T. K. Rajeev Kumar

Thazhathupurakkal Karunakara Panicker Rajeev Kumar (born 20 September 1961) is a National Award-winning Indian director of Malayalam films, from Trivandrum. He is the winner of five Kerala State Film Awards for Best Film, Director, Story Writer & Script Writer, a show director, theatre actor and percussionist (Mridangam). He is a founding member and leader of the musical band Blue Birds in 1980 and Super Mimics, a comedy show in 1979. He is also the Kerala University winner of Mono Act in the University Youth Festivals 1980–1982 and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy winner for Mono Act 1979–1982.

Career

TK Rajeev Kumar was the chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy from 2003 to 2006. He was also the director of IFFK International Film Festival of Kerala from 2003 to 2006 and was the vice-chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy in 2002.'Interview with RajeevKumar'
/ref> He was nominated as jury chairman for Kerala State Film Awards 2007. He is a member of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).
He is a member, general council, of the Film & Television Institute, Pune (2003–2008). He was the founding artistic director of JTPac, Kochi (Jose Thomas Performing Art Centre), now the artistic director of Blue Mermaid Events, Kochi.
He has conceived and directed more than 40 international shows, four plays, 80 national cultural events and state pageantries.

He was the creative director for the 35th National Games of India 2015 held in Kerala, opening and closing ceremonies.

He conceived and directed ''Sentimental Celluloid'', the signature film for the 22nd International Film Festival (!FFK) 2017.

Early life

His only brother TK Sajeev Kumar, visual editor at Kerala Kaumudi and is the chief editor of flash movies published by Kerala Kaumudi group. Sajeev Kumar T.K has been re-appointed as Society for News Design regional director for Asia and South Pacific. He runs a website, www.newspaperdesign.in, about news designing in India and the neighboring countries.

He is closely related to the family of renowned Nadaswaram performers Ambalapuzha Brothers. His talents were identified early by Sri. Ramunni (lead actor of Aravindan's Kumatty), the younger brother of Ambalapuzha brothers. Sri. Ramunni took the initiative and he was made the disciple of Ghattom exponent Alleppey Prabhu; under him he started lessons on the percussion instrument mridangam at an early age. He continued his mridangam studies later with renowned percussionist Mavelikkara SR Raju in Trivandrum. During his college days in Government Arts College, Trivandrum, Professor Aliyar Kunju gave exposure to university youth festivals, theatre productions and film societies.
Advertising filmmaker Mathew Paul introduced him to Jijo and Jose of Navodaya films.
The former general manager of the State Bank of Travancore, Sri: Sreenivasan, gave him support to become a filmmaker.

Background

TK Rajeev Kumar was born on 20 September 1961 in the Thazhathupurrakal family, Thirunaekkara, Tekkumgopuram in Kottayam district, Kerala. His school education started from Baker Kindergarten School, Kottayam (1966–1970) and continued in MT seminary high school (1971–1972) followed by SDV School, Alleppey (1973–1975) and in MT seminary high school (1971–1972 and 1976), Kottayam. His college studies started at Government Arts College, Trivandrum (1976–1978) and he graduated from University College, Thiruvananthapuram (1978–1982). He was a student of Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram from 1982.

During his studies, he joined State Bank of Travancore, Kottyam Main Branch. He started his Malayalam film career as an assistant director with the Navodaya Production Company at the age of 19. He had his lessons from the filmmaker Jijo Punnose, son of Navodaya Appachan. He was lucky to associate with Jijo Punnose in the making of India's first 3D film, ''My dear Kuttichathan'' (My dear Chotta Chaetan).
He was associated with Regunath Paleri in his debut directorial venture ''Onnu Muthal Poogyam Varae'' produced by Navodaya Production Company. His debut film was '' Chanakyan'' which featured Kamal Haasan and Urmila Matondkar starring alongside Jayaram. After his debut film, he got associated with the making of ''Bible ke Khaniya'' (Stories from Bible) produced by Navodaya for Doordarshan in 1990–1993. He was signed by Kamalhassan to direct a period film in Tamil written by renowned writer Sujatha in 1990, which never took off due to budget constraints. While he was with State Bank Of Travancore, Sri. Sreenivasan, then general manager, supported his cultural inclinations and special permissions were given to him for directing his debut film ''Chanakyan''. The bank authorities were supportive but the rules never permitted them to protect Rajeev's services in the bank. He left State Bank of Travancore, when he was associated with SBT Zonal Office, Trivandrum in early nineties.

