Underplayed Gems

Balan (1938)

Balan poster
Original title
ബാലൻ
Directed by
S. Nottani
Genre
drama film
Country
British Raj
Rating
7.0 of 10 from 1 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
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How it feels

This 1938 Indian Malayalam-language film tells the story of two orphaned children struggling to survive. It is a melodrama based on a short story about their difficult lives.

melodramaticnostalgicslow-pacedhistoricalplaintiveearnestsentimental

What happens

Balan is a lost 1938 Indian Malayalam-language drama film produced by T. R. Sundaram under the banner of Modern Theatres, directed by S. Nottani and written by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. It is notable for being the first sound film in the Malayalam language, and the third feature film in Malayalam cinema after Vigathakumaran and Marthanda Varma. Based on the short story Vidhiyum Mrs. Nayarum by A. Sundaram. The film is a melodrama about the struggle of two orphaned children. The film stars K. K. Aroor in the title role and M. K. Kamalam as the female lead, with Master Madanagopal, M. V. Shanku, K. Gopinath, Alleppey Vincent and C. O. N. Nambiar in supporting roles. The film was produced by T. R. Sundaram, a Salem-based producer under the banner of Modern Theatres. German cinematographer Bado Gushwalker handled the camera while Varghese and K.D. George did the editing. The film's music was composed by K. K. Aroor, himself, with lyrics written by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. Balan is the first Malayalam film to have a soundtrack. The sound of the film was recorded using German-made technology . The film features twenty-three songs. Balan was shot in Madras and on the sets of Powerful Studios. The filming of the film was done in five months. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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