K. Ravindran Nair

K. Ravindran Nair
Born Kollam, Kerala, India
Occupation Film producer
Years active since 1967
Spouse(s) Usha Ravi
Children Prathap
Preetha
Prakash
Awards J. C. Daniel Award
National Film Award
Kerala State Film Award
Website Official web site

K. Ravindran Nair, aka Achani Ravi or General Pictures Ravi, is an Indian film producer of Malayalam films, industrialist and philanthropist, known for a number of critically acclaimed movies he has produced such as Kanchana Sita, Thampu, Kummatty, Esthappan, Pokkuveyil, Elippathayam, Manju, Mukhamukham, Anantaram and Vidheyan. Nair is credited with fostering the art film movement in Malayalam cinema during the period from the seventies till the nineties.[1] A multiple recipient of National and State film awards, Nair was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award by the Government of Kerala, in 2008, for his contributions to Malayalam cinema.[2][3][4]

Biography

K. Ravindran Nair was born in a rich family, dealing with cashew production and exports.[5] His passion for literature and arts brought him into Malayalam cinema and in 1967, he established General Pictures under the banner of which he produced his first movie, Anweshichu Kandethiyilla, directed by P. Bhaskaran.[6][7] This was followed by two more films the next year, Kattukurangu and Lakshaprabhu, both directed by Bhaskaran. Ravi, as he is generally known, was silent for the next few years till he came out with his next film, Achani, an A. Vincent movie, in 1973, which earned him the moniker, Achani Ravi. The film was reported to be a commercial success like his earlier films and Ravi is known to have contributed the returns from the movie for building a Public Library in Kollam,[8][5] of which he is a founder member and honorary secretary.[5]

The year 1977 marked a new chapter in Nair's life with the first of his films with the renowned filmmaker G. Aravindan, Kanchana Sita releasing that year. This was followed by four more Aravindan films, Thampu (1978), Kummatty (1979), Esthappan (1979) and Pokkuveyil (1981).[6][7] The next film he produced, Elippathayam (1981), was directed by the Dadasaheb Phalke Award winning director, Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Three more films, Mukhamukham (1984), Anantaram (1987) and Vidheyan (1993), with the same director were released in the ensuing years. In between, he also produced a film, Manju (1982) for the Jnanpith and National Film award winner, M. T. Vasudevan Nair.[6][7]

Nair produced a total of 14 films for which he received 18 awards before he retired from cinema.[9] Usha Ravi, Ravindran Nair's wife, was a playback singer having sung in movies such as Thampu, Aambal poovu and Detective 909.[10] Usha died on 2 October 2013, leaving Nair and three of their children, Prathap, Preetha and Prakash.[10]

Filmography

Film Year Director Awards
Anweshichu Kandethiyilla1967P. BhaskaranNational Film Award[11]
Kattukurangu1968P. Bhaskaran-
Lakshaprabhu1968P. Bhaskaran-
Achani1973A. Vincent-
Kanchana Sita1977G. AravindanNational Film Award for Best Direction[12]
Thampu1978G. AravindanNational Film Award[13]
Kummatty1979G. AravindanKerala State Film Award[14]
Esthappan1979G. AravindanKerala State Film Award[14]
Pokkuveyil1981G. Aravindan-
Elippathayam1981Adoor GopalakrishnanNational Film Award[15]
Kerala State Film Award[14]
Manju1982M. T. Vasudevan Nair-
Mukhamukham1984Adoor GopalakrishnanNational Film Award[16]
Anantaram1987Adoor GopalakrishnanNational Film Award for Best Direction[17]
Vidheyan1993Adoor GopalakrishnanNational Film Award[18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mathrubhumi". Mathrubhumi. 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ "The Hindu". The Hindu. 19 June 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  3. ↑ "The New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Filmibeat". Filmibeat. 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "Thiruvananthapuram First". Thiruvananthapuram First. 11 June 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "The alchemist of Cinema". The Hindu. 19 June 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 "Kollam City". Kollam City. 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Achani". Achani. 25 May 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  9. ↑ Ee Vazhitharayil (Along this pathway) (Documentary). Kerala: Mathrubhumi News. 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Usha Ravi". Kaumudi. 3 October 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  11. ↑ "15th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  12. ↑ "25th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 2,44. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  13. ↑ "26th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  14. 1 2 3 "1979 Film Awards". Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  15. ↑ "29th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  16. ↑ "32nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "35th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. pp. 12–13. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  18. ↑ "41st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 3 March 2012.

Further reading

External links

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