Padmarajan
Encyclopedia
P. Padmarajan was 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 author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...

, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...

, and film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...

 who contributed in Malayalam language
Malayalam language
Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...

. Padmarajan was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam, along with Bharathan
Bharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...

, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely received while also being critically acclaimed. A train of directors, and screen writers followed this school onto the 1990s including Sibi Malayil
Sibi Malayil
Sibi Malayil is an Indian film director of Malayalam cinema best known for his melodramas of the 80s and 90s. Since the mid-1980s he has directed some 40 movies. Movies like Kireedam, Dasharatham, Thaniyavarthanam, His Highness Abdullah, Bharatham, and Akashadoothu defined the way Malayalam movies...

, Lohithadas
Lohithadas
Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas was an Indian screenwriter, director, and producer known for his extensive work in Malayalam cinema....

, and Sathyan Anthikkad
Sathyan Anthikkad
Sathyan Anthikad is an Indian film director and screenwriter known primarily for his family based Malayalam films.He has created many critical and commercially successful films, especially when working with Sreenivasan as the scriptwriter...

.

Padmarajan was noted for his fine and detailed screenwriting and expressive direction style. Padmarajan made some of the landmark motion pictures in Malayalam cinema
Malayalam cinema
The Cinema of Kerala or Malayalam cinema refers to the film industry in the Indian state of Kerala, which makes films in the Malayalam language. Malayalam movies typically portray social or family issues and are considered more realistic than films from other parts of India. Malayalam cinema has...

, including masterpieces like Oridathoru Phayalvaan (1981), Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil
Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil
Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil is a Malayalam film released in 1986. Directed by P. Padmarajan, based on his own short story with the same name, the film was a hit at the box office, and is considered as a cult classic by film lovers...

 (1986), Kariyila Kattu Pole
Kariyila Kattu Pole
Kariyilakkattu Pole is a 1986 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, Rahman, and Karthika. This film is an investigative thriller.-Plot:...

 (1986), Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal is a landmark film in Malayalam cinema written and directed by Padmarajan. The film is noted for its rich and detailed screenplay, expressive cinematography and flowing musical narration...

 (1986), Thoovanathumbikal
Thoovanathumbikal
Thoovanathumbikal is a widely acclaimed melodramatic 1987 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, which is based on his own novel Udakappola. The film revolves around Jayakrishnan who falls in love with two women, Radha a woman in his village and Clara a sex worker in town...

 (1987), Moonnam Pakkam
Moonnam Pakkam
Moonnam Pakkam is a 1988 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Padmarajan. It stars Jayaram, Thilakan, Keerthy, Jagathi Sreekumar, Rahman, Ashokan and Ajayan. Keerthy and Ajayan made their debut in this film...

 (1988), and Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan is a 1991 Malayalam fantasy romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nitish Bharadwaj and Suparna Anand in lead roles....

 (1991).

Early life

Born at Muthukulam near Haripad
Haripad
Haripad is a town in Alappuzha District, Kerala, India, located between Alappuzha and Kollam on National Highway 47. Haripad is close to the Arabian Sea, and connects Mavelikkara and Thrikkunnappuzha....

  in Onattukara
Onattukara
Onattukara was a principality of ancient Kerala. Also known as Odanadu , Onattukara was at times part of the kingdom of Venad and was composed of the present day Taluks of [Mavelikara], Karthikapally, Chenganur taluks in Alappuzha district and Karunagapally Taluk in Kollam...

, Alleppey, he was the sixth son of Thundathil Anantha Padmanabha Pillai and Njavarakkal Devaki Amma. After early schooling at Muthukulam, he studied at M. G. College and University College, Trivandrum, graduating in Chemistry (1963). Subsequently, he learned Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...

 from the scholar Cheppad Achyutha Warrier at Muthukulam. He then joined All India Radio
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...

, Trichur (1965), starting as a programme announcer, and later settled at Poojappura, Trivandrum (1968); he would remain at All India Radio until 1986, when his busy involvement in films would prompt him to retire voluntarily.

Career as screenwriter and director

His stories
Narrative
A narrative is a constructive format that describes a sequence of non-fictional or fictional events. The word derives from the Latin verb narrare, "to recount", and is related to the adjective gnarus, "knowing" or "skilled"...

 deal with deceit, murder, romance, mystery, passion, jealousy, libertinism
Libertine
A libertine is one devoid of most moral restraints, which are seen as unnecessary or undesirable, especially one who ignores or even spurns accepted morals and forms of behavior sanctified by the larger society. Libertines, also known as rakes, placed value on physical pleasures, meaning those...

, anarchism
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...

, individualism
Individualism
Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that stresses "the moral worth of the individual". Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance while opposing most external interference upon one's own...

, and the life of peripheral elements of society. Some of them are considered as among the best in Malayalam literature
Malayalam literature
The term Malayalam literature refers to Literature written in Malayalam language. Malayalam is the language spoken by around 35 million people, mainly the inhabitants of the state of Kerala and the union territory of Lakshadweep Islands in India. Malayalam is a Dravidian language and thus has close...

