Udaya Studios
Encyclopedia
Udaya Studios is the oldest film production studio in the Malayalam language
film industry
of India
. It was established in 1947 by director-producer Kunchacko
(1912–1976) and film distributor K. V. Koshy in Pathirappally
, Alappuzha
in Kerala
. The studio influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of Madras, Tamil Nadu
to Kerala
, now considered a miletsone in the history of Malayalam film industry. , and the first film of studio was Vellinakshatram
(1949).
The films, produced at the studio, were produced under the banner of K & K Combines, and later under Excel Productions (also spelt X. L. Productions). Udaya's professional rivalry with P. Subramaniam
's Merryland Studio
was quite famous.
), and in time the studio also set up its own distribution network. Soon it has a string of successes with blockbusters like, Thacholi Othenan
, Unniyarcha
, Palattu Koman
, Aromalunni
and Kannappanunni
, and became a household name.
After Kunchako's death in 1976, his son director Boban Kunchacko, took over the functioning, but after his death in 2004 at the age of 55, the studio saw some bad days. However Kunchacko Boban
soon became an established Malayalam film actor and revived the studio in 2009, and it reopened as "Uday Soorya Hi-tech Film City".
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...
film industry
Film industry
The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking: i.e. film production companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, distribution; and actors, film directors and other film crew...
of 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...
. It was established in 1947 by director-producer Kunchacko
Kunchacko
Kunchacko was a Malayali Indian film producer and director who heavily influenced the Malayalam film industry by redefining the commercial film scenario. His venture Udaya Studios influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of Madras, Tamil Nadu to Kerala...
(1912–1976) and film distributor K. V. Koshy in Pathirappally
Pathirappally
Pathirappally is a coastal village in Alleppey District, Kerala state, India. It lies along the new coastal road, about 5km from the town of Alleppey....
, Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
in 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....
. The studio influenced the gradual shift of Malayalam film industry from its original base of Madras, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
to 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....
, now considered a miletsone in the history of Malayalam film industry. , and the first film of studio was Vellinakshatram
Vellinakshatram (1949 film)
Vellinakshatram is a 1949 Malayalam film directed by Felix J. Beyse. It was the first film produced at the Udaya Studios. Its music is composed by B. A. Chidambaranath, who debuted with this film...
(1949).
The films, produced at the studio, were produced under the banner of K & K Combines, and later under Excel Productions (also spelt X. L. Productions). Udaya's professional rivalry with P. Subramaniam
P. Subramaniam
P. Subramaniam was an Indian director and producer of Malayalam films. Since the mid 1950s he has directed 59 films and has produced 69 films. His venture Merryland Studio was the second film production studio of Kerala...
's Merryland Studio
Merryland Studio
Merryland Studio was the second film production studio in the Malayalam language film industry of India. It was established in 1951 by director-producer P. Subramaniam in Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The studio has produced 69 films, with 59 of them directed by P. Subrahmaniam himself...
was quite famous.
History
Kunchacko established a film production company, "Udaya Pictures" in 1942, though he continued production at traditional the base of Malayalam film, Chennai, but it all changed in 1947 when he came together with film distributor K. V. Koshy and established Udaya Studios in Alleppey (AlappuzhaAlappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
), and in time the studio also set up its own distribution network. Soon it has a string of successes with blockbusters like, Thacholi Othenan
Thacholi Othenan (film)
Thacholi Othenan is a 1964 Malayalam language film. The film is about the story of Thacholi Othenan. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.-Cast:*Thacholi Othenan - Sathyan* Unnichara - Sukumari*Chindan Nambiar - Premji...
, Unniyarcha
Unniyarcha (1961 film)
Unniyarcha is a 1961 Malayalam language martial arts film directed by Kunchacko. It stars Prem Nazeer and Ragini in the lead roles. Unniyarcha was the first Vadakkan Pattu film in Malayalam. Inspired by its success, a series of similar productions came out in the following decades....
, Palattu Koman
Palattu Koman
Palattu Koman is a Malayalam film made inIndia in 1962. The story of the film is based on the life of Palattu Koman, a pioneer of the Indian martial art form Kalaripayattu. The film was directed by Kunchacko and produced by Geetha Salam . Sathyan, S. P. Pillai, Rushyendramani and Bahadoor were in...
, Aromalunni
Aromalunni
Aromalunni is a 1972 Malayalam language film based on Vadakkan Pattukal, a collection of Malayalam Ballads of medieval origin. It was directed by Kunchacko and starring Prem Nazir as Aromalunni....
and Kannappanunni
Kannappanunni
Kannappanunni is a 1977 Malayalam film based on Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of India. It was the 100th film featuring Prem Nazir and Sheela as the leading pair. It was Udaya Studio's 75th film.-Credit:*Director: Kunchako...
, and became a household name.
After Kunchako's death in 1976, his son director Boban Kunchacko, took over the functioning, but after his death in 2004 at the age of 55, the studio saw some bad days. However Kunchacko Boban
Kunchacko Boban
Kunchacko Boban is an Indian film actor who works in Malayalam cinema. He is the grandson of film producer Kunchacko of the erstwhile Udaya Studios and the grandnephew of producer Maliampurackal Appachan...
soon became an established Malayalam film actor and revived the studio in 2009, and it reopened as "Uday Soorya Hi-tech Film City".
External links
- Udaya Studios at WikimapiaWikimapiaWikiMapia is a privately owned, online map and satellite imaging resource that combines Google Maps with a wiki system, allowing users to add information, in the form of a note, to any location on Earth. Users may currently use this information for free...