G. Aravindan
Encyclopedia
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 regular narrative styles. Before venturing into film field, he was an established cartoonist. He had also worked with documentaries and theatre.
journal. He established himself as a noted cartoonist in early 1960s with his cartoon series Cheriya Manushyarum Valiya Lokavum
which dealt with the adventures of the central characters Ramu and Guruji, mingled with political and social satires. The series was preceded by two more cartoon series namely Ramuvinte Sahasika Yathrakal and Guruji featuring the central characters of Cheriya Manushyarum Valiya Lokavum. He has also worked in other journals as cartoonist. At one point of time, Aravindan diverted his attention to theatre and music. He played a major role in establishing theatre and music clubs namely Navarangam and Sopanam. He became associated with eminent theatre figure Kavalam Narayana Panicker
which accelerated his activities in the field of professional play. They created several plays like Kaali and Avanavan Kadamba. Aravindan was working as an officer in revenue board when he got associated with artist Devan, playwright Thikkodiyan and writer Pattathuvila Karunakaran.
The first film directed by Aravindan, Uttarayanam
(1974) came out as a product from this group; the film was produced by Karunakaran and the story was written by Thikkodiyan
. The early works of Aravindan was influenced by the group; for example the spiritualism factor which can be seen in his early works can be attributed to satirist Sanjayan
and mystic paintings of K. C. S. Paniker. Aravindan's second film Kanchana Sita
was released three years later in 1977. The film was retake on the Ramayana
. This film is credited with formation of a new stream of filmmaking called independent filmmaking. While Kanchana Sita dealt with mythology, Aravindan's next film Thampu
(1978) dealt with realism and told the story of suffering in a circus troupe. His 1979 films Kummatty and Esthappan were also ran through different streams. His next film Pokkuveyil(1981) starred poet Balachandran Chullikkad. From this film to his next film there was a gap of 4 years. The 1985 film Chidambaram
was produced by Aravindan himself under the banner Suryakanthi. In 1986 Oridathu
came which handled the problems faced by the people of a hamlet where electricity in unavailable, when electric supply finally reaches there. In this period Aravindan also did a number of documentaries and short films. He also composed music for some films like Aaro Oral, Piravi
and Ore Thooval Pakshikal
. Aravindan's 1989 film Unni had a starcast mainly consisting of foreigners. Aravindan's final project Vasthuhara
(1991) about refugees in Bengal
was based on C. V. Sreereman's short story in the same name. The film had Mohanlal
and Neena Gupta
in major roles. Even before the release of Vasthuhara, Aravindan died on 15 March 1991.
Kerala State Film Awards
Notes
*-He also wrote the story of Esthappan and dialogues for Vasthuhara
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
winning film director, screenwriter, musician and cartoonist from 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....
, India
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...
. He was known for his unorthodox way of film-making; he changed his cinematic forms consistently and experimented in story telling without regular narrative styles. Before venturing into film field, he was an established cartoonist. He had also worked with documentaries and theatre.
Biography
G. Aravindan was the son of famous comedy writer M. N. Govindan Nair. Aravindan started his professional life in as a cartoonist in MathrubhumiMathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi is a Malayalam language newspaper that is published from Kerala, India. Mathrubhumi was founded by K. P. Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.-History:...
journal. He established himself as a noted cartoonist in early 1960s with his cartoon series Cheriya Manushyarum Valiya Lokavum
Cheriya manushyarum valiya lokavum
Cheriya Manushyarum Valiya Lokavum is a cartoon by the film director G. Aravindan. The serial cartoon was published in the last page of Malayalam weekly, Mathrubhumi in the 1960s and 70s....
which dealt with the adventures of the central characters Ramu and Guruji, mingled with political and social satires. The series was preceded by two more cartoon series namely Ramuvinte Sahasika Yathrakal and Guruji featuring the central characters of Cheriya Manushyarum Valiya Lokavum. He has also worked in other journals as cartoonist. At one point of time, Aravindan diverted his attention to theatre and music. He played a major role in establishing theatre and music clubs namely Navarangam and Sopanam. He became associated with eminent theatre figure Kavalam Narayana Panicker
Kavalam Narayana Panicker
Kavalam Narayana Panicker is an Indian dramatist, theatre director and poet. He has written over 26 Malayalam plays, many adapted from classical Sanskrit drama and Shakespeare, notably Madhyamavyayogam...
which accelerated his activities in the field of professional play. They created several plays like Kaali and Avanavan Kadamba. Aravindan was working as an officer in revenue board when he got associated with artist Devan, playwright Thikkodiyan and writer Pattathuvila Karunakaran.
