.svg)
Nellu (1974 film)
| Nellu | |
|---|---|
| File:Nellu (1974).jpg | |
| Directed by | Ramu Kariat |
| Produced by | N. P. Ali |
| Screenplay by | Ramu Kariat K. G. George Dialogue: S. L. Puram Sadanandan |
| Story by | P. Valsala |
| Based on | Nellu by P. Valsala |
| Starring | Prem Nazir Jayabharathi Mohan |
| Music by | Salil Chowdhury |
| Cinematography | Balu Mahendra |
| Edited by | Hrishikesh Mukherjee Appu |
Production company | Jammu Films International |
| Distributed by | Jammu Pictures Circuit Release |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
.jpg){kind=link}
Nellu (transl. Paddy) is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by Ramu Kariat based on the award-winning novel of the same name by P. Valsala. The film is about the tribal people of the Wayanad hills in the deep Kerala forests. It stars Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. The film is noted for its aesthetic quality and is regarded as a landmark in the history of Malayalam cinema.
The film marks the debut of cinematographer Balu Mahendra although not his first release. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography (Colour). Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Appu won the award for Kerala State Film Award for Best Editing.[1]
Plot[edit]
The film portrays the life of the "Adiyar" community, a tribe whose ways of life belongs to centuries ago. They live in the Wayanad hills in the deep Kerala forests. The film envelopes the passions, superstitions, religious practices, customs, and the servility and exploitation the tribal people endure. The film is narrated through the observations of an outsider.
Cast[edit]
- Prem Nazir as Raghavan Nair
- Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair as Perumal
- Sankaradi as Damoradara Varrier
- Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair as Chundeli
- Mohan Sharma as Mallan
- Adoor Bhasi as Thapaal Nanu
- Bahadoor as Saidu
- K. P. Ummer as "Vedikkaran" Ouseph
- Kedamangalam Ali as Baddamaran
- Shihab as Ezhuthappottan
- S. P. Pillai as Vaattuvelu (guest appearance)
- Prem Nawas as Unnikrishnan
- J. A. R. Anand as Chathan
- Jayabharathi as Mara
- Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Savithri Varassyar
- Kanakadurga as Kurumatti
- Adoor Bhavani as Pembi
- Rani Chandra as Javani
- K. V. Shanthi
- Sumithra as Safiya
- Chelavoor Krishnankutty
- Innocent
- Shanthi Williams
Production[edit]
P. Valsala wrote the novel after a rejuvenating experience in Wayanad. It was published in 1972 by Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society. It went on to become a bestseller and won the Kumkumam Award for Best Novel in 1973. Kariat approached Valsala for permission to adapt the novel, and when she agreed, he asked K. G. George, S. L. Puram Sadanandan and Valsala to write separate scripts based on the novel and in the end, took certain portions from all the three and made the film.[2]
Noted South Indian actress Sharada was originally chosen for the role of Mara. She turned down the offer when Kariat insisted that she dress like the tribal women of Wayanad. Later, Kariat fixed Jayabharathi, another leading actress of the time, for that role.[3] Nellu marked the debut of actor Mohan Sharma who went on to act in about 100 films in Malayalam.[3]
The film's production occurred at various villages near Thirunelli in Wayanad. It was produced by N. P. Ali under the banner of Jammu Films International.
Soundtrack[edit]
All lyrics are written by Vayalar Ramavarma; all music is composed by Salil Chowdhury.
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chemba Chemba" | Manna Dey, P. Jayachandran, Choir | |
| 2. | "Kadali Chenkadali" | Lata Mangeshkar | |
| 3. | "Neela Ponmane" | K. J. Yesudas, P. Madhuri | |
| 4. | "Kaadu Kuliranu" | P. Susheela |
The song " Kadali Chenkadali" was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and is her only song in Malayalam to date.
Awards[edit]
- Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam won by N.P. Ali (1974)[5]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Kerala State Film Awards 1969 - 2008" Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ↑ P.K. Ajith Kumar (9 May 2008). "Telling her story". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Pradeep, K (26 June 2012). "Frames of memory". The Hindu. Kochi. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ↑ "Nellu (1974)". salilda.com. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- ↑ Reed, Sir Stanley (1984). "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who".
External links[edit]
Further reading[edit]
- "Nellu has a tribal life for backdrop". The Illustrated Weekly of India. 28 July 1974. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- "A Miracle of a film". The Hindustan Times. 25 July 1974. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  |