Balan (film)

Last updated

Balan
Balan film poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by S. Nottani
Screenplay by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai
Based onVidhiyum Mrs. Nayarum by A. Sundaram
Produced by T. R. Sundaram
Starring K. K. Aroor
M. K. Kamalam
Master Madanagopal
M. V. Shanku
K. Gopinath
Alleppey Vincent
C. O. N. Nambiar
K. N. Lakshmi
Baby Malathi
CinematographyBado Gushwalker
Edited byVarghese and K.D. George
Music by K. K. Aroor
Ibrahim
Production
company
Distributed byShyamala Pictures
Release date
  • 19 January 1938 (1938-01-19) [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Balan is a lost 1938 Indian Malayalam-language drama film produced by T. R. Sundaram under the banner of Modern Theatres, directed by S. Nottani and written by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. [2] It is notable for being the first sound film in the Malayalam language, and the third feature film in Malayalam cinema after Vigathakumaran and Marthanda Varma. [3] [4] Based on the short story Vidhiyum Mrs. Nayarum by A. Sundaram. The film is a melodrama about the struggle of two orphaned children. The film stars K. K. Aroor in the title role and M. K. Kamalam as the female lead, with Master Madanagopal, M. V. Shanku, K. Gopinath, Alleppey Vincent and C. O. N. Nambiar in supporting roles. [5] [6]

Contents

The film was produced by T. R. Sundaram, a Salem-based producer under the banner of Modern Theatres. German cinematographer Bado Gushwalker handled the camera while Varghese and K.D. George did the editing. The film's music was composed by K. K. Aroor, himself, with lyrics written by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. Balan is the first Malayalam film to have a soundtrack. The sound of the film was recorded using German-made technology [ citation needed ]. The film features twenty-three songs. Balan was shot in Madras and on the sets of Powerful Studios. The filming of the film was done in five months. [7]

Balan was released with high expectations on 19 January 1938. It was the only Malayalam film to be produced and released that year. Despite numerous technical flaws, it received critical acclaim, with praise for the film's social theme. [8] The film was a major box office success, becoming the first commercially successful Malayalam film. [4] Because only a few stills and the songbook are known to survive, it is a lost film. K. K. Aroor and Alleppey Vincent also starred in the second Malayalam talkie Gnanambika two years later. [9]

Cast

Production

There were several attempts to make a talkie in Malayalam, right from the days Vigathakumaran (1928) got released. One among them, A. Sundaram Pillai, had an unpublished story entitled Vidhiyum Mrs. Nayarum (Mrs. Nair and the Fate) with him. He contacted several production houses to adapt this story into a film. Several of his attempts failed, but at last he got a letter from T. R. Sundaram, a Tamil-based producer informing him that he was ready to produce the film. [10] T. R. Sundaram owned the production company Modern Theatres, which he established in 1936. [10] A. Sundaram had already finished casting, which included several theatre artists from Malayalam. K. Kunjunair, credited as K. K. Aroor in the film, of the Kottakkal Nataka Samithi was selected to do the title role. M. K. Kamalam was chosen as the heroine.

A. Sundaram wanted himself to direct the film, but later agreed to sign S. Nottani as the director. Nottani rejected the screenplay of A. Sundaram and wanted to rewrite it. Eventually, he signed renowned writer Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai, who wrote the screenplay and dialogues, as well as lyrics for the songs. The filming was started on 17 August 1937 from Salem. [10] After completing a length of 2000 feat, T. R. Sundaram dropped the project following differences in opinion with A. Sundaram. T. R. Sundaram had spent ₹ 30,000 on the project. A. Sundaram himself financed the project thereafter. Most parts of the film was shot from Powerful Studios. [11] The filming was completed within five months, in December 1937. [10] A. Sundaram could not find a distributor for many months. Later, Shyamala Pictures, Madras bought the rights and the film was released on 19 January 1938. [10] The theatrical release poster of Balan read Malayalathile adyathe socialpadam vegam varunnu (The first social film in Malayalam is coming out soon). [12]

Songs

Balan's music was composed by K. K. Aroor, who played the male lead, and Ibrahim. It had 23 songs, most of them recorded by the actors themselves. [13] K. N. Lakshmi, K. K. Aroor, M. K. Kamalam and Master Madanagopan are the credited singers. [14] Playback singing was not possible that time, so the producer had to sign actors those who could excel in singing also.

