K. S. Sethumadhavan is an 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...

n director of Malayalam films. He has also directed films in Hindi

Hindi

Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...

, Tamil and Telugu

Telugu language

Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

. Since the early 1960s he has directed over 60 movies. He has directed many landmark films in the Malayalam film history such as Odeyil Ninnu

Odeyil Ninnu

Odayil Ninnu or Odeyil Ninnu is a 1965 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan based on the novel of the same name written by P. Kesavadev. The film deals with the life and struggles of a rickshaw puller. It stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, K. R...

, Yakshi

Yakshi (film)

Yakshi is a 1968 Malayalam psychological thriller film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by Thoppil Bhasi based on Malayattoor Ramakrishnan's much acclaimed novel of the same name. It stars Sathyan, Sharada, Adoor Bhasi, N. Govindankutty, Bahadoor, Ushakumari, Sukumari, Rajakokila and...

, Kadalpalam

Kadalpalam

Kadalpalam is a 1969 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Sheela, Bahadoor and Adoor Bhasi star in the lead. The film is an adaptation of the very popular professional stage play of the same name authored by the renowned dramatist K. T....

, Achanum Bappayum

Achanum Bappayum

Achanum Bappayum is a 1972 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by K. T. Muhammed. It stars K. P. Ummer, Jayabharathi, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Adoor Bhasi and Baby Sumathi in important roles...

, Panitheeratha Veedu

Panitheeratha Veedu

Panitheeratha Veedu is a 1973 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. It stars Prem Nazir, Nanditha Bose, Baby Sumathi, N. Govindankutty, Veeran and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. It is an adaptation of Parappurath's 1964 novel of the same name. It won the Kerala State Film Awards for Best...

, Anubhavangal Palichakal

Anubhavangal Palichakal

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....

and Punarjanmam

Punarjanmam

Punarjanmam is an Indian Malayalam film starring Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi. It is the first erotic psychic thriller in the history of Indian cinema. The film is directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan based on a case history published by famous atheist and psychiatrist A. T. Kovoor in Mathrubhumi...

. He has won numerous awards including two National Film Awards and four Kerala State Film Awards for Best Direction.

Biography

K. S. Sethumadhavan was born to Subrahmanyam and Lakshmi in Palakkad

Palakkad

Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...

, 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...

 in 1931. He has three sisters and one brother. His childhood was spent in Palakkad

Palakkad

Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...

 and in North Arcot

North Arcot

The Indian District of North Arcot was split on 30-09-1989 into Tiruvannamalai-Sambuvarayar and North Arcot Ambedkar .- History :...

, Tamilnadu. He completed his degree in biology

Biology

Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...

 from Government Victoria College, Palakkad

Government Victoria College, Palakkad

Government Victoria College Palakkad is the oldest institution of higher learning in the Malabar region of Kerala. It is affiliated to the Calicut University and provides undergraduate and postgraduate education in Science, Arts and Commerce subjects....

. He debuted in the film industry as the Assistant Director

Assistant director

The role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...

 to K. Ramnath. He later assisted directors L. V. Prasad, A. S. A. Swamy, Sunder Rao and Nandakarni.

He debuted as an independent film director with Veeravijaya, a Singhalese film in 1960. His first Malayalam film was Jnanasundari, produced by T. E. Vasudevan under the banner of Associates Pictures based on a short story by Muttathu Varkey

Muttathu Varkey

Muttathu Varkey was a Malayalam novelist, short story writer, and poet from Kerala state, South India.-Early life and career:...

. He then went on to direct over 60 films including noted films Odayil Ninnu

Odayil Ninnu

Odayil Ninnu is a Malayalam novel written by P. Kesavadev in 1942. The protagonist of the novel is a rickshaw-puller named Pappu. The novel is one of the best known works of Kesavadev. Dev was in the forefront among the writers who employed new norms in the content and characterization in...

, Daaham, Sthanarthi Saramma

Sthanarthi Saramma

Sthanarthi Saramma is a 1966 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and produced by T. E. Vasudevan....

, Koottukudumbam, Vazhve Mayam

Vazhve Mayam

Vazhve Mayam is a 1970 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. Sathyan plays the lead role of the protagonist. The film also has Sheela, Sankaradi, K. P. Ummer, Bahadoor, Adoor Bhasi, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Khadeeja, Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai, C. A. Balan, Kuttan Pillai and Philomina...

, Ara Nazhika Neram, Anubhavangal Palichakal

Anubhavangal Palichakal

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....

, Karakanakkadal, Achanum Bappayum

Achanum Bappayum

Achanum Bappayum is a 1972 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by K. T. Muhammed. It stars K. P. Ummer, Jayabharathi, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Adoor Bhasi and Baby Sumathi in important roles...

