Murali (Malayalam actor)

For other uses, see Murali.

Murali
Born	May 25, 1954(1954-05-25) Kudavattoor, Kollam, Kerala State, India
Died	August 6, 2009(2009-08-06) (aged 55) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1986 - 2009
Spouse	Mini
Children	Karthika
Parents	P. Krishna Pillai, K. Devaki Amma

Murali (Malayalam: മുരളി, 25 May 1954 - 6 August 2009) was an Indian actor and author. He was closely associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He mainly acted in Malayalam and Tamil films. He won the National Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a communist freedom fighter and professional weaver in the film Neythukaran (2002). He was also a stage actor and television actor. He was known for his powerful portrayal of character roles, lead roles, and negative roles. His last film was Aadhavan.

Besides acting, he was the chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy from 2006 until his death. He also authored five books, and was also a Sangeetha Nataka Academy award winner. He contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls as a communist candidate without success. He was also the Director of the CPI(M) promoted television company Malayalam Communications, which runs Malayalam TV channels Kairali TV, People TV and WE TV.

He started his film career playing villain roles and soon turned into a character actor. The 1992 film Aadhaaram, in which he played the lead role, gave a 'break' to his career. The film was well received in the box office and Murali ascended to the status of a star in Malayalam film, which he enjoyed for a couple of years.

Early life

Murali was born on 25 May 1954 as the first of five children to P. Krishna Pillai and K. Devaki Amma at Kudavattoor, Kollam, Kerala, India.^[1] He did his schooling from Kudavattoor L. P. School and Thrikannamangalam S. K. V. High School. He passed the pre-degree from M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram and his Degree from Devaswom Board College, Sasthamkotta. He was an active member of the Students Federation of India. He took an Ll. B degree from the Thiruvananthapuram Law Academy. After studies, he worked for some years as Lower Division Clerk in the Department of Health, Government of Kerala and as Upper Division Clerk in the office of Kerala University.

Career

Film actor

Murali debuted in films with the lead role in Njattadi, directed by Bharath Gopi. But the film was never released. He then got chance to act in Chidambaram, directed by the National Award-winning filmmaker Aravindan. He then acted in Meenamasathile Sooryan and Panchagni, directed by Lenin Rajendran and Hariharan, respectively. Panchagni got released first and it gave him the break in his acting career. He soon established himself as a powerful actor in the Malayalam film industry. Aadhaaram, directed by George Kittu, was the first film to be released with Murali in a lead role. He acted in a variety of roles, ranging from lead roles to villain roles, and won accolades. Some of his other notable films include Nee Ethra Dhanya, Dhanam, The King, Pathram, Veeralippattu, Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu, Meenamasathile Sooryan, Swarnam, Kaarunyam and The Truth.

Murali acted in the longest TV commercial ever on Indian TV, spanning 150 seconds. This was for Air Deccan in 2005.^[2]

Stage actor

Murali was actively involved with Natyagriham, a drama venture started by actor Narendra Prasad. Murali won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Ravana in the Malayalam play Lanka Lakshmi, which was based on C. N. Sreekantan Nair's novel of the same name.

Author

Murali authored five books. His book on Kumaranasan, Abhinethavum Asante Kavithayum (Actor and Asan's Poetry) won him the Sangeetha Nataka Academy award. One of his other critically acclaimed books was Abhinyathinte Rasathanthram (Chemistry of Acting).

Politician

Murali contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls from the Alappuzha constituency as a Left Democratic Front candidate, but lost to V. M. Sudheeran of Indian National Congress.

Death

Murali died in Thiruvananthapuram on 6 August 2009 at the age of 55, due to acute diabetes which led to a heart attack at 8.20 PM IST.^[3]

Awards

National Film Awards:

• 2002 - Best Actor - Neythukaaran

Kerala State Film Awards:

• 1992 - Best Actor - Aadhaaram
• 1996 - Best Actor - Kaanakkinavu
• 1998 - Best Actor - Thalolam
• 2001 - Best Actor - Neythukaaran

• 1990 - Second Best Actor - Amaram
• 2007 - Second Best Actor - Veeralipattu, Pranayakalam

Filmfare Awards:

• 2001 - Best Actor - Neythukaaran

Other awards:

• Madras Film Fans Award
• Kerala Film Critics Award
• Shivaram Award
• Best columnist award: for his feature "Vyazhaporul" in the Malayala Manorama newspaper

Selected filmography

Nidhiyude Katha Aadhavan (Tamil) Pollathavan (Tamil) Ekadasi Kareebians Raam (Tamil) Vinodayathra Ekantham Pulijanmam Photographer Vadakkum Nathan The Tiger Maja (Tamil) Kochi Rajavu Runway Anyar C.I.D. Moosa Gramaphone Nizhalkuthu Sivam Gemini (Tamil) Dumm Dumm Dumm (Tamil) Neyythukaaran Kasoor Dada Sahib Devadoothan The Godman Independence Pathram The Truth Deseeya Geetham (Tamil) Kaikudunna Nilavu

Kallu Kondoru Pennu Kattathoru Penpoovu Rakthasakshikal Sindabad Bhoopathi Gangothri Guru Karunyam Sankeerthanampole Kanakkinavu The King Chaitanyam Aabhas Indian Military Intelligence Mangala Soothram Prayikkara Pappan Sakshyam Aadhaaram Chakoram Sammohanam Akashadoothu Bhoomi Geetham Chamayam Janam Narayam Venkalam Mahanagaram Kauravar Adharam Champakkulam Thachan My Dear Muthachan Snehasagaram Valayam

Kanalkkattu Inspector Balram Amaram Aakasha Kottayile Sultan Dhanam Idhayam Kadavu Keli Ulladakkam Mathilukal Kalikkalam Appu Aye Auto Ee Kannikoodi Lal Salam Maala Yogam Orukkam Vidhyarambham Ardham Dasharatham Kaalal Pada Kireedam Naaduvazhikal Moonnam Mura Padippura Nombarathi Poovu Panchagni Neeyethra Dhanya Meenamasathile Sooryan Pagal Nilavu Porutham Njattadi

References

1. ^ "CiniDiary". CiniDiary. http://cinidiary.com/peopleinfo.php?pigsection=Actor&picata=1&no_of_displayed_rows=3&no_of_rows_page=10&sletter=M. Retrieved 2011-08-07. 
2. ^ "> Media, Advertising & Marketing Watch > Air Deccan shoots longest TVC of a common man's first flight". Indiantelevision.com. 2005-07-05. http://www.indiantelevision.com/mam/headlines/y2k5/july/julymam18.htm. Retrieved 2011-08-07. 
3. ^ "Veteran Malayalam actor Murali dies". Press Trust of India. 7 August 2009. http://www.ptinews.com/news/216405_Veteran-Malayalam-actor-Murali-dies. Retrieved 12 August 2009. 

External links

• Murali at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Website of Information and Public Relation Department of Kerala

Persondata
Name	Murali
Alternative names
Short description	Actor
Date of birth	25 May 1954
Place of birth	Kudavattoor, Kollam, Kerala, India.
Date of death	6 Aug 2009
Place of death	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India