Neelakuyil (film)
Encyclopedia
Neelakuyil is a 1954 Malayalam realistic
film directed by P. Bhaskaran
and Ramu Kariat
. It is a melodrama
and was based on a story written by Uroob
. Screenplay and dialogues are written by Uroob along with P. Bhaskaran. Neelakuyil tells the story of the love affair of a Dalit girl and an educated, high caste school teacher. It stars Sathyan
, Miss Kumari
, Prema, P. Bhaskaran and Master Vipin. Many of the actors including Sathyan debuted through this film.
Neelakuyil was a landmark film in Malayalam cinema history that paved a new path for Malayalam cinema by breaking away from the earlier tradition of copying Tamil or Hindi films and making Malayalam films, of which the story or the characters could never be identified with the culture of Kerala. Based on a story by famous Malayalam writer Uroob, Neelakuyil had dialogues with local accent, and the script’s hard-hitting dialogues flay social evils such as untouchability, feudalism, and injustice towards women. It features an acclaimed cinematography by A. Vincent
and a successful musical score by K. Raghavan
. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
, thus becoming the first nationally recognized Malayalam film. The lead performances and the narrative style was also noted.
Most of its shooting was done outdoors and it captured images of the rural, agrarian Kerala, its vast paddy fields, the life of the peasants and the feudal society.
and penned by P. Bhaskaran
, which are regarded as a milestone in Malayalam film music history. Before Neelakuyil, Malayalam film music was copied from Hindi and Tamil film songs. It was K. Raghavan, who was on his debut through this film, who introduced Malayali folk music
into films. The songs included Mappilappattu (Islamic music
), koyithupattu (harvest song), a traditional prayer, romantic melodies, all of which followed the folk traditions of the State. The songs are choreographed by Guru Gopalakrishnan Kodungallur.
The popular songs from the film are "Ellarum Chollanu Ellarum Chollanu" (Janamma David), "Kayalarikaathu Vala Erinjappol" (K. Raghavan), "Unarunaroo Unnikanna" (Shantha P. Nair), "Sarasa Sama Daana Bheda" (based on a Tyagaraja
composition in Kaapi Narayani raga), "Kadalasu Vanchi Eri" (Kozhikode Pushpa), "Maanennum vilikkilla" (Mehboob
), "Kuyiline Thedi" (Janamma David) and "Engane Nee Marakkum Kuyile" (Kozhikode Abdul Kader
).
Neorealism (art)
In art, neorealism was established by the ex-Camden Town Group painters Charles Ginner and Harold Gilman at the beginning of World War I. They set out to explore the spirit of their age through the shapes and colours of daily life...
film directed by P. Bhaskaran
P. Bhaskaran
Pulloottupadathu Bhaskara Menon , better known as P. Bhaskaran, was a famous Malayalam poet and lyricist of Malayalam film songs. He penned more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He also directed 44 Malayalam feature films and 3 documentaries, produced 6 feature films and acted in several movies...
and Ramu Kariat
Ramu Kariat
Ramu Kariat was a Malayali Indian film director for almost three decades from the 1950s to the 1970s. He directed many acclaimed films in Malayalam...
. It is a melodrama
Melodrama
The term melodrama refers to a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters in order to appeal to the emotions. It may also refer to the genre which includes such works, or to language, behavior, or events which resemble them...
and was based on a story written by Uroob
Uroob
Uroob was a famous Malayalam writer from Kerala state, South India. He along with writers like Basheer, Thakazhi, Kesavadev, and Pottekkatt formed the progressive writers in Malayalam during the twentieth century. Uroob is a recipient of Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for his novel Sundarikalum...
. Screenplay and dialogues are written by Uroob along with P. Bhaskaran. Neelakuyil tells the story of the love affair of a Dalit girl and an educated, high caste school teacher. It stars Sathyan
Sathyaneshan Nadar
Manuel Sathyaneshan Nadar commonly known by his stage name Sathyan, was an Indian film actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He has won the Kerala State Film Award twice and is renowned for his acting skills...
, 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:...
, Prema, P. Bhaskaran and Master Vipin. Many of the actors including Sathyan debuted through this film.
Neelakuyil was a landmark film in Malayalam cinema history that paved a new path for Malayalam cinema by breaking away from the earlier tradition of copying Tamil or Hindi films and making Malayalam films, of which the story or the characters could never be identified with the culture of Kerala. Based on a story by famous Malayalam writer Uroob, Neelakuyil had dialogues with local accent, and the script’s hard-hitting dialogues flay social evils such as untouchability, feudalism, and injustice towards women. It features an acclaimed cinematography by A. Vincent
A. Vincent
Aloysius Vincent born June 14, 1928 in Calicut, Kerala, India is an Indian cinematographer of Hindi movies and director of Malayalam movies. Since the mid 1960s he has directed some 30 movies...
and a successful musical score by K. Raghavan
K. Raghavan
K. Raghavan is a Malayalam music composer. Along with Baburaj, Raghavan is often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music. K.Raghavan gave a new direction and identity to Malayalam film music.As he searched for the right tune for the lyrics, little did K...
. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
The National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam winners:...
, thus becoming the first nationally recognized Malayalam film. The lead performances and the narrative style was also noted.
Most of its shooting was done outdoors and it captured images of the rural, agrarian Kerala, its vast paddy fields, the life of the peasants and the feudal society.
Plot
The plot revolves around rustic life in a small village. Neeli (Miss Kumari), a Dalit peasant girl, falls in love with Sreedharan Nair (Sathyan), a school teacher. Neeli becomes pregnant. Sreedharan Nair refuses to marry Neeli as he fears being ostracized by a conservative society. Neeli becomes an outcaste and dies in child birth. Sankaran Nair (P.Bhaskaran), the village postman, adopts the child ignoring the protests of society. Sreedharan Nair marries Nalini (Prema), a member of an aristocratic family. Neeli’s son Mohan (Master Vipin) is brought up by the postman. The film ends with Sreedharan Nair and Nalini accepting the boy as their own child.Cast
- SathyanSathyaneshan NadarManuel Sathyaneshan Nadar commonly known by his stage name Sathyan, was an Indian film actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He has won the Kerala State Film Award twice and is renowned for his acting skills...
as Sreedharan Nair - 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 Neeli - Prema as Nalini
- Master Vipin (Vipin Mohan, who is now a popular cinematographer) as Mohan
- P. BhaskaranP. BhaskaranPulloottupadathu Bhaskara Menon , better known as P. Bhaskaran, was a famous Malayalam poet and lyricist of Malayalam film songs. He penned more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He also directed 44 Malayalam feature films and 3 documentaries, produced 6 feature films and acted in several movies...
as Shankaran Nair, the postmaster - Ramankutty Menon as the feudal lord
- Paravoor BharathanParavoor BharathanParavoor Bharathan is an Indian actor of Malayalam films who started his career in movies during 1960s. Bharathan is known as a versatile actor as he has acted in a variety of roles including negative roles, character roles and comedy roles.- Biography :...
(cameo role)
Songs
There are nine songs, scored by K. RaghavanK. Raghavan
K. Raghavan is a Malayalam music composer. Along with Baburaj, Raghavan is often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music. K.Raghavan gave a new direction and identity to Malayalam film music.As he searched for the right tune for the lyrics, little did K...
and penned by P. Bhaskaran
P. Bhaskaran
Pulloottupadathu Bhaskara Menon , better known as P. Bhaskaran, was a famous Malayalam poet and lyricist of Malayalam film songs. He penned more than 3000 songs for about 250 films. He also directed 44 Malayalam feature films and 3 documentaries, produced 6 feature films and acted in several movies...
, which are regarded as a milestone in Malayalam film music history. Before Neelakuyil, Malayalam film music was copied from Hindi and Tamil film songs. It was K. Raghavan, who was on his debut through this film, who introduced Malayali folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
into films. The songs included Mappilappattu (Islamic music
Islamic music
Islamic music is Muslim religious music, as sung or played in public services or private devotions. The classic heartland of Islam is the Middle East, North Africa, Iran, Central Asia, Horn of Africa and South Asia. Due to Islam being a multi-ethnic religion, the musical expression of its adherents...
), koyithupattu (harvest song), a traditional prayer, romantic melodies, all of which followed the folk traditions of the State. The songs are choreographed by Guru Gopalakrishnan Kodungallur.
The popular songs from the film are "Ellarum Chollanu Ellarum Chollanu" (Janamma David), "Kayalarikaathu Vala Erinjappol" (K. Raghavan), "Unarunaroo Unnikanna" (Shantha P. Nair), "Sarasa Sama Daana Bheda" (based on a Tyagaraja
Tyagaraja
Kakarla Tyagabrahmam , colloquially known as Tyāgarājar and Tyagayya was one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music or classical South Indian music. He, along with his contemporaries Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastry, forms the Trinity of Carnatic music...
composition in Kaapi Narayani raga), "Kadalasu Vanchi Eri" (Kozhikode Pushpa), "Maanennum vilikkilla" (Mehboob
Mehboob (singer)
Mehboob was an Indian musician and playback singer. He was one of the most successful playback singers in Malayalam film industry during 1950s and early 1960s, with a good number of hit songs in his kitty.-Biography:...
), "Kuyiline Thedi" (Janamma David) and "Engane Nee Marakkum Kuyile" (Kozhikode Abdul Kader
Kozhikode Abdul Kader
Kozhikode Abdul Kader, born Leslie Andrews was a Malayalam playback singer.-Biography:Born to J. S. Andrews and Manini on February 19, 1916, Andrews converted to Islam and rechristened himself as Abdul Kader when he landed up in Burma. He was first noticed by the music director V. Dakshinamoorthy....
).
External links
- Neelakuyil at the Malayalam Movie Database