SATHYAN ,PIONEER ACTOR OF MALAYALAM CINEMA BORN 1912 NOVEMBER 9

SATHYAN ,PIONEER ACTOR OF MALAYALAM CINEMA BORN 1912 NOVEMBER 9

Sathyan (born Manuel Sathyaneshan Nadar on 9 November 1912 – 15 June 1971), was an Indian film actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema. Widely considered as one of the greatest actors in India, he is also regarded as the toughest actor in the Malayalam film industry personally and professionally, and respectfully called as 'Sathyan Master' by everyone.
Personal life[edit source]

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Sathyan was born into a Christian C.S.I. Nadar family in Thrikkannapuram near Thiruvananthapuram in Southern Travancore on 9 November 1912 as the second child of Cheruvilakathu Veettil Manuel and Emily. He has five siblings named Late Kunjamma, Chellayya, Neshan, Devadas and Jacob. Sathyan passed the Vidwan exam, equivalent to Master of Arts before joining Saint Joseph's School, Trivandrum as a teacher. After some time, he got job as a clerk in the Kerala Secretariat and worked there for about a year. He joined the army in 1941 and got posted as a Commissioned Officer of the Viceroy of India. He served the British army in Manipur, Burma (now Myanmar) and British Malaya (now Malaysia) during the World War II period. After finishing his term in the army, he returned home and joined the then Travancore State Police as a police inspector. During the communist riots in 1947–1948, Sathyan was the inspector at Alappuzha North Police Station.

Sathyan was married to Jessy. They have three sons named Prakash, Satheesh and Jeevan. Daughter-in-law, Annamma Jeevan, and the only Grand Daughter, Asha Jeevan Sathyan.

Though he was a very tough and serious man, he always helped others in difficult situations. His good heart, courage, punctuality and dedication was praised by many film contemporaries.

Entry to films[edit source]

WITH B.S.SAROJA

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Sathyan's entry into the field of acting started during his tenure as the police officer. At that time he acted in several amateur plays and that experience made him more interested in acting. His entry to film industry was accidental. He got introduced to a film musician Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar during his tenure as Inspector in Alappuzha North Police Station. The musician introduced Sathyan to various film personalities and one producer promised to cast him in a film; however, Sathyan did not get any calls from the producer. Sathyan came to know about a film that Kaumudi Chief Editor K. Balakrishnan was planning. He met Balakrishnan and the latter was impressed by Sathyan. Balakrishnan cast him as the protagonist in the film written and produced by him, titled Thyagaseema. Sathyan resigned from his job with the police to concentrate in acting and shortened his name to Sathyan from Sathyaneshan . However, the film was never released. That was in 1951.

Film career[edit source]
Rise to stardom[edit source]

In 1952, Sathyan' first film got released. The film was titled Athmasakhi and it earned him recognition in the industry.[1] Sathyan rose to fame with the legendary Neelakkuyil (1954). The film was also a milestone in Malayalam film history. It was the first film to have an authentic Malayalam story.[2] The film was written by renowned literary figure Uroob and directed by Ramu Karyat-P. Bhaskaran duo. The songs in the film written by P. Bhaskaran and set to tunes by K. Raghavan were superhits. The film became the first Malayalam film to win national recognition when it was awarded the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus Award). The film's success at the box office raised Sathyan and his co-star Miss Kumari to stardom.[2]

Peak time[edit source]

Sathyan's career was influenced by great directors like K. S. Sethumadhavan, P. Venu, A. Vincent and Ramu Karyat. Sathyan's roles in various films directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan like Pappu in Odayil Ninnu, Jayarajan in Daham, Prof. Sreeni in Yakshi (first psychological thriller in Malayalam) and the pratogonist in Vazhve Mayam were well appreciated.Sathyan's other major performances include those in Udhyogastha, Snehaseema, Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu, Veettu Mrugam, Mudiyanaya Puthran, Bharya, Shakuntala, Kayamkulam Kochunni, Adimakal and Karakanakadal. His famous title character 'Othenan' in the film Thacholi Othenan became highly popular among the masses. His role in Chemmeen, the poignant love story set against the background of the coast of Alappuzha did not win him the best actor award for the year, but is one of the most popular roles of his career. He acted in over 150 Malayalam films and two Tamil films.

Sathyan won the first Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1969 for the double role in Kadalpalam.

