Govindan Aravindan

G. Aravindan was an Indian film director, screenwriter, musician, cartoonist, and painter. He was one of the pioneers of parallel cinema in Malayalam. He was known for his unorthodox way of filmmaking; he changed his cinematic forms consistently and experimented in storytelling without regular narrative styles. He studied at University College Trivandrum. Before venturing into the film field, he was an established cartoonist. He had also worked with documentaries and theatre. He also occasionally directed music for other filmmakers. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian award of Padma Shri in 1990. G. Aravindan was the son of comedy writer M. N. Govindan Nair. Aravindan started his professional life as a cartoonist for the journal Mathrubhumi. He established himself as a cartoonist in the early 1960s with his cartoon series Cheriya Manushyarum Valiya Lokavum which dealt with the social encounters of its central characters, Ramu and Guruji, mingled with political and social satire. After that series ended in 1973, he drew cartoons for other journals but these were very sporadic. At one point, Aravindan diverted his attention to theatre and music. He played a major role in establishing theatre and music clubs Navarangam and Sopanam. He became associated with eminent theatre figure Kavalam Narayana Panicker which accelerated his activities in the field of professional play. They created several plays like Kaali and Avanavan Kadamba. Aravindan was working as an officer in the Rubber Board when he got associated with artist Devan, playwright Thikkodiyan and writer Pattathuvila Karunakaran. The early works of Aravindan were influenced by the group; for example, the spiritualism factor which can be seen in his early works can be attributed to satirist Sanjayan and mystic paintings of K. C. S. Paniker. The first film directed by Aravindan, Uttarayanam (1974), came out as a product from this group; the film was produced by Karunakaran and the story was written by Thikkodiyan. The film, which exposes opportunism and hypocrisy set against the backdrop of the Independence struggle, was inspired by Aravindan's own cartoon series Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum (Small World and Big People). The film is about Ravi, an unemployed young man, who has to face a series of encounters during his search for a job. Ravi reflects on the past struggles of the anti-British freedom fighters he has learned about from his paralyzed father. He eventually meets Gopalan Muthalaly, a leader of Quit India movement, but now a corrupt contractor. The film garnered wide critical praise and several awards, including five Kerala State Film Awards upon release. Aravindan then moved to the eternal dilemma relating to power and justice in his second film, Kanchana Sita (1977), based on a play by C.N. Sreekantan Nair. It was one of the most innovative and experimental adaptations in Indian cinema. It totally divested itself of all the adornments and paraphernalia that accompanied mythologicals and mythic figures like Rama that we are used to; pared down to the essentials, these roles were played by members of a tribal community in Andhra Pradesh; the whole narrative unfolded in forests, caves, open spaces and riversides. Aravindan's third film, Thampu (1978), was a departure from his previous two films. It was a simple and realistic portrayal of a circus troupe and its members, who arrive in a village and change the lives of the people there. The film captures the joys and sorrows of the circus artists, their hopes and dreams, and their struggle to survive. The film also explores the themes of alienation, exploitation, and human dignity. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film. Aravindan's next film, Esthappan (1980), was based on a short story by Kavalam Narayana Panicker. It was a biographical sketch of a mysterious and charismatic figure, who lives in a Christian fishing village. The film does not follow a linear narrative, but rather presents different perspectives and testimonies of the people who knew Esthappan. The film questions the notions of truth, reality, and identity, and leaves the viewer to interpret the enigma of Esthappan. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Director. Aravindan then made Pokkuveyil (1981), a lyrical and poetic film about a young poet and his relationship with his father, a renowned musician. The film explores the themes of creativity, tradition, and modernity, and the conflicts between them. The film also features some of the finest classical music compositions by Aravindan himself. The film won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film. Aravindan's next film, Chidambaram (1985), was based on a short story by C.V. Sreeraman. It was a psychological drama about a man who is haunted by guilt after he betrays his friend and has an affair with his wife. The film depicts the inner turmoil of the protagonist, who seeks redemption in a remote temple town. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Director. Aravindan then made Oridathu (1986), a satirical comedy about the impact of electricity on a small village. The film portrays the changes that occur in the lives of the villagers, who are divided into two factions: one that welcomes the modernization and the other that resists it. The film also mocks the political and bureaucratic corruption that hinders the development of the village. The film won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Director. Aravindan's next film, Unni (1988), was based on a novel by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan. It was a fantasy film about a young boy who has a vivid imagination and a fascination for myths and legends. The film depicts the boy's adventures in a magical world, where he encounters various characters and creatures from Hindu mythology. The film also explores the themes of innocence, wonder, and faith. Aravindan's last film, Vasthuhara (1991), was based on a novel by C.V. Sreeraman. It was a historical drama about the plight of the Bengali refugees who migrated to Kerala after the partition of India. The film follows the life of a government officer, who is in charge of rehabilitating the refugees. The film also depicts the cultural and emotional conflicts that arise between the locals and the migrants. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film. Aravindan died on 15 March 1991, before the release of Vasthuhara. He was aged just 56 when he died. Kerala Chalachitra Film Society facilitates Aravindan Puraskaram every year in the memory of G. Aravindan for the best debutant director in Indian languages.