes a Congress volunteer deciding to do something for the downtrodden society.

Cast

• Mohini as Unnimaya Antharjanam
• Vineeth as Madhavan
• Manoj K.Jayan as Kunjunni
• Ravi Menon as Krishnan
• Thilakan as Moothedam
• Nedumudi Venu as Aphan Namboothiri
• Jagathy Sreekumar as Mullassery
• Oduvil Unnikrishnan as Othikkan
• T. P. Madhavan
• Anoop Raja as Vasudevan
• KPAC Premachandran as Thekkumthala Govindan
• Sukumari as Kunjikavu
• Shanthi Krishna as Mathu
• Bahadoor as Kizhakkedam
• Jagannatha Varma as Palakkunnam
• Anila as Nanikutty
• Santhakumari as Madhavan's Mother
• Bindu Panicker as cheriya Athemaru
• Valsala Menon as Valiya Athemaru
• Sreejaya

Soundtrack

The acclaimed soundtrack of this movie was composed by maestro Bombay Ravi for which the acclaimed lyrics were penned by Yusufali Kechery. All the songs of this movie were instant hits.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards

• Best Film
• Best Screenplay - M. T. Vasudevan Nair
• Best Male Playback Singer - Dr. K. J. Yesudas
• Best Female Playback Singer - K. S. Chithra

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Parinayam (1994 film).

• Parinayam at the Internet Movie Database