Odayil Ninnu (film)

Odayil Ninnu
Odayil Ninnu
Directed by	K. S. Sethumadhavan
Written by	P. Kesavadev
Based on	Odayil Ninnu; by P. Kesavadev
Produced by	P. Ramaswami
Starring	Sathyan; Prem Nazir; Kalaikkal Kumaran; K. R. Vijaya; Kaviyoor Ponnamma
Cinematography	P. Ramaswami
Music by	Devarajan
Production; company	Thirumurukan Pictures
Distributed by	Thirumeni Release
Release date	5 March 1965;
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Odayil Ninnu (transl. From the Gutter) is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by P. Kesavadev, based on his novel of the same name.^[1] The film deals with the life and struggles of a proud and hardworking rickshaw puller, Pappu.^[2] It stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, K. R. Vijaya, and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. Master Dasarath plays the young Pappu. Suresh Gopi made his acting debut with the film, who was then six years old. He appeared as the feudal lord's timid son, who also becomes the root cause for Pappu running away from home.

The film was a commercial success and also received critical acclaim for its raw energy and Sathyan's performance in the lead role.^[3] It received a certificate of merit at the National Film Awards. It was remade in Tamil as Babu (1971), in Telugu as Marapurani Manishi (1973), and in Hindi as Babu (1985).^[4]

Plot

Pappu is a relentless fighter for justice and equality from early childhood. He organises protest against his teacher who discriminates between the landlord's son and other children. The landlord is provoked to wrath, and Pappu is obliged to leave home. From now on, he has to lead a hard, tough life, fighting at every step to uphold his ideals.

He takes odd jobs but had to give them up as he cannot stand the iniquity meted out by his employers. Ultimately, he settles down as a rickshaw-puller. One day he meets a child who fell into the gutter by accident. Pappu apologises and buys her some food. He decides to take care of this child. Her name is Lakshmi. That child became so arrogant and proud when she grew up. She did not even want Pappu's presence.

Pappu suffers ill health due to his hard work. The subsequent developments reveal him as an extremely affectionate human being, seeking pleasure in doing good to others and demanding nothing for himself. The film ends with the girl realising her mistakes.

Cast

Sathyan as Pappu
- Master Dasarath as Young Pappu
Prem Nazir as Gopinadhan / Gopi
K. R. Vijaya as young Lakshmi
Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Kalyani, a widow and Lakshmi's Mother
Adoor Bhasi as palisha vizhungi Velu mothalaly
Adoor Pankajam as Saramma
Adoor Bhavani as Pappu's mother
Manavalan Joseph as Mesthiri
S. P. Pillai as Thomachan
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair as Chayakadakkaran Kurup
Master Dasarath as Young Pappu
Kutty Padmini as Young Lakshmi
Kottayam Chellappan as Landlord
Suresh Gopi as Feudal lord's son
Kalaikkal Kumaran
Cheriya Udeswaram
Kumari Vimala
Muthukulam Raghavan Pilla
C. O. Anto
Gopinathan Pilla
T.T Joseph
Varghees Thittel
Shobha

Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Devarajan with lyrics by Vayalar Ramavarma.^[5]^[6] There were seven songs by the famous Vayalar-Devarajan team in the film. Songs like ‘Ambalakulangare kulikkaan…'(P. Leela), ‘Kaattil ilamkaattil…' (P. Susheela), ‘Ammey ammey ammey nammude…' (Renuka), ‘Muttathe mullayil…' (S. Janaki), ‘ O! Rickshawala…' (Mehaboob), ‘Vandikkara vandikkara…' (K. J. Yesudas), ‘Maanathu deivamilla….' (A. M. Raja), were super-hits and still remembered.^[7] Guruvayur Dorai played mridangam in the song "Ambalakkulangare".^[8]

No.	Song	Singers	Lyrics
1	"Ambalakkulangare"	P. Leela	Vayalar Ramavarma
2	"Amme Amme Amme Nammude"	Renuka	Vayalar Ramavarma
3	"Kaattil Ilam Kaattil"	P. Susheela	Vayalar Ramavarma
4	"Maanathu Daivamilla"	A. M. Rajah	Vayalar Ramavarma
5	"Muttathe Mullayil"	S. Janaki	Vayalar Ramavarma
6	"Muttathe Mullayil" (Pathos)	P. Susheela	Vayalar Ramavarma
7	"Oh Rikhshaavaala"	Vidyadharan, Mehboob	Vayalar Ramavarma
8	"Vandikkaara"	K. J. Yesudas	Vayalar Ramavarma

References

^ Vijayakumar, B. (22 April 2012). "Odayil Ninnu 1965". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
^ Venkiteswaran, C. S. (8 November 2012). "The indomitable Sathyan". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
^ Venkiteswaran, C. S. (18 June 2006). "Auteur par excellence". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
^ Film world: Volume 7. Film World. 1971.
^ "Odayil Ninnu". MalayalaChalachithram. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
^ "Odayil Ninnu". malayalasangeetham.info. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
^ Vijayakumar, B. (22 April 2012). "Odayil Ninnu 1965". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
^ "Guruvayor Dorai". HubTamil. Retrieved 11 July 2022.