Padmarajan Padmanabhan Pillai,better known asP. Padmarajan(23 May 1945 – 24 January 1991) was an Indianfilm maker,screenwriterandauthorwho was known for his works inMalayalam literatureandMalayalam cinema.[1]He was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along withBharathanandK. G. George,in the 1980s.
P. Padmarajan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | P. Padmarajan 23 May 1945 |
| Died | 23 January 1991(aged 45) |
| Other names | Pappettan |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1975–1991 |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse | Radhalakshmi |
| Children | 2 |
Padmarajan was known for his detailed screenwriting and expressive direction style[2][3]and made some of the landmark motion pictures in Malayalam cinema.[4]He won theKerala Sahithya Academy Awardin 1972 for his novelNakshathrangale Kaval.He made his directorial debut in 1979 withPeruvazhiyambalamwhich won theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.He won his second National Award in 1986 withThinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam.Padmarajan had won sixKerala State Film Awardswhich includes two awards forBest Storyin 1978, 1979 and two awards forBest Screenplayin 1984 and 1986. He has written screenplay for thirty seven movies among which eighteen he directed. The screenplay for all the movies he directed were written by Padmarajan himself.Njan Gandharvanwas his last movie and within a week of its release, he died atKozhikodedue to sudden cardiac arrest.
Early life
editPadmarajan was born on 23 May 1945 inMuthukulamnearHaripadinAlappuzha,which was then under the princely state ofTravancore.He was the sixth son of Thundathil Anantha Padmanabha Pillai and Njavarakkal Devaki Amma. After early schooling at Muthukulam, he studied atMahatma Gandhi College, ThiruvananthapuramandUniversity College, Thiruvananthapuram,graduating with aB.Sc.inchemistry(1963). Subsequently, he learnedSanskritfrom the scholar Cheppad Achyutha Warrier at Muthukulam. He then joinedAll India Radio,Trichur(1965), starting as a programme announcer, and later settled atPoojappura,Thiruvananthapuram(1968); he would remain at All India Radio until 1986 when his involvement in films prompted him to retire voluntarily.Padmarajan began his literary career during his stay at Thrissur and the friendships and experiences he gained during the period influenced his works thereafter.[5] After his move to Thiruvananthapuram, his reputation as a writer and participation among the literary circles in the capital flourished.It was during this early days that he appeared in a short cameo in the movieKallichellammawhich released in 1969.This is his only appearance in film as an actor.
Career as screenwriter and director
editPadmarajan's stories mainly deal withdeceit,murder,romance,mystery,passion,jealousy,libertinism,anarchism,individualism,social structure,human psychologyand life of peripheral elements of society. Some of them are considered among the best inMalayalam literature.[6][7][8]In his films and stories, Padmarajan created characters that were complex, multidimensional, and deeply human. Padmarajan's works were often inspired by real-life people and situations he witnessed, such as the tragic tale of a woman who committed suicide after being abandoned by her lover, which served as the basis for his film "Thakara." He often drew inspiration from the people and situations he encountered in his daily life, such as the struggles of rural farmers or the complexities of urban relationships. Thescreenplayfor all the movies he directed were written by Padmarajan himself. His first novel published in 1971 titledNakshathrangale Kaaval(The Stars Alone Guard Me) won theKerala Sahithya Academyaward (1972).[9]
He entered the world ofMalayalam cinemaby writing the screenplay forPrayanam(1975) which wasBharathan's directorial debut and had the cinematography byBalu Mahendra.[10]Rappadikalude Gatha(1978) was his third movie as a screenwriter which won theKerala State Film Award for Best Storyin 1978. His next work as a screenwriter was the classicerotic filmRathinirvedam(1978) which is regarded as a landmark inIndian film history.[11]
After writing screenplay for three more films, Padmarajan made his directional debut in 1979 withPeruvazhiyambalam(The Halfway House). It won theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalamand was included in IBN Live's list of 100 greatest Indian films of all time.[12]His next directedOridathoru Phayalvaan(There Lived a Wrestler) in 1981. Padmarajan also did the editing of this movie. It won the award for best script at theKuala Lumpur International Film Festivaland a gold medal at theAsian Film Festival.In 1982 he directedNovemberinte Nashtamwhich was critically acclaimed. Padmarajan'sKoodevide?(1983) won theKerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value.In 1984, he wrote the screenplay forI. V Sasi'sKanamarayathu,which won theKerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay.In 1986 he directedDesatanakkili Karayarilla,which is one of the first Indian films that exploredwomanceon screen.[13]He won the secondNational AwardwithThinkalazhcha Nalla Divasamin 1985. Padmarajan'sKariyilakkattu Pole(1986) is considered one of the classic investigative thrillers in Malayalam.[14]The same year he directedArappatta Kettiya Gramathilwhich was a failure at box office. The plot of the movie which revolves around a brothel and the sex workers in it eventually developed a cult following.[15]
WithMohanlalandMammoottyin the lead role, Padmarajan directed some of thecult classic moviesin Malayalam such asNamukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal(1986),Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil(1986),Kariyilakkattu Pole(1986),Thoovanathumbikal(1987) andSeason(1989).[16]Thoovanathumbikal was ranked eighth by IBN Live in its list of greatest Indian films of all time and is considered one of the best romantic movies ever made in Malayalam.[17][18]Aparan(1988) is his another classic mystery psychological thriller which also marked the acting debut ofJayaram.[19]It won theKerala State Film Award for Best Screenplayin 1988.Moonnam Pakkam(1988) is another classic Padmarajan movie which was critically acclaimed.[20]His 1990 movieInnaleis mainly noted for the performance ofSuresh Gopi.[21]Padmarajan's last movieNjan Gandharvan(1991) was a failure at box office. But the film later developed a cult following because of its aesthetics and storytelling. Within a week of its release, Padmarajan died at a hotel inKozhikode.[22]In total Padmarajan has written screenplay for 37 films among 18 of which he directed.