, his first novel Nakshathrangale Kaaval (With only the stars as witness) won the Kerala Sahithya Academy
Kerala Sahithya Academy
Kerala Sahitya Akademi or Academy for Malayalam literature is an autonomous body established to promote Malayalam language and literature. It is situated in Thrissur, Kerala in India. The academy was inaugurated on October 15, 1956, by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the former king of...

 award (1972).

He entered the world of Malayalam films
Malayalam cinema
The Cinema of Kerala or Malayalam cinema refers to the film industry in the Indian state of Kerala, which makes films in the Malayalam language. Malayalam movies typically portray social or family issues and are considered more realistic than films from other parts of India. Malayalam cinema has...

 by writing the screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...

 for Bharathan
Bharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...

's directorial debut Prayaanam (1975) to take first steps to be one of the most talented script writers to have graced Malayalam cinema.

He later began to direct films based on his own screenplays, beginning with Peruvazhiyambalam (The Street as a Choultry) (1979), which are greatly popular among the common people as well as intellectuals and film critics, while maintaining richness in artistic and thematic originality and excellence. Padmarajan was a great experimenter who explored all walks of life in his works. His screen plays had such hitherto-unheard of features and subjects - such as casting rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...

 as a character in Thoovanthumbikal (Fireflies of the Night), friendship and lesbianism in Desadanakili Karayarilla (Migratory Birds Don't Cry), unusual climax (By traditional standards) in Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (Wineyards for us to dwell) and Oridaththoru Phayalvaan (There Lived a Wrestler). Many of his films bear the mark of his romanticism.

He is celebrated for his possibly unparalleled attention to detail in his screenplays. Some of his scripts are arguably the smoothest narratives ever penned in the Malayalam language. They are also ample proof for his keen observation, acute perception, and astute portrayal of human relationships and emotions. Many of his films have stunning and haunting climaxes, most of them not commonly portrayed in Malayalam movies. His characters were portrayed with great sensitivity and intensity on the screen and many of the scenes are generously sprinkled with humor. The dialogues of characters are quite natural, in the language of the common man, and yet have a subtle lyrical quality.

Indeed, a just case may be made that his directorial merit flowed easily from his exquisitely crafted screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...

s: he never directed a film based on a script written by someone else (unlike other Malayalam film directors of comparable stature, say, Bharathan and K. G. George
K. G. George
Kulakkatil Geevarghese George is an Indian film director who work in Malayalam film. George is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of Kerala who modernized the Malayalam cinema in the seventies. He is the founder-chairman of MACTA, and continues to be an executive member...

), and rarely adapted his script from a story not his own. Consequently, he had an unusually intimate knowledge of the characters in his films in combination with his mastery of the script.

Association with Bharathan

Together with Bharathan and K. G. George, he successfully laid the foundation for a school of Malayalam cinema that strove to tread a middle ground by striking a fine balance between intellectual and commercial appeal, without sacrificing the strong points of either approach; this was accomplished by portraying brilliant stories with "next door" men and women as characters, steering clear of artificial characters, stereotypes and pedantic inclinations allegedly typical of critically acclaimed films. The term "Parallel film" is usually used to describe his style of film making. Along with Bharathan, he displayed mastery in handling sexuality on the screen, hitherto less known in Malayalam cinema.

Association with actors

He was quite adept in spotting talent, and introduced many fresh faces who would later make their mark in Indian cinema, including Ashokan
Ashokan (actor)
Ashokan is Malayalam actor who is best known for his roles in Peruvazhiyambalam, In Harihar Nagar and Amaram.-Career:He made debut in 1978 was Peruvazhiyambalam was directed by Padmarajan where he played as a 15 year old boy who becomes fugitive after killing of bully...

 (Peruvazhiyambalam), Rasheed (Oridathoru Phayalvaan), Rahman
Rahman (actor)
Rahman is an Indian film actor who has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films...

 (Koodevide), Jayaram
Jayaram
Jayaram is an Indian film actor who mainly acts in Malayalam and Tamil films. He is also a chenda percussionist and mimic artist. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution towards the arts.-Early life:...

 (Aparan), Ramachandran (Novemberinte Nashtam), Ajayan (Moonnam Pakkam). Also artists like Nitish Bharadwaj
Nitish Bharadwaj
Nitish Bharadwaj is an Indian actor and former member of the Lok Sabha. He is best known for his portrayal of Lord Krishna in B. R...

 (Njan Gandharvan), Suhasini
Suhasini Mani Ratnam
Suhasini Maniratnam is an Indian actress. She made her film debut in 1980 with the Tamil film Nenjathai Killathe for which she won the Best Actress award. Suhasini has won a National Film Award for Best Actress for Sindhu Bhairavi in 1986...

 (Koodevide); Shaari (Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal) were introduced to Malayalam screen by him.