The first film directed by Aravindan, Uttarayanam
Uttarayanam
Uttarayanam is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. Aravindan, who is considered the doyen of Malayalam parallel cinema, debuted with this film...
(1974) came out as a product from this group; the film was produced by Karunakaran and the story was written by Thikkodiyan
Thikkodiyan
P. Kunhananandan Nair, better known by his penname Thikodiyan was a well known Malayalam author. He was born in Thikkodi, a small village in Kozhikode district, in the Indian state of Kerala. He was a multi-faceted personality.Thikodiyan has written a number of plays, novels, screenplays, and...
. The early works of Aravindan was influenced by the group; for example the spiritualism factor which can be seen in his early works can be attributed to satirist Sanjayan
Sanjayan
Sanjayan, the penname of Professor Mannikoth Ramunni Nair or M.R. Nair , was a Malayalam satirist famous for his humorous anecdotes.Sanjayan was born in Thalassery, a town in Kannur District of Kerala....
and mystic paintings of K. C. S. Paniker. Aravindan's second film Kanchana Sita
Kanchana Sita
Kanchana Sita is a 1977 Indian Malayalam feature-length film scripted and directed by G. Aravindan. A mythological film, its story was adapted from C. N...
was released three years later in 1977. The film was retake on the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
. This film is credited with formation of a new stream of filmmaking called independent filmmaking. While Kanchana Sita dealt with mythology, Aravindan's next film Thampu
Thampu
Thampu is a highly acclaimed Malayalam film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Bharath Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, V. K. Sriraman, Jalaja the artistes of the Great Chitra Circus form the cast. The film deals with the roving street circus of Kerala. It is shot in black and white in a direct documentary...
(1978) dealt with realism and told the story of suffering in a circus troupe. His 1979 films Kummatty and Esthappan were also ran through different streams. His next film Pokkuveyil(1981) starred poet Balachandran Chullikkad. From this film to his next film there was a gap of 4 years. The 1985 film Chidambaram
Chidambaram (film)
Chidambaram is a 1985 Malayalam film written, directed and produced by G. Aravindan. It is the film adaptation of a short story by C. V. Sreeraman. The film explores various aspects of relations between men and women through the lives of three people living in a cattle farm. Themes of guilt and...
was produced by Aravindan himself under the banner Suryakanthi. In 1986 Oridathu
Oridathu
Oridathu is an Indian Malayalam satirical drama film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Vineeth, Krishnankutty Nair, Chandran Nair and Soorya form the cast. The story is about the problems faced by the people of a hamlet where electricity in unavailable,...
came which handled the problems faced by the people of a hamlet where electricity in unavailable, when electric supply finally reaches there. In this period Aravindan also did a number of documentaries and short films. He also composed music for some films like Aaro Oral, Piravi
Piravi
Piravi is a 1988 Malayalam feature film directed by Shaji N. Karun. It stars Premji, Archana and Lakshmi Krishnamurthy. The film's music is composed by G. Aravindan. Piravi met with widespread critical acclaim upon release...
and 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...
. Aravindan's 1989 film Unni had a starcast mainly consisting of foreigners. Aravindan's final project Vasthuhara
Vasthuhara
Vasthuhara , a Malayalam film by the late G. Aravindan is a social film which looks into the lives of partition refugees from East Bengal to West Bengal. At a larger level, it's the universal story of refugees.- Plot :...
(1991) about refugees in Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
was based on C. V. Sreereman's short story in the same name. The film had Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
and Neena Gupta
Neena Gupta
Neena Gupta is an Indian film and television actress and director-producer. She won the 1994 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Woh Chokri. She is a popular actress in Indian commercial cinema, but it is her work with art filmmakers of India, like Shyam Benegal that got her...
in major roles. Even before the release of Vasthuhara, Aravindan died on 15 March 1991.
Awards
National Film AwardsNational Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
- 1974: Award for the Best Feature Film on the 25th Anniversary of India's Independence - UttarayanamUttarayanamUttarayanam is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. Aravindan, who is considered the doyen of Malayalam parallel cinema, debuted with this film...
- 1974: Best Feature Film in MalayalamNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in MalayalamThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam winners:...
- UttarayanamUttarayanamUttarayanam is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. Aravindan, who is considered the doyen of Malayalam parallel cinema, debuted with this film... - 1978: Best Direction - Kanchana SitaKanchana SitaKanchana Sita is a 1977 Indian Malayalam feature-length film scripted and directed by G. Aravindan. A mythological film, its story was adapted from C. N...
