Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)
Pazhassi Raja is a 1964 Malayalam biographical film, directed and produced by Kunchako. It is written by well known playwright Thikkodiyan and is based on the life of warrior king Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja. It stars Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in the title role, with Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Satyapal, S. P. Pillai, Rajashree and Pankajavalli in other important roles.[1]
| Pazhassi Raja | |
|---|---|
 Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair as Pazhassi Raja | |
| Directed by | Kunchako |
| Produced by | Kunchako |
| Written by | Thikkodiyan |
| Starring | Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair Prem Nazir Sathyan Satyapal Rajasree Pankajavalli |
| Music by | R. K. Shekhar |
Production company | Udaya Studios |
| Distributed by | Excel Productions |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Pazhassi Raja is the second historical film in Malayalam, the first one was Veluthamby Dalava (1962) by the same director.[1] Pazhassi Raja was completely filmed from Kunchako's Udaya Studios, which resulted in the lack of technical perfection and eventually lead to the commercial failure of the film.[1] Its music is composed by A. R. Rahman's father R. K. Shekhar, who debuted as a music director through this film. The music was widely appreciated and was a hit.
Plot
The story is set at a time when the East India Company was trying to establish its control and most of the city states in Kerala had surrendered to the company. Sankara Varma (Nanukuttan), king of Kurumbranad, had also surrendered. Kerala Varma (Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair), king of Pazhassi and nephew of Sankara Varma, fought against the Company. Sankara Varma's niece Ammu Thampuratty (Rajasree, Gracy in the title cards) and nephew Unni (Boban) escape and seek refuge in Pazhassi Raja's palace. Tipu Sultan invades Malabar in an attempt to bring the city states that surrendered to the Company under his control. Unable to fight with the ferocious troops of Tipu Sultan, the British decide to have a treaty with Pazhassi Raja with whose support they hoped to defeat Tipu Sultan. Pazhassi's guerrilla warfare succeeds. The British manage to free all the city states captured by Tipu Sultan. Pazhassi's crafty uncle convinces the British authorities to allow him collect the taxes in Kottayam. He goes to declare that he is the real heir to the dynasty. Pazhassi Raja opposes this move. The British Commandant Wellesley (Satyapal) invites Pazhassi Raja to his bungalow to discuss the issue. Ammu Thampuratti and Unni who reach the bungalow in disguise inform Pazhassi about the treacherous plans of the British. When Pazhassi defies the British they try to arrest him. The Kurichya bowmen of Pazhassi defeat this ploy and rescue their king. The British troops capture Pazhassi Raja's palace. The Raja and his military commandants and attendants, Kaitheri Ambu (Dr. Chandraguptan), Kannavathu Nambiar (Prem Nazir), Unni Moosa (Sankaradi) and the Kurichya leader Chandu ( Vincent Chacko) escape to the dense Puralimala forests from where they begin guerrilla warfare against the British. An official of the Company, Baber (Satyan), who reaches Pazhassi's hideout with the help of Pazhayam Veedan (Kottayam Chellappan) is beaten up and sent back with a warning. The British decide to go all out against Pazhassi. A bitter struggle ensues. Pazhassi manages to recapture his palace. In the meanwhile Baber takes custody of Pazhassi's wife Maakkam (Sreedevi) and his infant son (Ponnumol). The war intensifies. The British try all nasty tricks to defeat the Raja. They even set his palace on fire. Finally, Pazhassi Raja's men are beaten. The 'Lion of Kerala' as Pazhassi was popularly known, swallows his diamond ring and commits suicide.
Cast
- Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair as Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja
- Prem Nazir as Kannavathu Nambiar
- Sathyan as Baber
- Satyapal as Commandant Wellesley
- Rajasree (Gracy) as Ammu Thampuratty
- Boban as Unni
- Pankajavalli
- Dr. Chandraguptan as Kaitheri Ambu
- Nanukuttan as Sankara Varma
- Sreedevi as Maakkam
- Kottayam Chellappan as Pazhayam Veedan
- Vincent Chacko as Thalakkal Chanthu
- Sankaradi as Unni Moosa
- S. P. Pillai
- Manavalan Joseph
- Nellikkodu Bhaskaran
Soundtrack
The film features an acclaimed musical score and soundtrack by R. K. Shekhar. It was his debut work, though he has worked in a lot of films as a conductor or as an uncredited music director. The songs became popular upon release and established a bright career for Shekhar. The soundtrack consists of 12 songs with lyrics by Vayalar Ramavarma.
"Chotta Muthal Chudala Vare" (by K. J. Yesudas), "Muthe Vaa Vaavo Muthu Kudame Vaa Vvaavo" (by P. Susheela), "Saayippe Saayippe, Aslam Alaikkum" (by P. Leela and Mehboob), "Kannu Randum Thaamarappoo" (by P. Susheela) and "Paathira Poovukal Vaarmudikettil" (by P. Leela) are considered evergreen hits.[1]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Anjanakkunnil" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 2 | "Baale Kel Nee" | Alleppey Suthan | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 3 | "Chirakattuveenoru" | S. Janaki, A. M. Rajah | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 4 | "Chottamuthal Chudalavare" | K. J. Yesudas | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 5 | "Jaathee Jaathanukamba" | P. Leela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 6 | "Jaya Jaya Bhagavathi Maathangi" | K. J. Yesudas, P. Leela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 7 | "Kannu Randum Thaamarappoo" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 8 | "Muthe Vaavaavo" | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 9 | "Paathiraappoovukal" | P. Leela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 10 | "Panchavadiyil" | S. Janaki | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 11 | "Saayippe Saayippe" | P. Leela, Mehboob | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 12 | "Thekku Thekku Thekanaam" | K. J. Yesudas, P. Leela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 13 | "Villaalikale" | P. Leela, K. S. George | Vayalar Ramavarma |
References
- B. Vijayakumar (14 December 2009). "Pazhassi Raja 1964". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 December 2010.