Filmography

Feature films

Short films

* 1994. Advertisement for Colombo Umbrellas, 30 seconds
* 1995: Awareness spot – ''Zoo Watch'', 1 minute
* 1998: Documentary – ''Green City, Clean City'', 20 minutes for Trivandrum Corporation
* 1999: Documentary – ''Flavours of Kerala'', 23 minutes, video documentary in English on cuisines of Kerala
* 1999: Corporate film – Astamudi Resorts
* 2000: Advertisement – Astamudi Resorts
* 2000: Short film – ''A Cot to Gain or a Tree to Lose'', 10 minutes, Malayalam
* 2003: Advertisement for Milma, 1 minute, Malayalam
* 2004: Road show – 'Palathully' for Malayala Manorama
* 2004: Corporate film – Malayala Manorama 'Palathully', 20 minutes, Malayalam and English
* 2004: Advertisement – Malayala Manorama 'PALATHULLY' ( rain harvesting), 30 seconds, Malayalam
* 2005: Channel's signature film – Amrita Television, 4 minutes
* 2006 – Corporate film for Malayala Manorama, presented at the IPDC-UNESCO Prize for Rural Communication, 10 minutes
* 2007 – Corporate film for Malatala Manorama
* 2008 – Birth of a News Paper for Malayala Manorama
* 2009 – ''Anuyatra'' – a short film on the late Professor Anandakuttan
* 2009 – JT Performing Art Centre Presentation film
* 2009 – Traffic Awareness film for Malayala Manorama
* 2009 – Choice Marina presentation film
* 2010 – Nadaswara Exponents Ambalapuzha Brothers Website Launch
* 2011 – Kerala Lottery Onam Bumper Advertisement
* 2014 – ''Ponnayiram –'' a documentary film based on the 1000 days celebration of Kerala Government
* 2014 – ''Out of the Box'' – a spot film for Kerala Chief Minister's Facebook page
* 2015 – ''Choice School –'' a musical album
* 2016 – UDF 5th year, a documentary film based on the 5th year celebration of Kerala Government
* 2017 – ''Raag Manirang'' – documentary on Neyyattinkara Vasudevan for Prd, Government of Kerala.
*2017 - Conceived and directed Sentimental Celluloid, the signature film for the 22nd International Film Festival (!FFK) 2017
* 2018 – Advertisement for the LDF Government's 3rd year
*2018 - Artistic Director - Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters ( MBIFL ) 2018, 19 & 20
* 2020 – Advertisement for Life Mission, Government of Kerala
* 2020 – ''Unmediated'' – Documentary on Sashi Kumar, media person for Media Academy, Government of Kerala.
*2021 - NAVA KERALA GEETHANJALI - Music video on the Swearing Ceremony of Kerala State Government.
* 2022 - Music Album - Tribute to World Cup Football, Qatar ft. Mohanlal

Stage shows

* ''Star Night'' led by Bhanu Priya & Super Mimics, stage show across U.A.E., 1990
* ''Mohanlal and the Magic Lamp'', stage show across U.A.E., 1995
* ''Show '95'' organised by the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), staged at Trivandrum, Cochin and Calicut.
* The stage show in connection with the Miss World Competition held in Bangalore in November 1996 (co-directed with Priyadarshan).
* ''Arabian Dreams'', stage show that travelled across the Middle East starring Suresh Gopi and other Malayalam stars, 1997
* ''Utsav'', stage show that travelled across USA, starring Mohan Lal, Shobana and other stars, 2000
* ''Yesudas'', musical evening, Dubai, 2000
* ''Samskara'', mega cultural show held in connection with the inauguration of the Kerala Travel Mart at Kochi, 2000
* ''A Fairy Tale'', stage show that travelled across the Middle East starring top Malayalam stars, 2001
* Inaugural ceremony – ''Bhava Rasa'' – Global Investors' Meet, Cochin, 2003
* Gandharva Sandhya musical events as a tribute to Sri. Yesudas
* Asianet Film Award function from 2000 to 2004
* State Film Awards & Television Awards function – 2000–2004
* Conceived and directed 75 Years of Malayalam Film Music Mega Event 2005
* ''Kathayattom'', stage show in connection with 100 years of Malayalam novels with Mohanlal for Malayala Manorama 2003–2005
* Amrita Television channel launch 2005
* Velli Thiramala, a musical event at Dubai for Malayala Manorama 2006
* Bhavayami, a musical event at Dubai for Malayala Manorama 2007
* Jai Hind Television launch 2007
* Pranayapoorvam, a musical event at Dubai for Malayala Manorama 2008
* ''Bheemam'', play based on MT Vasudevan Nair's Randamoozham 2009
* ''Anuyatra'', music album launch, 2009
* ''Lal Saalam'' – 30 years of Mohanlal – musical travelogue, Dubai
* Nannipoorvam Mohanlal, Trivandrum
* Sree Ragam, felicitating MG Sreekumar, Dubai, 2010
* Chitra Pournami, 25 years of K. S. Chitra's singing career, Trivandrum 2011
* Swarna Kamalam 2010 – felicitating Kamal Haasan, Government of Kerala
* Onam Pagentary 2010
* Chitra Pournami 2011 – celebration on completion of famous singer K. S. Chitra's 30 years of musical career.
* Dhanti TV 2013 – celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema, Dubai
* Mazhavil Azhakil Amma 2013 – celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema, Sharjah, U..A.E, and Kochi
* Kerala Film Producer's Association & Matrix Media Pearl Awards 2013 – celebrating 80 years of Malayalam cinema, Doha
* Excellence Awards 2013 – Kerala Cricket Association, Calicut
* Closing ceremony of International Film Festival of Kerala 2013
*35th National Games of India, opening and closing ceremonies, "Bhava Rasa & Rivers of India", 2015
* Credai, Trivandrum – event Vayali Bamboo Music
* Conceived and directed ''Nadanam Venu Layam'', celebrating 40 years of Nedumudi Venu's acting career
* ''Pancha Bhootha'', show by AMMA for Asianet 2018 at Abu Dhabi
* ''Deva Bhoomika'', a choreographed show lead by Asha Sharreth, 2019
* ''Mohanlalum Koottukaarum'', event in Dubai for Janmabhoomi 2019
* ''Lalonam'', Asianet Onam event 2020
* Nava Kerala Geethanjali, Kerala Government swearing-in ceremony 2021