Final films[edit source]
Vazhve Mayam, Anubhavangal Paalichakal, Karakanakadal which won high critical acclaim were among his final films. Other releases were Bhikara Nimishankal, Aranazhikaneram and Oru Penninte Katha (as Madhavan Thambi).Sathyan died before completing the movie 'Anubhavangal Paalichakal'.It is said that, the expressions of Sathyan in the song 'Pravaachankanmare' in that movie is real because of the pain he suffered in real life.It is also said that, the final scenes of Sathyan in the movie are made with a dupe and the crying scene of Sheela in the climax is real because of the departure of Sathyan in real life. He was posthumously awarded the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1971 for his performance in Karakanakadal.Mammootty and Suresh Gopi debuted in film as child artists in Sathyan's movies. Mammootty in Anubhavangal Paalichakal and Suresh Gopi in Odayil Ninnu.

Death[edit source]
Sathyan died of leukemia after fighting it for a year and four months on 15 June 1971 at Madras. He was aged 59 at the time of his death. His body was taken back to his native place Thiruvananthapuram, and was buried with full state honours. Thousands attended his funeral. His wife outlived him for 16 years, dying in 1987. His eldest son Prakash Sathyan died on Vishu day in 2014.

Accolades and legacy[edit source]

Sathyan as Sreeni in the film Yakshi
Sathyan was a prominent actor to be considered as a superstar in Malayalam film industry after Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair.[3] During the late 1950s and the whole of the 1960s, he and Prem Nazir formed a bipolar industry with a considerable number of films starring at least one of them.[4] He won the inaugural Kerala State Film Award for best actor in 1969 & again posthumously in 1971.There is a Sathyan Memorial Art Gallery in Thiruvananthapuram.

Awards and recognition[edit source]
Kerala State Film Awards:[5]

1969: Best Actor - Kadalpalam (First State Award receiver)
1971: Best Actor - Karakanakkadal
Film Film Awards:

1969: Adimakal
Popular roles[edit source]
Below are a few of the most popular & critically praised characters played by Sathyan:[6]

Neelakuyil (1954) - Sreedharan Nair
Thacholi Othenan (1964) - Othenan
Odayil Ninnu (1965) - Pappu
Chemmeen (1965) - Palani
Yakshi (1968) - Sreeni
Kadalpalam (1969) - Double Role
Mooladhanam (1969) - multistarrer with Nazeer
Vazhve Mayam (1970) - Sudhi
Karinizhal (1970) - Colonel
Anubhavangal Paalichakal (1971) - Chellappan
Karakanakadal (1971) - posthumous state award winner
Memorials[edit source]
Awards established in his name[edit source]
Sathyan National Film Award (Sathyan Foundation): An award instituted by the "Sathyan Foundation" a charitable organization formed with the basic objective of perpectuating the memory of veteran actor Sathyan by his children. The prestigious "Sathyan National Film Award" is presented annually to an eminent personality of Indian cinema. Memento, certificate and 25000rs/- are given as award for the awardees.

Filmography[edit source]

Thenaruvi (1973) - Posthumous film
Lakshyam (1972)
Akkarapacha (1972)
Agnimrugam (1971) -guest role
Kuttyedathi (1971) .... Appunni
Thettu (1971).... Johny
Sarasayya (1971).... Dr. Thomas
Anubhavangal Paalichakal(1971).... Chellappan
Panchavankaadu (1971)...Ananda Kurup
Moonnupookkal (1971)
Shiksha (1971).... Surendran
CID In Jungle (1971)
Karakaanaakkadal (1971)
Oru Penninte Kadha (1971)
Karinizhal (1971)
Vimochanasamaram (1971)
Kalithozhi (1971)
Kurukshethram (1970)
Sthree (1970)
Aranaazhikaneram (1970).... Mathukkutty
Nishaagandhi (1970)
Ammayenna Sthree (1970)
Dathuputhran (1970)...Kunjachan
Bheekara Nimishangal (1970)..... Mancheri Raghavan
Cross Belt (1970).... Rajasekharan Nair
Othenante Makan (1970)... Othenan Kurup
Ningalenne Communistaakki (1970)...Paramu Pilla
Thriveni (1970)
Kalpana (1970)
Kuttavaali (1970) .... Kedi Krishnan
Thaara (1970).... Balakrishna Pilla
Nilakkaatha Chalanangal (1970)
Vazhve Mayam (1970) .... Sudhindharan Nair
Vivaahitha (1970).... Ashok
Veettu Mrugam (1969)
Sandhya (1969)
Kadalppaalam (1969)...Narayana Kaimal, Raghu (double role)
Urangatha Sundari (1969) .... Vikraman Kartha
Adimakal (1969) .... Appukuttan
Velliyaazhcha (1969).... Ravi
Mooladhanam (1969).... Ravi
Chattambikkavala (1969)

