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Malayalam cinema

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Link titleMalayalam cinema means movies, film art and industry in Malayalam language.

During the past half century, Malayalam cinema has accomplished a stature of its own in Indian cinema.

The first Malayalam movie was a silent movie named Vigathakumaran, produced and directed by a businessman, J. C. Daniel, who didn't had any prior film experience. This was made in 1928, thought it was never released to the public. But it is notable that while mythological films ruled all over the Indian cinema arena, J. C. Daniel had the courage to produce the first ever Malayalam film with a social theme. The second film, which was released in 1933, was Marthanda Varma, based on the novel by C. V. Raman Pillai.

It was in 1938, the first talking movie, Balan was released. Nirmala (1948) produced and directed by Artist P. J. Cherian explored the possibility of music and songs in cinema, and was the first movie to be produced by a Malayali. The poet, G. Shankara Kurup penned the lyrics for this film. Thus song and dance sequences became an essential ingredient for commercial success in Malayalam cinema. Until 1947, when Udaya studio was established, Malayalam movies were shot and processed in Madras, in neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.

In 1954, Neelakkuyil won president's national award. Since then, Malayalam cinema and its artists bagged scores of national awards almost every year. It created many internationally acclaimed artists and directors as well. Some of the renowned directors are enlisted below:


Actors