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