SATYAN ,MALAYALAM ACTOR BORN 1912 NOVEMBER 9 - 1971 JUNE 15

SATYAN ,MALAYALAM ACTOR 

BORN 1912 NOVEMBER 9 - 1971 JUNE 15

மலையாளத் திரையுலகில் தனி முத்திரை பதித்த மாபெரும் நடிகர்களுள் ஒருவர். அலட்டல், ஆர்ப்பாட்டமில்லாத, சினிமாத்தனமில்லாத, யதார்த்த நடிப்பிற்குப் பெயர் பெற்றவர் சத்யன். இவருக்கு நிகர் இவர் மட்டுமே. தமிழ்த்திரையுலகிற்கு ஒரு நடிகர் திலகம் சிவாஜிகணேசன் என்றால் மலையாளத் திரையுலகிற்கொரு நடிகர் திலகம் சத்யன். இவர் நடித்த சில படங்கள் தமிழில் தழுவி எடுக்கப்பட்ட போது தமிழில் நடிகர் திலகம் மிகையான நடிப்பை வெளிப்படுத்துகிறார் என்ற குற்றச்சாட்டுக்கள் எழுந்ததுண்டு. உதாரணமாக ‘பாபு’ படத்தை சொல்லலாம். சத்யன் மலையாளத்தில் ஏழைக் கதாபாத்திரத்தில் வருகிறாரென்றால் படம் முழுக்க முதலில் பாவித்த கிழிந்த சட்டையையும் லுங்கியையுமே படம் முழுக்க பாவிப்பார். பீடியைப் பற்ற வைத்தாரென்றால் படம் முழுக்க பீடியைத் தான் புகைப்பார். [அது மலையாளப் படங்களுக்கேயுரியது என்றாலும்] ஆனால் தமிழ்ப் படத்திலோ சில மாற்றங்கள் இருக்கும். இதனால்தான் மலையாளத்தில் யதார்த்த நடிப்பில் இவர் புகழடைந்தார். இவரும் வெகு இலகுவாக திரையுலகில் நுழைந்துவிடவில்லை. அவரது ஆரம்ப காலம் சவாலாகவே இருந்துள்ளது.

முதலில் ஆசிரியர் பணி. இரண்டாவது கேரளத் தலைமைச் செயலகத்தில் ஒரு வருடப்பணி. மூன்றாவது இந்திய ராணுவத்தில் பணி. அதன்பின் ஆலப்புழாவில் போலீஸ்காரர் பணி. இங்கு இவர் காவலராக இருக்கும்போது இவர் நாடார் போலீஸ் என்றே அழைக்கப்பட்டார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. போலீஸாக இருக்கும்போதே நாடகங்களில் நடிக்கத்துவங்கினார். அதன்பின்னர் திரைப்படங்களில் நடிக்க வாய்ப்பு தேடி அலைந்தார். பலர் புறக்கணித்தனர். இருந்தாலும் மனம் தளராமல் தொடர்ந்தும் வாய்ப்புத் தேடினார். அச்சமயம் கே.பாலகிருஷ்ணன் என்ற தயாரிப்பாளர் 1951-இல் ‘தியாகபூமி’ என்ற படத்தில் இவருக்கு வாய்ப்பு வழங்கினார். ஆனால் அப்படம் வெளிவரவில்லை. அப்போதே போலீஸ் பணியைத் துறந்தார். 1952-இல் ‘ஆத்ம ஷகி’ என்ற படமே சத்யன் நடிப்பில் முதன்முதலாக வெளியாகி பெரும் வெற்றி பெற்றது. என்றாலும் சத்யனுக்குத் திரையுலகில் ஒரு புதிய வழியை ஏற்படுத்திக் கொடுத்த படம் 1954-இல் வெளிவந்த ‘நீலக்குயில்’ என்ற படம். மலையாளத் திரையுலகில் இப்படம் ஒரு புதிய வரலாற்றையே படைத்தது. இப்படத்தை இயக்கியது ‘ராமு காரியாட்’- பாடல்கள் பி.பாஸ்கரன் சங்கீதம் கே.ராகவன் என்பவர்.

இவர்களின் கூட்டணியில் இப்படத்தின் பாடல்கள் மிகவும் பிரபலமாயின. கேரள அரசின் ”ரஜதா கமலம்” என்ற விருதை முதல் முதலாகப் பெற்றது ‘நீலக்குயில்’ படமே. இப்படத்தின் மாபெரும் வெற்றி சத்யனுக்கு மட்டுமல்லாது இவருடன் கதாநாயகியாக நடித்த ‘மிஸ்.குமாரி’-க்கும் மிகப்பெரிய இடத்தைத் தேடிக்கொடுத்தது.

