Swathi Thirunal (film)

Last updated

Swathi Thirunal
Swathi Thirunal film poster.jpg
Poster
Directed by Lenin Rajendran
Screenplay byLenin Rajendran
Starring Anant Nag
Srividya
Ambika
Ranjini
Cinematography Madhu Ambat
Edited byRavi
Music by M. B. Sreenivasan
Production
company
Chithranjali Studios
Distributed bySeven Arts
Release date
  • 4 September 1987 (1987-09-04)
Running time
133 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Swathi Thirunal is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language biographical film co-written and directed by Lenin Rajendran. The film is based on the life of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore. It stars Anant Nag in the title role, with Srividya, Nedumudi Venu and Murali in other important roles. The cinematographer was Madhu Ambat.

Contents

Plot

The story begins with Gowri Lakshmi Bayi entrusting the four-month-old Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma to the care of the English East India Company whose representative was Col. Munro. Then it cuts to when Swathi Thirunal is sixteen and takes over the reins of Travancore from his aunt Gowri Parvati Bayi. Swathi Thirunal's biography is then shown against the backdrop of the music that he himself has composed. The movie ends with his death in 1846.

Cast

Production

After Anant Nag's Kannada film Narada Vijaya (1980) was dubbed into Malayalam and performed well in the Kerala box office, the director Lenin Rajendran and cinematographer Madhu Ambat approached him to portray Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma in their biopic of him. Though initially reluctant, he ultimately agreed. Actor Saikumar was initially offered the lead role, but he later made his debut in Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). ( [2] In return, Nag told Rajendran about the work of art director P. Krishnamoorthy whom he had worked with in Hamsageethe and the latter made his debut in Malayalam through this film. [3]

Soundtrack

Swathi Thirunal
Soundtrack album by
Released1987
Length60:36
Label Tharangini Music
Producer K. J. Yesudas

The film's original music was composed by M. B. Sreenivasan. The soundtrack features vocals of several singers including M. Balamuralikrishna, who received a State award for his work.

Song TitleSinger(s)Raga
1Pannakendra Sayana M. Balamuralikrishna, K. J. Yesudas, Neyyattinkara Vasudevan Raagamaalika (Sankarabharanam, Bhairavi, Revagupti)
2Alarsara ParithapamK. J. Yesudas, B. Arundhathi Surutti
3Mokshamu GaladhaM. BalamuralikrishnaSaramathi
4Parama Purusha K. J. Yesudas, Neyyattinkara Vasudevan Vasantha
5Suma SayakaB. Arundhathi Karnataka Kapi
6Parvathi NayakaK. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra Bowli
7Sarasamukha SarasijaK. J. Yesudas Madhyamavati
8ThillanaAmbilikkuttan Dhanashree
9Mamava Sada JananiNeyyattinkara Vasudevan Kanada
10Devanuke Pathi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Darbari Kanada
11Krupaya PalayaK. J. Yesudas Charukesi
12Jamuna KinaareM. BalamuralikrishnaMishra Pilu
13KosalendraNeyyattinkara Vasudevan Madhyamavati
14Chaliye KunjanamoK. S. Chithra Vrindavani sarang

Additional tracks from the movie

Song TitleSinger(s)Raga
1Bhaja Bhaja Manasa M. Balamuralikrishna Sindhu Bhairavi
2EntharoM. Balamuralikrishna Shree
3Mamava Sada Varade S. Janaki Nāttai Kurinji
4Omanathinkal KidavoS. JanakiKurinji
5Omanathinkal Kidavo B. Arundhathi Kurinji
6PraananaathanB. Arundhathi Kambhoji
7Sa Ni Dha Sa (Swarangal)Chorus
8Anjaneya K. J. Yesudas Saveri
9Anantha Venmani Haridas

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma</span> Maharaja of Travancore from 1829–1846

Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma III was the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Travancore. He was a great musician and composer who has to his credit over 400 classical compositions in both Carnatic and Hindustani style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raja Ravi Varma</span> Indian painter from Kerala (1848–1906)

Raja Ravi Varma was an Indian painter and artist. His works are one of the best examples of the fusion of European academic art with a purely Indian sensibility and iconography. Especially, he was notable for making afkarnataka[Lithography|lithographs]] of his paintings available to the public, which greatly enhanced his reach and influence as a painter and public figure. His lithographs increased the involvement of common people with fine arts and defined artistic tastes among the common people. Furthermore, his religious depictions of Hindu deities and works from Indian epic poetry and Puranas have received profound acclaim. He was part of the royal family of erstwhile Parappanad, Malappuram district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moolam Thirunal</span> Maharaja of Travancore from 1885–1924

Sir Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma VI (1857–1924) was Maharajah of the princely state of Travancore between 1885 and 1924, succeeding his uncle Maharajah Visakham Thirunal (1880–1885). Moolam Thirunal is considered as the first in India to implement the concept of public participation in governance through the formation of Travancore Legislative Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gowri Lakshmi Bayi</span> Maharaniand regent of Travancore from 1810–1815

Maharani Ayilyom Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi (1791–1815) was the Maharani of the Indian state of Travancore from 1810 till 1813 and Regent from 1813 till her death in 1815 for her son Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. She was the only Queen of Travancore to have reigned in her own right which she did for three years before becoming the regent for her son.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gowri Parvati Bayi</span> Maharani and regent of Travancore from 1815–1829

