P. J. Antony (1 January 1925 – 14 March 1979) was an Indian stage and film actor. He received the

National Film Award for Best Actor The National Film Award for Best Actor, officially known as the Rajat Kamal Award for the Best Actor (), is an honour presented annually at the National Film Awards of India instituted since 1967 to actors who have delivered the best performanc ...

for his performance in '' Nirmalyam'' in 1974. He was also the first actor working in

Malayalam cinema Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, '' Elippathaya ...

to receive the award. Antony was also a respected figure in the professional theatre field, working with

communist Communism (from Latin la, communis, lit=common, universal, label=none) is a far-left sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology and current within the socialist movement whose goal is the establishment of a communist society, ...

cultural and art bodies like the K.P.A.C. He also established his own theater, named Prathibha Theatres, in

Kochi Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of ...

Biography

In his early 20s, Antony served in the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against Fr ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

. Post war, he returned home and joined a workshop as an officer. It was in this period that Antony got chance to work with professional theatre artists. Soon he established himself as a prominent figure in Malayalam plays with his skills in acting, writing and direction. He was directly associated with the K.P.A.C., a major political drama theater at that time. He later established two theaters of his own, namely P. J. Theatres and Prathibha Theatres (which is still active). Building on his expertise in stage plays, Antony began his film acting career. His debut film was ''

Randidangazhi ''Randidangazhi'' ( en, Two Measures, ml, രണ്ടിടങ്ങഴി) is a Malayalam novel written by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai in 1948. The novel tells the story of the cruelty meted out by feudal landlords to impoverished farm labour ...

'' (1957), a film adaptation of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's novel of the same title. He won the

(known then, in 1974, as the Bharath Award) for his performance as a ''velichappadu'' (an oracle or medium between the Goddess and the worshipper in a Hindu temple) in '' Nirmalyam'', directed by prominent literary figure M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Antony was the lyricist and screenwriter for a small number of films. He also directed a film titled ''

Periyar Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), revered as Periyar or Thanthai Periyar, was an Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam. He is known as the 'F ...

''. In a historical drama, Amal Neerad's

Iyobinte Pusthakam ''Iyobinte Pusthakam'' () is a 2014 Indian Malayalam-language period thriller film directed by Amal Neerad. It stars an ensemble cast including Fahadh Faasil, Lal, Jayasurya, Isha Sharvani, Jinu Joseph, Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinayakan, Padmapri ...

had the famous director

Aashiq Abu Aashiq Abu (born 12 April 1978) is an Indian film director, producer, actor, and distributor, who works in Malayalam cinema. He is best known for his films such as '' Daddy Cool'' (2009), ''Salt N' Pepper'' (2011), '' 22 Female Kottayam'' (201 ...

playing the role of P. J. Antony, though in a guest appearance.

Awards

National Film Awards The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorat ...

: *

Best Actor Best Actor is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actors in a film, television series, television film or play. The term most often refers to the ...

- 1974 - '' Nirmalyam''

Kerala State Film Awards The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Ch ...

: *

- 1973 - ''Nirmalyam''

Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by the Filmfare magazine of The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Indian film industry encompassing ...

: *

- 1974 - ''Nirmalyam''

Filmography

Acting

*''

Manninte Maril ''Manninte Maril'' (English: In the Bosom of the Earth) is a 1979 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. A. Bakker, based on Cherukad's novel ''Manninte Maril''. The film stars P. J. Antony in a lead role. The film has musical score by G. Devara ...

'' (1979) *''Choola ''(1979) *''Padasaram ''(1978) as Pulluvan *'' Nurayum Pathayum''(1977) *'' Odakuzhal''(1975) *''Athithi ''(1975) *''

Nirmalayam ''Nirmalyam'' ( ml, നിര്‍മ്മാല്യം, ) is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and starring P. J. Antony, Sumithra and Ravi Menon. P. J. Antony won the National Film Award ...

'' (1973) as Velichapad *''

'' (1973) *'' Dharmayudham''(1973) as Naanu *''Ragging ''(1973) *''Manushyabandhaal ''(1972) *''Jalakanyaka ''(1971) *''Moodalmanju ''(1970) *'' Pearl View ''(1970) as Xavier *''Crossbelt ''(1970) as Sekhara Panikkar *'' Kakkathamburatti''(1970) *''Kurukshethram ''(1970) *'' Dathuputhran'' (1970) as Maanichan *'' Nadhi'' (1969) as Mullakkal Varkey *''Kattukuranu ''(1969) *'' Virunnukari ''(1969) as Raghava Menon *''Veettumriam ''(1969) *'' Asuravithu'' (1968) as Kunjarikkar *''Lakshaprabhu ''(1968) *'' Kayalkkarayil''(1968) *'' Punnapra Vayalar''(1968) as Kochu Naanu *''Manaswini ''(1968) *''Chekkuthante Kotta ''(1967) *''Naarame Nandi ''(1967) *''Mulkireedam ''(1967) *''Pareeksha ''(1967) as Neelakanda Pilla *''Kamuki ''(1967) *'' Iruttinte Athmavu ''(1967) as Gopalan Nair *'' Sheelavathi''(1967) *''Kavalam Chundan ''(1967) *''

