Adoor Gopalakrishnan (born 3 July 1941) is an Indian

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

, script writer, and

producer Producer or producers may refer to: Occupations *Producer (agriculture), a farm operator *A stakeholder of economic production *Film producer, supervises the making of films **Executive producer, contributes to a film's budget and usually does not ...

and is regarded as one of the most notable and renowned filmmakers in India. With the release of his first feature film '' Swayamvaram'' (1972), Gopalakrishnan pioneered the new wave in

Malayalam cinema Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...

during the 1970s. In a career spanning over five decades, Gopalakrishnan has made only 12 feature films to date. His films are made in the Malayalam language and often depict the society and culture of his native state Kerala. Nearly all of his films premiered at

Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 ...

, Cannes and Toronto International Film Festival. Along with

Satyajit Ray Satyajit Ray (; 2 May 1921 – 23 April 1992) was an Indian director, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, author, essayist, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligrapher, and music composer. One of the greatest auteurs of fil ...

and Mrinal Sen, Gopalakrishnan is one of the most recognized Indian film directors in world cinema. For his films, Gopalakrishnan has won the National Film Award 16 times, next only to Ray and Sen. He also won the

Kerala State Film Awards The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Cha ...

17 times. He was awarded the State honours Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2006. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2004 for his valuable contributions to Indian cinema. In 2016, he was awarded the

J. C. Daniel Award The J. C. Daniel Award is Kerala's highest award in Malayalam cinema. It is presented annually by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, a non-profit institution under the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Government of Kerala, India. Insti ...

, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have established an archive and research center, the ''Adoor Gopalakrishnan Film Archive and Research Center'', at their Peck School of Arts where research students will have access to 35 mm prints of the eleven feature films and several documentaries made by Gopalakrishnan.

Biography

Gopalakrishnan was born on 3 July 1941 in the village of Pallicka
(Medayil Bungalow)
near Adoor, present day Kerala. After securing a degree in Economics, Political Science and Public Administration in 1961 from the Gandhigram Rural Institute, he worked as a Government officer near Dindigul in Tamil Nadu. In 1962, he left his job to study screenwriting and direction from the

Film and Television Institute of India The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) is a film institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India and aided by the Central Government of India. It is situated on the premises of the erstwhile ...

Pune. He completed his course from there with a scholarship from the Government of India. With his classmates and friends, Gopalakrishnan established ''Chithralekha Film Society and Chalachithra Sahakarana Sangham''; the organization was the first film society in Kerala and it aimed at production, distribution and exhibition of films in the co-operative sector. Adoor Gopalakrishnan 1

Gopalakrishnan's debut film, the national award-winning ''Swayamvaram'' (1972) was a milestone in

Malayalam film Malayalam cinema is an Indian cinema, Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ...

history. The film was exhibited widely in various international film festivals including those held in Moscow, Melbourne, London and Paris. The films that followed namely ''

Kodiyettam ''Kodiyettam ''() is a 1978 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The film stars Bharat Gopy in the lead role. Notable smaller roles were played by K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Kuttyedathi Vilasini, Azeez and Ad ...

, Elippathayam, Mukhamukham,

Anantaram ''Anantaram'' (Malayalam: ''അനന്തരം, )'', also known as ''Monologue'', is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language film produced, written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. It stars Mammootty, Ashokan and Shobhana in the lead. The fil ...

, ''

Mathilukal ''Mathilukal'' (Malayalam: മതിലുകൾ, meaning ''Walls'') is a Malayalam novel written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer in 1965. It is one of the most cherished and well-known love stories in Malayalam. Its hero, Basheer himself, and heroi ...

'', Vidheyan'' and '' Kathapurushan'' lived up to the reputation of his first film and were well received by critics at various film festivals and fetched him many awards. However, ''Mukhamukham'' was criticized in Kerala while ''Vidheyan'' was at the centre of a debate due to the differences in opinion between the writer of story of the film Sakhariya and Gopalakrishnan. Gopalakrishnan's later films are ''

Nizhalkuthu ''Nizhalkuthu'' ( en, Shadow Kill, french: Le Serviteur de Kali) is a 2002 Indian film in Malayalam directed, written and co-produced by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The film explores the recesses of the human consciousness. It stars Oduvil Unnikrishn ...

'', narrating the experiences of an executioner who learns that one of his subjects was innocent, and '' Naalu Pennungal'', a film adaptation of four short stories by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. All his films have won national and international awards (National award for best film twice, best director five times, and best script two times. His films have also won his actors and technicians several national awards). Gopalakrishnan's third feature, ''Elippathayam'' won him the coveted British Film Institute Award for 'the most original and imaginative film' of 1982. The International Film Critics Prize (FIPRESCI) has gone to him six times successively for ''Mukhamukham, Anantharam, Mathilukal, Vidheyan, Kathapurushan'' and ''Nizhalkkuthu''. Winner of several international awards like the UNICEF film prize (Venice), OCIC film prize (Amiens), INTERFILM Prize (Mannheim) etc., his films have been shown in Cannes,

, Berlin, Toronto, London, Rotterdam and every important festival around the world. In consideration of his contribution to Indian cinema, the nation honoured him with the title of Padma Shri (India's fourth highest civilian award) in 1984 and Padma Vibhushan (India's second highest civilian award) in 2006. Gopalakrishnan is settled in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in Kerala. His daughter Aswathi Dorje is an IPS officer (part of the Assam cadre, 2000 batch), currently acting as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Mumbai since June 2010.