Association with Bharathan
editTogether withBharathanandK. G. George,he successfully laid the foundation for a school of Malayalam cinema that strove to tread a middle ground by striking a fine balance. The term "Parallel film" is usually used to describe Padmarajan's style of film making. Along with Bharathan, he displayed mastery in handling sexuality on the screen, hitherto less known in Malayalam cinema.[23]
Association with actors
editHe was quite adept in spotting talent, and introduced many fresh faces who would later make their mark in Indian cinema, includingJayaram(Aparan),Ashokan(Peruvazhiyambalam),Rasheed(Oridathoru Phayalvaan),Rahman(Koodevide),Ramachandran(Novemberinte Nashtam),Ajayan(Moonnam Pakkam). Also artists likeNitish Bharadwaj(Njan Gandharvan),Suhasini(Koodevide);Shari(Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal) were introduced to Malayalam screen by him.[24]
He coaxed sparkling and inspired performances from many actors, such asBharath Gopi,Mammootty,Mohanlal,Jayaram,Shobana,Sumalatha,Karamana Janardanan Nair,Rahman,Jagathy Sreekumar,Suresh Gopi,Thilakan,Nedumudi VenuandAshokan;indeed, Thilakan's rendition inMoonnam Pakkamis considered one of the best performance in his career. His association withMohanlalandMammoottywas well noted especially because their films broke the conventional concepts prevailing during that time.[25]He also aided in establishing, to a fair degree, the fame of other directors such asBharathan,I. V. Sasi,andMohan,through his association with them. His collaboration with Bharathan as a scriptwriter is considered to have produced remarkable works in Malayalam cinema. His assistants who went on to direct films independently includeThoppil Ajayan(Perumthachan),Suresh Unnithan's (Jaathakam,Raadhaamaadhavam), andBlessy's (Kaazhcha,Thanmaathra,the latter adapted from Padmarajan's short storyOrma.[26]
Film making
editPadmarajan is celebrated for his unparalleled attention to detail in his screenplays. Most of his films portrayed human relationships and emotions.[27]Many of his films have haunting climaxes, most of them not commonly portrayed in Malayalam movies. His characters are portrayed with sensitivity and intensity on the screen. The landscape is also the major part of the Padmarajan's craft in film making. His thesis were well crafted in his films. Padmarajan’s films explore the features of the landscape naturally.[28]
Padmarajan's screenplays had such hitherto-unheard of features and subjects – such as casting rain as a character inThoovanathumbikal(Dragonflies in the drizzle), homosexual love inDesatanakkili Karayarilla(Migratory Birds Don't Cry), unusual climax (by traditional standards) inNamukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal(Vineyards for us to dwell) andOridathoru Phayalvaan(There Lived a Wrestler).[29]Forbidden love and characters that strive to rise above the limitations of middle-class Malayali society of the seventies and eighties is a recurring theme in many of his works. Many of his films bear the mark of his romanticism.[30]
Personal life
editPadmarajan's wife Radhalakshmi is fromChitturinPalakkad.Radhalakshmi was his colleague atAIRbefore their marriage in 1970. Radhalakshmi has written her reminiscences about him in her bookPadmarajan Entaey Gandharvan(Padmarajan, my celestial lover). Their son, P. Ananthapadmanabhan, is a writer. They also have a daughter,Madhavikkutty.
