Ambili | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Film director Art director Photographer Painting artist |
| Years active | 1983-present |
Ambili is a film director, art director, photographer and painting artist from the state of Kerala, India. [1] [2] His notable films are Veena poovu, Ashtapadi , Maunaragam, Swantham Sarika , Chamante Kabani and Samudhayam . [1] [3] He lives in Ernakulam. [4]
Ambili was born and brought up in ‘Chentrappinni’ a coastal village in Thrissur, Kerala, South India.
Ambili - the film director who has introduced a new visual culture in the Malayalam Cine world through his films. His rise to the stature of a director has been a steady one. From a still photographer, art director, make-up artist and designer, he rose to the height of a film director. He was, moreover, a born painter who knew the soul of colours and that had contributed much to this development.
It was in the early years of 1960 that the classic cinema “Chemmeen” was released. The shooting of the film was mainly in Nattika beach and surroundings and was a wonder and excitement to the locals. Famous stars like Sathyan, Madhu, Sheela, Kottarakkara were all present. But for Ambili, who was only a sixth std student, the main attraction was another man - a man in shorts and t-shirt, with a smoking pipe between his lips. Later Ambili discovered that this fat man with a bulgan beard was none other than the director Ramu Karyatt. He was also aware of the fact that a director is the most important person in a cinema production. After his S.S.L.C. he joined in the Fine Arts College, Trichur. He has won many first prizes for painting in youth festivals. During his course, he learned that the famous film directors P. N. Menon and Bharathan were the students of this institution. The spark of desire created in his mind while witnessing shooting of 'Chemmeen' was kindled by this knowledge. After the course, he was immersed in his world of colours and pictures. In 1971, Ramu Karyatt contested in the parliament election. Ambili got a chance to design posters for him. The pictures he drew for the campaign, attracted the attention of Karyatt. Even though Karyatt was defeated in the election, Ambili was successful in forming a strong bond with him.
For some time Ambili worked as a designer in UMA printers in Trichur. During this period, it was Ambili who prepared the notices of the famous dramatist Kaladi Gopi's 'Perumbavoor Nataka Sala'. He also designed the back curtains of this troupe. He did the art direction of the drama 'Thulasithara' by the famous dramatist 'Sreemoola Nagaram Vijayan'. He also took up still photography while being active in the drama. His was the hands behind the magnificent backdrops, makeups and other design works in the plays of eminent dramatists K.P.A.C., P. J. Antony, A. N. Ganesh, Sreemoolanagaram Mohan, Kazhimbram Vijayan, and Abdul Chentrappinni. Through the film 'Nellu' directed by Karyatt, Ambili got an entry into the cine world. He designed the posters for the films 'Nellu', 'Ragam', and 'Pallavi'.
He got a chance to work as a still photographer for P Chandrakumar's 'Smayamayilla polum'. Sathyan Anthikkad was working as assistant director to Chandrakumar and with his recommendation Ambili got the chance to be the art director for this film. But this film did not come to light due to some dispute between the producer and director.
The famous novel 'Bhrasht' by Madamb Kunjukuttan became a film. The director was Triprayar Sukumaran. Ambili worked as still photographer in this film. It was his first film as still photographer. Realising Ambili's talent as a painter, Chandrakumar recommended him as poster designer and art director in his next film 'Asthamayam'. He was art director and poster designer for UMA Studios films 'Prabhatha Santhya', 'Sudhi kalasam', 'Archana Teacher' and 'Griha Lakshmy'. In all these films his work was excellent. He also did title painting for Sreekumaran Thampi's 'Aakkramanam' and 'Ganam' and P. G. Viswanbharans 'Kadath'. He was art director for the following films: Balachandra Menon's 'Kalika', 'Vaiki vanna vasantham', 'Anayatha vilakkukal', 'Ishtamundu pakshe', etc. Thus he created his own space in the Malayalam film industry.
Ambili's first directorial venture is 'Veena poovu', produced in the banner Soorya International. He was also the script writer of this film. Nedumudi Venu, Sankar Mohan, Babu Namboodiri, Bahadur, Uma, and Sukumari were the main artists in the film - lyrics by Sreekumaran Thampi & Mullanezhi, and music by Vidhyadharan Master. The song 'Nashta swargangale' won the heart of thousands and the film itself was a great success because of this different and simple style of narration. It was a great honour for Ambili that his first film 'Veena poovu' was one in the four films selected to Indian Panorama; others are 'Elipathayam' by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, 'Ormakkayi' by Bharathan and 'Oridathu' by Aravindan. The one Malayalam film selected to Turkish film festival that year was 'Veena Poovu'.
