Bharatham

Last updated

Bharatham
Bharatham (film) cover.jpg
DVD cover
Directed by Sibi Malayil
Written by A. K. Lohithadas
Produced by Mohanlal
Starring Mohanlal
Urvashi
Nedumudi Venu
Lakshmi
Murali
Cinematography Anandakuttan
Edited by L. Bhoominathan
Music by Raveendran
Johnson (Score)
Production
company
Distributed bySeven Arts Release
Release date
  • 29 March 1991 (1991-03-29)
Running time
147 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Bharatham is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, and Murali. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his production house Pranavam Arts. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and a background score by Johnson. Bharatham is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the Ramayana from Bharatha's perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story.

Contents

The film was a critical and commercial success, running for 125 days in theatres. [1] Bharatham is also noted for its music that is largely Carnatic classical and semi-classical. The film won three National Film Awards—Best Actor for Mohanlal, Best Male Playback Singer for K. J. Yesudas for the song "Rama Katha Ganalayam", and Special Mention for Raveendran's music, and five Kerala State Film Awards. On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, Forbes India included Mohanlal's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". [2] It was remade in Tamil as Seenu by P. Vasu in 2000. [3] [4]

Plot

Kalloor Gopinathan alias Gopi is a member of a happy family with carnatic music heritage and he himself is a good singer. Kalloor Ramanathan who is also an excellent singer, is Gopi's elder brother, guru and role model. Ramanathan is married to Ramani and has a son Appu. Gopi is in love with Devi who is the sister of Ramani. Raman reigns in the family and in the society with his music. But he turns into alcoholism. Despite several attempts by family members to make him give up the habit and several failed assurances to his family members, he is unable to give up the habit.

Raman reaches for a concert in an inebriated state and Gopi is forced to take over. He is an instant hit with the masses. This has been depicted quite symbolically during the song Sree Vinayagam. Gopi's music, which was hidden behind his brother's charisma now flows out in full strength. Taking this as an insult, Raman starts hating his brother and strives hard to recover from alcoholism. His morale is shattered when organizers of the Tyagaraja Aaradhana select his brother over him to perform. This makes Raman angry. So Gopi decides to stop singing. But on hearing this Raman understands his mistake and asks Gopi to sing at Tyagaraja Aaradhana.

Ramanathan attends his brother's concert in a drunken state but is able to appreciate his brother's talent. In the middle of the concert, he enters the stage, removes his ancestral necklace and puts it on Gopi as a mark of continuation of his legacy. He then walks away into the horizon. With a longing to get rid of the alcoholism and perform a concert with his brother, he sets on a pilgrimage, but was never to return. Gopi, learning that Raman died in an accident, is forced to conceal the truth because of their vocally disabled sister's marriage. Gopi gets lot of moral support with Devi, who also knows the truth. Gopi's trauma reaches penultimate when his family learns of Raman's death and that Gopi was concealing it. Everything ends fine when the family understands his intentions. The movie ends while Gopi begins to train Appu in their musical legacy.

Cast

Soundtrack

Bharatham
Soundtrack album by
Raveendran
ReleasedMarch 29, 1991 (1991-March-29) [5]
RecordedFebruary 1991
Studio Tharangini, Chennai
Genre Film soundtrack
Label Tharangini

The film score was composed by Johnson while the acclaimed songs were composed by Raveendran with lyrics were penned by Kaithapram. [6] All the songs of this movie were instant hits.

No.TitleSinger(s)RaagamNotes
1"Gopangane" K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra Naatta Duet song picturised on Mohanlal and Urvashi.
2"Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani Prasadham") M. Balamuralikrishna, K. J. Yesudas, K. S. ChithraRaagamaalika (Mayamalavagowla, Thodi, Arabhi, Kanada)Title song. Picturised on Nedumudi Venu and Mohanlal.
3"Raghuvamshapathe"K. J. Yesudas Sankarabharanam Kacheri performance by Mohanlal.
4"Ramakadha"K. J. Yesudas Shubhapantuvarali Sentimental performance by Mohanlal.
5"Sree Vinayakam"K. J. Yesudas, Raveendran Hamsadhvani Kacheri performance by Mohanlal and Nedumudi Venu.
6"Bharatham"Kallara Gopan, SangeethaNot picturised in film.
7"Vasudevayani" M. G. Sreekumar Not picturised in film.
8"Dhwani Prasadam"K. J. YesudasMayamalavagowlaEnd credit song. Picturised on Mohanlal and Vineeth Kumar.

