Bharathan

Bharathan Parameshwara Menon Palissery (14 November 1946 – 30 July 1998) Known mononymously Bharathan was an Indian film maker, artist, and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan and K. G. George, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely received while also being critically acclaimed. A train of directors, and screenwriters followed this school onto the 1990s including Sibi Malayil, Kamal, Lohithadas and Jayaraj.

Early life

He was born at Enkakkad near Wadakkancherry, in present-day Thrissur district of Kerala, India to Parameshwara Menon Palissery and Karthiyayini Amma

Career

Art direction

After completing his diploma from the College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, Bharathan entered films as an art director through the Malayalam film ''Gandharavakshetram'' (1972), directed by A. Vincent, which also happened to be one of the first films where actor Thilakan played a noticeable role. He was inspired by his uncle P. N. Menon, an established director. After working as an art director and assistant director in a few films, he made his directorial debut in 1975 with '' Prayanam'', which was based on Padmarajan's script. It also marked the rise of two early proponents of middle-stream Malayalam cinema.

Film direction

Bharathan directed over 40 films in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu. Starting his career in 1975 with Prayanam, Bharathan rode to fame with his off-beat Thakara, a film about a dumb-witted central character who falls in love with the village beauty. Some of his other memorable films include '' Rathinirvedam'', ''Chamaram'', ''Paalangal'', ''Amaram'', and '' Vaishali''.

His association with Padmarajan led to films including ''Rathi Nirvedam'' and ''Thakara''. '' Rathi Nirvedam'' was a treatment of teenage sexual angst. In ''Thakara'', he deals with the life and longings of an intellectually disabled youth and his association with society.

In the early 1980s, he made several notable movies like '' Chamaram'', '' Marmaram'', ''Paalangal'', '' Ormakkayi'', ''Kattathe Kilikkoodu'', '' Kathodu Kathoram'', and many more. They did well in theatres and set the trend for meaningful mainstream cinema. Other noted directors followed suit. It was the romantic era of Malayalam cinema.

Not all of Bharathan's films skirted with bold themes and controversy. In ''Oru Minnaaminunginte Nurunguvettam'' (1987), he tells the poignant story of a childless couple in their post-retirement life. It deals with the isolation and loneliness that come with old age. The film was a departure from Bharathan's usual style and proved to be a major commercial hit while garnering critical acclaim, too.

His ''Vaisali'' (1988) is widely regarded as a modern-day masterpiece in Malayalam cinema. Scripted by the iconic Malayalam novelist M. T. Vasudevan Nair, it was an adaptation of a sub-story told in the epic Mahabharata. Another movie born from their association was '' Thazhvaram''. The subject was revenge, a theme quite uncharacteristic of Bharathan movies. The style was inspired by classic Westerns with a brooding, reticent central character and expansive shots of barren landscape. Another movie was Amaram, which was written by A. K. Lohithadas and starred Mammootty, which was a milestone movie of the Malayalam movie of the 1990s.

Even though he was not known to cater to the star-centric system, Bharathan was instrumental in bringing together the two screen icons of Tamil cinema Sivaji Ganesan and Kamal Haasan in the Tamil film Thevar Magan, written by Kamal Haasan, which won critical acclaim and became an Industry Hit in Tamil cinema. Sivaji gave an uncharacteristically restrained yet brilliant performance. The movie won several National Awards and was remade into many regional languages (most notably '' Virasat'' in Hindi).

His more experimental films include ''Aaravam'', more an arthouse than a commercial venture, and ''Nidra'', about the plight of a woman who is in love with a mentally deranged man. His film ''Nidra'' was remade by his son, film director Sidharth Bharathan. ''Rathinirvedam'', originally directed by Bharathan, which was a noted film, was also remade by another famous director, T. K. Rajeev Kumar, with Swetha Menon in the lead.

