Shantham

Last updated

Shantham
Directed by Jayaraj
Written byP. Suresh Kumar
Madampu Kunjukuttan
Produced by P. V. Gangadharan
Starring Seema Biswas
K. P. A. C. Lalitha
I. M. Vijayan
M G Shashi
Kalamandalam Gopi
Madambu Kunjukuttan
Cinematography Ravi Varman
Edited byN P Sathish
Music by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri Rajamani (score)
Release date
  • 2001 (2001)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Shantham (English: Calmness) is a Malayalam feature film directed by Jayaraj. It stars I M Vijayan, a leading Indian football player of modern times, M G Shashi, Seema Biswas and K P A C Lalitha. The renowned Kathakali artiste Kalamandalam Gopi and the Malayalam writer Madambu Kunjukuttan have also starred in the film. It was released in 2001 and won the Swarna Kamal Award for the Best Feature Film in the 48th National Film Awards, 2001. [1] The film was produced by P V Gangadharan. According to the citation of the Award Jury: 'Shantham addresses the very contemporary issue of political rivalry and violence in our society in an unusually imaginative way. The language of the film goes beyond the conventional narrative for appeal to calmness and good sense'. [2] The film is the first installment in director Jayaraj's "Navarasa Series".

Contents

The film also received the National Best Supporting Actress Award for K P A C Lalitha.

This is Jayaraj's third National Award. In 1996, his film 'Desadanam', won the award for the Best Malayalam Film and in the next year he was named the Best Director.

Plot

Persons on both sides of a bloody political struggle search for grace and forgiveness in this emotional drama.

Velayudhan (I M Vijayan) is a young man living in a place torn apart by civil strife. In the midst of a raging street war, he kills his best friend. He was overcome by guilt and remorse for his actions as Narayani (K P A C Lalitha), his friend's mother, tries to hold herself together while she arranges for her son's funeral. Velayudhan's mother Karthiyayani (Seema Biswas) goes to a temple and prays for her son's forgiveness despite his violence and wrongdoing. There she meets Narayani who is stricken with her own feelings of grief over the death of her child. She orders a pleading Kathiyayani to move out of her sight. in the meantime, Narayani learns more about life from the people around her. Also, the political enemies plot revenge on Velayudhan. Karthiyayani is often told that Narayani's inner turmoil and rage would boil initially and will ultimately recede into a state of calmness. Narayani barely leaves her raging mindset to curse Karthiyayani. In the due course of time, Narayani and Kartiyayani reconcile leaving behind their troubled minds. As Narayani performs spiritual homage to her son, she realizes of her other son's plan to avenge Velayudhan by killing him. A horrorstruck Narayani rushes to Velayudhan's exile and pleads him to run for his life, but he takes a knife to protect himself from any danger that may befall him. He escapes through the widespread riverbed of Bharathapuzha and sees the men approach him with weapons. Karthiyayani and Narayani run towards them and begs them to do no wrong. But they simply push them aside and move towards Velayudhan who stands ready to accept his fate. The final scene shows a group of grief-stricken mothers running towards the armed men, shouting at them to retract from the sin they are about to do. The final shot shows a gentle dragonfly resting on the very sword that is about to draw blood, emphasizing the very theme of the plot.

Cast

Soundtrack

The film had musical score composed by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. Rajamani composed the background music for the film.

Awards

National Film Awards

Related Research Articles

<i>Mathilukal</i> Novel by Vaikkom Muhammed Basheer

Mathilukal is a Malayalam novel written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seema (actress)</span> Indian actress

Shanthakumari Nambiar, known by her stage name Seema, is an Indian actress. known for her work in Malayalam cinema. Actor Vijayan gave her the screen name : Seema.

<i>Vinodayathra</i> 2007 Indian film

Vinodayathra is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film written and directed by Sathyan Anthikkad, and starring Dileep and Mukesh along with Meera Jasmine, Murali, Innocent, Ganapathi S Poduval, KPAC Lalitha, Nedumudi Venu, Seetha and Parvathy in supporting roles. Few scenes of the film were reported to be inspired by the 2001 Korean film My Sassy Girl. The film became a blockbuster at the box office and completed more than 175 days in theatres and it has over the years attained a cult status.

