Kandam Becha Kottu
Kandam Becha Kottu (transl. The Patched-up Coat) is a 1961 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed and produced by T. R. Sundaram under the banner of Modern Theatres. It stars Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Prem Nawas in the lead roles, along with T. S. Muthaiah, Aranmula Ponnamma and Ambika Sukumaran in supporting roles.[1] The film deals with the negative effects of the dowry system in India through customs of the Muslim community.[2]
| Kandam Becha Kottu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | T. R. Sundaram |
| Written by | K. T. Muhammed T. Muhammad Yusuf |
| Produced by | T. R. Sundaram |
| Starring | Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair Prem Nawas Aranmula Ponnamma |
| Cinematography | T. M. Sundarababu |
| Edited by | Balu |
| Music by | Baburaj |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 156 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Kandam Becha Kottu was based on a popular novel by T. Muhammad Yusuf, which was also staged as a play under the same title by the Kerala People's Arts Club. Sundaram had earlier produced and directed Malayalam cinema's first talkie Balan (1938). The film was initially planned to be K. S. Sethumadhavan's directorial debut. However, when Sundaram decided to shoot the film in colour, which would be much more expensive than planned, he decided to direct the film himself.[3] The screenplay of the film was written by K. T. Muhammed in the Kozhikodan dialect. The film's music was composed by M. S. Baburaj, while the cinematography was done by T. Sundarababu.[4]
Kandam Becha Kottu was released on 24 August 1961 to high expectations. The film was the first colour film and Eastmancolor film in Malayalam.[3] The film was a huge box office success, running for weeks in packed theatres. The film received the Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Malayalam at the 9th National Film Awards.[5]
Plot
The story of the film revolves around a kind-hearted cobbler Mohammed Kakka (T. S. Muthiah). He keeps his life savings in the pockets of his old coat to realise his dream of going on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Alikoya Haji (Thikkurissi) loves his son Ummer (Prem Nawaz) and brings him up showering all love and affection. Hajis's sister Kadeeja (Pankajavalli) and her family lives in the neighbourhood. Amina (Aranmula Ponnamma) and her children, Kunju Bibi (Ambika) and Hassan (Nellikkodu Bhaskaran) live in the same house. Amina's husband is a businessman in Singapore. Kadeeja's husband Avaran (Kedamangalam Sadanandan) is very considerate to his brother's wife Amina and her family. But Kadeeja keeps ill-treating Amina.
Ummer falls in love with Kunju Bibi, his childhood mate. Kadeeja is jealous of this affair. She tries all sorts of tricks to create trouble, but fails. Alikoya Haji decides to accept Kunju Bibi as his daughter-in-law, but demands a dowry of Rs. 2,000.
Amina's husband starts from Singapore with the money. Arrangements for the wedding is made, but to the dismay of everyone, a telegram arrives informing the death of Amina's husband during the voyage back home. Amina and her children are pushed out of the house, the marriage is postponed as Haji gives an ultimatum to organise the dowry.
Mohammed Kakka gives shelter to Amina and her family. Kadeeja continues to harass them, while Ummer tries hard to help them organise the money. He even goes to the extent of stealing from his father's safe. Ummer is caught red handed and is placed under house arrest. Mohammed Kakka makes arrangements for the marriage. He offers the money he had saved and kept in the pockets of the coat. He also appeals to others in the neighbourhood to contribute for the marriage. Ummer finally marries Kunju Bibi, providing a happy ending to the film. Mohmmed Kakka's noble deed glorifies him.[3]
Cast
- Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair as Alikoya Haji
- Prem Nawas as Ummer
- T. S. Muthaiah as Mammadikka
- Ambika Sukumaran as Kunju Bivi
- Pankajavalli as Kadeeja
- Aranmula Ponnamma as Amina
- Nellikode Bhaskaran as Hassan
- Kedamangalam Sadanandan as Avaran
- S. P. Pillai as Minnal Moideen
- Bahadoor as Khader
- Nilambur Ayisha as Bethatha
- Chandni as Beechipathu
- Kottayam Chellappan
- Omana
- Muttathara Soman
Crew
- director - T. R. Sundaram
- producer - Modern Theatres
- writer - K. T. Muhammed -T. Muhammad Yusuf
- music - Baburaj
- Art Direction - A.J.Dominic
Soundtrack
The music was composed by M. S. Baburaj and lyrics were written by P. Bhaskaran.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aananda Saamraajyathil" | P. Leela | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 2 | "Aatte Potte Irikkatte" | P. Leela, M. S. Baburaj | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 3 | "Allaavin Thiruvullam" | P. B. Sreenivas | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 4 | "Ennittum Vannillallo" | P. Leela | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 5 | "Kandam Bechoru Kottaanu" | M. S. Baburaj, Mehboob | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 6 | "Maappila Puthumaappila" | P. Leela, Kamukara | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 7 | "Puthan Manavatti" | P. Leela, Gomathy Sisters | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 8 | "Sindabad" | Mehboob | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 9 | "Thekkunnu Vanna Kaatte" | P. Leela | P. Bhaskaran |
Reception
The film was a big box office success and ran for weeks in packed theatres.[3]
References
- "List of Malayalam films released during the year 1961". PRD, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
- "Kandam Bacha Kotte (1961)". IMDb. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
- B. Vijayakumar (8 November 2008). "Kandam Bacha Coattu 1961". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012.
- T. E. Vasudevan, P. Zakir Hussain (June 2014). "സിനിമയില് സത്യമില്ല സകലതും അഭിനയമാണ്" Archived 12 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Madhyamam Weekly. Retrieved 3 July 2014
- "Kandam Bacha Coat". citwf.com. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
- "9th National Film Awards". International Film Festival of India. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2011.