- 1979: Best Direction - ThampuThampuThampu is a highly acclaimed Malayalam film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Bharath Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, V. K. Sriraman, Jalaja the artistes of the Great Chitra Circus form the cast. The film deals with the roving street circus of Kerala. It is shot in black and white in a direct documentary...
- 1986: Best FilmNational Film Award for Best FilmThe National Award for Best Feature film is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, India, and was constituted in the year 1954. This is one of the Golden Lotus Awards given among National Film Awards...
- ChidambaramChidambaram (film)Chidambaram is a 1985 Malayalam film written, directed and produced by G. Aravindan. It is the film adaptation of a short story by C. V. Sreeraman. The film explores various aspects of relations between men and women through the lives of three people living in a cattle farm. Themes of guilt and... - 1987: Best Direction - OridathuOridathuOridathu is an Indian Malayalam satirical drama film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Vineeth, Krishnankutty Nair, Chandran Nair and Soorya form the cast. The story is about the problems faced by the people of a hamlet where electricity in unavailable,...
- 1991: Best Feature Film in MalayalamNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in MalayalamThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam winners:...
- VasthuharaVasthuharaVasthuhara , a Malayalam film by the late G. Aravindan is a social film which looks into the lives of partition refugees from East Bengal to West Bengal. At a larger level, it's the universal story of refugees.- Plot :...
Kerala State Film Awards
- 1974: Best FilmKerala State Film Award for Best FilmThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Film winners:- References :* * Specific...
- UttarayanamUttarayanamUttarayanam is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. Aravindan, who is considered the doyen of Malayalam parallel cinema, debuted with this film... - 1974: Best DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Director winners:-References:**...
- UttarayanamUttarayanamUttarayanam is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. Aravindan, who is considered the doyen of Malayalam parallel cinema, debuted with this film... - 1974: Best Screenplay - UttarayanamUttarayanamUttarayanam is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. Aravindan, who is considered the doyen of Malayalam parallel cinema, debuted with this film...
- 1978: Second Best FilmKerala State Film Award for Second Best FilmThe Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film winners:- Third Best Film :The Kerala State Film Award for Third Best Film winners:-References:**...
- ThampuThampuThampu is a highly acclaimed Malayalam film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Bharath Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, V. K. Sriraman, Jalaja the artistes of the Great Chitra Circus form the cast. The film deals with the roving street circus of Kerala. It is shot in black and white in a direct documentary... - 1978: Best DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Director winners:-References:**...
- ThampuThampuThampu is a highly acclaimed Malayalam film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Bharath Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, V. K. Sriraman, Jalaja the artistes of the Great Chitra Circus form the cast. The film deals with the roving street circus of Kerala. It is shot in black and white in a direct documentary... - 1979: Best FilmKerala State Film Award for Best FilmThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Film winners:- References :* * Specific...
- Esthappan - 1979: Best Children's FilmKerala State Film Award for Best Children's FilmThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Children's Film winners:-References:**...
- Kummatty - 1979: Best DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Director winners:-References:**...
- Esthappan - 1981: Best DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Director winners:-References:**...
- Pokkuveyil - 1985: Best FilmKerala State Film Award for Best FilmThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Film winners:- References :* * Specific...
- ChidambaramChidambaram (film)Chidambaram is a 1985 Malayalam film written, directed and produced by G. Aravindan. It is the film adaptation of a short story by C. V. Sreeraman. The film explores various aspects of relations between men and women through the lives of three people living in a cattle farm. Themes of guilt and... - 1985: Best DocumentaryKerala State Film Award for Best DocumentaryThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Documentary winners:-References:**...
- The Brown Landscape - 1985: Best DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Director winners:-References:**...
- ChidambaramChidambaram (film)Chidambaram is a 1985 Malayalam film written, directed and produced by G. Aravindan. It is the film adaptation of a short story by C. V. Sreeraman. The film explores various aspects of relations between men and women through the lives of three people living in a cattle farm. Themes of guilt and... - 1986: Best FilmKerala State Film Award for Best FilmThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Film winners:- References :* * Specific...
- OridathuOridathuOridathu is an Indian Malayalam satirical drama film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Vineeth, Krishnankutty Nair, Chandran Nair and Soorya form the cast. The story is about the problems faced by the people of a hamlet where electricity in unavailable,... - 1986: Best DocumentaryKerala State Film Award for Best DocumentaryThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Documentary winners:-References:**...
- The Catch - 1986: Best DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Director winners:-References:**...
