Thiramala
Encyclopedia
Thiramala is a 1953 Malayalam film directed by Vimal Kumar and P.R.S. Pillai, starring Sathyan
and Kumari Thangam. Acclaimed Director Ramu Kariat
was an assistant director in this film. The film has a significant place in the history of Malayalam cinema
.
Lakshmi (Kumari Thankam), daughter of the village landlord Kurup (T. N. Gopinathan Nair) and Venu (Thomas Berleigh), son of the ferryman Panikkar (P. Bhaskaran
) are childhood sweethearts. Their love blooms much against the wishes of father Kurup. Kurup was successful in getting Lakshmi to marry Vijayan (Sathyan
). Venu leaves his village and finds a waiter’s job in a city hotel.
Vijayan leads an immoral life making Lakshmi’s life hell. Vijayan and Lakshmi comes to stay in the same hotel where Venu works. Venu had to remain a silent witness to the breakup of marriage of Vijyan and Lekshmi.
Vijayan falls into the charm of a hotel dancer Swapna Latha. He eventually loses all his wealth. A repentant Vijayan leaves the city in search of Lakshmi. Venu, who had also returned to the village, meets Lakshmi in a trying circumstance. Waiting to be taken across the swollen river during a raging storm, Lakshmi is helped by Venu. Just when he sees Lakshmi safely to the other shore Venu is thrown into the river and is drowned.
The film was screened in various territories of the Kerala
state with a different climax, a highly unique way in those days. In the Malabar region, the film had a happy ending with Lakshmi saved from the storm by Venu, who entrusts her to Vijayan. In the Southern region of the state, the film ends with a frame showing the dead body of Venu, which is washed ashore.
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...
and Kumari Thangam. Acclaimed Director 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...
was an assistant director in this film. The film has a significant place in the history of 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...
.
Plot
The film was based on a short story Choondakkaran written by T. N. Gopinathan Nair who also wrote the script and also acted in a major role in the film.Lakshmi (Kumari Thankam), daughter of the village landlord Kurup (T. N. Gopinathan Nair) and Venu (Thomas Berleigh), son of the ferryman Panikkar (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...
) are childhood sweethearts. Their love blooms much against the wishes of father Kurup. Kurup was successful in getting Lakshmi to marry Vijayan (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...
). Venu leaves his village and finds a waiter’s job in a city hotel.
Vijayan leads an immoral life making Lakshmi’s life hell. Vijayan and Lakshmi comes to stay in the same hotel where Venu works. Venu had to remain a silent witness to the breakup of marriage of Vijyan and Lekshmi.
Vijayan falls into the charm of a hotel dancer Swapna Latha. He eventually loses all his wealth. A repentant Vijayan leaves the city in search of Lakshmi. Venu, who had also returned to the village, meets Lakshmi in a trying circumstance. Waiting to be taken across the swollen river during a raging storm, Lakshmi is helped by Venu. Just when he sees Lakshmi safely to the other shore Venu is thrown into the river and is drowned.
The film was screened in various territories of the 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....
state with a different climax, a highly unique way in those days. In the Malabar region, the film had a happy ending with Lakshmi saved from the storm by Venu, who entrusts her to Vijayan. In the Southern region of the state, the film ends with a frame showing the dead body of Venu, which is washed ashore.
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...
- Kumari Thangam
- Kumari Kalyani
- Miss Chandani
- Thomas Burleigh
- 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...
- T N K J Thomas
- T.S. Muthiah
- Kumari Prabha ( child artiste)
- Adoor BhasiAdoor BhasiAdoor Bhasi was an Indian film actor and film director from Kerala. Adoor Bhasi was almost always cast as the man who stands next to the hero. His hilarious actions and roles became the cynosure of comic scenes in the Malayalam films of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. He is also famous for his...
- Valsala Menon
- Ponathil Sivadas