Swathi Thirunal (film)

Swathi Thirunal  is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language biographical film co-written and directed by Lenin Rajendran. The film is based on the life of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore. It stars Anant Nag in the title role, with Srividya, Nedumudi Venu and Murali in other important roles. The cinematographer was Madhu Ambat.

Plot
The story begins with Gowri Lakshmi Bayi entrusting the four-month-old Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma to the care of the English East India Company whose representative was Col. Munro. Then it cuts to when Swathi Thirunal is sixteen and takes over the reins of Travancore from his aunt Gowri Parvati Bayi. Swathi Thirunal's biography is then shown against the backdrop of the music that he himself has composed. The movie ends with his death in 1846.

Cast

 * Anant Nag as Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (voice dubbed by Venu Nagavally)
 * Srividya as Gowri Parvati Bayi
 * Nedumudi Venu as Irayimman Thampi
 * Murali as Shadkala Govinda Marar
 * Ambika as Narayani Panam Pillai Amma Kochamma
 * Babu Namboothiri as Diwanji Subbaravu
 * Ranjini as Sugandhavalli
 * Jagannathan as Vadivelu
 * Innocent as Krishna Ravu
 * Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri as singer
 * Ravi Vallathol as singer
 * Kanakalatha as Narayani's Thozhi
 * Mehboob Sait ( guest role )
 * Kuyili as dancer
 * Sujatha Thiruvananthapuram

Production
After Anant Nag's Kannada film Narada Vijaya (1980) was dubbed into Malayalam and performed well in the Kerala box office, the director Lenin Rajendran and cinematographer Madhu Ambat approached him to portray Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma in their biopic of him. Though initially reluctant, he ultimately agreed. Actor Saikumar was initially offered the lead role, but he later made his debut in Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). ( In return, Nag told Rajendran about the work of art director P. Krishnamoorthy whom he had worked with in  Hamsageethe and the latter made his debut in Malayalam through this film.

Soundtrack
The film's original music was composed by M. B. Sreenivasan. The soundtrack features vocals of several singers including M. Balamuralikrishna, who received a State award for his work.

Additional tracks from the movie

Awards
Kerala State Film Awards:
 * Special Jury Award – Lenin Rajendran
 * Special Jury Award – M.B Sreenivasan
 * Best Play Back Singer – M. Balamuralikrishna
 * Best Art Director – P. Krishnamoorthy