Padmarajan died suddenly at Hotel Paramount Towers inKozhikodein the early hours of 24 January 1991. He was staying at the hotel overnight in the middle of a promotional tour visiting the theatres playing his last filmNjan Gandharvan.The cause of death was a massive cardiac arrest.[31]
Bibliography
editThis sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(November 2022) |
Novels
edit- Itha Ivide Vare
- Jalajwala
- Kallan Pavithran
- Manju Kaalam Notta Kuthira
- Nakshathrangale Kaaval
- Nanmakalude Sooryan
- Peruvazhiyambalam
- Prathimayum Rajakumariyum
- Rathinirvedam
- Rithubhedhangalude Paarithoshikam
- Shavavahanangalum Thedi
- Udakappola(Thoovanathumbikal)
- Vadakakku Oru Hridayam
- Vikramakaaleeswaram
Short stories
edit- Aparan(Aparan)
- Avalude Katha
- Kariyilakkattu Pole(Kariyilakkattu Pole)
- Kaivariyude Thekkeyattam
- Kazhinja Vasantha Kalathil
- Lola
- Mattullavarude Venal
- Onnu Randu Moonnu
- Prahelika
- Pukakkannada
- Syphilisinte Nadakkavu
- Athirthi
- Jeevithacharya
- Choondal
- Amritheth
- Swayam
- Mazha
- Mrithy
- Oru Sthree Oru Purushan
- Kunju
- Shoorphanaka
- Kaikeyi
- Nisha Shalabham
- Banyan Avenue
- Orma
- Jeevithacharya
- Oru Sameepakaala Durantham
- Ningalude Thaavalangal Ningalkk
- Raanimaarude Kudumbam
- Ore Chandranmaar
Filmography
editThis sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(November 2022) |
Voice-Cameos
edit[32][7]According to his family sources, Padmarajan, who started his career as a Staff Announcer in All India Radio, rendered his voice in many movies as well. Some of the notable ones are as below:
- 1921:Voice-over for the Prologue.
- Novemberinte Nashtam:Das, the lead character played byPratap Pothen.
- Peruvazhiyambalam:The shop owner who converses with the character Prabhakaran Pillai, in the first scene of the movie.
- Oridathoru Phayalvaan:The wrestler who is the protagonist of the movie, played by Rashid.
- Kariyilakkaattu Pole:The Head Priest at the Ashram where the character Bhagini Sevaamayi played byUnni Maryresides.
- Aparan:The Imposter’s role played byJayaram.Also the rogue’s role played by VBK Menon who gets into a brawl with the hero Vishwanathan, at the restaurant.
- Innale:The herdsman, played by Nilambur Balan, who finds the body of female lead role played by Shobhana after the accident.
- Njan Gandharvan:The Celestial Voice.
- Koodevide:The small role of a military officer who informs the character portrayed by Suhasini about her brother’s sudden demise.
- Season:The voice-over in between the song “Poy Varoo…”
Awards
editThis sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(November 2022) |
- 1972: Novel –Nakshathrangale Kaval
- 1979:Best Feature Film in Malayalam–Peruvazhiyambalam
- 1986:Best Feature Film in Malayalam–Thinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam
- 1978:Best Story–Rappadikalude Gatha
- 1979:Second Best Film–Peruvazhiyambalam
- 1979:Best Story–Peruvazhiyambalam
- 1983:Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value–Koodevide
- 1984:Best Screenplay–Kanamarayathu
- 1988:Best Screenplay–Aparan
- Kerala Film Critics' Awards
- 1977: Best Screenplay –Itha Ivide Vare
- 1982: Best Film –Novemberinte Nashtam
- 1983: Best Screenplay -Koodevide
- 1984: Best Screenplay –Kanamarayathu
- 1986: Best Screenplay –Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal,Nombarathi Poovu
- 1988: Best Screenplay –Aparan,Moonnam Pakkam
- 1990: Best Screenplay –Innale
- Film Fans' Awards
- 1975: Best Screenplay –Prayaanam
- 1977: Best Screenplay –Itha Ivide Vare
- 1978: Best Screenplay –Rappadikalude Gatha,Rathinirvedam
- 1980: Best Screenplay –Thakara
- Other awards
- 1982: Kualalumpur Film Festival – Best Film –Oridathoru Phayalvaan
- 1982: Kualalumpur Film Festival – Best Script –Oridathoru Phayalvaan
- 1982: Gulf Award for Best Film –Novemberinte Nashtam
- 1983: Pournami Award for Best Director –Koodevide
- 1987: Film Chamber Award for Best Story –Thoovanathumbikal
- 1988: Film Fare Award for Best Director –Aparan
- 1990: Film Chamber Award for Best Story –Innale
- 1991: FAC award –Njan Gandharvan
Padmarajan Award
editPadmarajan Puraskaram or Padmarajan Award is an annual film/literary award instituted by the Padmarajan Memorial Trust.[34]It carries a plaque and a cash award of₹10,000.[34]The award is given in two categories:
- Padmarajan Award for Best Short Story
- Padmarajan Award for Best Film
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Remembering P. Padmarajan".filmfare.com.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"ആ അനുഭവത്തെ ക്ലാരയെന്നു വിളിച്ച് അവർ ഒരുപാട് മഴകൾ നനഞ്ഞു; പത്മരാജനെ ഓർക്കുമ്പോൾ".ManoramaOnline(in Malayalam).Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"ഇല്ല പ്രായമാകുന്നേയില്ല ആ സിനിമകള്ക്കും കഥാപാത്രങ്ങൾക്കും!".malayalam.samayam.com(in Malayalam).Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Vineyards of passion and bloody beaches: 5 eternal Padmarajan films for movie buffs".The New Indian Express.27 January 2020.Retrieved11 June2021.