<i>Amaram</i> 1991 Indian Malayalam drama film

Amaram (transl. Stern) is a 1991 Indian Malayalam drama film directed by Bharathan and written by A. K. Lohithadas. It stars Mammootty, Maathu, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Ashokan, Murali, Chitra, and Kuthiravattam Pappu in the main roles. The film's score is composed by Johnson while the songs are by Raveendran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayaraj</span> Indian filmmaker

Jayarajan Rajasekharan Nair, professionally credited as Jayaraj, is an Indian filmmaker, who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. P. A. C. Lalitha</span> Indian actress (1947–2022)

Maheshwari Amma, better known by her stage name K. P. A. C. Lalitha, was an Indian film and stage actress who worked primarily in the Malayalam film industry. She started her acting career with Kerala People's Arts Club, a theatre collective in Kayamkulam, Kerala. In a career spanning five decades, she starred in over 550 films.

<i>Manassinakkare</i> 2003 Indian film

Manassinakkare is a 2003 Indian Malayalam family drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Ranjan Pramod. It stars Jayaram, Sheela, and Nayanthara in lead roles, while Innocent, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Siddique, Sukumari, Nedumudi Venu, and Mammukoya play supporting roles. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by Ilayaraja. The film marked the return of Sheela as an actress and the film debut of Nayanthara. It won five awards at Filmfare Awards South.

<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.

Devaraagam is a 1996 Indian Malayalam-language romantic film directed by Bharathan and starring Sridevi and Arvind Swamy. It also had KPAC Lalitha, Kozhikode Narayanan Nair, Zeenath, and Nedumudi Venu in supporting roles. The film was famous for its music which was composed by M. M. Keeravani.

<i>Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha</i> (film) 2009 Indian film

Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language mystery film written and directed by Ranjith, starring Mammootty, Shwetha Menon and Mythili. It is based on the novel of the same name by T. P. Rajeevan,. Mammooty plays three characters in the film. The film was Mythili's debut in cinema. Ranjith also introduced about thirty Malayalam stage artists through this film. The film tells the story of a private detective, who returns to his birthplace, a village called Paleri, to solve a murder mystery that occurred on the same night he was born.

<i>Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal</i> 1999 Indian film

Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal is a 1999 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by A. K. Lohithadas. The film was produced by P. V. Gangadharan and was distributed by Kalpaka Films. Starring Jayaram, Thilakan, and Samyuktha Varma. It was the debut film of Samyuktha Varma. Malayalam film director Lohithadas makes a cameo appearance. For her performance as Bhavana, Samyuktha Varma won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress.

<i>Vilakku Vangiya Veena</i> 1971 Indian film

Vilakku Vangiya Veena is a 1971 Indian Malayalam film, directed and produced by P. Bhaskaran. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sharada, Usha and KPAC Lalitha in the lead roles. The film had musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy.

<i>Swayamvara Panthal</i> 2000 film by Hari Kumar

Swayamvara Panthal is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Hari Kumar and written by Sreenivasan. It stars Jayaram and Samyuktha Varma. The music was composed by Johnson.

<i>Varnakkazhchakal</i> 2000 Indian film by Sundar Das

Varnakkazchchakal is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Sundar Das. The film stars Dileep, Poornima Indrajith, and Jagathy Sreekumar in lead roles. It has a musical score by Mohan Sithara.

Aanachandam is a 2006 Indian Malayalam language film directed by Jayaraj and starring Jayaram, Remya Nambeesan, Sai Kumar, Innocent, Cochin Haneefa, Salim Kumar and Jagathy Sreekumar. It was released in 2006. This film was a commercial success and critically acclaimed.. It ran for about 100 days in the central Kerala regions of Thrissur, Thripunithura and Ottappalam. It was the second highest-grossing Malayalam films of 2006, though it was released along with the movie Classmates during Onam holidays that year.

<i>Akashadoothu</i> 1993 Indian film

Akashadoothu is a 1993 Indian Malayalam family drama film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by Dennis Joseph, with Madhavi and Murali in the lead roles. The film tells the tale of a woman suffering from leukemia. The plot of the film was inspired from the 1983 American film Who Will Love My Children?.

<i>Naayika</i> 2011 Indian film

Naayika is a 2011 Indian Malayalam drama film directed by Jayaraj. The film stars Urvasi Sharada, Jayaram, Padmapriya, and Mamta Mohandas in the lead roles.