He coaxed sparkling and inspired performances from many actors, such as Mammootty
Mammootty
Mammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...

, Bharath Gopi
Bharath Gopi
V. Gopinathan Nair, popularly known as Bharath Gopi was an Indian film actor, producer, and director. He was one of the first actors to be associated with the New Wave cinema movement in Kerala....

, 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...

, Karamana Janardanan Nair
Karamana Janardanan Nair
Karamana Janardanan Nair was one of the most famous Malayalam film actors during the 80s and 90s. He won wide acclaim especially for the role of the protagonist in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Elippathayam. He is best remembered for his roles in Agnidevan and in Sphadikam . His last role was as Fr....

, Rahman
Rahman (actor)
Rahman is an Indian film actor who has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films...

, Jagathy Sreekumar
Jagathy Sreekumar
Sreekumar Achary, better known by his stage name Jagathy Sreekumar, is an Indian film actor who has performed in more than 1,000 Malayalam films. He has also directed two films and has written screenplays for two films...

, Suresh Gopi
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...

 in Innale
Innale
Innale is a 1989 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan with Shobhana, Jayaram, Srividya and Suresh Gopi in pivotal roles.- Synopsis :Gauri the sole survivor of a tragic bus accident loses her memory...

, Shobhana, Sumalatha
Sumalatha
Sumalatha is a popular Indian film actress. She has acted in more than 200 films in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi movies.-Early life:...

, Thilakan
Thilakan
Surendranatha Thilakan , known mononymously as Thilakan, is an Indian actor who works in Malayalam cinema and theatre. He was awarded Padma Shri on 25 January 2009.- Theatre:...

, and Nedumudi Venu
Nedumudi Venu
Nedumudi Venu is a popular Malayalam film actor from Kerala, India. He has also written screenplays and has directed one film.- Early life :...

; indeed, Thilakan's rendition in Moonnam Pakkam is one of the best performances of the thespian's career. He also aided in establishing, to a fair degree, the fame of other directors such as Bharathan, I. V. Sasi
I. V. Sasi
Irruppam Veedu Sasidaran, better known as I. V. Sasi, is a Malayali Indian film director who is known for his films of the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. He has directed about 150 films in various South Indian languages and Hindi. He is known as the "veteran" or the "guru" filmmaker in Malayalam...

, and Mohan
Mohan
Mohan is a common male Hindu name derived from Sanskrit meaning "delightful", "charming", or "attractive".- People :* A. G. Mohan, Indian yoga teacher, yoga therapist and author* Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu in Hindu history...

, through his association with them; his collaboration with Bharathan as a script writer is considered to have produced remarkable works in Malayalam cinema. His assistants who went on to direct films independently include Thoppil Ajayan (Perumthachchan), Suresh Unnithan
Suresh Unnithan
-Biography:His start in film was as an assistant director to Padmarajan, the most renowned film director, from whom he learned the basics and craft of film making. Later he debuted with Jaathakam, which was well acclaimed by the critics and was a huge hit. The same film won the Best Newcomer...

 (Jaathakam, Raadhaamaadhavam), and Blessy
Blessy
Blessy is an Indian film director and screenwriter who has made several critically acclaimed films in Malayalam. As a film director, he is influenced by Padmarajan and Bharathan.- Career :...

 (Kaazhcha
Kaazhcha
Kaazcha is a 2004 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Blessy. It stars Mammootty in the lead role.-Plot:Madhavan , a simple village man who in childhood got bitten by the film bug threw up his studies and finally ended up as the Operator Madhavan who toured the countryside with his 16 mm...

, Thanmaathra
Thanmathra
Thanmathra is a 2005 Malayalam film directed by Blessy, based on Padmarajan's short story Orma, which portrays the effects of Alzheimer's disease on the life of an individual and his family...

, the latter adapted from Padmarajan's short story Orma in Thanmathra
Thanmathra
Thanmathra is a 2005 Malayalam film directed by Blessy, based on Padmarajan's short story Orma, which portrays the effects of Alzheimer's disease on the life of an individual and his family...

).

Death

His sudden and untimely death, which occurred at Hotel Paramount Towers in Calicut while he was visiting a Cinema
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....

 playing his last film Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan is a 1991 Malayalam fantasy romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nitish Bharadwaj and Suparna Anand in lead roles....

. The news of his death was a shock to Keralites and was widely mourned, and the feeling of loss among the people of 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....

 lingers to this day.

