Anubhavangal Palichakal
Encyclopedia
Anubhavangal Paalichakal is a 1971 Malayalam film written by Thoppil Bhasi
, and directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan
the story is based on the novel by the same name Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
. It stars Sathyan
, Prem Nazeer and Sheela
in the lead roles.
Life is depicted as a daily fight against hunger and hardship. One day, Chellappan gets fired from his job by Chacko. A belligerant Chellappan encounters a nervous Chacko on a bylane and accosts him. Chacko escapes somehow and complains to the police of a possible threat to his life by Chellappan. The police come around looking for Chellappan, but he's vanished underground, leaving behind his wife and kids to fend for themselves. In order to support her family, Sheela joins the ranks of day labourers. Gopalan befriends her and offers her sympathy and a shoulder to cry on. After a while, despite her conscience, they soon enter into a relationship. Bhavani sells her house to a local businessman, who promises to get her another small parcel of land elsewhere where she can construct her own house. The children miss their father, especially the little daughter Kumari.
The local chapter of the Communist Party now arrange for Chellappan to hide out with a humble family of working people, also Communist sympathisers, under an alias 'Prabhakaran'. He is now an honored guest with them, to whom he's a celebrity. They give him a lot of love; especially their grown-up daughter Parvathy (KPAC Lalitha), who harbors in her mind a desire for matrimonial union, not knowing he's already married. Prabhakaran notices the signals and tries to seduce her, but she does not succumb and he feels ashamed. He realises he's been neglecting his wife and kids and goes back to his village incognito. There he comes to know that his wife has sold their old home and is now openly residing with Gopalan. Moreover, she's pregnant. Chellappan gets remorseful, and starts blaming himself for the change of events. He goes back to Ernakulam, but now he has changed significantly, he's deeply philosophical, and truly alone.
Wandering around the town, he gets involved in a melee involving the local chapter of the Communist party, who are agitating a local mill owner, whom they accuse for the disappearance of Paulose, whose beautiful daughter was coveted by the mill owner. Outside the Factory gate is a small ramshackle kiosk operated by Hamza (Bahudoor), who admires the brave Chellappan. The police briefly arrest Chellappan, and then news gets out to his hosts that his guest was none other than Chellappan (not Prabhakaran) and that he's married with two kids. Parvathy gets disconsolate, and pines for Chellappan, offering herself. But Chellappan refuses and goes away. Hamza the shopkeeper shows scant respect for the Mill-owner's goons, who then demolish his kiosk at night. Hamza rushes to see the ruins of his kiosk and vows revenge against the Mill owner (a scene where Mammootty
, is also present, as a clean-shaven young bystander). Chellappan goes back home and visits their new home. He learns from his son that his daughter has died of Jaundice. Bhavani, now with baby in arms, meets him, and asks him to show love to his own son Kuttappam. Chellappan looks at his son with love, and blesses him, telling him to study and become a big man. He then departs, silently, without looking back.
Soon news comes out that Chellappan has been arrested for the murder of the Mill-owner, and that Chellappan has given a full confession to the Police to that effect. Chellappan goes to trial, where he openly accepts blame for the crime. Consequently, he is found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. As he is taken away to jail, the scene shows his ex-wife Bhavani, disconsolately running behind the van, crying, restrained by Gopalan: a very poignant scene. News of his sentencing brings all those who were close to him: Bhavani, Gopalan, Kuttappan, Parvathy and her parents, who lament his loss. The sentence is carried out. Bhavani and Gopalan bear the body back home in a rented car (for which they had mortgaged their land and house). The final scene shows two graves near their house. A large one of Chellappan, next to a smaller mound: that of his dead daughter Kumari, the one who really loved him.
and Alappuzha
districts. The indoor parts were filmed from Vikram, Bharani and Shyamala Studios. R. B. S. Mani was the art director.
.
Thoppil Bhasi
Thoppil Bhasi was a Malayalam playwright, screenwriter, and film director. He was associated with the communist movement in Kerala and his play Ningalenne Communistakki is considered to be a groundbreaking event in the history of Malayalam theatre.Thoppil Bhasi was born in Vallikunnam, a small...
, and directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan
K. S. Sethumadhavan
K. S. Sethumadhavan is an Indian director of Malayalam films. He has also directed films in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Since the early 1960s he has directed over 60 movies...
the story is based on the novel by the same name Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai was a novelist and short story writer of Malayalam language, spoken in Kerala state, South India. He is popularly known as Thakazhi, after his place of birth. He focused on the oppressed classes as the subject of his works, which are known for their attention to...
