Malayalam cinema

Malayalam Cinema

Number of screens 1015 Single-screens in Kerala state of India.[1]
Main distributors Aashirvad Cinemas
August Cinema
Graand Production
Galaxy Films
Anto Joseph Film Company
Maxlab Entertainments
Sree Gokulam Films
Navodaya Studio
Merryland Studio
LJ Films
Produced feature films (2014)[2]
Total 201
Gross box office (2013)[3]
National films India: ₹275 crore (US$40 million)

Malayalam cinema is a part of Indian cinema based in the state of Kerala, dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Malayalam language. Although the industry's Gross Box-office is smaller, when compared to large market driven industries such as Telugu cinema, and Tamil cinema, Malayalam films have gained unique recognition in world cinema for their technical finesse, and craft. Malayalam films are released in Kerala, and a handful of them being released in the United States, Australia, Germany, and the U. K. Works such as Marana Simhasanam, and Vanaprastham were screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival,[4][5] Marana Simhasanam has garnered the coveted Caméra d'Or ("Golden Camera") for that year.[6][7][8]

Adoor Gopalakrishnan has garnered the International Film Critics Prize (FIPRESCI) for his works such as Mukhamukham (1984), Anantaram (1987), Mathilukal (1989), Vidheyan (1993), Kathapurushan (1995), and Nizhalkkuthu (2002).[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) are the Malayalam films to be sent by India as its official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.

Other films which achieved global acclaim include Chemmeen (1965), which received Certificate of Merit at the Chicago International Film Festival, and Gold Medal at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Cinematography.[10] Piravi (1989), winning at least 31 international honors, including the Caméra d'Or — Mention Spéciale at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.[4] Swaham (1994) which bagged Bronze Rosa Camuna at the Bergamo Film Meeting in Italy.[5][11][12][13] The first 3D film produced in India, My Dear Kuttichathan (1984), was made in Malayalam.[14] The first CinemaScope film produced in Malayalam was Thacholi Ambu (1978).[15]

During the early 1920s the Malayalam film industry was based in Trivandrum, 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[16] with a major chunk of locations, studios, production and post-production facilities in Kochi and Trivandrum. Several media sources[17][18] describe Kochi as the hub of the film industry, while Kerala government publications[19] state that Trivandrum is the center.

History of Malayalam cinema

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.The film industry is also known as mollywood.[20][21] With support from the Kerala state government production climbed from around 6 a year in the 1950s, through 30 a year in the 1960s, 40 a year in the 1970s, to 127 films in 1980.[20]

Origins (1907-1950)

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 Ollur, Thrissur city by Jose and was called the Jose Electrical Bioscope.[22][23][24] The first film to be made in Malayalam was Vigathakumaran. Production started in 1928, and it was released in Trivandrum Capitol Theatre 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,[26] released in 1938. It was directed by S. Nottani with a screenplay and songs written by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. It was produced at Chennai (then Madras) 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[27] was the first Malayali producer to venture into this field and the trend then changed. He Produced Nirmala in 1948 with Joseph Cherian, Baby Joseph his son and daughter-in-law in the lead roles as hero and heroine; and 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 . Scripted by the well-known Malayalam novelist Uroob, and directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat. Another notable production was Newspaper Boy (1955), which 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 . 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, V.R.Varma rose up in this period as film lyricists. Brother Lakshmanan, Dakshinamurthy, K. Raghavan, G. Devarajan, M.S.Baburaj, Pukhenthey Velappan Nair etc. started a distinct style 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, Jikki etc. were the Singer from the 50s. The drama artist and school teacher Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai lend many of his skills to cinema in this period.