இதைத் தொடர்ந்து பல பிரபல இயக்குநர்களின் படங்களில் நடித்தார். அவர்களில் குறிப்பிடத்தக்கவர்கள் கே.எஸ்.சேதுமாதவன், ஏ.வின்செண்ட், ராமு கார்யாட் முதலியோர். கே.எஸ்.சேதுமாதவன் இயக்கத்தில் சத்யன் நடித்த படங்கள் அக்காலத்தில் கேரள ரசிகர்களிடையே மிகப் பிரபலமடைந்தது. ஓடையில் நிந்நு என்ற படத்தில் ‘பப்பு’, தாகம் என்ற படத்தில் ‘ஜெயராஜன்’, யக்ஷி என்ற படத்தில் ‘புரொஃபஸர் ஸ்ரீனி’, போன்ற படங்கள் சத்யனின் திரையுலக வாழ்வில் திருப்பங்களை ஏற்படுத்திய கதாபாத்திரங்கள்.

சத்யனுக்கு மிகப்பெரிய புகழைத் தேடிக்கொடுத்த மேலும் சில படங்கள் ஸ்நேகசீமா, நாயர் பிடிச்ச புலிவால், பார்யா, முடியான புத்ரன், சகுந்தலா, அடிமைகள், காயங்குளம் கொச்சுண்ணி, கர காணாக்கடல் என்பவை. ’செம்மீன்’ என்ற படத்தில் இவரது வேடம் சத்யனின் திரையுலக வாழ்வில் ஒரு மைல் கல்லாக அமைந்தது.

Sathyan (born Cheruvilakathu Veettil Manuel Sathyaneshan Nadar; 9 November 1912 – 15 June 1971) was an Indian film actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema. Noted for his natural style and versatility, Sathyan won two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor. He was also popularly referred to as Sathyan Master.

Sathyan served as an officer in the British Indian Army during World War II. After the war, he joined the Travancore State Police as an inspector in the late-1940s. During this time he got interested in acting and acted in amateur stage plays. Sathyan made his acting debut in the 1952 film Athmasakhi. He rose to stardom with the critical and commercial success of Neelakkuyil (1954). Sathyan dominated the industry throughout the 1950s and 1960s along with Prem Nazir. He's remembered for his performances in Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu (1958), Bhagyajathakam (1962), Thacholi Othenan (1964), Odayil Ninnu (1965), Chemmeen (1965), Yakshi (1968), Kadalpalam (1969), Vaazhve Mayam (1970), Anubhavangal Paalichakal (1971), and Karakanakadal (1971). Sathyan won the Best Actor Award at the 1st Kerala State Film Awards for his double role in Kadalpalam. He won the Kerala State Award for Best Actor again for his performance in the 1971 film Karakanakadal. Sathyan died due to leukemia on 15 June 1971 at the age of 59.

Sathyan was born in a Church Of South India Christian family in near Nagercoil in Southern Travancore on 9 November 1912 as the first child of Cheruvilakathu Veettil Manuel and Emily. He has four siblings named 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 Punnapra-Vayalar uprising 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.

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 and his neighbour 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. The then Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mary Arputham, objected to Sathyan acting in the film. Sathyan resigned from his job to act in this film and shortened his name to Sathyan from Sathyaneshan. However, the film was dropped. Thyagaseema was also incidentally the first film for Prem Nazir.

In 1952 P. Subramaniam established Neela Productions. He happened to see the rushes of Thyagaseema and was impressed by Sathyan’s performance. Subramaniam invited Sathyan to act as hero in his first film Athmasakhi (1952) which was Sathyan‘s first release.

Film career

Rise to stardom

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

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

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

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

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

Kerala State Film Awards:[5]

1969: Best Actor – Kadalpalam (First State Award receiver)

1971: Best Actor – Karakanakkadal

Film Film Awards:

1969: Adimakal

Popular roles

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

Awards established in his name

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.

Winners: Murali, Thilakan, P. Bhaskaran, Balachandra Menon, Kalabhavan Mani, Sheela, Nedumudi Venu, Dileep, K. S. Chithra, K.J Yesudas, Kalabhavan Mani, Madhu, Sharada, Suresh Gopi,M. Jayachandran, Sreekumaran Thampi.

Sathyan Award: An award instituted by the Kerala Cultural Forum. The award carries a sum of Rs. 10000 and a plaque.

Winner: Innocent (2007)[7]

Sathyan Memorial Film Award: An award instituted by the Sathyan Memorial Arts and Sports Club. The award is given in various fields including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Anti-Hero, Best Comedian, Best Newcomer and Best Singers (male and female), taking the last year's performances into consideration.

Filmography

Malayalam

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)

Tamil

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Aalukkoru Veedu (1960)

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