- OridathuOridathuOridathu is an Indian Malayalam satirical drama film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Vineeth, Krishnankutty Nair, Chandran Nair and Soorya form the cast. The story is about the problems faced by the people of a hamlet where electricity in unavailable,... - 1988: Best Music DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best Music DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director winners:-Trivia:* In 1994, G. Devarajan returned all the awards won by him in protest against the jury who selected Berny-Ignatious for that year's award. According to Devarajan, none of the songs composed by the duo for Thenmavin Kombath were...
- Ore Thooval Pakshikal - 1990: Best FilmKerala State Film Award for Best FilmThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Film winners:- References :* * Specific...
- VasthuharaVasthuharaVasthuhara , a Malayalam film by the late G. Aravindan is a social film which looks into the lives of partition refugees from East Bengal to West Bengal. At a larger level, it's the universal story of refugees.- Plot :... - 1990: Best DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Director winners:-References:**...
- VasthuharaVasthuharaVasthuhara , a Malayalam film by the late G. Aravindan is a social film which looks into the lives of partition refugees from East Bengal to West Bengal. At a larger level, it's the universal story of refugees.- Plot :...
Direction
| Year | Title | English Title | Writer | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Uttarayanam Uttarayanam Uttarayanam is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. Aravindan, who is considered the doyen of Malayalam parallel cinema, debuted with this film... |
Throne of Capricorn | Feature film Feature film In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie... |
|
| 1977 | Kanchana Sita Kanchana Sita Kanchana Sita is a 1977 Indian Malayalam feature-length film scripted and directed by G. Aravindan. A mythological film, its story was adapted from C. N... |
The Golden Substitute | Feature film | |
| 1978 | Thampu Thampu Thampu is a highly acclaimed Malayalam film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Bharath Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, V. K. Sriraman, Jalaja the artistes of the Great Chitra Circus form the cast. The film deals with the roving street circus of Kerala. It is shot in black and white in a direct documentary... |
The Circus Tent | Feature film | |
| 1979 | Kummatty | The Bogeyman | Feature film | |
| 1980 | Esthappan | Stephen | * | Feature film |
| 1981 | Pokkuveyil | Twilight | Feature film | |
| 1985 | Viti | --- | Documentary film Documentary film Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record... |
|
| 1985 | The Seer Who Walks Alone | --- | Documentary film | |
| 1985 | Chidambaram Chidambaram (film) Chidambaram is a 1985 Malayalam film written, directed and produced by G. Aravindan. It is the film adaptation of a short story by C. V. Sreeraman. The film explores various aspects of relations between men and women through the lives of three people living in a cattle farm. Themes of guilt and... |
--- | Feature film | |
| 1985 | The Brown Landscape | --- | Short film | |
| 1986 | The Catch | --- | Documentary film | |
| 1986 | Oridathu Oridathu Oridathu is an Indian Malayalam satirical drama film written and directed by G. Aravindan. Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Vineeth, Krishnankutty Nair, Chandran Nair and Soorya form the cast. The story is about the problems faced by the people of a hamlet where electricity in unavailable,... |
At a Place | Feature film | |
| 1987 | Contours of Linear Rhythm | --- | Documentary film | |
| 1988 | Marattam | Interchange | Television film | |
| 1988 | Anadi-Dhara | --- | Documentary film | |
| 1988 | Unni | --- | Feature film | |
| 1990 | Sahaja | Spontaneous | Short film | |
| 1991 | Vasthuhara Vasthuhara Vasthuhara , a Malayalam film by the late G. Aravindan is a social film which looks into the lives of partition refugees from East Bengal to West Bengal. At a larger level, it's the universal story of refugees.- Plot :... |
The Dispossessed | * | Feature film |
Notes
*-He also wrote the story of Esthappan and dialogues for Vasthuhara
Other contributions
| Year | Title | Director | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Aaro Oral | Pavithran Pavithran Vattapparambil Krishnan Pavithran, known mononymously as Pavithran was a famous Malayalam film director.-Biography:... |
Composer |
| 1980 | Esthappan | Himself | Composer, editor |
| 1988 | Piravi Piravi Piravi is a 1988 Malayalam feature film directed by Shaji N. Karun. It stars Premji, Archana and Lakshmi Krishnamurthy. The film's music is composed by G. Aravindan. Piravi met with widespread critical acclaim upon release... |
Shaji N. Karun Shaji N. Karun Shaji Neelakantan Karun is a National Award-winning Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film Piravi won the Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival... |
Composer |
| 1989 | 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... |
K. Ravindran | Composer |