Kaliyattam
Encyclopedia
Kaliyattam is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Jayaraaj, and starring Suresh Gopi
, Lal
, and Manju Warrier
. The film is an adapted version of William Shakespeare
's play Othello
against the backdrop of the Hindu
Theyyam
performance. In 1998, Suresh Gopi received the National Film Award for Best Actor
, and Jayaraaj the award for Best Director for their work on the film.
)), a Theyyam artist who corresponds to Othello
, and Thamara (Manju Warrier
), the beautiful daughter of the village head. While Unni Thampuran hates Kannan because he had a crush on Thamara, and Paniyan, (Lal
) who plays a Koomali, covets the role of Theechamundi which Perumalayan holds. Paniyan plants the seeds of doubt about Thamara's fidelity
in Kannan's mind, making him suspect that Thamara and his assistant Kanthan (Biju Menon
) are having an affair. Kannan spots a silk robe which he had presented to Thamara in Kanthan's hands.
Kannan, out of grief and anger, takes Thamara's life by suffocating her with a pillow. On the same night, Paniyan plans to get Kanthan killed by Unni Thampuran, but the plan goes awry and Thamburan is killed. Amidst these events, Kannan is told of his mistake by Paniyan's wife Cheerma, before Paniyan murders her. Kannan overpowers Paniyan, crushing his legs with a stone, and allows him to live the rest of his life crippled. Kannan Perumalayan gives the Theechamundi role to Kanthan and commits suicide in the Theyyam ritual fire. (See Kalakat Illam
to understand these rituals)
Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
, Lal
Lal (actor)
Paul Michael , better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian film director, script writer, actor, producer, and film distributor....
, and Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier is an Indian film actress. She was among the popular lead actress in Malayalam cinema during the mid to late-1990s.She made her debut in Saakshyam...
. The film is an adapted version of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's play Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
against the backdrop of the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Theyyam
Theyyam
Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu...
performance. In 1998, Suresh Gopi received the National Film Award for Best Actor
National Film Award for Best Actor
The National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
, and Jayaraaj the award for Best Director for their work on the film.
Plot
This is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, revolving around Kannan Perumalayan (Suresh GopiSuresh Gopi
Suresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
)), a Theyyam artist who corresponds to Othello
Othello (character)
Othello is a character in Shakespeare's Othello . The character's origin is traced to the tale, "Un Capitano Moro" in Gli Hecatommithi by Giovanni Battista Giraldi Cinthio. There, he is simply referred to as the Moor....
, and Thamara (Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier is an Indian film actress. She was among the popular lead actress in Malayalam cinema during the mid to late-1990s.She made her debut in Saakshyam...
), the beautiful daughter of the village head. While Unni Thampuran hates Kannan because he had a crush on Thamara, and Paniyan, (Lal
Lal (actor)
Paul Michael , better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian film director, script writer, actor, producer, and film distributor....
) who plays a Koomali, covets the role of Theechamundi which Perumalayan holds. Paniyan plants the seeds of doubt about Thamara's fidelity
Fidelity
"Fidelity" is the quality of being faithful or loyal. Its original meaning regarded duty to a lord or a king, in a broader sense than the related concept of fealty. Both derive from the Latin word fidēlis, meaning "faithful or loyal"....
in Kannan's mind, making him suspect that Thamara and his assistant Kanthan (Biju Menon
Biju Menon
Biju Menon is an Indian film actor who has mainly worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films. He appears mostly in supporting roles, but has also acted in antagonistic roles. He made his debut in 1995 in Mannar Mathai Speaking...
) are having an affair. Kannan spots a silk robe which he had presented to Thamara in Kanthan's hands.
Kannan, out of grief and anger, takes Thamara's life by suffocating her with a pillow. On the same night, Paniyan plans to get Kanthan killed by Unni Thampuran, but the plan goes awry and Thamburan is killed. Amidst these events, Kannan is told of his mistake by Paniyan's wife Cheerma, before Paniyan murders her. Kannan overpowers Paniyan, crushing his legs with a stone, and allows him to live the rest of his life crippled. Kannan Perumalayan gives the Theechamundi role to Kanthan and commits suicide in the Theyyam ritual fire. (See Kalakat Illam
Kalakat Illam
Kalakat Illam is the house name of a family of Brahmins in northern Kerala. This family of Brahmins are allegedly gifted with powers of and , or Tantra. The term Tantra here, refers to the method of practices carried over based on certain beliefs on divine energy and its link to the human microcosm...
to understand these rituals)
Cast
- Suresh GopiSuresh GopiSuresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
as Kannan Perumalayan - LalLal (actor)Paul Michael , better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian film director, script writer, actor, producer, and film distributor....
as Paniyan - Manju WarrierManju WarrierManju Warrier is an Indian film actress. She was among the popular lead actress in Malayalam cinema during the mid to late-1990s.She made her debut in Saakshyam...
as Thamara - Biju MenonBiju MenonBiju Menon is an Indian film actor who has mainly worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films. He appears mostly in supporting roles, but has also acted in antagonistic roles. He made his debut in 1995 in Mannar Mathai Speaking...
as Kanthan - Bindu PanickerBindu PanickerBindu Panicker is a Malayalam actress who has more than 80 films to her credit. She has played both comedic and character roles in Malayalam cinema, and also takes on character roles. Her films include Vaatsalyam, Soothradharan, and Joker.She won the fourth Lux-Asianet award for the best...
as Cheerma - Narendra PrasadNarendra prasadNarendra Prasad was a popular Indian movie actor, playwright, director, teacher and literary critic. He was born at Mavelikara, Alappuzha District, in the south Indian state of Kerala....
Soundtrack
The music and lyrics were composed and written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.| Song | Playback | Lyrics | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Ennodenthinee Pinakkam" | Bhavana Radhakrishnan | Kaithapram | |
| "Vannathi Puzhayude" | K.J. Yesudas | Kaithapram | |
| "Velikku Veluppaankaalam" | K.J. Yesudas | Kaithapram | |
| "Ennodendinee Pinakkam" | K.J. Yesudas | Kaithapram | |
| "Kathivanoor Veerane" | Kallara Gopan | Kaithapram | |
| "Kathivanoor Veerane" | Sreeja | Kaithapram | |
| "Ezhimalayolam" | Kaithapram | Kaithapram | |
| "Sree Raagam Paadum Veene" | K.J. Yesudas, Sujatha Sujatha Mohan Sujatha Mohan , usually credited as Sujatha, is an award-winning Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam and Tamil movies. She has also sung for Telugu, Kannada and Hindi movies. She is widely popular for her evergreen melodies and her sweet voice is considered to be her... |
Kaithapram | |
| "Paadathe Paadunna Raagam" | M.G. Sreekumar | Kaithapram |