, Punarjanmam

Punarjanmam

Punarjanmam is an Indian Malayalam film starring Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi. It is the first erotic psychic thriller in the history of Indian cinema. The film is directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan based on a case history published by famous atheist and psychiatrist A. T. Kovoor in Mathrubhumi...

, Chattakkari, Oppol

Oppol

Oppol is a 1980 Malayalam film written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. Balan K. Nair, Menaka, Master Aravind and Shankaradi comprised the major cast. The film was based on a short story of the same name written by M. T. in 1975.-Plot:The film revolves around Malu , her...

and Marupakkam

Marupakkam

Marupakkam is an award-winning drama feature film directed by K.S. Sethu Madhavan. The film is in Tamil with English subtitles. It stars Sivakumar, Jayabharathi, and Radha. The film's music is composed by L. Vaidyanathan. It won 3 National Film Awards in 1991, including the Golden Lotus Award for...

. His only Oriya film was Manini.

His film Achanum Bappayum won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration

Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration

The Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration is a National Film Award - Silver Lotus, given to an Indian feature film director, for the best film relating to National Integration in India.The winners of the Award:-References:...

, a part of National Film Awards

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...

, in 1973. His Tamil film Marupakkam

Marupakkam

Marupakkam is an award-winning drama feature film directed by K.S. Sethu Madhavan. The film is in Tamil with English subtitles. It stars Sivakumar, Jayabharathi, and Radha. The film's music is composed by L. Vaidyanathan. It won 3 National Film Awards in 1991, including the Golden Lotus Award for...

 won the National Film Award for Best Film

National Film Award for Best Film

The 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...

 in 1991. In 1996, his Telugu film Stri won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu

National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu

The National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu Cinema winners: The awards received by the films released in the previous year are listed below...

. He won the Kerala State Film Award

Kerala State Film Award

The Kerala State Film Awards are the most prestigious film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy since 1998 on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala, India....

 for Best Director 4 times: for films Vazhve Mayam(1970), Karakanakkadal(1971), Pani Theeratha Veedu(1972) and Oppol(1980). He was the jury member for the National Film Awards

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...

 in 1975 and 1980. In 1982, he was the chairman of the jury for the Kerala State Film Awards. He was the chairman of the National Film Awards

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...

 jury in 2002, and was awarded the JC Daniel Award for the year 2009, honoring his achievements and contribution to Malayalam Cinema. In 2011, he was honoured with the Chalachitra Ratnam Award by the Kerala Film Critics Association.

Selected filmography

• Stri (1995)
• Nammavar
  Nammavar
  Nammavar is a 1994 Tamil language film K. S. Sethumadhavan and starring Kamal Haasan and Gouthami in lead roles.Kamal Hassan plays a revolutionary lecturer/vice principal of a college. The movie is about how he tries to reform the downtrodden college by his initiatives and its consequences. The...
  
   (1994)
• Marupakkam
  Marupakkam
  Marupakkam is an award-winning drama feature film directed by K.S. Sethu Madhavan. The film is in Tamil with English subtitles. It stars Sivakumar, Jayabharathi, and Radha. The film's music is composed by L. Vaidyanathan. It won 3 National Film Awards in 1991, including the Golden Lotus Award for...
  
   (1991)
• Venal Kinavukal (1991)
• Sunil Vayassu 20 (1986)
• Avidathepole Ivideyum (1985)
• Aarorumariyathe (1984)
• Ariyatha Veethikal (1984)
• Zindagi Jeene Ke Liye (1984)
• Afsana Do Dilon Ka (1982)
• Oppol
  Oppol
  Oppol is a 1980 Malayalam film written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. Balan K. Nair, Menaka, Master Aravind and Shankaradi comprised the major cast. The film was based on a short story of the same name written by M. T. in 1975.-Plot:The film revolves around Malu , her...
  
   (1980)
• Nakshathrangale Kaaval (1978)
• Yehi Hai Zindagi (1977)
• Amme Anupame (1977)
• Ormakal Marikkumo? (1977)
• Preeyamvadha (1976)
• Julie
  Julie (1975 film)
  Julie is a 1975 Hindi film that stars Laxmi in the title role. It also stars Nadira, and Sridevi as a child star. The film became a box office hit....
  
   (1975)
• Chuvanna Sandhyakal (1975)
• Makkal (1975)
• Chattakari
  Chattakari
  Chattakari is a Malayalam film written by Thoppil Bhasi based on Pamman's famous novel of the same name, and directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. It is a love story of an Anglo-Indian girl and a Hindu boy who consummate the relationship...
  
   (1974)
• Jeevikkan Marannu Poya Sthree (1974)
• Kanyakumari
  Kanyakumari (film)
  Kanyakumari is a 1974 Malayalam language film written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and K. S. Sethumadhavan. It stars Kamal Haasan in the lead role of the protagonist and Rita Bhaduri in the female lead. This was the first Malayalam film of Kamal Hassan...
  
