Marthanda varma(Malayalam Movie 1931)

Marthanda Varma was a 1933 black & white 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 a Malayalam literature and the second malayalam film after Vigathakumaran.^[1]

Based on the novel Marthandavarma, the film recounts the adventures of the crown Prince, Marthandavarma on how he eliminates his arch rivals one by one, so as to ascend to the throne of Travancore.^[2]

THE CAST

Jaidev, Andi, A.V.P. Menon, V.Naik, Padmini, Devaki, V.C.Kutty, S.V.Nath, Sundaram Iyer, Sunder Raj, Kesava Menon, Thilakam

The producer R. Sunder Raj has done the role of Bheeram Khan where as A.V.P.Menon and V.Naik did the roles of Anantha Padmanaban and Padmanabhan Thampi respectively.

§ Producer - R. Sundar Raj

§ Screenplay, Direction – P. V. Rao

§ Cinematography – Pandurang E. Naik

The film was produced by R Sunder Raj under the banner of Shri Rajeswari Films and production of the film was started in 1931 during which the producer ignored the queries regarding the copyright of the novel related to adapting it to the film.

The film had title cards in English and Malayalam, some of which were taken from the original text. A few of the title cards and actions make reference to the Swadeshi movement. The film also featured with a seven-minute actual newsreel footage of temple procession of the late Sri. Chithira Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore.

The movie was released thru Shri Rajeswari Films in 1933 at Capitol theatre, Thiruvananthapuram of Thiruvithaankoor. The movie ran into copyright problems during its release with the publishers of the novel in that period, Kamalalaya Book Depot and was withdrawn from screenings after its opening day following a court order marking the first copyright case in film industry and literature publishing of Kerala. The print of film was under the custody of Kamalalaya Book Depot until 1974 when National Film Archive of India negotiated and acquired the same.

It was the only silent film made in south india that could survive.

A print of film, which is the only silent film of south India fully available as of now is preserved at the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune. The film was reportedly shown in 1994 Film Festival of Kerala.

Vigathakumaran(Malayalam movie- 1928)

Vigathakumaran (The Lost Child) was the first ever malayalam film.

The film was produced, directed, scripted, photographed, edited and starred be JC Daniel. It was a silent film. The film was produced in the Travancore National Pictures which was the first film studio in Kerala.

J C Daniel was born on 19th April 1893 in Agasthishwaram, Nagercoil, Travancore. After his formal education, he became interested in producing cinema. His basic aim by producing cinema was to promote his favourite martial arts. He wished to popularize the martial arts by harnessing the popular influence of cinema. He was an expert in Kalarippayattu. He published a book titled Indian Art of Fencing and Sword Play in 1915 at an age of just 22.

He left to Madras (now Chennai) to learn techniques of film-making and to acquire necessary equipments for the same purpose. But, he couldn’t get what he needed and hence he travelled to Bombay (now Mumbai). He could gather enough knowledge and equipments for the production from there. Then he came back to Kerala to fulfill is dream.

Then he produced Vigathakumaran. The film was exhibited in Trivandrum at the Capitol Theatre on 7 November 1928. Despite being the first film made in Kerala and the social significance of the film, it faced wrath of certain orthodox groups in Kerala, due to the presence of a woman in the film. That was the end of his film career.

Since he created the first ever malayalam film J C Daniel is considered as the father of Malayalam cinema.

The State Government constituted the highest film honour of Kerala in his name, the 'J C Daniel Award'.

Releasing Year: 1928
Direction: J C Daniel
Story: J C Daniel
Production: J C Daniel
Cast: J C Daniel, P K Johnson, P K Rosy