History of Malayalam Cinema

Chemmeen - 1965
(Prawn)

Directed by Ramu Kariat, Chemmeen is based on a highly acclaimed Malayalam novel by Jyanpeth award winner Takazhi Shivashankara Pillai. By becoming the first south Indian film to win the President's Gold Medal for best film, Chemmeen put Malayalam cinema on the Indian cinema map. While considering the history of Malayalam cinema, the film is attributed epic status.

Chembankunju prospers as a fisherman with the financial support of Pareekutty, a Muslim trader and the lover of Chembankunju's daughter Karuthamma. Traditions prevent Karuthamma to marry Pareekutty, and she is married off to Palani, a total stranger who arrives in their village. Even though the affair of the past between Karuthamma and Pareekutty is a matter of talk among the villagers, Palani ignores them and loves Karuthamma. But once again Karuthamma meets Pareekutty in the beach and makes love with him, even as Palani, out battling a shark on the high seas, dies in a whirlpool.

Chemmeen had some of the best names then in India for its technical support, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the editor and Marcus Bartely the cinematographer. Lyrics by Vyalar Rama Varma and the music composed by Salil Choudhury made the songs of Chemmeen highly popular among the mass.

Direction: Ramu Kariat
Screenplay & Story: Takazhi Shivashankara Pillai
Cast: Satyan, Sheela, Madhu, Kottarakkara Sridharan Nair, S.P.Pillai, Adoor Bhawani
Cinematography: Marcus Bartely
Editing: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Music: Salil Choudhury

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