P. J. Antony
Encyclopedia
P. J. Antony was a Malayalam film actor. He received the National Film Award for Best Actor
for his performance in Nirmalyam in 1974. He was also the first actor working in Malayalam cinema
to receive the award. Antony is also a respectable figure in the professional play field, working with communist cultural and art bodies like the K.P.A.C.
He also established his own theatre named Prathibha Theatres in Kochi.
during World War II
. Post war, he returned home and joined a workshop as an officer. It was in this period in which Antony got chance to work with professional play artists. Soon he would establish himself as a prominent figure in Malayalam plays with his skills in acting, writing and direction. He was directly associated with the K.P.A.C.
, a major professional political play theatre at that time. He later established two play theatres namely P. J. Theatres and Prathibha Theatres (which is still active).
With the expertise in plays, Antony began his acting career. His debut film was Randidangazhi
(1957), a film adaptation of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
's novel with the same title. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor
, (then known as the Bharath Award in 1974) for his performance as a velichappadu (an Oracle or medium between the Goddess and the worshipper in a Hindu temple) in Nirmalyam, directed by prominent literary figure, M. T. Vasudevan Nair
. Antony was the lyricist and screenwriter for a small number of films. He also directed a film titled Periyar
.
:
Kerala State Film Awards:
National Film Award for Best Actor
The National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
for his performance in Nirmalyam in 1974. He was also the first actor working in Malayalam cinema
Malayalam cinema
The Cinema of Kerala or Malayalam cinema refers to the film industry in the Indian state of Kerala, which makes films in the Malayalam language. Malayalam movies typically portray social or family issues and are considered more realistic than films from other parts of India. Malayalam cinema has...
to receive the award. Antony is also a respectable figure in the professional play field, working with communist cultural and art bodies like the K.P.A.C.
Kerala People's Arts Club
Kerala People's Arts Club is a theatre movement in Kerala, India. It was formed in the 1950s by a group of individuals having close ties with Left-wing politics parties of Kerala. This political theatre was very influential in propagating communist ideas in Kerala.In 1951 KPAC staged its first...
He also established his own theatre named Prathibha Theatres in Kochi.
Biography
In his early 20's Antony served in the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Post war, he returned home and joined a workshop as an officer. It was in this period in which Antony got chance to work with professional play artists. Soon he would establish himself as a prominent figure in Malayalam plays with his skills in acting, writing and direction. He was directly associated with the K.P.A.C.
Kerala People's Arts Club
Kerala People's Arts Club is a theatre movement in Kerala, India. It was formed in the 1950s by a group of individuals having close ties with Left-wing politics parties of Kerala. This political theatre was very influential in propagating communist ideas in Kerala.In 1951 KPAC staged its first...
, a major professional political play theatre at that time. He later established two play theatres namely P. J. Theatres and Prathibha Theatres (which is still active).
With the expertise in plays, Antony began his acting career. His debut film was Randidangazhi
Randidangazhi
Randidangazhi is a Malayalam novel written by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai in 1948. The novel tells the story of the cruelty meted out by feudal landlords to impoverished farm labourers. It is widely regarded as one of the best political novels in the history of Malayalam literature. In 1958, a...
(1957), a film adaptation of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai was a novelist and short story writer of Malayalam language, spoken in Kerala state, South India. He is popularly known as Thakazhi, after his place of birth. He focused on the oppressed classes as the subject of his works, which are known for their attention to...
's novel with the same title. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor
National Film Award for Best Actor
The National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
, (then known as the Bharath Award in 1974) for his performance as a velichappadu (an Oracle or medium between the Goddess and the worshipper in a Hindu temple) in Nirmalyam, directed by prominent literary figure, M. T. Vasudevan Nair
M. T. Vasudevan Nair
Madathil Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair , popularly known as MT, is an Indian author, screenplay writer and film director. He was born in Kudallur, a small village in the present day Palakkad District, which was under the Malabar District in the Madras Presidency of the British Raj...
. Antony was the lyricist and screenwriter for a small number of films. He also directed a film titled Periyar
Periyar (film)
-External links:**...
.
Awards
National Film AwardsNational Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
:
- Best ActorNational Film Award for Best ActorThe National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
- 1974 - Nirmalyam
Kerala State Film Awards:
- Best ActorKerala State Film Award for Best ActorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor has been awarded annually in India since 1969. The Kerala State Film Awards were managed directly by the Government of Kerala's Department of Cultural Affairs until 1997; they are now given by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, an autonomous non-profit...
- 1973 - Nirmalyam
Acting
- Manninte MarilManninte MarilManninte Maril is a 1980 Malayalam film directed by P. A. Backer based on Cherukad's famous novel and starring P. J. Antony in the lead role....
(1980) - NirmalayamNirmalayamNirmalyam is a 1973 Malayalam film written and directed by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and starring P. J. Antony and Shanta Devi. Malayalam actor P. J. Antony won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1974 for his performance as a velichappadu in this movie...
(1973) .... Velichapad - Nadhi (1969) .... Mullakkal Varkey
- AsuravithuAsuravithuAsuravithu is an upcoming Malayalam film written and directed by A. K. Sajan after the film Stop Violence, starring Asif Ali in the title role of Don Bosco.-Cast:* Asif Ali as Don Bosco* Janvy* Samvrutha Sunil* Biju Menon* Jagathy Sreekumar...
(1968) .... Kunjarikkar - Anveshichu KandethiyillaAnveshichu KandethiyillaAnveshichu Kandethiyilla is a 1968 Malayalam language film directed by P. Bhaskaran and starring Sathyan and K. R. Vijaya in the lead. The film recounts the quest for happiness by a nurse with the best of intentions but who is disillusioned. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in...
(1967) - BalyakalasakhiBalyakalasakhi (film)Balyakalasakhi is a 1968 Malayalam film directed by Sasikumar. It is an adaptation of Basheer's famous novel of the same name....
(1967) - Kunjali MarakkarKunjali Marakkar (film)Kunjali Maraikkar is a 1968 Malayalam language historical film directed by S. S. Rajan and starring Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in the title role as one of the Kunjali Maraikkar, the naval chiefs of Samoothiri. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam....
(1966) .... Zamorin's Nephew - MurappennuMurappennuMurappennu is a 1965 Malayalam film written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, directed by A. Vincent and produced by Shobhana Parameswaran Nair in the banner of Roopavani. It marked the entry of M. T. Vasudevan Nair, the noted Malayalam novelist to Malayalam cinema. The film's story is based on Snehathinte...
(1965) .... Balan's Uncle - Bhargavi NilayamBhargavi NilayamBhargavi Nilayam is a 1964 Malayalam horror - romance film written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and directed by A. Vincent. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu and Vijaya Nirmala in the lead roles, and had its story, screenplay and dialogues are written by noted Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammad...
(1964) .... Narayanan Nair (Nanukuttan) - Rosy .... (Hero)
- Ammaye Kaanaan (1963)
- RandidangazhiRandidangazhiRandidangazhi is a Malayalam novel written by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai in 1948. The novel tells the story of the cruelty meted out by feudal landlords to impoverished farm labourers. It is widely regarded as one of the best political novels in the history of Malayalam literature. In 1958, a...
(1958)
Short stories
- Pukachurulukal
- Kalakavan
- Naludivasangal
- Ennayillaatha vilakku
- Chilampoli
- Thakarnna veena
- Aa moksham ningalkku venda