Apart from film direction, he also wrote lyrics and tuned songs for his films. (e.g., lyrics for "Thaaram Valkannadi Nokki" in ''Keli'' and "Tharum Thalirum Mizhipootti" in ''Chilambu'' or title song for ''Kathodu Kathoram''). He collaborated with writer P. R. Nathan in ''Keli''.

Filmmaking style

Bharathan's films were known for their realistic portrayal of rural life in Kerala. Melodrama and escapism, often integral parts of mainstream cinema in India, were usually absent in his films. He also managed to steer clear of the "star-centric" culture prevalent in Indian cinema throughout his career. His later films did involve major movie stars, but usually without compromising on plot or narrative. Bharathan, along with Padmarajan and K. G. George, were largely responsible for introducing a counterculture of meaningful mainstream cinema, which often tread the middle path between arthouse and commercial cinema. This movement was often called the "middle of the road cinema." Bharathan's films were known for their visually appealing shot compositions. His background as a painter enabled him to create frames that were often credited for their visual beauty. Natural props and nature itself often became important characters in his films (like the railway track in ''Palangal'' or the sea in ''Amaram''). Bharathan is one of the few Indian directors known to use an elaborate storyboard system for filming. He also often designed the posters for his films.

Several of his early films were known for their bold portrayal of sexual themes. His films often defied social conventions and norms about man-woman relationships. '' Rathinirvedam'' was the sexual-coming-of-age story of the relationship between a teenager and an older woman, while '' Chamaram'' dealt with the tumultuous affair between a student and his college lecturer. In ''Kattathe Kilikkoodu'', an elderly, married professor falls for his student. '' Kaathodu Kaathoram'' was about the social ostracism of a woman who has an adulterous relationship.

The latter half of Bharathan's career saw a distinct change in filmmaking style characterised by a wider canvas, more attention to detail, and a more distinct focus on narrative style (e.g., '' Vaishali'', ''Amaram'', '' Thaazhvaaram'', and ''Thevar Magan''). Some critics argue that this quest for technical excellence was at the expense of the quality of thematic content. Films like '' Vaishali'' and ''Amaram'' (where he collaborated with acclaimed cinematographer Madhu Ambat) set a new benchmark for cinematographic excellence in Malayalam and Indian Cinema. '' Thaazhvaaram'' was stylistically inspired by classic Hollywood Westerns, though the theme and backdrop were distinctly original.

His last few films ('' Devaraagam'', ''Churam'' and ''Priyuralu'') were received moderately by critics.

Death

Bharatan died at a private hospital in Chennai on 30 July 1998 at the age of 52 following prolonged illness. His last film was ''Churam'', which released a year before his death. His mortal remains were brought back to his ancestral home at Wadakkancherry and cremated with full state honours.

Personal life

Bharathan was married to theatre and film actress K. P. A. C. Lalitha with whom he associated in a lot of films before and after marriage. They had two children - Sreekutty, a former child actress, and Sidharth Bharathan, a film actor and director.

Filmography

Awards

National Film Awards

* 1992: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil ''Thevar Magan''

Filmfare Awards South

* 1979: Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam '' Thakara''
* 1980: Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam '' Chamaram''
* 1984: Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam '' Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove''

Kerala State Film Awards

In Popular Culture

KB Venu portrayed Bharathan in 2025 Malayalam movie Rekhachithram directed by Jofin T Chacko

References

External links

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* :ml:ഭരതന്‍ (ചലച്ചിത്ര സംവിധായകന്‍)

Festschrift by ''Mathrubhumi''
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bharathan
Tamil film directors
1946 births
1998 deaths
Film directors from Thrissur
Malayalam film directors
Kerala State Film Award winners
People from Thrissur district
Filmfare Awards South winners
Film people from Kerala
Indian art directors
20th-century Indian designers
Screenwriters from Kerala
Film musicians from Kerala
20th-century Indian screenwriters
Male actors from Thrissur
Telugu film directors