. It stars Sathyan
Sathyan (actor)
Sathyan is a Tamil film actor and comedian. He is the only son of veteran producer, Madhampatty Sivakumar and is the nephew of noted actor Sathyaraj, whilst Sibiraj is his cousin...
, Prem Nazeer and Sheela
Sheela
Sheela ), is a Malayalam film actress from India. She, along with Prem Nazir, holds the world record for acting in the largest number of films together as heroine and hero. In 2005 she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Akale. She has also...
in the lead roles.
Plot
The film is set in the Punalur-Vayalar-Haripad area of Coastal Kerala, a traditional Communist hotbed. The story is about Chellappan (Sathyan) a fiercely dedicated Communist, an employee at Chacko's business, where he's become a respected leader amongst the working class by organising pickets and strikes. He, however, neglects his family, abusing his wife Bhavani (Sheela) and their two children, a boy named Kuttappan (to whom Chellappan is indifferent), and a younger girl named Kumari (on whom he dotes). Chellappan is depicted as a man of weak moral fiber (he's shown to have a weakness for various women). Moreover he is highly suspicious of his wife Bhavani, who is still rather comely and of clean habits. He often accuses her of infidelity (in fact he believes that their son is not fathered by him), and often wonders whether his wife is carrying on an affair behind his back with his friend Gopalan (Prem Nazir), another day-labourer. Due to this suspicion he constantly fights with and physically abuses his wife.Life is depicted as a daily fight against hunger and hardship. One day, Chellappan gets fired from his job by Chacko. A belligerant Chellappan encounters a nervous Chacko on a bylane and accosts him. Chacko escapes somehow and complains to the police of a possible threat to his life by Chellappan. The police come around looking for Chellappan, but he's vanished underground, leaving behind his wife and kids to fend for themselves. In order to support her family, Sheela joins the ranks of day labourers. Gopalan befriends her and offers her sympathy and a shoulder to cry on. After a while, despite her conscience, they soon enter into a relationship. Bhavani sells her house to a local businessman, who promises to get her another small parcel of land elsewhere where she can construct her own house. The children miss their father, especially the little daughter Kumari.
The local chapter of the Communist Party now arrange for Chellappan to hide out with a humble family of working people, also Communist sympathisers, under an alias 'Prabhakaran'. He is now an honored guest with them, to whom he's a celebrity. They give him a lot of love; especially their grown-up daughter Parvathy (KPAC Lalitha), who harbors in her mind a desire for matrimonial union, not knowing he's already married. Prabhakaran notices the signals and tries to seduce her, but she does not succumb and he feels ashamed. He realises he's been neglecting his wife and kids and goes back to his village incognito. There he comes to know that his wife has sold their old home and is now openly residing with Gopalan. Moreover, she's pregnant. Chellappan gets remorseful, and starts blaming himself for the change of events. He goes back to Ernakulam, but now he has changed significantly, he's deeply philosophical, and truly alone.
Wandering around the town, he gets involved in a melee involving the local chapter of the Communist party, who are agitating a local mill owner, whom they accuse for the disappearance of Paulose, whose beautiful daughter was coveted by the mill owner. Outside the Factory gate is a small ramshackle kiosk operated by Hamza (Bahudoor), who admires the brave Chellappan. The police briefly arrest Chellappan, and then news gets out to his hosts that his guest was none other than Chellappan (not Prabhakaran) and that he's married with two kids. Parvathy gets disconsolate, and pines for Chellappan, offering herself. But Chellappan refuses and goes away. Hamza the shopkeeper shows scant respect for the Mill-owner's goons, who then demolish his kiosk at night. Hamza rushes to see the ruins of his kiosk and vows revenge against the Mill owner (a scene where Mammootty
Mammootty
Mammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...
, is also present, as a clean-shaven young bystander). Chellappan goes back home and visits their new home. He learns from his son that his daughter has died of Jaundice. Bhavani, now with baby in arms, meets him, and asks him to show love to his own son Kuttappam. Chellappan looks at his son with love, and blesses him, telling him to study and become a big man. He then departs, silently, without looking back.