His next film was 'Ashtapadi' based on a novel by Perumbadavam Sreedharan. Bharath Gopi, Devan, Babu Namboodiri, Premji, Ravi Menon, Adoor Bhavani, Menaka, Uma, Sreemoolanagaram Vijayan were the main actors. It was Devan's first film. Music was by Vidyadhraran master. Next film were 'Mouna ragam', 'Swantham sarika' and 'Scene No. 7.' Gradually it dawned on him that a director cannot survive with only the viewers' support.
It took six years for him to direct his next film, his own production, 'Ganamela'. It was in 1991, a full-length comedy film, totally different from his earlier films. Story, screenplay and dialogues were by actor Jagdish. Jagathi Sreekumar, Mala Aravindan, Idavela Babu, Kunjan, Jagannatha Varma, Geetha Vijayan, Meena, and Thrissur Elsy were the main artists. Lyrics by Kaithapram and Sasi Chittanjoor, music by three great artists, Ravindran, Jerry Amal Dev, and A. T. Ummer. All the songs were hits of the year and the film was a hit. In the same year, he did the suspense thriller 'Eagle.' P. Sukumar, Babloo, Ramraj, Kuthiravattom Pappu, Mala Aravindan, Poonam Das Gupta, etc starred in this film. The famous actor Biju Menon made his debut in this film.
Ambili's next film was 'Samudayam'. It was in this film, the one and only 'Kalabhavan Mani' made his entry to the film world. Mani never forgot that it was Ambili who brought him to the lime light of cine world and he had great love and respect for Ambili to the end.
Chaaman's Kabani was the last film released in Ambili's direction. It was the last film of Mala Aravindan who enacted the role of a 110 year old adivasi chief in this film. The film was released in 2015, although the production was complete in 2001.
Ambili is now residing in his home village Chentrappinni, Trichur district, with his wife Sheela, daughter Aisha Maria Ambili and son Rahul Thadathil. Now his time and attention totally devoted to painting. He conducted an exhibition of his paintings in Fort Kochi, March 2020. [1]
| No. | Year | Title | Screen Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1983 | Veena poovu | Ravisankar |
| 2 | 1983 | Ashtapadi | Perumbadavam Sreedharan |
| 3 | 1983 | Maunaragam | Ambili |
| 4 | 1984 | Swantham Sarika | Perumbadavam Sreedharan |
| 5 | 1985 | Seen No. 7 | Ambili |
| 6 | 1991 | Ganamela | Jagadish |
| 7 | 1991 | Eagle | Ambili |
| 8 | 1995 | Samudhayam | Ravikrishnan |
| 9 | 2001 | Kabani | Thrissur Viswam |
| 10 | 2015 | Chamante Kabani |
Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, Elippathayam won the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival, and Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 by the British Film Institute. Rajiv Anchal's Guru (1997), Salim Ahamed's Adaminte Makan Abu (2011) and Lijo Jose Pellissery's Jallikkattu (2019) were Malayalam films sent by India as its official entries for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.
Palissery Narayanankutty Menon alias P. N. Menon was an Indian film director and art director in the Malayalam cinema. He is also famous as the Designer of Promotional Posters. Menon was also the uncle of another popular film director Bharathan, being the younger brother of the latter's father. In 2001, he was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Madhavan Nair, commonly known by his stage name Madhu, is an Indian actor, director, producer, former college lecturer and former film studio owner, who works in Malayalam cinema and a certain number of Hindi and Tamil films. He was a prominent lead actor during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and has acted in more than 400 films. Madhu has also directed 12 films, produced 15 films and at one time owned the Uma Film Studio. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2013 for his contributions towards the arts. He was honored with the J. C. Daniel Award by the Government of Kerala in 2004, for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam films. He is the president of Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) Kerala Unit.
P. Chandrakumar is an Indian film director, cinematographer, and film distributor who worked in Malayalam cinema.
Mala Aravindan was an Indian actor. He was best known for his work as a comedian and character artist in Malayalam films. He has acted in over 500 films.
Karuvattu Mana Vasudevan Namboothiri, better known as Artist Namboothiri or simply Namboothiri, was an Indian painter and sculptor, known for his line art and copper relief works. He illustrated for many Malayalam writers such as Thakazhy Shivasankara Pillai, Kesavadev, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Uroob, S. K. Pottekkatt, Edasseri Govindan Nair, and V.K.N., and was one of the most prolific literary illustrators of India. He was also a chairman of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi. The Akademi awarded him the Raja Ravi Varma Award in 2003. He was also a recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director.