Legacy

The film was a milestone in Malayalam film history, not only for being the first talkie, but also for being one of the first commercially successful films. [15] Through the film, Alleppey Vincent became the first "speaking person" of Malayalam cinema, K. K. Aroor the first "speaking hero" and M. K. Kamalam the first "speaking heroine". "Hello Mister" was the first recorded sound, which was in the voice of Alleppey Vincent. The film is considered lost; only the song book and a few stills survive to this day. [15] The film also introduced many of early Malayalam cinema's recurring archetypes, including the evil step-mother and innocent orphans. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malayalam cinema</span> Indian Malayalam-language film industry

Malayalam cinema is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Malayalam language widely spoken in the state of Kerala, India. In 1982, Elippathayam won the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival, and Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 by the British Film Institute. The film Marana Simhasanam has won the prestigious Caméra d'Or at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balan K. Nair</span> Indian actor (1933 - 2000)

Balakrishnan Nair, more popularly known as Balan K. Nair was an Indian actor known for his roles in Malayalam cinema. Although he appeared as a villain in most films, he was also noted for his performances in strong character roles. He emerged as one of the top villain of Malayalam cinema in the second half of the 1970s and played some of the best villain characters in Malayalam films during that period. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1981 for his performance as Govindan in the film Oppol.

Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai (1900–1979) was a Malayalam dramatist, poet, screen play writer and actor who was well known in the role of Ashaan in Kavyamela. He was born in 1900 in Muthukulam, a small village near Haripad in Alappuzha District, Kerala, India. Known as the Akshara Guru of Malayalam talkie films, he wrote the screenplay and dialogues of Balan, the first Malayalam talkie and Jeevithanauka, the first box office hit in the Malayalam film industry. He is also the author of about 55 dramas and dozens of film stories and screenplays. In 1968, he acted in Viruthan Shanku, the first full-length comedy in Malayalam cinema directed by P. Venu. He acted in around 150 Malayalam films and wrote Tataka Parinayam Kathakali. An award named Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai Puraskaram has been instituted by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai Samraka Samithi in honour of him.

<i>Marthanda Varma</i> (film) 1933 Malayalam movie

Marthanda Varma is a 1933 black and white Indian silent film directed by P. V. Rao, based on the 1891 Malayalam novel by C. V. Raman Pillai. This was the first film based on Malayalam literature and the next film of the Malayalam film industry after Vigathakumaran.

<i>Kandam Becha Kottu</i> 1961 Indian film

Kandam Becha Kottu is a 1961 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed and produced by T. R. Sundaram under the banner of Modern Theatres. It stars Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Prem Nawas in the lead roles, along with T. S. Muthaiah, Aranmula Ponnamma and Ambika Sukumaran in supporting roles. The film deals with the negative effects of the dowry system in India through customs of the Muslim community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. K. Kamalam</span> Indian actress

M. K. Kamalam was an Indian actress in Malayalam cinema. She was the heroine in the first Malayalam talkie film, Balan (1938).

<i>Viruthan Shanku</i> 1968 Indian film

Viruthan Shanku is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by P. Venu, starring Adoor Bhasi and Ambika. It revolves around Vikraman, and how he tricks people and steals their valuables in a comic way and also how he wins the heart of Kunjikkavu.

<i>Murappennu</i> 1965 Indian film

Murappennu is a 1965 Malayalam-language drama film directed by A. Vincent and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir in the lead role with an ensemble supporting cast including Sharada, Madhu, Jyothilakshmi, K. P. Ummer, P. J. Antony, Jyothilakshmi and Adoor Bhasi playing the pivotal roles. The film revolves around a joint family and the romantic relationships between the cousins of the family. The film explores the Indian custom of marriage between cousins.

<i>Jeevitha Nouka</i> 1951 Indian film

Jeevitha Nouka is a 1951 Malayalam-language film directed by K. Vembu and jointly produced by K. V. Koshi and Kunchako. It was the first "blockbuster cinema" in Malayalam cinema, with a theatrical run of 284 days. Made at a budget of ₹ 20000, this cinema did extremely well at the box office, such that very few cinemas could surpass it later. It was simultaneously shot in Tamil and Telugu, and was dubbed and released in Hindi. This cinema portrayed the life of simple folk in a small village in Kerala. It stars Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and B. S. Saroja, with the latter making her debut and the former in his first major role. Its music is composed by V. Dakshinamoorthy and popular playback singer Mehboob debuted through this cinema. It is a remake of the Hindi cinema Jeevan Naiya with revised screenplay.

Nagarame Nanni is a 1967 Malayalam language film, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by A. Vincent. The film stars Prem Nazir, Usha Nandhini, Madhu and K. P. Ummer among others. The film tells the story of a family that migrates from a village to the city of Madras in search of a better life. The theme was about the lure of the city and how the dreams of villagers are shattered by its inexorable logic of greed. The plot is similar to the 1965 film The Conquerors of the Golden City, directed by Getin Gurtop and the 1964 film Birds of Exile by Halit Refig. K. Balachander's Tamil film Pattina Pravesham (1977) was based on all these three films.