Anveshichu Kandethiyilla ''Anweshichu Kandethiyilla'' () is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by Parappurath. The film stars K. R. Vijaya, Sathyan and Madhu. Based on Parappurath's novel of the same name, it recounts the quest ...

'' (1967) *''Aswametham ''(1967) as Keshavan Swamy *''

Balyakalasakhi ''Balyakalasakhi'' ( ml, ബാല്യകാലസഖി, meaning ''childhood companion''), is a Malayalam romantic tragedy novel written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. Published in 1944, it is considered by many as Basheer's best work. The st ...

'' (1967) *''Tharavattamma ''(1966) as Govinda Pilla *''

Kunjali Marakkar Kunjali Marakkar (alternatively spelled Kunhali Marakkar) was the title inherited by the Admiral of the fleet of the Samoothiri / Zamorin, the king of Kozhikode / Calicut, in present-day Kerala, India. There were four Marakkars whose war tacti ...

'' (1966) as Zamorin's Nephew *'' Murappennu'' (1965) as Kunjikrishana Menon *'' Rosy''(1965) as (Hero) *''

Bhargavi Nilayam ''Bhargavi Nilayam'' () is a 1964 Indian Malayalam-language romantic horror film directed by A. Vincent (in his directorial debut) and written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer based on his own short story ''Neela Velicham''. The film stars Madhu, Vi ...

'' (1964) as Narayanan Nair (Nanukuttan) *''Thacholi Othenan ''(1964) as Kathiroor Gurukkal *''Adyakiranagal ''(1964) as Kariyachan *''Ore Bhoomi Ore Raktham ''(1964) *''Oral Koodi Kallanayi ''(1964) *''Kalaju Kittiya Thankam ''(1964) as Kuttan Nair *'' Ammaye Kaanaan'' (1963) as Sukumaran Nair *''Ninamanija Kalpadukal ''(1963) as Thankamma's husband *''Kalpadukal ''(1962) *''Mudiyanaya Puthran ''(1961) as Vasu *''

'' (1958) *'' Bheeshma Parvam'' (2022) as Paily Anjoottikkaran (Paily Chettayi) (deceased) (photo presence)

Director

*''Periyar'' (1973)

Screenwriter

*''

Sheelavathi ''Sheelavathi'' is a 1967 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. B. Unni. The film stars Sathyan, K. R. Vijaya, P. J. Antony and Sankaradi in the lead roles. The film had musical score by G. Devarajan. Cast * Sathyan as Ugrathapassu * K. R. V ...

'' (1968) *

C.I.D. Nazir C.I.D. Nazir is a 1971 Indian Malayalam -language detective film, directed and produced by P. Venu. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Adoor Bhasi and Jose Prakash in the lead roles. The film was ...

(1971) * Rosie (1965)

Literary works

P. J. Antony has authored 30 short stories, 100 songs, 41 dramas, 2 autobiographies.

Short stories

*''Pukachurulukal'' *''Kalakavan'' *''Naludivasangal'' *''Ennayillaatha vilakku'' *''Chilampoli'' *''Thakarnna veena'' *''Aa moksham ningalkku venda''

Novels

*''Itha manushyan'' *''Orugramathinte Athmavu''

Poems

*''Prabhatha geetham''

Song collections

*''Onappattukal'' *''Thakarnna veena'' *''Prema sangheetham'' *''Keralam Unarunnu''

Memories

*''Ente nadaka smaranakal'' *''Natakame Ulakam''

References

External links

PJ Antony at MSI
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Antony, P. J. Best Actor National Film Award winners Indian male film actors Male actors from Kochi 1925 births Kerala State Film Award winners 1979 deaths Male actors in Malayalam cinema Filmfare Awards South winners Indian male dramatists and playwrights Indian male stage actors Malayalam film directors 20th-century Indian male actors 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights 20th-century Indian film directors Writers from Kochi Male actors in Malayalam theatre Film directors from Kochi 20th-century Indian short story writers 20th-century Indian novelists 20th-century Indian poets Poets from Kerala Indian lyricists Indian memoirists Malayalam screenwriters Military personnel from Kerala Screenwriters from Kochi Novelists from Kerala 20th-century Indian male writers 20th-century Indian screenwriters 20th-century memoirists