Ramu Kariat was an Indian film director for almost three decades from the 1950s to the 1970s, who directed many acclaimed films in the Malayalam cinema. His noted films include Neelakkuyil (1954), Minnaminungu (1957), Mudiyanaya Puthran (1961), Moodupadam (1963) and the National Award winning Chemmeen (1965).
Madhusoodanan Jayachandran is an Indian composer, singer, and musician. He has won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director for a record number of nine times. In 2005, he also won the state award for best male singer. In 2015, he won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen. He has composed music for 126 films.
Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film written and directed by Sathyan Anthikkad from a story by C. V. Balakrishnan. It stars Jayaram, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Kalidas Jayaram, Innocent and Kavya Madhavan. It marked the on-screen debut of Kalidas. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film won two National Film Awards—Best Feature Film in Malayalam and Best Choreography.
Georgootty C/O Georgootty is a 1991 Indian Malayalam–language romantic comedy / drama film starring Jayaram, Thilakan and Sunitha in major roles. It was directed by Haridas and written by Ranjith, the film was produced under the banner of Chandragiri Productions. It was Haridas' directorial debut. Haridas got the Kerala State Film Award for Best New Face Director for this film. The music was composed by Mohan Sithara with lyrics by Gireesh Puthenchery.
Uttarayanam is a 1975 Malayalam-language film directed by G. Aravindan and written by Thikkodiyan. Aravindan debuted with this film. The film, which exposes opportunism and hypocrisy set against the backdrop of the Independence struggle, is inspired by Aravindan's own cartoon series, titled Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum, which was published in Mathrubhumi for several years.
Navagatharkku Swagatham is a 2012 Malayalam campus-based film written by Kalavoor Ravikumar and directed by Jayakrishna Karanavar. Mainly filmed on locations at Kalamassery, the film stars Mukesh, Jyothirmayi, Rejith Menon, Shafna and Vinay Forrt in pivotal roles. The film's music is composed by late music maestro Johnson. The film was met with negative critical reviews and was declared as a box office flop.
Babu Namboothiri is a retired Chemistry Professor and Head Of Department of Deva Mata College Kuravilangad and an Indian film and TV actor who has starred in more than 100 Malayalam films and various serials. He is famous for his villain and character roles, best known for his portrayal Thangal, in Thoovanathumbikal (1987), as the primary antagonist, Ajith, in Nirakkoottu (1985), the devious advocate in Jagratha, among many others, and in Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum as Madhava Menon, an evil businessman and drug-dealer.
Masala Republic is a 2014 Indian Malayalam-language dystopian political satirical spoof film directed by Visakh G. S. in his directorial debut. It stars an ensemble cast consisting of Indrajith Sukumaran, Aparna Nair, Sunny Wayne, Captain Raju, P. Balachandran, Mamukkoya, Shine Tom Chacko, Vinayakan, Vinay Forrt and Mala Aravindan. The story and dialogue of the film is by the director, while the screenplay was co-written by Arungeorge K. David.
The Malayalam novel is an important part of Malayalam literature. This article focuses on novels, written in Malayalam language, a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the Indian state of Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands.
Ithile Vannavar is a 1980 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Chandrakumar and produced by M. Mani. The film stars Madhu, Sheela, MG Soman and Sukumaran. The film has musical score by Shyam.
Ganamela is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language film directed and produced by Ambili and written by Jagadish. The film stars Mukesh, Geetha Vijayan, Jagathy Sreekumar and Innocent. The film has musical score by Raveendran, A. T. Ummer and Jerry Amaldev.
Ashtapadi is a 1983 Indian Malayalam film directed by Ambili and written by Perumbadavam Sreedharan based on his own novel of the same name. The film stars Menaka, Devan, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Vidyadharan.
K. Ravindranathan Nair , also known as Achani Ravi or General Pictures Ravi, was an Indian film producer of Malayalam films, industrialist and philanthropist. He was known for a number of critically acclaimed films he produced, such as Kanchana Sita, Thampu, Kummatty, Esthappan, Pokkuveyil, Elippathayam, Manju, Mukhamukham, Anantaram and Vidheyan. Nair was credited with fostering the art film movement in Malayalam cinema during the period from the 1970s to the 1990s. A multiple recipient of National and State film awards, Nair was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award by the Government of Kerala, in 2008, for his contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Laughing Apartment Near Girinagar is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film written and directed by Nissar and co-written by P Parappuram. The film stars Ramesh Pisharody and Dharmajan Bolgatty.