Awards

39th National Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Kerala Film Critics Award [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raveendran</span> Indian composer

Madhavan Raveendran, , fondly known as Raveendran Master, was a popular South Indian music composer and playback singer from Kerala. He composed songs for more than 150 films primarily for the Malayalam and Tamil film industries. He also composed a few albums, including Vasantha Geethangal, Ponnonatharangini and Rithugeethangal. Raveendran successfully composed melodies based on Hindustani Ragas also.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sibi Malayil</span> Indian film director

Sibi Malayil is an Indian film director who works in Malayalam cinema.

<i>Amrutham</i> (film) 2004 film by Sibi Malayil

Amrutham is a 2004 Malayalam Family Drama directed by Sibi Malayil. Starring Jayaram, Arun, Padmapriya, and Bhavana in the lead roles. The film also stars Nedumudi Venu, Jagathy Sreekumar and KPAC Lalitha.

<i>Sadayam</i> 1992 Indian film

Sadayam (transl. 'Mercifully') is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language psychological drama written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Murali, Sreenivasan, Maathu, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, and T. G. Ravi. The film was produced and distributed by G. P. Vijayakumar of Seven Arts Films. The film score was composed by Johnson.

<i>Kalippattam</i> 1993 Malayalam movie

Kalippattam (transl. Toy) is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Venu Nagavalli and starring Mohanlal, Urvashi, Thilakan, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Jagathy and Nedumudi Venu. Mohanlal also sang a song ("Vazhiyoram") with Chithra for the film. The story is about the love between a violinist played by Mohanlal and a terminally ill girl played by Urvashi. The music and background score were composed by Raveendran.

<i>His Highness Abdullah</i> 1990 Indian film

His Highness Abdullah is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language musical thriller drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Gautami, Sreenivasan, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Mamukkoya. The film was produced by Mohanlal and was the debut production of his company Pranavam Arts. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and a background score by Mohan Sithara. His Highness Abdullah was the same team's first film in a trilogy of Indian classical arts films, followed by Bharatham (1991) and Kamaladalam (1992).

Rakthasaakshikal Sindabad is a 1998 Indian Malayalam-language historical political thriller movie directed by Venu Nagavalli, featuring Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi and Sukanya in the lead roles. The revolt scenes in the film were directed by Priyadarshan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pranavam Arts International</span>

Pranavam Arts International was an Indian film production and distribution company based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, founded in 1990 by Indian actor Mohanlal. Since then the company has produced a total of 11 films, including two of the most-expensive Malayalam films of its time—Kaalapani (1996) and Vanaprastham (1999). Vanaprastham was selected at the Un Certain Regard section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. The company has won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film (Vanaprastham) and two Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film. The company's distribution division was called Pranamam Pictures.

<i>Soorya Gayathri</i> 1992 Indian film

Soorya Gayathri is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by P. Anil, written by John Paul, produced by M. Mani, and starring Mohanlal in the lead role. The songs were composed by Raveendran. The film is a revenge story, of a father who goes after the murderers of his son.

<i>Karunyam</i> 1997 Indian film

Karunyam is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film written and directed by A. K. Lohithadas starring, Jayaram, Murali and Divya Unni in the leading roles. The film discusses the mishaps faced by an unemployed man in his family. It is considered as one among the best scripts written by A. K Lohithadas. The major portions of the film was shot at Lakkidi, Palakkad. The performances from the lead cast were well appreciated, especially that of Murali, who plays the complex character of a loving but stressed father, who sacrifices everything for his family. It is considered to be one of the finest performances from Murali.