Soon news comes out that Chellappan has been arrested for the murder of the Mill-owner, and that Chellappan has given a full confession to the Police to that effect. Chellappan goes to trial, where he openly accepts blame for the crime. Consequently, he is found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. As he is taken away to jail, the scene shows his ex-wife Bhavani, disconsolately running behind the van, crying, restrained by Gopalan: a very poignant scene. News of his sentencing brings all those who were close to him: Bhavani, Gopalan, Kuttappan, Parvathy and her parents, who lament his loss. The sentence is carried out. Bhavani and Gopalan bear the body back home in a rented car (for which they had mortgaged their land and house). The final scene shows two graves near their house. A large one of Chellappan, next to a smaller mound: that of his dead daughter Kumari, the one who really loved him.
Cast
- SathyanSathyaneshan NadarManuel Sathyaneshan Nadar commonly known by his stage name Sathyan, was an Indian film actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He has won the Kerala State Film Award twice and is renowned for his acting skills...
as Chellappan/Prabhakaran - Prem Nazeer as Gopalan
- SheelaSheelaSheela ), is a Malayalam film actress from India. She, along with Prem Nazir, holds the world record for acting in the largest number of films together as heroine and hero. In 2005 she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Akale. She has also...
as Bhavani - K. P. A. C. LalithaK. P. A. C. LalithaMaheshwari Amma, better known by her stage name K.P.A.C. Lalitha, is a National Award winning Indian film and stage actress. She was the wife of late filmmaker Bharathan.-Biography:...
as Parvathi - Baby SumathiSumathi (actress)Sumathi is an Indian actress from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She started her career at the age of two. She starred in many Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi language films.-Early life:...
as Kumari - Master Selvi as Kuttappan
- Adoor BhasiAdoor BhasiAdoor Bhasi was an Indian film actor and film director from Kerala. Adoor Bhasi was almost always cast as the man who stands next to the hero. His hilarious actions and roles became the cynosure of comic scenes in the Malayalam films of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. He is also famous for his...
as Rajappan - BahadoorBahadoorBahadoor , born P. K. Kunjalu, was a Malayalam film comedian who, along with Adoor Bhasi, redefined the way in which comedy and funny scenes were perceived in Malayalam cinema. They made a significant contribution toward establishing comedy as the predominant genre of Malayalam cinema...
as Hamza - SankaradiSankaradiSankaradi was an Indian actor. He was a veteran Malayalam comedian and character artiste, who had over 700 Malayalam films to his credit....
as Kochunni - PhilominaPhilominaPhilomina was a veteran Malayalam film actress. She had acted in more than 750 films in her career. She played mostly character and comedy roles, besides that of grandmother and mother. She started acting on the stage. This experience stood her in good stead when she was offered her first film role...
as Kochunni's wife - T. K. Balachandran
- Muthukulam Raghavan PillaiMuthukulam Raghavan PillaiMuthukulam Raghavan Pillai was a Malayalam dramatist, poet, screen play writer and actor. He was born on 1900 in Muthukulam, a small village in Alappuzha District, Kerala, India...
- N. Govindankutty
- Paravoor BharathanParavoor BharathanParavoor Bharathan is an Indian actor of Malayalam films who started his career in movies during 1960s. Bharathan is known as a versatile actor as he has acted in a variety of roles including negative roles, character roles and comedy roles.- Biography :...
- Gireesh Kumar
- MammoottyMammoottyMammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...
(uncredited)
Production
The film's principal photography occurred at various parts of KottayamKottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
and Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
districts. The indoor parts were filmed from Vikram, Bharani and Shyamala Studios. R. B. S. Mani was the art director.
Soundtrack
The film features a successful soundtrack composed by Devarajan with lyrics written by VayalarVayalar Ramavarma
Vayalar Ramavarma , often known as Vayalar, was a modern Malayalam poet and lyricist. His famous works include Sargasangeetham, Mulankaadu, Padamudrakal, Aayisha, Oru Judas janikkunnu.-Biography:...
.
- "Sarvaraajyathozhilalikale" — K. J. YesudasK. J. YesudasKattassery Joseph Yesudas is an Indian classical musician and playback singer.Yesudas sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. He has recorded more than 50,000 songs in many languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Punjabi,...
, P. LeelaP. LeelaPorayathu Leela better known as P. Leela was a popular Indian playback singer. She was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously in 2006.-Early life:...
& ChorusChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus... - "Kalyani Kalavani" — P. MadhuriP. MadhuriP. Madhuri is a renowned South Indian playback singer. She has sung songs in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu. She has twice won Kerala State Film Award for best playback singer.-Early life:...
- "Pravachakanmare Parayoo" — K. J. Yesudas
- "Agniparvatham Pukanju" — K. J. Yesudas
External links
- Anubhavangal Paalichakal at the Malayalam Movie Database