Nellu (1974 film)

Nellu
File:Nellu (1974).jpg
Directed by	Ramu Kariat
Produced by	N. P. Ali
Written by	P. Valsala Ramu Kariat K. G. George S. L. Puram Sadanandan
Based on	Nellu by P. Valsala
Starring	Prem Nazir Jayabharathi Mohan
Music by	Salil Chowdhury
Cinematography	Balu Mahendra
Edited by	Hrishikesh Mukherjee Appu
Production company	Jammu Films International
Distributed by	Jammu Pictures Circuit Release
Release dates	23 August 1974 (1974-08-23)
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Nellu is a 1974 Malayalam film directed by Ramu Kariat based on the award-winning novel of the same name by P. Valsala. The film is about the tribal people of the Wayanad hills in the deep Kerala forests. It stars Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. The film is noted for its aesthetic quality and is regarded as a landmark in the history of Malayalam cinema.

The film marks the debut of cinematographer Balu Mahendra although not his first release. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Photography (Colour). Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Appu won the award for Kerala State Film Award for Best Editing.

Plot

The film portrays the life of "Adiyar" community, a tribe whose ways of life belongs to centuries ago. They live in the Wayanad hills in the deep Kerala forests. The film envelopes the passions, superstitions, religious practices, customs, and the servility and exploitation the tribal people endure. The film is narrated through the observations of an outsider.

Cast

• Prem Nazir as Raghavan Nair
• Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair as Perumal
• Sankaradi as Damoradara Varrier
• Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair as Chundeli
• Mohan Sharma as Mallan
• Adoor Bhasi as Thapaal Nanu
• Bahadoor as Saidu
• K. P. Ummer as "Vedikkaran" Ouseph
• Kedamangalam Ali as Baddamaran
• Shihab as Ezhuthappottan
• S. P. Pillai as Vaattuvelu (guest appearance)
• Prem Nawas as Unnikrishnan
• J. A. R. Anand as Chathan
• Jayabharathi as Mara
• Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Savithri Varassyar
• Kanakadurga as Kurumatti
• Adoor Bhavani as Pembi
• Rani Chandra as Javani
• K. V. Shanthi
• Sumithra as Safiya
• Chelavoor Krishnankutty
• Innocent

Production

P. Valsala wrote the novel after a rejuvenating experience in Wayanad. It was published in 1972 by Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society. It went on to become a bestseller and won the Kumkumam Award for Best Novel in 1973. Kariat approached Valsala for permission to adapt the novel, and when she agreed, he asked K. G. George, S. L. Puram Sadanandan and Valsala to write separate scripts based on the novel and in the end, took certain portions from all the three and made the film.

Noted South Indian actress Sharada was originally chosen for the role of Mara. She turned down the offer when Kariat insisted that she dress like the tribal women of Wayanad. Later, Kariat fixed Jayabharathi, another leading actress of the time, for that role. Nellu marked the debut of actor Mohan Sharma who went on to act in about 100 films in Malayalam.

The film's production occurred at various villages near Sultan Battery in Wayanad. It was produced by N. P. Ali under the banner of Jammu Films International.

Songs

The film features five songs composed by Salil Chowdhary and written by Vayalar.

1. "Chemba Chemba" - Manna Dey, Jayachandran, Chorus
2. "Kadali Chenkadali" - Lata Mangeshkar
3. "Neela Ponmane" - Yesudas, P. Madhuri
4. "Kaadu Kuliranu" - P. Susheela

External links

• Nellu at IMDb
• Nellu at Malayalam Movie Database