Kaliyattam (English: The Play of God) is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language tragedy film directed by Jayaraaj. It stars Suresh Gopi, Lal (in his acting debut), Manju Warrier, and Biju Menon.[1][2] The film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Othello,[3] set against the backdrop of the Theyyam performance of Kerala.[4][5][6][7] The film's screenplay is written by Balram Mattannur. Suresh Gopi plays Kannan Perumalayan, the equivalent to Othello. Lal plays Paniyan, the equivalent to Iago. Manju Warrier plays Thamara, the Desdemona version. And Biju Menon plays Kanthan, Cassio's role. Suresh Gopi's role as Kannan Perumalayan was critically acclaimed and it was considered one of his finest acting performances in his career.
Kaliyattam | |
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Malayalam | കളിയാട്ടം |
Directed by | Jayaraaj |
Screenplay by | Balram Mattannur |
Based on | William Shakespeare's Othello |
Produced by | K. Radhakrishnan |
Starring | Suresh Gopi Lal Manju Warrier Biju Menon |
Cinematography | M J Radhakrishnan |
Edited by |
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Music by | Kaithapram Rajamani (Film score) |
Production company | Jayalakshmi Films |
Distributed by | Surya Cine Arts |
Release date |
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Running time | 130 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
In 1998, Suresh Gopi received the National Film Award for Best Actor and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his critically acclaimed performance. Jayaraaj won the award for Best Director for his work on the film. The film was a critical and commercial success.[8][9]
This is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, revolving around Kannan Perumalayan (Suresh Gopi), a Theyyam artist who corresponds to Othello, and Thamara (Manju Warrier), the beautiful daughter of the village head. While Unni Thampuran hates Kannan because he had a crush on Thamara, and Paniyan, (Lal) who plays a Komali, covets the role of Theechamundi which Perumalayan holds. Paniyan plants the seeds of doubt about Thamara's fidelity in Kannan's mind, making him suspect that Thamara and his assistant Kanthan (Biju Menon) are having an affair. Kannan spots a silk robe which he had presented to Thamara in Kanthan's hands.
Kannan, out of grief and anger, takes Thamara's life by suffocating her with a pillow. On the same night, Paniyan plans to get Kanthan killed by Unni Thampuran, but the plan goes awry and Thamburan is killed. Amidst these events, Kannan is told of his mistake by Paniyan's wife Cheerma, before Paniyan murders her. Kannan overpowers Paniyan, crushing his legs with a stone, and allows him to live the rest of his life crippled. Kannan Perumalayan gives the Theechamundi role to Kanthan and commits suicide in the Theyyam ritual fire.
Kaliyattam | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | August 22, 1997 (1997-08-22)[10] | |||
Studio | Music City, Kozhikode[11] | |||
Genre | Film soundtrack | |||
Length | 36:32 | |||
Label | Johny Sagariga T-Series | |||
Kaithapram chronology | ||||
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The music and lyrics were composed and written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.
Track | Song | Playback | Raga |
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1 | "Vannathi Puzhayude" | K. J. Yesudas | Madhyamavathi[2] |
2 | "Velikku Veluppaankaalam" | K. J. Yesudas | Mohanam |
3 | "Ezhimalayolam" | Kaithapram | |
4 | "Sapamapa Magari" | Choir | |
5 | "Kathivanoor Veerane" | Kallara Gopan | Yamunakalyani |
6 | "Ennodenthinee Pinakkam" | Bhavana Radhakrishnan | Shahana |
7 | "Kathivanoor Veerane" | Sreeja | Yamunakalyani |
8 | "Ennodenthinee Pinakkam" | K. J. Yesudas | Shahana |
William Shakespeare's Othello | |
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Stage adaptations |
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Opera and ballet adaptations |
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Film adaptations |
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From Verdi |
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Paintings | |
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Story within a story |
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Films directed by Jayaraj | |
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