   (1974)
• Azhakulla Saleena
  Azhakulla Saleena
  Azhakulla Saleena is a 1973 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan, and written by Thoppil Bhasi based on the novel of the same name by Muttathu Varkey. It stars Prem Nazir, Bahadoor, Vincent, Sankaradi, S. P. Pillai, Ramadas, Kanchana, Jayabharathi, K. P. A. C. Lalitha,...
  
   (1973)
• Chukku (1973)
• Kaliyugam (1973)
• Panitheeratha Veedu
  Panitheeratha Veedu
  Panitheeratha Veedu is a 1973 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. It stars Prem Nazir, Nanditha Bose, Baby Sumathi, N. Govindankutty, Veeran and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. It is an adaptation of Parappurath's 1964 novel of the same name. It won the Kerala State Film Awards for Best...
  
   (1973)
• Aadhyathe Katha (1972)
• Achanum Bappayum
  Achanum Bappayum
  Achanum Bappayum is a 1972 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by K. T. Muhammed. It stars K. P. Ummer, Jayabharathi, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Adoor Bhasi and Baby Sumathi in important roles...
  
   (1972)
• Devi
  Devi (film)
  Devi is a 1960 film by Bengali director Satyajit Ray, starring Soumitra Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore. It is based on a short story by Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhya. The title means "Goddess".-Plot synopsis:...
  
   (1972)
• Punarjanmam
  Punarjanmam
  Punarjanmam is an Indian Malayalam film starring Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi. It is the first erotic psychic thriller in the history of Indian cinema. The film is directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan based on a case history published by famous atheist and psychiatrist A. T. Kovoor in Mathrubhumi...
  
   (1972)
• Anubhavangal Paalichakal (1971)
• Inquilab Zindabad (1971)
• Karakanakadal (1971)
• Line Bus (1971)
• Oru Penninte Katha (1971)
• Thettu (1971)
• Sthree
  Sthree (1970 film)
  Sthree is a 1970 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and starring Sathyan, Madhu, Sharada, Jayabharathi, Ambika, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadoor, Veeran, P. S. Parvathy, Aranmula Ponnamma, Kottayam Shantha and T. K. R. Bhadran....
  
   (1970)
• Amma Enna Stree (1970)
• Aranazhikaneram (1970)
• Kalpana (1970)
• Kuttavali (1970)
• Mindapennu (1970)
• Vazhve Mayam
  Vazhve Mayam
  Vazhve Mayam is a 1970 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. Sathyan plays the lead role of the protagonist. The film also has Sheela, Sankaradi, K. P. Ummer, Bahadoor, Adoor Bhasi, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Khadeeja, Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai, C. A. Balan, Kuttan Pillai and Philomina...
  
   (1970)
• Adimagal (1969)
• Kadalpalam
  Kadalpalam
  Kadalpalam is a 1969 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Sheela, Bahadoor and Adoor Bhasi star in the lead. The film is an adaptation of the very popular professional stage play of the same name authored by the renowned dramatist K. T....
  
   (1969)
• Kootu Kudumbam (1969)
• Bharyamar Sookshikkuka (1968)
• Palmanam (1968)
• Thokkukal Katha Parayunnu (1968)
• Yakshi
  Yakshi (film)
  Yakshi is a 1968 Malayalam psychological thriller film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by Thoppil Bhasi based on Malayattoor Ramakrishnan's much acclaimed novel of the same name. It stars Sathyan, Sharada, Adoor Bhasi, N. Govindankutty, Bahadoor, Ushakumari, Sukumari, Rajakokila and...
  
   (1968)
• Kottayam Kolacase
  Kottayam Kolacase
  Kottayam Kolacase is a 1968 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. It stars Prem Nazir, Adoor Bhasi and Sheela. Music is by B. A. Chidambaranath....
  
   (1967)
• Naadan Pennu (1967)
• Ollathu Mathi (1967)
• Archana (1966)
• Rowdy (1966)
• Sthanarthy Saramma (1966)
• Daaham (1965)
• Odeyil Ninnu
  Odeyil Ninnu
  Odayil Ninnu or Odeyil Ninnu is a 1965 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan based on the novel of the same name written by P. Kesavadev. The film deals with the life and struggles of a rickshaw puller. It stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, K. R...
  
   (1965)
• Anna
  Anna (1964 film)
  Anna is a 1964 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan, starring Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in the lead role....
  
   (1964)
• Manavatty (1964)
• Omanakuttan (1964)
• Nithya Kanyaka (1963)
• Susheela (1963)
• Kannum Karalum (1962)
• Jnana Sundari (1961)