Trivia

His wife Radhalakshmi recalls that during the later part of year 1990 when Padmarajan was planning to do Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan is a 1991 Malayalam fantasy romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nitish Bharadwaj and Suparna Anand in lead roles....

 there were many bad omens in his life. Gandharvans are singers from heaven in Hindu Mythology and their visits to Earth are believed to cast a spell on maidens and is usually dealt with an attitude of fear by the traditional Hindus. Following this belief, many people along with his wife advised Padmarajan not to make a film based on this subject. After postponing the film on this subject many times Padmarajan finally decided to do this film and started the work for the film. Many "bad omens" surfaced in this period, the flight he was supposed to travel to Mumbai to select the hero of the film was hit by a bird and was cancelled. There were continuous problems in the site of the film. Heroine Suparna fainted under a Pala tree during the shoot. Actor Nitish was also accounted to having fainted on getting poisoned from a betel leaf. Padmarajan was notably losing weight during this period and had high cholesterol despite the fact that he was jogging regularly and had stopped smoking. Despite the obstacles, the team completed the movie. The team including Nitish Bharadwaj
Nitish Bharadwaj
Nitish Bharadwaj is an Indian actor and former member of the Lok Sabha. He is best known for his portrayal of Lord Krishna in B. R...

 and Padmarajan planned to visit the theaters in Calicut to promote the film where he joined the unknown.

Personal life

Padmarajan's wife Radhalakshmi Padmarajan is from Chittur
Chittur
Chittur is a small town in Palakkad district of Kerala, South India.-Politics:Chittur assembly constituency is part of Alathur .It contains 16 panchayats.-Demographics:...

 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...

. Radhalakshmi was his colleague at AIR before their marriage in 1970. RadhaLakshmi has written her reminiscences about him in her book Padmarajan entaey gandharvan (Padmarajan, my celestial lover). Their son, P. Ananthapadmanabhan, is a writer .

Awards

Kerala Sahithya Academy Awards
Kerala Sahithya Academy
Kerala Sahitya Akademi or Academy for Malayalam literature is an autonomous body established to promote Malayalam language and literature. It is situated in Thrissur, Kerala in India. The academy was inaugurated on October 15, 1956, by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the former king of...

  • 1972: Novel
    Novel
    A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....

     - Nakshathrangale Kaval


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...

  • 1979: 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:...

     - Peruvazhiyambalam
    Peruvazhiyambalam
    Peruvazhiyambalam is a 1979 Indian Malayalam film by P. Padmarajan based on his novel of the same name. It marked Padmarajan's directorial debut and acting debut for Ashokan....

  • 1986: 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:...

     - Thinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam


Kerala State Film Awards
  • 1978: Best Story
    Kerala State Film Award for Best Story
    The Kerala State Film Award for Best Story winners:-References:**...

     - Rappadikalude Gatha
  • 1979: Second Best Film
    Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film
    The Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film winners:- Third Best Film :The Kerala State Film Award for Third Best Film winners:-References:**...

     - Peruvazhiyambalam
    Peruvazhiyambalam
    Peruvazhiyambalam is a 1979 Indian Malayalam film by P. Padmarajan based on his novel of the same name. It marked Padmarajan's directorial debut and acting debut for Ashokan....

  • 1979: Best Story
    Kerala State Film Award for Best Story
    The Kerala State Film Award for Best Story winners:-References:**...

     - Peruvazhiyambalam
    Peruvazhiyambalam
    Peruvazhiyambalam is a 1979 Indian Malayalam film by P. Padmarajan based on his novel of the same name. It marked Padmarajan's directorial debut and acting debut for Ashokan....

  • 1983: Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value
    Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film
    The Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value winners:-References:**...

     - Koodevide
    Koodevide
    Koodevide? is a 1983 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, starring Suhasini, Mammootty and Rahman who makes his debut. The plot of the film is loosely based on a Tamil novel by Vasanthi.-Plot:...

  • 1984: Best Screenplay - Kanamarayathu
    Kanamarayathu
    Kanamarayathu is a 1984 Malayalam film written by Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi. It strars Mammootty, Rahman, Lalu Alex, Shobhana and Seema. This film won 1984 Kerala State Film Awards for the Best Story , Best Music Director and Best Female Singer .-Plot:Sherly is an orphan who is...

  • 1988: Best Screenplay - Aparan
    Aparan (film)
    Aparan is a 1988 Malayalam mystery film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It is based on Padmarajan's short story with the same title. It stars Jayaram, Mukesh, Shobana, Parvathy Jayaram and Madhu. The story is about mistaken identity and the problems that a young, innocent man had to undergo...



Kerala Film Critics' Awards
  • 1977: Best Screenplay - Itha Ivide Vare
  • 1982: Best Film - Novemberinte Nashtam
    Novemberinte Nashtam
    Novemberinte Nashtam is a 1982 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Madhavi, Ramachandran, Prathap Pothan and Surekha in the lead roles.-Plot:...

  • 1983: Best Screenplay -Koodevide
    Koodevide
    Koodevide? is a 1983 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, starring Suhasini, Mammootty and Rahman who makes his debut. The plot of the film is loosely based on a Tamil novel by Vasanthi.-Plot:...

  • 1984: Best Screenplay - Kanamarayathu
    Kanamarayathu
    Kanamarayathu is a 1984 Malayalam film written by Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi. It strars Mammootty, Rahman, Lalu Alex, Shobhana and Seema. This film won 1984 Kerala State Film Awards for the Best Story , Best Music Director and Best Female Singer .-Plot:Sherly is an orphan who is...