1960s

Ramu Kariat, one of the directors of Neelakkuyil (the other was 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). The era of colour films came to Malayalam cinema with its first colour film, Kandam Bacha Coat (1961). Chemmeen (1965), directed by Ramu Kariat and based on a story by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, went on to become immensely popular, and became the first Malayalam film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. Most of the films of the 60s 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 breakup of the joint-family system.[28] In 1960s M. Krishnan Nair, Kunchacko and P. Subramaniam were the leading malayalee 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, Kavyior Ponamma, Lalitha, Pankajavalli, Adoor Bhavani, Prema, Meena and Sadahna were the more popular actors active in this period.

During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Kunchacko made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema, both as a producer and as director of some notable Malayalam 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. Many directors sprang up in this period, P.N. Menon made 'rosy'and later 'Chemparanthi', then G. Aravindan and Adoor Gopalakrishnan too started work in 1960s to 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 recognized 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.

During the late 1970s, some young artists started seeing Malayalam cinema as a medium of expression and thought of it as a tool to revitalize 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). 1970s also saw the emergence of a notable director P. G. Viswambharan with his debut film Ozhukinethire and mythical film Sathyavan Savithri from the same director, which was well accepted. Also, commercial cinema in this period saw several workerclass themed films which mostly had M. G. Soman and Sukumaran 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. But this was short-lived, and almost ended with Jayan's untimely death while performing a stunt in a film called Kolilakkam (1980).

1980s

Padayottam released in 1982 was the first 70mm film in India

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.

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 films such as Amma Ariyaan addressed people's issues and raised the finance directly from people. The decade also saw significant number of movies with female characters becoming important or even central.

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.[5]

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, 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.[4] 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.

2000s

Slapstick comedy was the predominant theme in 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. There were some movies which were examples of exemplary film making like Meghamalhar, Madhuranombarakaattu, Nandanam, Perumazhakkalam, Kazhcha etc. In 2008, Malayalam movie artists came together in a multistar film Twenty:20 to raise funds for the AMMA.[29]

2010s

After several years of quality deterioration, Malayalam films saw the signs of massive resurgence post-2010 with the release of several experimental films (known as New Generation Films),[30] mostly from new directors.

New generation films (also known as new wave films) (2010–present[31]) is a Malayalam film movement developed in the early 2010s, characterized by fresh and unusual themes and new narrative techniques.[31][32] Films of the new wave differ from conventional themes of the past two decades (1990s and 2000s) and introduced several new trends to the Malayalam industry.[33] While the new generation formats and styles are deeply influenced by global and Indian trends, their thematics are firmly rooted in Malayalee life and mindscapes.[34] The new generation also helped the Malayalam film industry regain its past glory.[35]

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 for the year 2011.

Christian Brothers (2011) was released worldwide with a total of 310 prints on 18 March; 154 centres in Kerala and 90 centres outside Kerala and 80 centres overseas making it the widest release for a Malayalam film at that time. This was later broken by Peruchazhi (2014) which released in 500 screens worldwide on 29 August.[36] Varsham (2014) became the first Malayalam film to have a simultaneous release across the globe on 6 November.[37] Drishyam (2013) became the first Malayalam film to cross the 50 crores mark at the box office. The film was critically acclaimed and became remade in four languages.[38]

Pioneering film-making techniques

Newspaper Boy (1955), a neorealistic film, drew inspiration from Italian neorealism.[15][39] Padayottam (1982) was India's first indigenously produced 70 mm film,[40] while My Dear Kuttichathan (1984) was India's first 3D film.[14] O' Faby (1993) was India's first live-action/animation hybrid film.[41]

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.[42]

Moonnamathoral (2006) was the first Indian film to be shot and distributed in digital format.[43]

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 films based on the puranas, he chose to base his film on a social theme.[44] Though the film failed commercially, he paved way for the Malayalam film industry and is widely considered the father of Malayalam cinema. Till 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.[39] Ramu Karyat went on to become a celebrated director in the 1960s and 1970s. P. Bhaskaran also directed a few acclaimed films in the 1960s. The cameraman of Neelakkuyil, A. Vincent, also became a noted director of the 1960s and 1970s.[45] 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 later 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.[46]

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.[39] 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 . Then there were extraordinary screenwriters like M. T. Vasudevan Nair, T. Damodaran, A. K. Lohithadas and Sreenivasan whose contributions were also commendable.

