Harishchandra (1955 film)
Encyclopedia
Harishchandra is a 1955 Malayalam film produced by P. Subramaniam
and directed by Anthony Mithradas. The film was based on the legend of King Harishchandra
, recounted in the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata
. It was the first mythological film in Malayalam. Starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
, Miss Kumari
, Master Hari, G. K. Pillai, Jose Prakash
and T. S. Muthiah in major roles, it features cinematography by N. S. Mani and music by Brother Lakshmanan.
Harishchandra was heavily inspired by Raja Harishchandra
(1913, Hindi), which was the first film adaptation of the legend. The film also borrows inspiration from Satya Harishchandra (1943, Kannada) as well as Harishchandra (1945, Tamil). Several scenes from these movies were directly reused in Harishchandra.
It was the first Malayalam film to be shot outdoors. Previous films were filmed from studios or indoor units. However, a few parts of the film was shot from Merryland Studios. The film was marketed well before its release and the songs were aired continuously in radio channels. P. Subrahmaniam could attract people through the content and theme of the film, which was new for Malayalam films. The film released on March 19, 1955 in Kerala theatres. It was a big box office success and paved the way for many films in this genre.
The music was composed by Brother Lakshmanan with lyrics by Thirunainar Kurichi. The film had 15 songs including "Aathmavidyalame", which is considered a classic. The lyrics and the sequence of this song is inspired by the famous Grave Diggers scene in Shakespeare's Hamlet
. P. B. Sreenivas debuted as a playback singer through this film.
P. Subramaniam
P. Subramaniam was an Indian director and producer of Malayalam films. Since the mid 1950s he has directed 59 films and has produced 69 films. His venture Merryland Studio was the second film production studio of Kerala...
and directed by Anthony Mithradas. The film was based on the legend of King Harishchandra
Harishchandra
Harishchandra, in Hindu religious texts is the 36th king of the Solar Dynasty, Surya Maharishi Gothram . His legend is very popular and often told as a benchmark for an ideal life. He was renowned for his piety and justice. His name is Sanskrit for "having golden splendour".Harishchandra had two...
, recounted in 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...
and the Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
. It was the first mythological film in Malayalam. Starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a Malayali Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India....
, Miss Kumari
Miss Kumari
-Early life:Miss Kumari, whose real name was Thresiamma, was born on 1 June 1932 at Bharananganam in Kottayam District, in the Kerala state of India.-Malayalam cinema:...
, Master Hari, G. K. Pillai, Jose Prakash
Jose Prakash
Jose Prakash is a veteran actor and singer who worked in Malayalam cinema. He was a singer turned actor who had appeared around 300 films mostly in Antagonist role....
and T. S. Muthiah in major roles, it features cinematography by N. S. Mani and music by Brother Lakshmanan.
Harishchandra was heavily inspired by Raja Harishchandra
Raja Harishchandra
Raja Harishchandra , is a 1913 silent Indian film directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke, and is the first full-length Indian feature film...
(1913, Hindi), which was the first film adaptation of the legend. The film also borrows inspiration from Satya Harishchandra (1943, Kannada) as well as Harishchandra (1945, Tamil). Several scenes from these movies were directly reused in Harishchandra.
It was the first Malayalam film to be shot outdoors. Previous films were filmed from studios or indoor units. However, a few parts of the film was shot from Merryland Studios. The film was marketed well before its release and the songs were aired continuously in radio channels. P. Subrahmaniam could attract people through the content and theme of the film, which was new for Malayalam films. The film released on March 19, 1955 in Kerala theatres. It was a big box office success and paved the way for many films in this genre.
The music was composed by Brother Lakshmanan with lyrics by Thirunainar Kurichi. The film had 15 songs including "Aathmavidyalame", which is considered a classic. The lyrics and the sequence of this song is inspired by the famous Grave Diggers scene in Shakespeare's Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
. P. B. Sreenivas debuted as a playback singer through this film.
Cast
- Thikkurissy Sukumaran NairThikkurissy Sukumaran NairThikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a Malayali Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India....
as HarishchandraHarishchandraHarishchandra, in Hindu religious texts is the 36th king of the Solar Dynasty, Surya Maharishi Gothram . His legend is very popular and often told as a benchmark for an ideal life. He was renowned for his piety and justice. His name is Sanskrit for "having golden splendour".Harishchandra had two... - Miss KumariMiss Kumari-Early life:Miss Kumari, whose real name was Thresiamma, was born on 1 June 1932 at Bharananganam in Kottayam District, in the Kerala state of India.-Malayalam cinema:...
as Chandramathi - Master Hari as Lohithaksha
- G. K. Pillai as Vishvamitran
- Jose PrakashJose PrakashJose Prakash is a veteran actor and singer who worked in Malayalam cinema. He was a singer turned actor who had appeared around 300 films mostly in Antagonist role....
as Sathyakeerthi (Minister) - T. S. Muthiah as Shukran (Vishvamitra's helper)
- S. P. PillaiS. P. PillaiS. P. Pillai was an Indian film and stage actor, best known for his comic roles in Malayalam films.-Biography:S. P. Pillai was born in 1913 in Ettumanoor, Kottayam. His father Shankara Pillai, was a police constable. Pillai lost his parents at a young age itself...
as Kalakantan - Adoor PankajamAdoor PankajamAdoor Pankajam was an Indian actress, in Malayalam movies. She hailed from Adoor in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala state. Mainly, she was a supporting actress, and a comedian. Her sister Adoor Bhavani was also a Malayalam cinema actress....
as Kalakanta's wife
External links
- Harishchandra at the Malayalam Movie Database