Awards

Kerala University Youth Festival award for Best Monact performer – 1978–1980

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy award for Best Monoact Performance – 1980

All India One Act play, Pune 1981, Best Actor

*''Chanakyan''
** Kerala Film Critics Award for the Debut Director 1989
** Filmfare for Best Malayalam Film
** Filmfans Award for Best Director

''Pavithram''
*Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Mohanlal
*Film Fans award for Best Film

''Kannuyezhuthi Pottum Thottu''
* National Film Award – Best Actress Manju Warrier (special Jury Award)
''Jalamarmaram''
*National Award for Best Environmental Film 2000
*National Award for Best Child Artiste – Ashwin 2000
*Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film 2000
*Kerala State Film Awards 2000 Best Screenplay award shared with B. Unnikrishnan
*Gulf Malayalee Best Film Award 2000
*Selected to the Milan Festival (MIFF 2000), Cairo Festival 2000, Euro-Shorts 2000, Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival (2001), Toronto Environmental Film Festival (2001) and Cornell Environmental Film Festival (2001)
''Shesham''
*Kerala State Film Award for Best Film 2001Best film Award for Shesham
/ref>
*Kerala State Film Award for Best Story 2001
*Kerala State Film Award for Best Editing and Sound Recording 2001
*Santharam Award for the Best Film and Director 2001
*Kerala Film Critics Award for the Best Film. Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Sound Recording. 2001
*Padmarajan Puraskaram for the Best Film & Director 2001 & Asianet Awards for the Best Screenplay 2001–2002
*Mathrubhoomi Award for Best Film 2001
*Cinema Express Award for Best Film 2001 – 2002
''Kolaambi''
* Official Entry to Indian Panorama, International Film Festival of India 2019, Goa,
* National Award winner for Best Lyric Writer 2020
* State Award Winner for Best Female Playback Singer 2020

''Palathully'', a short film on rain harvesting for Malayala Manorama won the UN International Award for the Best film for Campaign.

References

Sources

http://mathrubhuminews.in/ee/Programs/Episode/13745/songs-from-t-k-rajeev-kumars-movies-chakkarapanthal-ep-102/E
www.yentha.com/.../interview-of-the-week-t-k-rajeev-kumar–forever-in-
www.sify.com/movies/malayalam/interview.php?id=6005465&cid.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvs4raT_cbM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qXUbyim8EM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqTzDkavgK
Kerala Lottery Onam Bumper - T K Rajeev Kumar

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajeev
21st-century Indian film directors
Malayalam film directors
Film directors from Kerala
Kerala State Film Award winners
Living people
Malayali people
1961 births
20th-century Indian film directors
Tamil film producers
Telugu film producers
Hindi-language film directors
People from Kottayam district
Malayalam film producers
Malayalam screenwriters
Directors who won the Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation National Film Award