The 2000s witnessed the decline of quality of Malayalam films. Many directors who 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. 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, Renjith, Roshan Andrews, Amal Neerad, Aashiq Abu, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Lijo Jose Pellissery.

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) 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).[47][48]

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.[49] Before Malayalam cinema and Malayalam film music developed, the Keralites eagerly followed Tamil and Hindi film songs, and that habit has stayed with them till 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.[50]

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. But by the mid of 1950s, Malayalam Film Music Industry started finding its own identity and this reformation was led by the music directors 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.[51] 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.[51] This can be attributed to the fact that film music in South India had a parallel growth pattern with so many instances of cross-industry contributions.. The late 1950s through mid 1970s can be considered as the golden period of Malayalam film music in its own identity. Along with the four leading music directors, 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 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. Vayalar, G. Devarajan and Yesudas trio also made unforgettable songs like the earlier trio of Kamukara, Tirunainaarkurichy & Brother Laxmanan. Yesudas became equally popular with classical music audience and people who patronised film music.[52] He along with P. Jayachandran gave a major facelift to Malayalam playback singing in the 1960s and 1970s. K. S. Chithra, who debuted in 1979.By the mid-eighties, she became the most sought after female singer in South India.

By Late 1970s, the trends in music started changing and more rhythm oriented songs with western touch came with the dominance of music directors like Shyam, K. J. Joy, Jerry Amaldev etc. The lyricists were forced to write lyrics according to the tune in these days and were often criticized for quality issues. But from 1979–80, the revolutionary music director Raveendran along with Johnson and M. G. Radhakrishnan lead the second reformation of Malayalam film music by creating melodious and classical oriented music with the soul of culture of Kerala. Lyricists like Poovachal Khader, Kavalam Narayana Panicker and Bichu Thirumala in 1980s and Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, Gireesh Puthenchery in 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. Along with 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).

At present, the major players in the scene are young composers like Rahul Raj, Prashant Pillai, Bijibal, Gopi Sundar, Alphonse, lyricists Rafeeq Ahmed, Vayalar Sarath and Anil Panachooran, and singers Madhu Balakrishnan, Afsal, Rimi Tomy, 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 known for bringing in a lot of electronics, digital sound and a variety of genres in Malayalam film scores and songs.[53]

The National Award-winning music composers of Malayalam cinema are Johnson (1994, 1995), Bombay Ravi (1995), Ouseppachan (2008), Ilaiyaraaja (2010), Issac Thomas Kottukapally (2011) and Bijibal (2012). Till 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, awards were given to film score and both 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. 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), 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 seven awards. 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 awards.