Koottukudumbam (1969)
Kaattukurangu (1969)
Vilakkappetta Bandhangal (1969)
Kuruthikkalam (1969)
Aparaadhini (1968)
Manaswini (1968)
Agnipareeksha (1968) .... Dr.Mohan
Yakshi (1968)...Sreenivasan
Velutha Kathreena (1968) .... Chellappan
Thokkukal Kadha Parayunnu (1968)
Kaliyalla Kalyaanam (1968)
Pengal (1968)
Vazhi Pizhacha Santhathi (1968)
Midumidukki (1968)
Kaarthika (1968).... Kunju
Sahadharmini (1967)
Thalirukal (1967)
Khadeeja (1967)
Mainatharuvi Kolakkes (1967)
N. G. O. (1967)
Swapnabhoomi (1967)
Kaavaalam Chundan (1967)
Sheelaavathi (1967)
Anweshichu Kandethiyilla (1967)
Udhyogastha (1967)
Postman (1967)
Ollathumathi (1967)
Chekuthaante Kotta (1967)
Naadan Pennu (1967)
Ashwamedham (1967)..... Thomas
Kudumbam (1967)
Pavappettaval (1967) .... Gopi

Arakkillam (1967)
Rowdy (1966)
Anarkali (1966)..... Akbar
Thilothama (1966)
Tharavaattamma (1966).... Gopi
Station Master (1966)
Kallippennu (1966)
Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966)...Kochunni
Pakalkkinaavu (1966)
Jail (1966)
Koottukaar (1966)
Thommante Makkal (1965)
Chemmeen (1965) .... Palani
Shakunthala (1965)
Daaham (1965) .... Jayaraj
Kadathukaaran (1965)...Ramu
Inapraavukal (1965)
Shyaamala Chechi (1965)
Devatha (1965)
Odayil Ninnu (1965) .... Pappu
Chettathi (1965) .... Premachandran
Kaattuthulasi (1965)
Ammu (1965)
Aadyakiranangal (1964).... Kunjukutty
Aayisha (1964)
Omanakkuttan (1964)

Manavaatti (1964)
Anna (Old) (1964)
Thacholi Othenan (1964)...Thacholi Othenan
Kalanjukittiya Thankam (1964).... Sugathan
Pazhassiraaja (1964)
Check Post (1974)
Aashaachakram (1973)
Rebecca (1963)
Nithyakanyaka (1963)
Doctor (1963) .... Rajendran
Ammaye Kaanaan (1963) .... Chandran
Moodupadam (1963)
Kadalamma (1963)
Baalya Prathijna (Purusharathnam) (1972)
Akkarappacha (1972)
Kalippaava (1972)
Paalaattu Koman (Konkiyamma) (1962)
Bhaagyajaathakam (1962)
Laila Majnu (1962)
Vidhi Thanna Vilakku (1962)
Sreekovil (1962)
Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi (1962) .... Sukumaran
Kannum Karalum (1962)
Viyarppinte Vila (1962)
Bhaarya (1962)
Krishnakuchela (1961)
Arappavan (1961).... Vettukaaran Ramu

Mudiyanaya Puthran (1961).... Rajasekharan Pilla
Unniyarcha (1961)...Aromal Chekavar
Minnalppadayaali (1959)
Chathurangam (1959)
Nairu Pidicha Pulivaalu (1958)..... Chandran
Lilly (1958)
Minnunnathellaam Ponnalla (1957)
Achanum Makanum (1957)
Thaskaraveeran (1957)
Deva Sundari (1957)
Avar Unarunnoo (1956)
Kaalam Maarunnu (1955)
Neelakkuyil (1954)..... Sreedharan Nair
Snehaseema (1954).... Johny
Aashadeepam (1953)
Lokaneethi (1953)
Thiramaala (1953)
Aathmasakhi (1952)

Thyaagaseema (1951) (unreleased film)