  • 1986: Best Screenplay - Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
    Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
    Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal is a landmark film in Malayalam cinema written and directed by Padmarajan. The film is noted for its rich and detailed screenplay, expressive cinematography and flowing musical narration...

    , Nombarathi Poovu
    Nombarathi Poovu
    Nombarathi Poovu is a 1987 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Madhavi, Baby Sonia, Mammootty Shari and Unnimary. Its story is about the deep relation between Gigi and Padmini . Its songs were composed by M. G...

  • 1988: Best Screenplay - Aparan
    Aparan (film)
    Aparan is a 1988 Malayalam mystery film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It is based on Padmarajan's short story with the same title. It stars Jayaram, Mukesh, Shobana, Parvathy Jayaram and Madhu. The story is about mistaken identity and the problems that a young, innocent man had to undergo...

    , Moonnam Pakkam
    Moonnam Pakkam
    Moonnam Pakkam is a 1988 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Padmarajan. It stars Jayaram, Thilakan, Keerthy, Jagathi Sreekumar, Rahman, Ashokan and Ajayan. Keerthy and Ajayan made their debut in this film...

  • 1990: Best Screenplay - Innale
    Innale
    Innale is a 1989 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan with Shobhana, Jayaram, Srividya and Suresh Gopi in pivotal roles.- Synopsis :Gauri the sole survivor of a tragic bus accident loses her memory...



Film Fans' Awards
  • 1975: Best Screenplay - Prayanam
    Prayanam (1975 film)
    Prayanam is a 1975 Malayalam language black-and-white feature film written by Padmarajan and directed by Bharathan. It was the debut of both Padmarajan and Bharathan. The writer-director duo is often credited for revolutionising Malayalam cinema with their expressive and innovative works...

  • 1977: Best Screenplay - Itha Ivide Vare
  • 1978: Best Screenplay - Rappadikalude Gatha, Rathinirvedam
  • 1980: Best Screenplay - Thakara
    Thakara
    Thakara is a famous Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and written by Padmarajan.- Cast :*Prathap K. Pothan ... Thakara*Surekha ... Subhashini*Nedumudi Venu ... Chellappanasari*K.G. Menon ... Mathu Mooppan...



Other awards
  • 1982: Kualalumpur Film Festival - Best Film - Oridathoru Phayalvaan
  • 1982: Kualalumpur Film Festival - Best Script - Oridathoru Phayalvaan
  • 1982: Gulf Award for Best Film - Novemberinte Nashtam
    Novemberinte Nashtam
    Novemberinte Nashtam is a 1982 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Madhavi, Ramachandran, Prathap Pothan and Surekha in the lead roles.-Plot:...

  • 1983: Pournami Award for Best Director - Koodevide
    Koodevide
    Koodevide? is a 1983 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, starring Suhasini, Mammootty and Rahman who makes his debut. The plot of the film is loosely based on a Tamil novel by Vasanthi.-Plot:...

  • 1987: Film Chamber Award for Best Story - Thoovanathumbikal
    Thoovanathumbikal
    Thoovanathumbikal is a widely acclaimed melodramatic 1987 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, which is based on his own novel Udakappola. The film revolves around Jayakrishnan who falls in love with two women, Radha a woman in his village and Clara a sex worker in town...

  • 1988: Film Fare Award for Best Director - Aparan
    Aparan (film)
    Aparan is a 1988 Malayalam mystery film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It is based on Padmarajan's short story with the same title. It stars Jayaram, Mukesh, Shobana, Parvathy Jayaram and Madhu. The story is about mistaken identity and the problems that a young, innocent man had to undergo...

  • 1990: Film Chamber Award for Best Story - Innale
    Innale
    Innale is a 1989 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan with Shobhana, Jayaram, Srividya and Suresh Gopi in pivotal roles.- Synopsis :Gauri the sole survivor of a tragic bus accident loses her memory...

  • 1991: FAC award - Njan Gandharvan
    Njan Gandharvan
    Njan Gandharvan is a 1991 Malayalam fantasy romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nitish Bharadwaj and Suparna Anand in lead roles....


As a director

P. Padmarajan had directed 18 movies, in a span of 12 years, all of them in Malayalam
Malayalam language
Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...

.
Sr. No. Year Title Original Title English Title Writer Notes
01 1979 Peruvazhiyambalam
Peruvazhiyambalam
Peruvazhiyambalam is a 1979 Indian Malayalam film by P. Padmarajan based on his novel of the same name. It marked Padmarajan's directorial debut and acting debut for Ashokan....

പെരുവഴിയമ്പലം Highway Shelter Adapted from his novel of the same name
Peruvazhiyambalam (novel)
Peruvazhiyambalam is a Malayalam novel written by Padmarajan. In 1978, it was adapted for a feature film also called Peruvazhiyambalam directed by Padmarajan. This novel is about teenager Raman who kills Prabhakaran Pillai, a local thug in self defense...