Maharani Uthrittathi Thirunal Gowri Parvathi Bayi (1802–1853) was the Regent of the Indian state of Travancore in 1815–1829. She succeeded her sister Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, till her regency was relinquished in favour of her nephew, Maharajah Swathi Thirunal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visakham Thirunal</span> Maharaja of Travancore from 1880–1885

Sri Padmanabha DasaSir Sri Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma VFRAS, also known as Rama Varma the Learned, was the Maharaja of Travancore from 1880 to 1885 AD, succeeding his elder brother Ayilyam Thirunal on the musnud, or throne. He was a noted scholar of Sanskrit and literary composer in Malayalam, who reversed his brother's policy, liberally patronizing poet Kerala Varma, while hostile to painter Raja Ravi Varma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travancore royal family</span> Ruling family of Travancore

The Travancore royal family was the ruling house of the Kingdom of Travancore. The Travancore royal family signed a treaty with the British in 1788, thereby adopting British dominance. Later, in 1805, they revised the treaty, leading to a diminution of royal authority and the loss of political independence for Travancore. They had to give up their ruling rights over the common people in 1949 when Travancore were forced to merge with Independent India and their political pension privileges were abolished in 1971.

<i>Dilliwala Rajakumaran</i> 1996 Malayalam film directed by Rajasenan

Dillivala Rajakumaran is a 1996 Malayalam film by Rajasenan starring Jayaram, Manju Warrier, Biju Menon, and Kalabhavan Mani. The movie tells a fictional story inspired by the Travancore Royal Family's famous Padiyettam ceremony which last happened in the year 1994 when Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi of the Travancore Royal Family adopted Bharani Thirunal Lekha Parvathi Bayi.

<i>Vachanam</i> 1990 Indian film

Vachanam is a 1990 Malayalam-language mystery film directed by Lenin Rajendran. The film stars Jayaram, Suresh Gopi, Sithara and Charuhasan. The film has a musical score composed by Mohan Sithara. The art direction is done by P. Krishnamoorthy.

Kanjirottu Yakshi is a folkloric deity of South India. According to the myth, she was born into a Padamangalam family by name Mangalathu at Kanjiracode in Southern Travancore. Also known as Chiruthevi, she was a beautiful courtesan who had an intimate relationship with Raman Thampi, son of King Rama Varma and rival of Anizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma. She turned into a Yakshi after being murdered by her palanquin-bearer, waylaying men with her beauty and drinking their blood.

Thirunal is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran</span>

Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran, also known as Raja Raja Varma, was a Malayalam language poet and translator from the Indian state of Kerala who had an equal facility in writing in English and Sanskrit. He was born in Neerazhi Palace, Changanassery. He was part of the royal family of erstwhile Parappanad, Malabar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma</span> Maharaja of Travencore

Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma is the current incumbent to the throne of Travancore. He is the youngest of the four children of the former titular Maharani of Travancore, Sree Padmanabhasevini Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi and her husband, Prince Consort Lt. Col. G. V. Raja of Poonjar Royal House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi</span> Maharani of Travancore

Maharani Karthika Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi (1916-2008) was the only sister of the last ruling Maharajah of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma and of his successor, Sree Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma. Under the matrilineal Marumakkathayam system of inheritance prevalent in the kingdom of Travancore, it was her children who were heirs to the throne. She therefore held a very special place in the Travancore court, superior to the Maharaja's wives, and was termed the Rani of Attingal in her own right. In 2013, her only surviving son duly succeeded his uncles as titular Maharaja of Travancore and is known as Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sethu Parvathi Bayi</span> Junior Maharani (Elaya Thampuratti) of Attingal & Queen Mother (Amma Maharani) of Travancore

Moolam Thirunal Sethu Parvathi Bayi (1896–1983), better known as Amma Maharani, was the Junior Maharani (Queen) of Travancore as well as a promoter of Indian Classical music. She was the mother of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the last King of Travancore. She was the president of the National Council of Women in India in 1938–1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi</span> Indian writer (born 1945)

Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi is an Indian writer from Kerala and a member of the Travancore Royal Family. She has ten books to her credit. Aswathy Thirunal is the niece of the last King of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. She was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award the Padma Shri in 2024.

<i>Oru Swakaryam</i> 1983 Indian film

Oru Swakaryam is a 1983 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Harikumar and produced by Vindhyan. The film stars Venu Nagavally, Jalaja, Mammootty and Jagathy Sreekumar. The film has musical score by M. B. Sreenivasan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gowri Rukmini Bayi</span>

Ayilyam Thirunal Gowri Rukmini Bayi was the Junior Maharani of Travancore styled Attingal Elaya Thampuran.

Diwan BahadurPalakkal Raman MenonDalawaMannadinayar was Dewan of Travancore, serving Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi, and then Maharani Gowri Parvati Bayi during their successive regencies for Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, from 1815 to 1817, and Dalawa of Travancore thereafter, holding auxiliary office as Fouzdar.

References

  1. Nair, N.J. (10 September 2010). "He epitomised the restive youth". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 14 September 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  2. "Bengaluru film festival to honour Anant Nag's contribution to cinema". Deccan Herald. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  3. "P Krishnamoorthy: Creative genius who gave grandeur to history". The New Indian Express. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.