Landmark films

Year Film Director Major cast Note(s)
1928 Vigathakumaran J. C. Daniel J. C. Daniel, PK Rosy, Johnson,
Sundar Raj		 First Malayalam feature film.
Written and Produced by J. C. Daniel , who is considered as the father of Malayalam film industry for this work.
1933 Marthandavarma P.V.Rao Jaidev, A.V.P. Menon, Devaki, Padmini First copyright case in Indian film industry and literature publishing of Kerala . Produced by Sundar Raj, who was an actor in first film Vigathakumaran
1938 Balan S. Nottani K. K. Aroor, M. K. Kamalam First talkie in Malayalam.
Produced by T. R. Sundaram. Screenplay by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai.
1948 Nirmala P. V. Krishna Iyer[54] Joseph Cherian, Baby Joseph Introduced playback singing for the first time in films to Malayalam cinema by 'Nirmala's' Producer Artist P.J. Cherian. Sung by P. Leela, P. K. Raghavan, Sarojini Menon, T. K. Govindarao, Vasudeva Kurup and Vimala B Varma. Lyrics were by G. Sankara Kurup.
1954 Neelakkuyil P. Bhaskaran,
Ramu Karyat		 Sathyan, Miss Kumari Considered the first mature film in Malayalam. The film excelled in direction, screenplay, acting and music.[39]
1961 Kandam Bacha Coat T. R. Sundaram Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Prem Nawaz, Ambika First colour film.[55]
1964 Bhargavi Nilayam A. Vincent Prem Nazir, Madhu, Vijaya Nirmala, P. J. Antony First horror film. Story and screenplay were by Vaikom Muhammed Bashir.[56]
1965 Chemmeen Ramu Karyat Sathyan, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair ,
Sheela, Madhu		 First South Indian film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.[57] First film to participate in an international film festival.
1965 Murappennu A. Vincent Prem Nazir, P. J. Antony, Adoor Bhasi, Sharada First film to shoot extensively outdoors. It was the first film venture of writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair.[58]
1966 Iruttinte Athmavu P. Bhaskaran Prem Nazir, Santha Devi Noted for being the first serious attempt at sensitive storytelling. Considered to be the masterpiece work of P. Bhaskaran and Prem Nazir.[58]
1967 Chithramela T .S. Muthiah Prem Nazir, Sharada, Sheela, K. P. Ummer Noted for being the first anthology film.[59]
1972 Swayamvaram Adoor Gopalakrishnan Madhu, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Sharada Pinoeered "new-wave cinema movement" in India. First Malayalam film to win the National Film Award for Best Direction.[60]
1974 Kanchana Sita G. Aravindan Rama Chenchu tribal people Pinoeered independent filmmaking in South India.[61]
1978 Thacholi Ambu Navodaya Appachan Prem Nazir, Sivaji Ganesan , Jayan This was the first cinemascope film in Malayalam .
Produced by Navodaya Appachan.
1982 Padayottam Jijo Prem Nazir, Madhu , Mammootty, Mohanlal This was the first 70mm film in South India .[62]
Produced by Navodaya Appachan.
1984 My Dear Kuttichathan Jijo Child Artists, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair This was the first 3D film in India .[14]
Produced by Navodaya Appachan.
1986 Amma Ariyan John Abraham Joy Mathew Filam by Odessa Collective, an attempt by a group of movie enthusiasts to change the history of film production and distribution by making it a collaborative effort with the public and thus act as an empowering and liberating medium. The film was the only South Indian film to feature in British Film Institute's Top 10 Indian Films list.
1997 Guru Rajiv Anchal Mohanlal Movie was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category for the year 1997, making it the first Malayalam film to be chosen for the same.[63]
2005 Athbhutha Dweepu Vinayan Prithviraj, Ajaykumar The film got entry into the Guinness Book of Records for casting the most number of dwarves in a single film and its lead actor Ajaykumar won the same for being the shortest actor to play the lead in the history of cinema.[64]
2006 Moonnamathoral V. K. Prakash Jayaram, Vineeth, Jyothirmayi First Malayalam digital movie, and first high-definition (HD) cinema to be digitally distributed to theatres via satellite.
2009 Pazhassi Raja Hariharan Mammootty, Sarath Kumar, Manoj K. Jayan, Kanika, Padmapriya First Malayalam film to get a home video release in Blu-ray format.[65]
2013 Drishyam Jeethu Joseph Mohanlal First Malayalam film to cross ₹ 50 crore from theatrical collection.[38]
2015 Premam Alphonse puthren Nivin pauly First Malayalam film successfully ran 240+ days in Tamil Nadu and broke all the Malayalam film records[38]

Kerala State Film Awards

The Kerala State Film Awards[66] are given to motion pictures made in the Malayalam language. The awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy[67] since 1998 on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Government of Kerala. The awards were started in the year 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 that are submitted before deciding the winners. The awards intends to promote films with artistic values and encourage artistes and technicians.

