Chintha Ravi
Encyclopedia
K. Ravindran, better known by his pen-name Chintha Ravi (1945–2011), was an India
n writer, journalist
, film critic and film director
.
as the son of Kunnummal Krishnan and Lakshmi, Ravindran studied at Kozhikode Malabar Christian School, Malabar Christian College
, and did a journalism course at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
in Mumbai
. He started his sojourn into literature with Athiranippookkal a children's book published by National Book Stall. He was only a pre-degree student then. Although he was not too politically active during his school and college days, Ravindran's association with reading rooms and libraries with Leftist leanings led him to the path of discussion and thought. He began his professional writing career with Searchlight where cinema was a specific subject of his words. He soon joined Communist Party of India (Marxist)
's ideological journal Chintha and later became a member of the editorial board of the weekly, which earned him the pen-name Chintha Ravi. He also worked for a while with the Kalakaumudi
weekly. His association with Kalakaumudi led him to the world of travelogues with "Ente Yathrakal". As a writer, he is best known for his travelogues like Swiss Sketchukal, Akalangalile Manushyar and Buddha Patham. Akalangalile Manushyar (Men in Distant Places) was the result of his journeys to remote villages of India. Buddha Patham not only focused on India, but also his tours abroad, including the heart of Europe. He also made the first television travelogue Ente Keralam, that visualised Kerala
's natural and cultural features by touring every nook and cranny of the state. Ente Keralam won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Best Travelogue. His Cinemayude Rashtreeyam, a book on art criticism and cinema, won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema
in 1990.
He debuted as a director with the Telugu film Harijan. His film Ore Thooval Pakshikal
(1988), featuring music by G. Aravindan
, won many accolades including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film
. He also directed several documentaries including the national award-winning Maunam Sowmanasyam, a documentary on G. Aravindan. His films were inspired by the Neo-Gramscianist theories
. He also acted a small part in P.A. Backer's Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol
(1975).
Chintha Ravi died on 4 July 2011, aged 65, at a private hospital in Thrissur
. He was under treatment for lung cancer
.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n writer, journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, film critic and film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
.
Biography
Born in Kannadikkal in KozhikodeKozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
as the son of Kunnummal Krishnan and Lakshmi, Ravindran studied at Kozhikode Malabar Christian School, Malabar Christian College
Malabar Christian College
The Malabar Christian College or MCC, Calicut is one of the oldest and renowned co-ed institutions in Calicut, Kerala, India. It was established in the year 1909 by Protestant Christian missionaries from Basel, Switzerland with the aim to impart education to the youth in Malabar region without...
, and did a journalism course at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is an Indian educational trust. It was founded on November 7, 1938 by Dr. K. M. Munshi, with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi...
in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. He started his sojourn into literature with Athiranippookkal a children's book published by National Book Stall. He was only a pre-degree student then. Although he was not too politically active during his school and college days, Ravindran's association with reading rooms and libraries with Leftist leanings led him to the path of discussion and thought. He began his professional writing career with Searchlight where cinema was a specific subject of his words. He soon joined Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
The Communist Party of India is a political party in India. It has a strong presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. As of 2011, CPI is leading the state government in Tripura. It leads the Left Front coalition of leftist parties in various states and the national parliament of...
's ideological journal Chintha and later became a member of the editorial board of the weekly, which earned him the pen-name Chintha Ravi. He also worked for a while with the Kalakaumudi
Kalakaumudi
Kalakaumudi is an illustrated weekly news magazine published in Malayalam Language from Kerala, India. It is printed at Thiruvananthapuram and distributed throughout Kerala by Kalakaumudi publications private limited. Even though the magazine has leniages with Kerala Kaumudi news paper, its an...
weekly. His association with Kalakaumudi led him to the world of travelogues with "Ente Yathrakal". As a writer, he is best known for his travelogues like Swiss Sketchukal, Akalangalile Manushyar and Buddha Patham. Akalangalile Manushyar (Men in Distant Places) was the result of his journeys to remote villages of India. Buddha Patham not only focused on India, but also his tours abroad, including the heart of Europe. He also made the first television travelogue Ente Keralam, that visualised Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
's natural and cultural features by touring every nook and cranny of the state. Ente Keralam won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Best Travelogue. His Cinemayude Rashtreeyam, a book on art criticism and cinema, won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema
Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema
The Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema winners:-References:**...
in 1990.
He debuted as a director with the Telugu film Harijan. His film Ore Thooval Pakshikal
Ore Thooval Pakshikal
Ore Thooval Pakshikal is a 1988 Malayalam film written, directed and produced by Chintha Ravi. The film, in a docu-drama style, depicts the last days of the British Raj. It stars Balan K. Nair, Tom Alter, Nilambur Balan and Mokeri Ramachandran in pivotal roles. The film features an original score...
(1988), featuring music by G. Aravindan
G. Aravindan
Govindan Aravindan who was popularly known as G. Aravindan was a national award winning film director, screenwriter, musician and cartoonist from Kerala, India. He was known for his unorthodox way of film-making; he changed his cinematic forms consistently and experimented in story telling without...
, won many accolades including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film
Kerala State Film Award for Best Film
The Kerala State Film Award for Best Film winners:- References :* * Specific...
. He also directed several documentaries including the national award-winning Maunam Sowmanasyam, a documentary on G. Aravindan. His films were inspired by the Neo-Gramscianist theories
Neo-Gramscianism
Neo-Gramscianism applies a critical theory approach to the study of International Relations and the Global Political Economy that explores the interface of ideas, institutions and material capabilities as they shape the specific contours of the state formation...
. He also acted a small part in P.A. Backer's Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol
Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol
Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol is a 1975 Malayalam feature film directed by P. A. Backer, produced by Pavithran, and starring T. V. Chandran, Shalini, Raveendran and J. Siddiqui. This leftist political drama film came out during the Emergency period. It was the directorial debut of P. A...
(1975).
Chintha Ravi died on 4 July 2011, aged 65, at a private hospital in Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
. He was under treatment for lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
.
Books
- Athiranippookkal
- Ente Yathrakal
- Aklalangalile Maushyar
- Buddhapatham
- Swiss Sketchukal
- Kadine Nokkumbol Ilakale Kannunnathu
- Mediterranean Venal
- Antonio Gramsci
- Cinemayude Rashtreeyam
- Kalavimarsam: Marxist Manadandam
- Vazhikal, Vyakthikal, Ormakal
Films
- Harijan
- Iniyum Marichittillatha Nammal (1980)
- Ore Thooval PakshikalOre Thooval PakshikalOre Thooval Pakshikal is a 1988 Malayalam film written, directed and produced by Chintha Ravi. The film, in a docu-drama style, depicts the last days of the British Raj. It stars Balan K. Nair, Tom Alter, Nilambur Balan and Mokeri Ramachandran in pivotal roles. The film features an original score...
(1988)
External links
- Chintha Ravi at the British Film InstituteBritish Film InstituteThe British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
Movie Database - Profile of Chintha Ravi at Cinemaofmalayalam.net