Thulabharam
Thulabharam (transl. Weight) is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. Vincent. It is based on the Kerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written by Thoppil Bhasi.[1] Thoppil Bhasi also adapted the play for the screen. The film had an ensemble cast including Prem Nazir, Sharada, Madhu, Sheela, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair and Adoor Bhasi.[2] The film won two National Awards. The film was a major blockbuster and following the Malayalam version, the film was made in Tamil (Thulabharam), Telugu (Manushulu Marali) and Hindi (Samaj Ko Badal Dalo), with Sharada playing lead roles in all versions.
| Thulabharam | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | A. Vincent |
| Produced by | Hari Pothen – Supriya |
| Written by | Thoppil Bhasi |
| Starring | Prem Nazir Sharada Madhu Sheela Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair Adoor Bhasi |
| Music by | G. Devarajan |
| Cinematography | P. Bhaskara Rao |
| Edited by | G. Venkittraman |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Supriya |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Plot
Two close friends, Vijaya (Sharada) and Vatsala (Sheela) had to part ways after Vatsala's father, a lawyer loses a case of Vijaya's father and it results in the latter's death. Vijaya marries Ramu (Prem Nazir), a trade union leader against her will. Ramu leads a union strike and is killed when the agitation turns violent. Vijaya's life becomes miserable and she kills her starving children, but she is arrested before being able to commit suicide. In the end, she is given the death penalty by the prosecution, led by her former dear friend Vatsala, who had become a famous lawyer in the meantime.
Cast
- Prem Nazir as Ramu
- Sharada as Vijaya
- Madhu as Babu
- Sheela as Valsala
- Adoor Bhasi as Achuthan Nair
- Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair as R. K. Menon
- Adoor Bhavani
- Baby Rajani
- Kaduvakulam Antony
- N. Govindankutty
- Nellikode Bhaskaran
- Thoppil Krishna Pillai
- KPAC Khan
Production
Thulabharam is an adaptation of the Kerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written by Thoppil Bhasi.[3]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by G. Devarajan and the lyrics were written by Vayalar Ramavarma.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Bhoomidevi Pushpiniyaayi" | P. Susheela, B. Vasantha | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 2 | "Katadichu" | K. J. Yesudas | Vayalar Ramavarma | 3:45 |
| 3 | "Nashtappeduvaan" | P. Jayachandran, Chorus | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 4 | "Omanathinkalinnonam" | K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 5 | "Omanathinkalinnonam" (Pathos) | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 6 | "Prabhaatha Gopura" | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 7 | "Thottu Thottilla" | K. J. Yesudas | Vayalar Ramavarma |
Remakes
The film's success prompted for three remakes with Sharada playing the same role in all versions.[4] The Tamil film with the same name was made by Vincent himself with A. V. M. Rajan replacing Nazir. V. Madhusudhan Rao directed the Telugu and Hindi versions.[3]
Awards
The film won two awards at the 16th National Film Awards.[3]
References
- "Two women". The Indian Express. 2 November 1968. p. 5.
- "Cinema Of Malayalam". CinemaOfMalayalam.net. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- Vijayakumar, B. (10 October 2010). "Thulabharam 1968". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
- "4 மொழிகளில் வெளியான 'துலாபாரம்' படத்தில் வாழ்ந்து காட்டிய சாரதா 'ஊர்வசி' விருது பெற்றார்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 5 November 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
External links
- Thulabharam at IMDb