Kaliyattam

Plot

This is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, revolving around Kannan Perumalayan, a Theyyam artist who corresponds to Othello, and Thamara, the beautiful daughter of the village head. While Unni Thampuran hates Kannan because he had a crush on Thamara, and Paniyan, 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, 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 leaving him to live the rest of his life crippled. Kannan Perumalayan gives the Perumalayan role to Kanthan and commits suicide in the Theyyam ritual fire.

Cast

• Suresh Gopi as Kannan Perumalayan (Othello)
• Lal as Paniyan (Iago)
• Biju Menon as Kanthan (Cassio)
• Manju Warrier as Thamara (Desdemona)
• Bindu Panicker as Cheerma (Emilia)
• Narendra Prasad as Thamburan (Brabantio)
• E. A. Rajendran as Unni Thampuran (Roderigo)

Awards

[[45th National Film Awards|National Film Awards 1997]]

• National Film Award for Best Director – Jayaraj
• National Film Award for Best Actor – Suresh Gopi

[[Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Awards 1997]]

• Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam – Jayaraj
• Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Malayalam – Kaithapram

[[Kerala State Film Awards|Kerala State Film Awards 1997]]

• Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor – Suresh Gopi
• Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value
• Best Music Director – Kaithapram
• Best Female Playback Singer – Bhavana Radhakrishnan

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 1997

• Best Actor – Suresh Gopi
• Best Supporting Actor – Lal

Soundtrack

T-Series

The music and lyrics were composed and written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.

References

References

1. "List of Malayalam films released during the year 1997". PRD, [[Government of Kerala]]..
2. "Kaliyattam [1998]". malayalasangeetham.info.
3. Radhakrishnan, Sruthi. (2018-04-23). "400 years later, Shakespeare still remains relevant in Indian cinema". The Hindu.
4. (2005). "A Companion to Shakespeare and Performance". Wiley-Blackwell.
5. "Kaliyattam". BizHat.com.
6. "jayaraj". cinemaofmalayalam.net.
7. Sandeep, K. M.. (26 June 1997). "Monsoon moods on film". [[The Indian Express]].
8. (10 May 1998). "Thai Saheb bags national award for best film". [[The Indian Express]].
9. (9 May 1998). "Indrani Haldar, Karisma bag national awards". [[Rediff.com]].
10. (July 2025). "Kaliyattam (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)".
11. "Audio CD Cover".