International Film Festival of Kerala

The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is a film festival held annually in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. This film festival was started in 1996 and is organised by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the State Government. The festival is held in November/December every year and is acknowledged as one of the leading film festivals in India.[68]

Film studios

The Travancore National Pictures[69] was the first film studio in Kerala. It was established by J. C. Daniel in 1926 in Nagercoil,[70] which was then a part of Travancore. Producer-director Kunchacko and film distributor K. V. Koshy established Udaya Studios in Alappuzha in 1947.[71] The studio influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of Madras, Tamil Nadu to Kerala. In 1951, P. Subramaniam[72] established Merryland Studio in Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram. The other major studios are Sreekrishna (1952, Kulathoor), Ajantha[73] (1958, Keezhmadu - now extinct), Chithralekha[74] (1965, Aakkulam), Uma Studio[75](1975, Vellakkadavu), Navodaya[76] (1978, Thrikkakkara) and Chithranjali[76] (1980, Thiruvallam).

Organisations

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA)[77] 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, fund for research, pensions, education loans for their children etc. for the members. The organization ventured into film production in 2008 with Twenty:20 to raise funds for its activities.[78]

Organizations such as Kerala Film Producers Association, Kerala Film Distributors Association, Kerala Cine Exhibitors Federation and Kerala Film Exhibitors Association have coordinated work stoppages.[79]