02 1981 Oridathoru Phayalvaan ഒരിടത്തൊരു ഫയൽവാന് There Lived a Wrestler Also edited the film
03 1981 Kallan Pavithran
Kallan Pavithran
Kallan Pavithran is a 1981 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nedumudi Venu, Adoor Bhasi and Bharath Gopi. The film is about a thief who meets a crooked merchant in the town and an incident occurring afterward changing his entire life...

കള്ളന് പവിത്രന് Pavithran, the Thief Adapted from his novel of the same name
04 1982 Novemberinte Nashtam
Novemberinte Nashtam
Novemberinte Nashtam is a 1982 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Madhavi, Ramachandran, Prathap Pothan and Surekha in the lead roles.-Plot:...

നവംബറിന്റെ നഷ്‌ടം November's Loss
05 1983 Koodevide?
Koodevide
Koodevide? is a 1983 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, starring Suhasini, Mammootty and Rahman who makes his debut. The plot of the film is loosely based on a Tamil novel by Vasanthi.-Plot:...

കൂടെവിടെ? Wither The Nest Adapted from the Tamil novel Moongil Pookkal by Vaasanthi
06 1984 Parannu Parannu Parannu
Parannu Parannu Parannu
Parannu Parannu Parannu is a 1984 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Rahman, Rohini and Nedumudi Venu in pivotal roles.-Plot:...

പറന്ന്‌ പറന്ന്‌ പറന്ന്‌ Soaring Soaring Soaring It is a story of girl who always migrating,and she fall in love
07 1985 Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam
Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam
Thinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam is a 1985 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Mammootty, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Karamana Janardanan Nair and Srividya in pivotal roles. It tells the story of a man who wants to sell his ancestral house and put his mother in an old age home...

തിങ്കളാഴ്ച നല്ല ദിവസം Monday, an Auspicious Day A story of aged mother with her sons.
08 1986 Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal is a landmark film in Malayalam cinema written and directed by Padmarajan. The film is noted for its rich and detailed screenplay, expressive cinematography and flowing musical narration...

നമുക്കു പാർക്കാന് മുന്തിരിത്തോപ്പുകൾ Vineyards for Us to Dwell Adapted from the novel Nammukku Graamangalil Chennu Raappaarkkaam by K. K. Sudhakaran
09 1986 Kariyila Kattu Pole
Kariyila Kattu Pole
Kariyilakkattu Pole is a 1986 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, Rahman, and Karthika. This film is an investigative thriller.-Plot:...

കരിയിലക്കാറ്റു പോലെ Like a Zephyr of Dry Leaves A realestic life of director,and his murder investigation.
10 1986 Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil
Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil
Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil is a Malayalam film released in 1986. Directed by P. Padmarajan, based on his own short story with the same name, the film was a hit at the box office, and is considered as a cult classic by film lovers...

അരപ്പട്ട കെട്ടിയ ഗ്രാമത്തിൽ In the Village Which Wears a Warrior's Belt Adapted from his short story Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil
11 1986 Desatanakkili Karayarilla
Desatanakkili Karayarilla
Desatanakkili Karayarilla is a 1986 Malayalam film written and directed by Padmarajan. It stars Karthika, Shaari, Mohanlal and Urvashi in pivotal roles. The film tells the story of two school girls who eloped while on a school trip. The was critically well acclaimed, being the first film that...

ദേശാടനക്കിളി കരയാറില്ല The Migratory Bird Never Cries Telling a independent relationship(may be also sexual) between two girls like "Migratory birds"
12 1986 Nombarathi Poovu
Nombarathi Poovu
Nombarathi Poovu is a 1987 Malayalam drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Madhavi, Baby Sonia, Mammootty Shari and Unnimary. Its story is about the deep relation between Gigi and Padmini . Its songs were composed by M. G...

നൊമ്പരത്തി പൂവ്‌ The Sorrowful Flower
13 1987 Thoovanathumbikal
Thoovanathumbikal
Thoovanathumbikal is a widely acclaimed melodramatic 1987 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, which is based on his own novel Udakappola. The film revolves around Jayakrishnan who falls in love with two women, Radha a woman in his village and Clara a sex worker in town...

തൂവാനത്തുമ്പികൾ Butterflies of the Spraying Rain Adapted from his novel Udhakappola
14 1988 Aparan
Aparan (film)
Aparan is a 1988 Malayalam mystery film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It is based on Padmarajan's short story with the same title. It stars Jayaram, Mukesh, Shobana, Parvathy Jayaram and Madhu. The story is about mistaken identity and the problems that a young, innocent man had to undergo...

അപരന് The Impostor Adapted from his short story
15 1988 Moonnam Pakkam
Moonnam Pakkam
Moonnam Pakkam is a 1988 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Padmarajan. It stars Jayaram, Thilakan, Keerthy, Jagathi Sreekumar, Rahman, Ashokan and Ajayan. Keerthy and Ajayan made their debut in this film...