- ^"Remembering Padmarajan: പറയാതെ പറഞ്ഞും പറഞ്ഞു നിറഞ്ഞും: പദ്മരാജനെ ഓര്ക്കുമ്പോള്".Indian Express Malayalam(in Malayalam).Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Ananthapadmanabhan as guest in Morning Show 24-01-17".YouTube.23 January 2017.
- ^ab"പത്മരാജനെ അഗീകരിച്ചത് പിൻതലമുറകൾ- രാധാലക്ഷ്മി പത്മരാജൻ".
- ^"30 years after Padmarajan's death, wife Radha speaks on the beautiful life they shared".28 January 2021.
- ^"Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award"Archived26 April 2013 at theWayback Machine(in Malayalam).Kerala Sahitya Akademi.Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^Venkiteswaran, C. s (21 January 2010)."Storyteller beyond compare".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^Manmadhan, Prema (17 June 2011)."Re-exploring 'Rathinirvedam'".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"How Padmarajan's 'Peruvazhiyambalam' is forerunner to Malayalam's angry-young-men films".The News Minute.5 January 2020.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"From 'Deshadanakili Karayarilla' to 'Aami': The gay identity in Malayalam films".The News Minute.11 July 2018.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"'അറം' അങ്ങനെ കരിയിലക്കാറ്റ് പോലെ'യായി; അന്ധവിശ്വാസങ്ങളുടെ ഫലമായി പേര് മാറ്റിയ അറിയാക്കഥ ".Mathrubhumi.18 July 2020.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"High Five".The Hindu.8 December 2016.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"7 timeless Malayalam romances and where you can watch them online".The News Minute.15 February 2020.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Padmarajan And His Portrayal Of Real And Self-Compassionate Women".Feminism In India.18 September 2018.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"'Mayabazar' is India's greatest film ever: IBNLive poll ".7 June 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 7 June 2013.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Padmarajan's Aparan still remains fresh after 30 years".Cinema Express.23 August 2018.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"'Kireedom' to 'Akashadoothu': Ten Malayalam tragedies that dried up my tears ".The News Minute.24 February 2019.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Looking At Padmarajan's Innale, And His Remarkable Oeuvre".Film Companion.29 November 2020.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Love and sensuality in 'Njan Gandharvan': Revisiting Padmarajan's last film".The News Minute.11 July 2020.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"പത്മരാജന്റെ പ്രണയം ശരീരത്തെ മറികടക്കുമ്പോള് ഭരതന്റെ പ്രണയം ശരീരത്തെ വീണ്ടെടുക്കുന്നു".Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd(in Malayalam).Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^Kumar, KP Nijeesh (14 July 2019)."Padmarajan's demise made me to exit from mollywood, says 'Njan Gandharvan' actor".Mathrubhumi.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Remembering mastero filmmaker Padmarajan with his popular love stories".The Times of India.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^S, Priyadershini (29 July 2011)."Small town guy in TINSELTOWN".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Gone too soon: Mollywood filmmakers who died before their time".OnManorama.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^Rajan, Silpa."Jayaram fondly remembers late Padmarajan on his death anniversary, says they were to make their fourth project together".The Times of India.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^Sathyendran, Nita (24 May 2019)."Remembering the genius of P Padmarajan".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^FWDmedia (23 May 2018)."Remembering Padmarajan, The Legend of Malayalam Cinema".FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"30 years after Padmarajan's death, wife Radha speaks on the beautiful life they shared".The News Minute.28 January 2021.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^""നീ ഒരിക്കലും സംവിധായകനാകരുത്,സമാധാനം കിട്ടില്ല" | Padmarajan മകനോട് അവസാനമായി പറഞ്ഞത് ".YouTube.24 March 2023.
- ^"Kerala State Film Awards".Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala. Archived fromthe originalon 3 March 2016.Retrieved15 July2015.
- ^abPadmarajan Puraskaram for writer Paul Zachariah.The Hindu.April 4, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2015.