Murappennu

Murappennu
Directed by	A. Vincent
Produced by	Shobhana Parameswaran Nair
Written by	M. T. Vasudevan Nair
Based on	Snehathinte Mukhangal
Starring	Prem Nazir K. P. Ummer Madhu P. J. Antony Jyothilakshmi Sharada Adoor Bhasi
Music by	B. A. Chidambaranath
Cinematography	A. Venkat
Editing by	G. Venkitaraman
Studio	Satya Studios, Madras
Release date(s)	1965
Running time	176 minutes
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Murappennu is a 1965 Malayalam film written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, directed by A. Vincent and produced by Shobhana Parameswaran Nair in the banner of Roopavani. It marked the entry of M. T. Vasudevan Nair, the noted Malayalam novelist to Malayalam cinema. The film's story is based on Snehathinte Mukhangal, a short story by M. T. himself. The film features an ensemble cast including Prem Nazir, K. P. Ummer, Madhu, P. J. Antony, Jyothilakshmi, Sharada and Adoor Bhasi playing the pivotal roles.

The film was met with critical praise and good reviews. M. T. Vasudevan Nair's script, which made use of Valluvanadan dialect, was well appreciated and is accepted to be one of the finest ever. Later, M. T. and A. Vincent went on to create some of the memorable films in Malayalam film history.^[1] The film is also known for the powerful performance of Prem Nazir as Balan, the lead character of the film.^[2] It was a box office superhit.^[1] It received a certificate of merit at the National Film Awards.

Major indoor parts of the film was shot from Satya Studios in Madras and outdoor parts from the premises of Bharathapuzha.^[1]

Plot

The film revolves around a joint family headed by Kunjikrishna Menon (P. J. Antony). His sister Madhavi Amma (Shanta Devi) and her children, Balan (Prem Nazir), Aniyan (K. P. Ummer) and Kochammini (Jyothilakshmi) stay with him. Balan is in love with Bhagi (Sharada), Menon’s daughter, and his ‘murappennu.’ Menon’s son Kesavankutty (Madhu) is in love with Kochammini, his ‘murappennu.’ The story revolves around these two love affairs.

Menon wants his daughter to marry Aniyan and Balan sacrifices his love for the sake of his brother and to keep the family intact. But the family is divided following a dispute between Menon and his brother (Kunhandi). Kesavankutty betrays Kochammini. Balan decides to conduct Kochammini’s marriage with his friend Chandran (Murali). He struggles to mobilise the huge dowry claimed by Chandran’s parents. But the marriage does not take place due to a misunderstanding that springs up. This disgrace brought about on the family results in the suicide of Kochammini.^[1]

Cast

• Prem Nazir as Balan
• K. P. Ummer as Aniyan
• Madhu as Kesavankutty
• Sharada as Bhagi
• Jyothi Lakshmi as Kochammini
• P. J. Antony as Kunjikrishna Menon
• Shanta Devi as Madhavi Amma
• Adoor Bhasi as
• Murali as Chandran
• S. P. Pillai
• Nellikode Bhaskaran as Veerankutty
• Nilambur Balan as Chathan
• Baby Vrinda as Minikkutty, Menon’s grand daughter

Soundtrack

The songs are composed by B. A. Chidambaranath with lyrics by P. Bhaskaran. The songs became popular and is regarded as one of the best works by Chidambaranath.^[3][4] Two of its songs, "Karayunno Puzha Chirikkunno" (by K. J. Yesudas), "Kaliyaakki Enne Kaliyaakki" (by S. Janaki) and "Kadavathu Thoniyadukkumbol" (by S. Janaki and Santha P. Nair became evergreen hits.^[1] "Kadavathu Thoniyadukkumbol" was inspired by "Janoo Janoo Ri Kaahe Khanke Tora Kangana" (composer:S D Burman, singers: Geeta Dutt & Asha Bhonsle, film: Insan Jaag Utha), which itself was based on a "chhed chhaad" style folk song.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} B. Vijayakumar (30 March 2009). "Murappennu 1965". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/03/30/stories/2009033051160400.htm. Retrieved 27 December 2010. 
2. ^ P.K. Ajith Kumar (16 January 2009). "The evergreen hero". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/16/stories/2009011650650100.htm. Retrieved 27 December 2010. 
3. ^ P.K. Ajith Kumar (22 September 2009). "In flashback mode". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/09/22/stories/2006092200670300.htm. Retrieved 27 December 2010. 
4. ^ "Chidambaranath". Cinema Mangalam: 34, 35. September 24, 2007. 

External links

• Murappennu at the Internet Movie Database