Anarkali (1966 film)

Anarkali is a 1966 Malayalam romance film based on the historical love story between Prince Salim and Anarkali. Directed and produced by Kunchacko, the film was a direct adaptation of the 1953 Hindi film of the same name.[1] The film stars Prem Nazir and K. R. Vijaya in the lead, with Sathyan, Thikkurissy, Ambika and Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair playing other major roles.[1]

Anarkali
Cover of the songbook of Anarkali
Directed byKunchacko
Produced byKunchacko
Written byVaikom Chandrasekharan Nair
StarringPrem Nazir
K. R. Vijaya
Sathyan
Thikkurissy
Ambika Sukumaran
Rajasree
Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair
Music byBaburaj
Edited byS. P. S. Veerappan
Production
company
Excel Productions
Distributed byExcel Productions
Release date
  • 27 August 1966 (1966-08-27)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Plot

Prince Salim falls in love with Anarkali, a courtesan in his father Akbar's kingdom. Akbar forbids Salim to prolong this affair as he wants his son to marry a Rajput princess and thereby strengthen communal harmony. But Salim becomes blind in his love for Anarkali, leading to a struggle between father and his adamant son. All of Akbar and Minister Man Singh's attempts to separate the lovers fail.

Salim and Akbar have a serious argument, which goes to the extent of Salim leading a campaign against his father. Salim is defeated in the ensuing war and is sentenced to death. Empress Jodhabai begs Akbar to spare the life of their son, but he does not accede to her request. Anarkali is sentenced to be buried alive. Salim escapes from the jail and rushes to save Anarkali from the punishment. But before he reaches the burial ground, Anarkali's punishment is carried out.

Cast

The film's cast includes playback singer K. J. Yesudas and music director L. P. R. Varma playing small roles. Yesudas played Tansen, who was a pioneer in Indian music and one of Akbar's Navaratnas. In a scene, Yesudas lip-syncs a song which was sung by P. B. Sreenivas.[1]

Historical inaccuracies
  • The film was completely shot from Kunchacko's Udaya Studio and failed in setting the Moghul era on screen.[1]
  • Akbar's wife Mariam-uz-Zamani is called Jodhabai in the film. Though she has been also referred to by this name in modern times, she was never known as such during her lifetime.[2]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by M. S. Baburaj and the lyrics were written by Vayalar Ramavarma.[3][4]

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1"Aruthe Aruthe"L. R. EeswariVayalar Ramavarma
2"Baashpakudeerame"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma
3"Chakravarthikumaaraa"L. R. EeswariVayalar Ramavarma
4"Ee Raathrithan Vijanathayil"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma
5"Ezhu Chirakulla Theru"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma
6"Maathalapoove"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma
7"Mukilasimhame"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma
8"Nadikalil Sundari"K. J. Yesudas, B. VasanthaVayalar Ramavarma
9"Pranayaganam"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma
10"Sapthaswarasudhaa"P. B. Sreenivas, M. BalamuralikrishnaVayalar Ramavarma
11"Thaalathil Mugdha"K. J. YesudasVayalar Ramavarma
12"Vidarumo"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma

See also

References
  1. B. Vijayakumar (31 May 2010). "Anarkali (1966)". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  2. Kaveree Bamzai (22 February 2008). "Romeo and Juliet in Rajasthan". India Today. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  3. "Anaarkali". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  4. "Anaarkali". malayalasangeetham.info. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
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