Nellu (1974 film)

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.

Nellu
Directed byRamu Kariat
Produced byN. P. Ali
Screenplay byRamu Kariat
K. G. George
Dialogue: S. L. Puram Sadanandan
Story byP. Valsala
Based onNellu
by P. Valsala
StarringPrem Nazir
Jayabharathi
Mohan
Music bySalil Chowdhury
CinematographyBalu Mahendra
Edited byHrishikesh Mukherjee
Appu
Production
company
Jammu Films International
Distributed byJammu Pictures Circuit Release
Release date
  • 23 August 1974 (1974-08-23)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

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.[1]

Plot

The film portrays the life of the "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

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.[2]

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.[3] Nellu marked the debut of actor Mohan Sharma who went on to act in about 100 films in Malayalam.[3]

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

Soundtrack

All lyrics are written by Vayalar Ramavarma; all music is composed by Salil Chowdhury.

Track listing [4]
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Chemba Chemba"Manna Dey, P. Jayachandran, Choir 
2."Kadali Chenkadali"Lata Mangeshkar 
3."Neela Ponmane"K. J. Yesudas, P. Madhuri 
4."Kaadu Kuliranu"P. Susheela 

The song " Kadali Chenkadali" was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and is her only song in Malayalam to date.

References
  1. "Kerala State Film Awards 1969 - 2008" Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  2. P.K. Ajith Kumar (9 May 2008). "Telling her story". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  3. Pradeep, K (26 June 2012). "Frames of memory". The Hindu. Kochi. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  4. "Nellu (1974)". salilda.com. Retrieved 3 May 2011.

Further reading
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