Navalokam (1951)
A New World
Release date : 29 March 1951
Penned by Ponkunnam Varkey, and released with a massive pre-publicity drive, Navalokam might also be the first film in Malayalam that sank at the box-office due to its merciless censoring, that robbed the film of whatever little onscreen premise it ad. Regardless, the critics and the public were equivocally dismissive & scathing of the flat performances of its main protagonist, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, and the absolute absence of chemistry wit the leading lady, Miss Kumari. Navalokam was Miss Kumari’s first collaboration onscreen with Thikkurissy Madhavan Nair.
Movie – Handbill
Movie Still – Navalokam (1951)
More about the Movie
| Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair | Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai |
| Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar | Miss Kumari |
| TS Muthaiah | Vanchiyoor Madhavan Nair |
| Sethulakshmi (Old) | Vaikkom Raju |
| Bhaskaran | Lalitha |
| Kuttiyamma | Meena Sulochana |
| Sadasivan |
| Director | V Krishnan |
| Producer | Pappachan |
| Banner | Popular Productions |
| Story | Ponkunnam Varkey |
| Screenplay | Ponkunnam Varkey |
| Dialogues | Ponkunnam Varkey |
| Lyrics | P Bhaskaran |
| Music | V Dakshinamoorthy |
| Playback Singers | V Dakshinamoorthy, P Leela, Alappuzha Pushpam, Kaviyoor CK Revamma, Kozhikode Abdul Khader |
| Cinematography | PK Madhavan Nair |
| Editing | KD George |
Copyrights & Courtesy : The Hindu ( B Vijayakumar’s MetroPlus Kochi Column)
The story is about the cruelty and indifference of landlords towards their tenants and peasants who toil for them. Estate owner Kurup seduces and then disowns a village girl, Devaki. This sparks off a revolt in the village. A workers union leader Gopi leads the revolt. Kurup goes on to marry Radha, an educated and socially committed worker. How Radha comes to understand the wickedness of her husband and frees herself from his immoral clutches forms the crux of the film.
The scene in which she breaks the ‘thali’ chain and throws it at his face was a strong jolt at the male supremacy. She boldly announces that a wife is not a slave and that she has equal rights. It is a call for equality of women in society. Radha walks out of the house.
Devaki, who comes to the house of the landlord is roughed up and pushed out. She is then taken to the hospital. Gopi informs the police about this and they come to arrest Kurup. Just when they are about to take him away Devaki, quite dramatically, reaches there. She pleads with the police not to arrest Kurup, saying that he was not at fault. This transforms Kurup. He accepts Devaki and they walk away together.
Songbook Cover
Songs from the Movie
Movie Still – Navalokam (1951)