Madhuram Thirumadhuram is a 1976 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Dr. Balakrishnan and produced by Ammini Madhavan. The film stars KPAC Lalitha, Sankaradi, Raghavan, Rani Chandra, M. G. Soman, Vincent, Jayan and Unnimary in the lead roles. The film has musical score by A. T. Ummer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pramod Payyannur</span> Indian theater and Film director

Dr.Pramod Payyannur is an Indian Theatre and Film director and writer who works in Malayalam theater and Film industry. Dr.Pramod Payyanur is a leading figure in contemporary Malayalam Theatre. He made an indelible mark in experimental drama by presenting M.T. Vasudevan Nair's 'Iruttinte Aathmavu' in a sandwich stage during his college days at the school of Drama. He did his bachelor's degree in Malayalam literature from Payyanur College. He completed his bachelor's degree in Direction with first rank from School of Drama and Master's in Performing Arts from Pondicherry Central University. He also pursued PhD in the topic 'Tagore Triology in Global Theatre' in Santiniketan, Calcutta. He has proven his genius in both investigative and professional theatre. The innovative adaptation of famous literary works on the stage in what makes this theatre director unique. He has staged the works of M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Vaikkom Mohammed Basheer, O.V.Vijayan, Padmarajan, Dr. Sivarama Karanth, J.M. Synge, Albert Camus, Anton Chekhov and William Shakespeare. Pramod Payyanur's film directorial debut 'Balyakaalasakhi', an excellent adaptation of Basheer's work of the same name, won him wide acclaim. Mammootty was the protagonist of the movie and it was screened in various film festivals and won several accolades. He has also staged Basheer's 'Mathilukal' in which KPAC Lalitha and M.R. Gopakumar played the lead roles. He has Directed the play 'Mrithyunjayan' which was a dream project of Bharat Murali. He has also adapted Edassery's 'Koottukrishi' onto the stage for Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy's first repertory theatre venture. When M.T's 'Randamoozham' was staged as a multimedia production with Pramod Payyanur as its Director, Mammootty played the role of Bheeman. Many alumni of the School of Drama and Kalamandalam also enacted in the play. A multimedia presentation 'Nanmayude Apaara Theeram' based on the themes of love and empathy as exemplified in Basheerian works, a visual treat which marked the major historical events from Kerala Renaissance to the modern age, 'Pravasa Malayalam' which visualized Malayali's early migration to new age migration, 'Mathrukam' which presented and honoured the achievements of Malayali women were various multimedia visual presentations supervised and realized by Pramod Payyanur for the various departments of the Government of Kerala. His new project aims to adapt Shakespearian drama 'Hamlet' into 'Chavittunatakam' with the help of 100 artists. He serves as the Member Secretary, Bharat Bhavan,The official Cultural Exchange Center of Government of Kerala since 2016. “Theatrum Farme”-a programme which combines culture, art and agriculture for the upliftment of differently abled students, jail inmates and tribal communities got a special mention by the Kerala Agricultural University. He got into the Guinness world records for the dialogue and screenplay of the movie 'Viswaguru' which was taken as a part of the 'Script to screen', a project based on the ideologies of Sree Narayana Guru. He has also won many accolades for his contributions to Malayalam theatre which include the staging of the plays written by K.T. Mohemmed, Dr. Vayala vasudevan Pillai and Safdar Hashmi. Pramod Payyanur is well aware of the fact that the art and cultural activities of the new age should be carried out with the participation of the masses. Gandhibhavan International Trust Dr APJ World Prize in 2021,'Nehru Yuva Kendra' and Prem Nazir Suhruth Samithi is really proud to dedicate the first Socio-Cultural Youth Icon award, a recognition for the young talent who actively engages in and enlightens the democratic and cultural sphere of Kerala, to Mr. Pramod Payyanur. He has directed the film Balayakala Sakhi based on Vaikom Mohammad Basheer's novel Balyakalasakhi, which acted by Mammootty, Isha Talwar,Seema Biswas, Meena, KPAC Lalitha and Mamukkoya. Pramod was the writer of Vishwaguru, the film was recorded in Guinness World Records as the fastest film produced. The film was scripted, created, and released in 51 hours and two minutes. He is currently working as the Member Secretary of Bharat Bhavan Kerala, an official cultural exchange centre for Kerala Government, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

<i>Utopiayile Rajavu</i> 2015 Indian film

Utopiayile Rajavu is a 2015 Malayalam satirical comedy film directed by Kamal and penned by PS Rafeeque. It stars Mammootty, Sethulakshmi, Jewel Mary, KPAC Lalitha, Janardhanan, TG Ravi, Joy Mathew, Sudheer Karamana, Nandu and Indrans. Ouseppachan composed the soundtrack. The film released on 27 August 2015.

References

  1. Press Information Bureau, Government of India
  2. "Indiainfo: Malayalam: Movie Review - Shaantam". movies.indiainfo.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2001. Retrieved 24 September 2022.