മൂന്നാം പക്കം On the Third Day Story of strong love between a grandfather and his grandson
16 1989 Season
Season (film)
Season is a 1989 Indian Malayalam film written and directed by Padmarajan. The film, though was not failure at the box office, stands apart because of Padmarajan's story-telling style, realistic portrayal of drug trade in Kovalam and flawless performance of Mohanlal and is considered now as a cult...

സീസൺ A revenge story.
17 1990 Innale
Innale
Innale is a 1989 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan with Shobhana, Jayaram, Srividya and Suresh Gopi in pivotal roles.- Synopsis :Gauri the sole survivor of a tragic bus accident loses her memory...

ഇന്നലെ Yesterday Adapted from novel Jananam by Vaasanthi
18 1991 Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan
Njan Gandharvan is a 1991 Malayalam fantasy romance film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. It stars Nitish Bharadwaj and Suparna Anand in lead roles....

ഞാന് ഗന്ധർവന് I, Celestial Lover Beautiful concept of fantasy as reality.

As a writer

Apart from his directoral ventures, he has also scripted 18 films. He has associated with many directors, with the most notable association being Bharathan
Bharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...

.
Sr. No. Year Title Original Title English Title Director Notes
01 1975 Prayanam
Prayanam (1975 film)
Prayanam is a 1975 Malayalam language black-and-white feature film written by Padmarajan and directed by Bharathan. It was the debut of both Padmarajan and Bharathan. The writer-director duo is often credited for revolutionising Malayalam cinema with their expressive and innovative works...

പ്രയാണം The Journey Bharathan
Bharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...

02 1977 Itha Ivide Vare ഇതാ ഇവിടെ വരെ Look! Till here I. V. Sasi
I. V. Sasi
Irruppam Veedu Sasidaran, better known as I. V. Sasi, is a Malayali Indian film director who is known for his films of the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. He has directed about 150 films in various South Indian languages and Hindi. He is known as the "veteran" or the "guru" filmmaker in Malayalam...

Adapted from his novel
03 1978 Nakshathrangale Kaaval നക്ഷത്രങ്ങളേ കാവൽ The Stars Alone Guard Me K. S. Sethumadhavan
K. S. Sethumadhavan
K. S. Sethumadhavan is an Indian director of Malayalam films. He has also directed films in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Since the early 1960s he has directed over 60 movies...

adapted from his novel
04 1978 Rapadikalude Gatha രാപ്പാടികളുടെ ഗാഥ The Song of the Nightingales K. G. George
K. G. George
Kulakkatil Geevarghese George is an Indian film director who work in Malayalam film. George is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of Kerala who modernized the Malayalam cinema in the seventies. He is the founder-chairman of MACTA, and continues to be an executive member...

05 1978 Rathinirvedam രതി നിര്‍വേദം Adolescent Desire Bharathan Adapted from his novel of the same name
Rathinirvedam (novel)
Rathinirvedam is a Malayalam language short novel written by P. Padmarajan and published in 1970. The story revolves around a teenager who falls in love with a woman older than he is. The title translates as "venereal disenchantment" in English....

06 1978 Sathrathil Oru Rathri സത്രത്തിൽ ഒരു രാത്രി A Night in an Inn N. Sankaran Nair
07 1978 Shalini Ente Koottukari
Shalini Ente Koottukari
Shalini Ente Koottukari is a 1978 Malayalam film about the friendship between two young women named Shalini and Ammu.-Plot:The film follows the life of a young woman named Shalini. Shalini is in love with her classmate, but with the suicide of her brother, her life becomes painful; this leads her...

ശാലിനി എന്റെ കൂട്ടുകാരി Shalini, My Friend Mohan
08 1978 Vadakakku Oru Hridayam
Vadakakku Oru Hridayam
Vadakakku Oru Hridayam is a 1978 Malayalam film directed by I. V. Sasi and written by Padmarajan. The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Padmarajan. It stars Jayabharathi, Madhu, Soman and Raghavan in the lead roles...

വാടകയ്ക്ക് ഒരു ഹൃദയം A Heart for Hire I. V. Sasi Adapted from his novel
09 1979 Kochu Kochu Thettukal കൊച്ചു കൊച്ചു തെറ്റുകൾ Minor Mistakes Mohan
10 1980 Thakara
Thakara
Thakara is a famous Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and written by Padmarajan.- Cast :*Prathap K. Pothan ... Thakara*Surekha ... Subhashini*Nedumudi Venu ... Chellappanasari*K.G. Menon ... Mathu Mooppan...

തകര Weed Bharathan Adapted from his novel
11 1981 Lorry
Lorry (film)
Lorry is a 1980 Malayalam film directed by Bharathan and written by Padmarajan. It stars Achan Kunju, Balan K. Nair, Nithya and Prathap Pothan.-Plot:...