Ollathumathi is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan, produced by M. P. Chandrasekhara Pillai, starring Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Madhu and Sheela. The film has a musical score by L. P. R. Varma.

Ladies Hostel is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Hariharan and produced by Dr. Balakrishnan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai and Pattom Sadan in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. S. Baburaj. The film was remade in Tamil as Then Sindhudhe Vaanam starring Sivakumar and Jayachithra.

<i>Vazhve Mayam</i> 1970 Indian film

Vazhve Mayam is a 1970 Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. Sathyan plays the lead role. The film also has Sheela, Sankaradi, K. P. Ummer, Bahadoor, Adoor Bhasi, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Khadeeja, N. Govindan Kutty, Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai, C. A. Balan, Kuttan Pillai and Philomina. Sankarady won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in the film. It has had a long lasting impact on Malayalam cinema, and was screened as part of the Sathyan retrospective at the 17th International Film Festival of Kerala held at Thiruvananthapuram. It was a Super Hit movie.

K. Kunju Nair was an Indian actor, singer and music composer in Malayalam cinema. He was the main character in Balan, the first sound film in Malayalam film in history.

Alleppey Vincent was an Indian actor in Malayalam cinema. He acted in Balan (1938), the first talkie made in Malayalam. He is the brother of Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar.

<i>Maaya</i> (1972 film) 1972 Indian film

Maaya is a 1972 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Ramu Kariat for Jaya Maruthi, starring Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair in the lead role. Prem Nazir and Sharada also play pivotal roles, supported by Vijayasree, Sujatha, Sankaradi and T. R. Omana playing other important roles. The film was based on an award-winning 1963 novel with the same name by popular novelist K. Surendran.

<i>Gnanambika</i> 1940 Indian film

Gnanambika is a 1940 Indian Malayalam film, directed by S. Nottani and produced by Annamala Chettiyar. The film stars K. K. Aroor, Alleppey Vincent and Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar in lead roles. The film had musical score by T. K. Jayarama Iyer.

Ezhuthatha Kadha is a 1970 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by T. E. Vasudevan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. The film had musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy.

Babumon is a 1975 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Hariharan and written by G. P. Balan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Srividya and Adoor Bhasi. It is a remake of the Hindi film Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. Nottani</span> Indian filmmaker

S. Nottani was an Indian filmmaker. He created the first Malayalam "talkie Balan (film) in 1938. He also directed a Malayalam movie, Gnanambika in (1940). His most contributions were mainly focused in the Tamil film industry. He directed Santhanadevan (1937), Satyavaani (1940), Bhaktha Gowri(1941), Sivalinga Satchi (1942) and Inbavalli(1949).

References

  1. ↑ "Remembering Malayalam's first talkie". The New Indian Express.
  2. ↑ Kasbekar, Asha (2006). "Cinema". Pop culture India : media, arts and lifestyle. Popular Culture in the Contemporary World (Illustrated Hardcover ed.). USA: ABC-CLIO. p. 233. ISBN   978-1-85109-636-7.
  3. ↑ "A nostalgic look at Malayalam cinema". The Hindu . 15 August 2004. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009.
  4. 1 2 Jonathan Crow (2012). "Balan (1938)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  5. ↑ Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen (1999). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. Oxford University Press. p. 274. ISBN   0-85170-455-7.
  6. ↑ "Balan: The First Talkie". Cinemaofmalayalam.net. n.d. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014.
  7. ↑ M. A. Oommen, Kumbattu Varkey Joseph (1991). Economics of Indian cinema. India: Oxford & IBH Publications. p. 45. ISBN   81-204-0575-7.
  8. ↑ Menon, Ajay (7 September 2009). "Old is Gold: Balan (1938 )". Old is Gold. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  9. ↑ "Gnanambika (1940)". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 M. A. Oommen, Kumbattu Varkey Joseph (1991). Economics of Indian cinema. India: Oxford & IBH Publications. p. 45. ISBN   81-204-0575-7.
  11. ↑ Jonathan Crow (2012). "Balan (1938)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  12. ↑ "Balan - first featured film in Malayalam". www.keralaculture.org. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  13. ↑ B. Vijayakumar (7 September 2009). "Balan 1938". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "മലയാള സിനിമ ഇതുവരെ (1928-50)" [Malayala cinema till here (1928-50)]. മലയാളസിനിമ ചരിത്രം [Malayalacinema History] (in Malayalam). Cini Diary. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011.
  15. 1 2 B. Vijayakumar (7 September 2009). "Balan 1938". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 October 2016.
  16. ↑ Twitter https://twitter.com/nfaiofficial/status/986151268996526080 . Retrieved 27 November 2022.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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.