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Kaliyattam
File:Kaliyattam.jpg


VCD cover

Directed by Jayaraj
Written by Balram Mattannur
Produced by K. Radhakrishnan
Starring Suresh Gopi
Lal
Biju Menon
Manju Warrier
Cinematography M. J. Radhakrishnan
Edited by Template:Ubl
Music by Songs:
Kaithapram
Score:
C.Rajamani





Country India
Language Malayalam



Kaliyattam (Template:Langx) is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language tragedy film directed by Jayaraj. It stars Suresh Gopi, Lal (in his acting debut), Biju Menon and Manju Warrier.[1][2] The film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Othello,[3] set against the backdrop of the Theyyam performance of Kerala.[4][5][6][7] The screenplay is written by Balram Mattannur. Suresh Gopi plays Kannan Perumalayan, the equivalent to Othello, Lal plays Paniyan, the equivalent to Iago, Manju Warrier plays Thamara, the Desdemona version, and Biju Menon plays Kanthan, Cassio's role. Suresh Gopi's role as Kannan Perumalayan was critically acclaimed.

In 1998, Suresh Gopi received the National Film Award for Best Actor and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his critically acclaimed performance. Jayaraj won the Best Director Award for Kaliyattam. The film was a critical and commercial success.[8][9]

Plot

This is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, revolving around Kannan Perumalayan, a Theyyam artist who corresponds to Othello, and Thamara, the beautiful daughter of the village head. While Unni Thampuran hates Kannan because he had a crush on Thamara, and Paniyan, who plays a Komali, covets the role of Theechamundi which Perumalayan holds. Paniyan plants the seeds of doubt about Thamara's fidelity in Kannan's mind, making him suspect that Thamara and his assistant, Kanthan, are having an affair. Kannan spots a silk robe which he had presented to Thamara in Kanthan's hands.

Kannan, out of grief and anger, takes Thamara's life by suffocating her with a pillow. On the same night, Paniyan plans to get Kanthan killed by Unni Thampuran. But the plan goes awry, and Thamburan is killed. Amidst these events, Kannan is told of his mistake by Paniyan's wife, Cheerma, before Paniyan murders her. Kannan overpowers Paniyan, crushing his legs with a stone, and leaving him to live the rest of his life crippled. Kannan Perumalayan gives the ''Perumalayan'' role to Kanthan and commits suicide in the Theyyam ritual fire.

Cast

Soundtrack

Template:Infobox album

The music and lyrics were composed and written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.

Track Song Playback Raga
1 "Vannathi Puzhayude" K. J. Yesudas Madhyamavathi[2]
2 "Velikku Veluppaankaalam" K. J. Yesudas Mohanam
3 "Ezhimalayolam" Kaithapram
4 "Sapamapa Magari" Choir
5 "Kathivanoor Veerane" Kallara Gopan Yamunakalyani
6 "Ennodenthinee Pinakkam" Bhavana Radhakrishnan Shahana
7 "Kathivanoor Veerane" Sreeja Yamunakalyani
8 "Ennodenthinee Pinakkam" K. J. Yesudas Shahana

Awards

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 1997

  • Best Actor – Suresh Gopi
  • Best Supporting Actor – Lal

References

  1. List of Malayalam films released during the year 1997. PRD, Government of Kerala.. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Kaliyattam [1998]. malayalasangeetham.info. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  3. 400 years later, Shakespeare still remains relevant in Indian cinema. The Hindu(2018-04-23). Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  4. A Companion to Shakespeare and Performance{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Wiley-Blackwell(2005). ISBN 978-1-4051-1104-1
  5. Kaliyattam. BizHat.com. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  6. jayaraj. cinemaofmalayalam.net. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  7. Monsoon moods on film, Sandeep, K. M.(26 June 1997). Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  8. Thai Saheb bags national award for best film(10 May 1998). Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  9. Indrani Haldar, Karisma bag national awards(9 May 1998). Retrieved 2009-10-07.

Template:Othello Template:Jayaraj Template:Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film Template:Authority control