<i>Kizhakkunarum Pakshi</i> 1991 Indian film

Kizhakkunarum Pakshi is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical tragedy drama film written and directed by Venu Nagavalli and produced by P. K. R. Pillai. It stars Mohanlal, Shankar, Murali, Rekha, Jagathy Sreekumar, Ashokan and Innocent. The music and background score of the film was composed by Raveendran

<i>Kamaladalam</i> 1992 film by Sibi Malayil

Kamaladalam is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil, starring Mohanlal, Murali, Vineeth, Nedumudi Venu, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Monisha, Parvathy Jayaram and Sukumari. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his company Pranavam Arts and features original songs composed by Raveendran with a background score by Johnson. The story was inspired by the Telugu film Sagara Sangamam directed by K. Viswanath.

<i>Dasharatham</i> 1989 Indian film

Dasharatham is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Rekha, Murali, Nedumudi Venu, Sukumaran, Karamana Janardanan Nair, Sukumari, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, and Jayabharathi. The music was composed by Johnson. The movie deals with the subject of traditional surrogacy

<i>Dhanam</i> (1991 film) 1991 film directed by Sibi Malayil

Dhanam is a Malayalam language action thriller film released in 1991. Directed by Sibi Malayil, this film had a strong casting line including Mohanlal, Murali, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Charmila, Zeenath and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. The script was done by A. K. Lohithadas. The film features a musical score by Johnson and songs by Raveendran.

Sunitha is an Indian actress known for her roles in films made in South India from 1986 to 1996.

<i>Venkalam</i> 1993 Indian film

Venkalam is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Bharathan and written by A. K. Lohithadas. The movie features Murali, Manoj K. Jayan and Urvashi in the lead roles. The film deals with the issue of Polyandry, a prevalent tradition among the Kammalar community in Kerala.

"Ramakadha" is a song composed by Raveendran as a part of the soundtrack for the 1991 Malayalam film Bharatham. This song, composed in Shubhapantuvarali raga, which is one of the most famous compositions in the raga in South India which had the lyrics penned by Kaithapram. The song was sung by K. J. Yesudas. This song was picturised on Mohanlal in the climax of the film. Yesudas won his 6th National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and Raveendran won National Film Award Special Mention and Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director for this song. In the song sequence Mohanlal portrayed the inner conflicts of his character Gopinathan, who is forced to conceal the truth of his brother's death because of their vocally disabled sister's marriage.

Mavelikkara Ponnamma was an Indian actress in Malayalam movies. She was one of the prominent supporting actress in late 1970s and 1990s in Malayalam movies. She is noted for her performance in Ulladakkam (1991), Aakasha Kottayile Sultan (1991) and Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo (1992).

Bhoomika is a 1991 Indian Malayalam film, directed by I. V. Sasi and produced by John Paul and M. G. Soman. The film stars Jayaram, Suresh Gopi, Sai Kumar, Mukesh and Urvashi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Raveendran.

Vishnulokam is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language romantic drama film directed by Kamal, written by T. A. Razzaq, and produced by Sanal Kumar and G. Suresh Kumar. The film stars Mohanlal, Shanthi Krishna, Urvashi, and Murali. The songs featured in the film was composed by Raveendran, while Johnson provided the background score.

References

  1. ↑ "An interview with Lohitadas, director of the Malayalam film, Bhoothakkannadi". Rediff.com . 22 August 1997. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  2. ↑ Prasad, Shishir; Ramnath, N. S.; Mitter, Sohini (27 April 2013). "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Forbes . Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "10 Mohanlal films to watch before you die". The Times of India .
  4. ↑ "மோகன்லாலும், பின்னே தமிழ் ரீமேக்கும்..." Dinamalar. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "Bharatham - Tharangni". Bandcamp . Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Audio CD". Amazon . Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "15th Film Critics Award - 1991" – via YouTube.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.