ലോറി Bharathan
12 1982 Idavela
Idavela
Idavela is a 1982 Malayalam teen film written by Padmarajan and directed by Mohan. It stars Ashokan, Idavela Babu and Nalini in lead roles. It was the debut film of Idavela Babu, who got his screenname through this film.-Plot:...

ഇടവേള Interval Mohan
13 1983 Kaikeyi കൈകേയി I. V. Sasi
14 1983 Eenam ഈണം Tune Bharathan
15 1984 Kanamarayathu
Kanamarayathu
Kanamarayathu is a 1984 Malayalam film written by Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi. It strars Mammootty, Rahman, Lalu Alex, Shobhana and Seema. This film won 1984 Kerala State Film Awards for the Best Story , Best Music Director and Best Female Singer .-Plot:Sherly is an orphan who is...

കാണാമറയത്ത് Beyond the Horizon I. V. Sasi
16 1985 Ozhivukalam ഒഴിവുകാലം Vacation Bharathan
17 1985 Karimbinpoovinakkare
Karimbinpoovinakkare
Karimpinpovinakkare is a Malayalam film written by P. Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi, starring Mammootty and Mohanlal in the lead roles. The film revolves around the life and revenge of a few villagers against each other. It had a huge star cast and was a big hit in box office when released...

കരിമ്പിന് പൂവിനക്കരെ Across the Sugarcane Flowers I. V. Sasi
18 1990 Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu is a 1990 Malayalam film directed by Joshiy, written by Padmarajan, and starring Mammootty, Nedumudi Venu, Lalu Alex, Suresh Gopi, Sumalatha, and Murali.-Plot:...

ഈ തണുത്ത വെളുപ്പാന് കാലത്ത് In These Cold Wee Hours Joshi
Joshi (director)
Joshiy is a popular Malayalam film director who is popular for big budget action movies with huge star cast. In his three decades long career, Joshi has made several big hits and is still active in film making.-Career:...

19 2011 Rathinirvedam
Rathinirvedam (2011 film)
Rathinirvedam is a 2011 Malayalam coming-of-age film directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar and starring Shweta Menon and Sreejith. The film is a remake of the 1978 film with the same name directed by Bharathan and written by P. Padmarajan based on his own 1970 novel of the same name...

രതി നിര്‍വേദം Venereal Disenchantment T. K. Rajeev Kumar
T. K. Rajeev Kumar
T. K. Rajeev Kumar is an award winning director of Malayalam films.He is settled in Trivandrum, Kerala. Rajeev Kumar served as the Chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy from 2003 to 2006...

Remake of the 1978 film

Novels

# Name Translation in English
1 Nakshathrangale Kaaval The Stars Alone Guard Me
2 Vadakakkoru Hridhyam A Heart for Rent
3 Rithubhedhangalude Paarithoshikam The Reward of Vicissitudes
4 Udakappola A Bubble in the Water
5 Itha Ivide Vare Look! Till Here
6 Shavavahanangalum Thedi In Search of Biers
7 Manju Kaalam Notta Kuthira The Horse Which Longed for Winter
8 Prathimayum Rajakumariyum The Statue and the Princess

Short stories

# Name Translation in English
1 Lola Milford Enna American Penkidaavu Lola Milford, the American Maiden
2 Prahelika Conundrum
3 Aparan The Impostor
4 Pukakkannada Smoke Glasses
5 Mattullavarude Venal The Summer of Others
6 Padmarajante Kadhakal
7 Kaivariyude Thekke Attam The Southern End of the Bannister
8 Syphilisinte Nadakkavu The Path of Syphilis
9 Kazhinja Vasantha Kaalathil During Last Spring

Novelettes

# Name Translation in English
1 Onnu Randu Moonnu One two Three
2 Peruvazhiyambalam
Peruvazhiyambalam (novel)
Peruvazhiyambalam is a Malayalam novel written by Padmarajan. In 1978, it was adapted for a feature film also called Peruvazhiyambalam directed by Padmarajan. This novel is about teenager Raman who kills Prabhakaran Pillai, a local thug in self defense...

 
Highway Shelter
3 Thakara Weed
4 Rathinirvedam
Rathinirvedam (novel)
Rathinirvedam is a Malayalam language short novel written by P. Padmarajan and published in 1970. The story revolves around a teenager who falls in love with a woman older than he is. The title translates as "venereal disenchantment" in English....

Venereal Disenchantment
5 Jalajwala The Watery Fire
6 Nanmakalude Sooryan The Sun of Virtues
7 Vikramakaaleeswaram

Padmarajan Puraskaram

Padmarajan Puraskaram is an annual film/literary award instituted by the Padmarajan Memorial Trust. It carries a plaque and a cash award of 10,000. The award is given in two categories:
  • Padmarajan Puraskaram for Best Short Story
  • Padmarajan Puraskaram for Best Film
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