Swathi Thirunal (film)
{{More citations needed|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Swathi Thirunal
| image = Swathi Thirunal film poster.jpg
| caption = Poster
| director = Lenin Rajendran
| screenplay = Lenin Rajendran
| narrator =
| starring = Anant Nag
Srividya
Ambika
Ranjini
| cinematography = Madhu Ambat
| editing = Ravi
| music = M. B. Sreenivasan
| distributor = Seven Arts
| studio = Chithranjali Studios
| released = {{Film date|1987|9|4|df=y}}
| runtime = 133 minutes
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Swathi Thirunal is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language biographical film co-written and directed by Lenin Rajendran. The film is based on the life of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore. It stars Anant Nag in the title role, with Srividya, Nedumudi Venu and Murali in other important roles. The cinematographer was Madhu Ambat.
Plot
The story begins with Gowri Lakshmi Bayi entrusting the four-month-old Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma to the care of the English East India Company whose representative was Col. Munro. Then it cuts to when Swathi Thirunal is sixteen and takes over the reins of Travancore from his aunt Gowri Parvati Bayi. Swathi Thirunal's biography is then shown against the backdrop of the music that he himself has composed. The movie ends with his death in 1846.
Cast
- Anant Nag as Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (voice dubbed by Venu Nagavally){{cite news |last1=Nair |first1=N.J. |title=He epitomised the restive youth |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/10/stories/2010091059800400.htm |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=10 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914163303/http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/10/stories/2010091059800400.htm |archive-date=14 September 2010}}
- Srividya as Gowri Parvati Bayi
- Nedumudi Venu as Irayimman Thampi
- Murali as Shadkala Govinda Marar
- Ambika as Narayani Panam Pillai Amma Kochamma
- Babu Namboothiri as Diwanji Subbaravu
- Ranjini as Sugandhavalli
- Jagannathan as Vadivelu
- Innocent as Krishna Ravu
- Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri as singer
- Ravi Vallathol as singer
- Kanakalatha as Narayani's Thozhi
- Mehboob Sait ( guest role )
- Kuyili as dancer
- Sujatha Thiruvananthapuram
Production
After Anant Nag's Kannada film Narada Vijaya (1980) was dubbed into Malayalam and performed well in the Kerala box office, the director Lenin Rajendran and cinematographer Madhu Ambat approached him to portray Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma in their biopic of him. Though initially reluctant, he ultimately agreed. Actor Saikumar was initially offered the lead role, but he later made his debut in Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). ({{Cite web|date=2020-02-23|title=Bengaluru film festival to honour Anant Nag's contribution to cinema|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/bengaluru-film-festival-to-honour-anant-nag-s-contribution-to-cinema-807387.html|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}} In return, Nag told Rajendran about the work of art director P. Krishnamoorthy whom he had worked with in Hamsageethe and the latter made his debut in Malayalam through this film.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-15|title=P Krishnamoorthy: Creative genius who gave grandeur to history|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/dec/15/p-krishnamoorthy-creative-genius-who-gave-grandeur-to-history-2236297.html|access-date=2021-08-30|website=The New Indian Express|language=en}}
Soundtrack
{{Infobox album
| name = Swathi Thirunal
| type = soundtrack
| artist = M. B. Sreenivasan
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 1987
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=60|s=36}}
| label = Tharangini Music
| producer = K. J. Yesudas
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
The film's original music was composed by M. B. Sreenivasan. The soundtrack features vocals of several singers including M. Balamuralikrishna, who received a State award for his work.
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Song Title | Singer(s) | Raga | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pannakendra Sayana | M. Balamuralikrishna, K. J. Yesudas, Neyyattinkara Vasudevan | Raagamaalika (Sankarabharanam, Bhairavi, Revagupti) |
| 2 | Alarsara Parithapam | K. J. Yesudas, B. Arundhathi | Surutti |
| 3 | Mokshamu Galadha | M. Balamuralikrishna | Saramathi |
| 4 | Parama Purusha | K. J. Yesudas, Neyyattinkara Vasudevan | Vasantha |
| 5 | Suma Sayaka | B. Arundhathi | Karnataka Kapi |
| 6 | Parvathi Nayaka | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | Bowli |
| 7 | Sarasamukha Sarasija | K. J. Yesudas | Madhyamavati |
| 8 | Thillana | Ambilikkuttan | Dhanashree |
| 9 | Mamava Sada Janani | Neyyattinkara Vasudevan | Kanada |
| 10 | Devanuke Pathi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Darbari Kanada |
| 11 | Krupaya Palaya | K. J. Yesudas | Charukesi |
| 12 | Jamuna Kinaare | M. Balamuralikrishna | Mishra Pilu |
| 13 | Kosalendra | Neyyattinkara Vasudevan | Madhyamavati |
| 14 | Chaliye Kunjanamo | K. S. Chithra | Vrindavani sarang |
Additional tracks from the movie
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Song Title | Singer(s) | Raga | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhaja Bhaja Manasa | M. Balamuralikrishna | Sindhu Bhairavi |
| 2 | Entharo | M. Balamuralikrishna | Shree |
| 3 | Mamava Sada Varade | S. Janaki | Nāttai Kurinji |
| 4 | Omanathinkal Kidavo | S. Janaki | Kurinji |
| 5 | Omanathinkal Kidavo | B. Arundhathi | Kurinji |
| 6 | Praananaathan | B. Arundhathi | Kambhoji |
| 7 | Sa Ni Dha Sa (Swarangal) | Chorus | |
| 8 | Anjaneya | K. J. Yesudas | Saveri |
| 9 | Anantha | Venmani Haridas |
Awards
References
{{Reflist}}