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. 1 2 3 "Festival de Cannes: Throne of Death". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-10-10.
  5. 1 2 3 "PIRAVI". Festival de Cannes.
  6. ↑ "SWAHAM". Festival de Cannes.
  7. ↑ "MARANA SIMHASANAM". Festival de Cannes.
  8. ↑ "100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time". IBNLive.
  9. ↑ "Official Website of Adoor Gopalakrishnan". Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  10. ↑ "Fifty and still refreshing". The Hindu. 11 August 2006. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  11. ↑ "SWAHAM". Festival de Cannes.
  12. ↑ "MARANA SIMHASANAM". Festival de Cannes.
  13. ↑ "100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time". IBNLive.
  14. 1 2 3 thssk. "Casting a magic spell". Hinduonnet.com. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  15. 1 2 "An interview with 'Navodaya' Appachan". Archives.chennaionline.com. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  16. ↑ official website of INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT. Prd.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  17. ↑ Viswanath, Chandrakanth. (2013-01-29) Kochi sizzling onscreen. The New Indian Express. Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  18. ↑ Veedu |. Manorama Online (2013-05-23). Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  19. ↑ http://www.old.kerala.gov.in/district_handbook/tvm_handbook.pdf
  20. 1 2 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 2013-09-29.
  23. ↑ "Cinema". Keralawindow. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  24. ↑ "History of malayalam cinema". Cinema Malayalam. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  25. 1 2 3 The History of Cinema, by Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan
  26. ↑ "Balan (1938)". IMDb.
  27. ↑ "Artist P.J. Cherian". artistpjcherian.com.
  28. ↑ C. S.Venkiteswaran. A historical overview. p. 1.
  29. ↑ "Mother of all multistarrers!". Sify.
  30. ↑ http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?section=citytimes&xfile=/data/citytimes/2012/November/citytimes_November40.xml
  31. 1 2 "Malayalam new generation films failing to click?". indianexpress.com.
  32. ↑ "Malayalam cinema pushes the envelope : NATION - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  33. ↑ Vijay George (2012-12-27). "Arts / Cinema : The show goes on...". Chennai, India: The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  34. ↑ http://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/new-trails-of-discovery/article5189455.ece?homepage=true
  35. ↑ City Times - Hit parade
  36. ↑ Nicy V.P (August 26, 2014). "Malayalam Wrap up: Mohanlal's 'Peruchazhi' to Release in 500 Screens". International Business Times. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Mammootty's 'Varsham' to Release Worldwide in over 400 Theatres". International Business Times. 4 November 2014.
  38. 1 2 3 Rajaneesh Vilakudy (14 December 2014). "Is Drishyam, Malayalam cinema's biggest hit? Jeethu answers". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  39. 1 2 3 4 "Cinema History Malayalam Cinema". Malayalamcinema.com. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  40. ↑ "Rediff Movies: Team of 48". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  41. ↑ "The Rhythm of Arts". Kalakeralam.com. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  42. ↑ Rajmohan. "John Abraham". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  43. ↑ History of Malayalam Cinema. Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  44. ↑ Rajmohan. "History of Malayalam Cinema". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  45. ↑ Rajmohan. "History of Malayalam Cinema". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  46. ↑ Rajmohan. "History of Malayalam Cinema". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  47. ↑ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). iffi.nic.in.
  48. ↑ http://www.oridam.com/Awards.htm
  49. ↑ "Music". Keral.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  50. ↑ K. Pradeep (25 April 2008). "Family affair". Chennai, India: The Hindu. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  51. 1 2 Jason Kaitholil. "Cinema History". AMMA (Malayalamcinema.com). Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  52. ↑ "K.J. Yesudas". Chennai Online. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  53. ↑ CONTRIBUTE ARTICLES/REVIEWS - The healing power of Music &n. Malayalammusic.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  54. ↑ "Tribute : Family affair". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  55. ↑ "Columns : KANDAM BACHA COATU 1961". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 2008-11-08. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  56. ↑ kikvn (2006-09-04). "MACTA to remake 'Bhargavi Nilayam'". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  57. ↑ "'Chemmeen' is 40". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 2005-11-16. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  58. 1 2 "Notes". Mtvasudevannair.com. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  59. ↑ B. Vijayakumar. (19 June 2011). "CHITRAMELA 1967". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  60. ↑ Rajmohan. "Interview: Adoor". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  61. ↑ Jayaram, S. B. (1992). Aravindan and His Films. Trivandrum: Chalachitra. pp. 1–36. OCLC 33983644.
  62. ↑ R. Ayyappan (January 1, 2000). "Sleaze time, folks". Rediff.com. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  63. ↑ Rediff On The Net, Movies: An interview with Rajeev Anchal, director of the Oscar-nominated Guru. Rediff.com (1998-03-16). Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  64. ↑ http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/14264/Undapakru-shortest-actor.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  65. ↑ "Mammotty's Pazhassi Raja, highest grosser Malyalam film of that time with 49crore worldwide the first Malayalam film on Blu –Ray!". southscope.in. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  66. ↑ http://www.keralafilm.com/index.php/awards
  67. ↑ "HOME - Kerala Chalachitra Academy". keralafilm.com.
  68. ↑ Saraswathy Nagarajan (December 6, 2012). "Best of world cinema". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  69. ↑ http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/jcdaniel.html
  70. ↑ "The Kerala Movie Studio Legacy - JC Daniel's The Travancore National Pictures - OLD MALAYALAM CINEMA". OLD MALAYALAM CINEMA.
  71. ↑ "Official website of INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT". kerala.gov.in.
  72. ↑ "Visionary and entrepreneur". The Hindu.
  73. ↑ K. PRADEEP. "The story of a studio". The Hindu.
  74. ↑ "www.keralahistory.ac.in". keralahistory.ac.in.
  75. ↑ Baiju Chandran. "The Capital of cinema". The Hindu.
  76. 1 2 http://www.chithranjali.in/main.aspx
  77. ↑ "Malayalamcinema.com, Official website of AMMA, Malayalam Film news, Malayalam Movie Actors & Actress, Upcoming Malayalam movies". malayalamcinema.com.
  78. ↑ The Hindu (June 2006), AMMA office-bearers assume charge, Chennai, India, retrieved 25 December 2008
  79. ↑ "The Hindu Business Line : No show: Cinema bandh total in Kerala". thehindubusinessline.com.

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