Bharatham

Bharatham is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, and Murali. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his production house Pranavam Arts. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and a background score by Johnson. Bharatham is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the Ramayana from Bharatha's perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story.

Bharatham
DVD cover
Directed bySibi Malayil
Produced byMohanlal
Written byA. K. Lohithadas
StarringMohanlal
Urvashi
Nedumudi Venu
Lakshmi
Murali
Music byRaveendran
Johnson (Score)
CinematographyAnandakuttan
Edited byL. Bhoominathan
Production
company
Distributed bySeven Arts Release
Release date
  • 29 March 1991 (1991-03-29)
Running time
147 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

The film was a critical and commercial success.[1] Bharatham is also noted for its music that is largely Carnatic classical and semi-classical. The film won three National Film Awards—Best Actor for Mohanlal, Best Male Playback Singer for K. J. Yesudas for the song "Rama Katha Ganalayam", and Special Mention for Raveendran's music, and five Kerala State Film Awards. On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, Forbes India included Mohanlal's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".[2] It was remade in Tamil as Seenu by P. Vasu in 2000.[3][4]

Plot

Kalloor Gopinathan alias Gopi (Mohanlal) is a member of a happy family with carnatic music heritage and he himself is a good singer. Kalloor Ramanathan (Nedumudi Venu) who is also an excellent singer, is Gopi's elder brother, guru and role model. Ramanathan is married to Ramani (Lakshmi) and has a son Appu. Gopi is in love with Devi (Urvashi) who is the sister of Ramani. Raman reigns in the family and in the society with his music. But he turns into alcoholism. Despite several attempts by family members to make him give up the habit and several failed assurances to his family members, he is unable to give up the habit.

Raman reaches for a concert in an inebriated state and Gopi is forced to take over. He is an instant hit with the masses. This has been depicted quite symbolically during the song Sree Vinayagam. Gopi's music, which was hidden behind his brother's charisma now flows out in full strength. Taking this as an insult, Raman starts hating his brother and strives hard to recover from alcoholism. His morale is shattered when organizers of the Tyagaraja Aaradhana select his brother over him to perform. This makes Raman angry. So Gopi decides to stop singing. But on hearing this Raman understands his mistake and asks Gopi to sing at Tyagaraja Aaradhana.

Ramanathan attends his brother's concert in a drunken state but is able to appreciate his brother's talent. With a longing to get rid of the alcoholism and perform a concert with his brother, he sets on a pilgrimage, but was never to return. Gopi, getting to know that Raman is killed in an accident, is forced to conceal this truth because of their vocally disabled sister's marriage. Gopi gets lot of moral support with Devi, who also knows about the truth. Gopi's trauma reaches penultimate when his family comes to know about Raman's death and that Gopi was concealing it. Everything ends fine when the family understands his intentions.

Cast

Soundtrack
Bharatham
Soundtrack album by
Raveendran
ReleasedMarch 29, 1991 (1991-March-29)[5]
RecordedFebruary 1991
StudioTharangini, Chennai
GenreFilm soundtrack
LabelTharangini

The acclaimed soundtrack of this movie was composed by music maestro Raveendran for which the acclaimed lyrics were penned by Kaithapram.[6] All the songs of this movie were instant hits.

No.TitleSinger(s)RaagamNotes
1"Gopangane"K. J. Yesudas, K. S. ChithraNaattaDuet song picturised on Mohanlal and Urvashi.
2"Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani Prasadham")M. Balamuralikrishna, K. J. Yesudas, K. S. ChithraRaagamaalika (Mayamalavagowla, Thodi, Arabhi, Kanada)Title song. Picturised on Nedumudi Venu and Mohanlal.
3"Raghuvamshapathe"K. J. YesudasSankarabharanamKacheri performance by Mohanlal.
4"Ramakadha"K. J. YesudasShubhapantuvaraliSentimental performance by Mohanlal.
5"Sree Vinayakam"K. J. Yesudas, RaveendranHamsadhvaniKacheri performance by Mohanlal and Nedumudi Venu.
6"Bharatham"Kallara Gopan, SangeethaNot picturised in film.
7"Vasudevayani"M. G. SreekumarNot picturised in film.
8"Dhwani Prasadam"K. J. YesudasMayamalavagowlaEnd credit song. Picturised on Mohanlal and Vineeth Kumar.

Awards
39th National Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Kerala Film Critics Award[7]
  • Best Actor - Mohanlal
  • Best Screenplay - A. K. Lohithadas
  • Best Music Director - Raveendran
  • Best Cinematography - Anandakuttan

References
  1. "An interview with Lohitadas, director of the Malayalam film, Bhoothakkannadi". Rediff.com. 22 August 1997. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  2. Prasad, Shishir; Ramnath, N. S.; Mitter, Sohini (27 April 2013). "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Forbes. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  3. https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/10-mohanlal-films-to-watch-before-you-die/10-mohanlal-films-to-watch-before-you-die/photostory/52433959.cms
  4. "மோகன்லாலும், பின்னே தமிழ் ரீமேக்கும்..." Dinamalar. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  5. "Bharatham - Tharangni". Bandcamp. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  6. "Audio CD". Amazon. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  7. "15th Film Critics Award - 1991" – via YouTube.
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