Documentaries and 'New Cinema' movement

Apart from nine feature films, he has over 30 short films and documentaries to his credit. The Helsinki Film Festival was the first film festival to have a retrospective of his films. He has headed the jury at the

National Film Awards The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorat ...

and many international film festivals. Apart from his films, Gopalakrishnan's major contribution towards introducing a new cinema culture in Kerala was the constitution of the first Film Society in Kerala, "Chitralekha Film Society". He also took active part in the constitution of "Chitralekha", Kerala's first Film Co-operative Society for film production. These movements triggered a fresh wave of films, called "art films", by directors like G Aravindan, PA Becker, KG George, Pavithran, and Raveendran. At a time this movement was so strong that even popular cinema synthesised with art cinema to create a new genre of films. Bharat Gopi starred as hero 4 times in his ventures.

Style and trademarks

According to Gopalakrishnan " movies, the actor is not performing to the audience like the stage actor. Here they are acting for me. I am the audience and I will decide whether it is correct or not, enough or not."

Awards and milestones

Some of the awards and appreciation Gopalakrishnan has won for his films include: * 2016 - On the occasion of India celebrating its 70th Independence day, news agency '' NDTV'' compiled a list called "70 Years, 70 Great Films" and '' Swayamvaram'' was among the four Malayalam films that found place in the list. * 2015- Biswaratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika International Solidarity Award * 2013 - Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award C. B. Kumar Endowment for ''Cinema yum Samskaravum'' (Essay) * 2010 - Honorary Doctorate (

D.Litt Doctor of Letters (D.Litt., Litt.D., Latin: ' or ') is a terminal degree in the humanities that, depending on the country, is a higher doctorate after the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree or equivalent to a higher doctorate, such as the Doctor ...

) from University of Kerala * 2006 - Padma Vibhushan — Second highest civilian award from Government of India * 2004 - Dadasaheb Phalke Award — Lifetime Achievement Award in Film awarded by the Government of India * 1996 - Honorary Doctorate (

) from Mahatma Gandhi University * 1984 - Padma Shri — Fourth highest civilian award from Government of India. * 1984 - Legion of Honour — French order, the highest decoration in France *

— Various categories for ''Swayamvaram'', ''Kodiyettam'', ''Elippathayam'', ''Mukhamukham'', ''Anantaram'', ''Mathilukal'', ''Vidheyan'', ''Kathapurushan'', '' Nizhalkkuthu'' and '' Naalu Pennungal'' *

: — Various categories for ''Kodiyettam'', ''Elippathayam'', ''Mukhamukham'', ''Anantaram'', ''Vidheyan'' and '' Oru Pennum Randaanum'' *International Film Critics Prize (

FIPRESCI The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI, short for Fédération Internationale de la PRESse CInématographique) is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world fo ...

) — won consecutively for six feature films (Mukhamukham, Anantaram, Mathilukal, Vidheyan, Kathapurushan and Nizhalkkuthu) * London Film Festival — Sutherland Trophy — in 1982 for ''Elippathayam'' * British Film Institute Award — Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 — ''Elippathayam'' * Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by French Government (2003) *Lifetime achievement award at Cairo International Film Festival. National Film Awards (Detailed): * 1973 - Best Film - ''Swayamvaram'' * 1973 - Best Director - ''Swayamvaram'' * 1978 - Best Feature Film in Malayalam - ''Kodiyettam'' * 1980 - National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Non-Feature Film) - ''The Chola Heritage'' * 1982 - Best Feature Film in Malayalam - ''Elippathayam'' * 1984 - Best Book on Cinema - ''Cinemayude Lokam'' * 1985 - Best Director - ''Mukhamukham'' * 1985 - Best Feature Film in Malayalam - ''Mukhamukham'' * 1985 -

Best Screenplay Best or The Best may refer to: People * Best (surname), people with the surname Best * Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer Companies and organizations * Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain * Best Lock Corporatio ...

- ''Mukhamukham'' * 1988 - Best Director - '' Anantharam'' * 1988 -

- ''Anantharam'' * 1990 - Best Director - ''Mathilukal'' * 1990 - Best Feature Film in Malayalam - ''Mathilukal'' * 1994 - Best Feature Film in Malayalam - ''Vidheyan'' * 1995 - Best Film - ''Kathapurushan'' * 2003 - Best Feature Film in Malayalam - '' Nizhalkkuthu'' * 2008 - Best Director - '' Naalu Pennungal'' Kerala State Film Awards (Detailed): '' Best Film'' * 1977 - Best Film - ''

'' * 1981 - Best Film - '' Elippathayam'' * 1984 - Best Film - '' Mukhamukham'' * 1993 - Best Film - '' Vidheyan'' * 2008 - Best Film - '' Oru Pennum Randaanum'' '' Best Director'' * 1977 - Best Director - ''

'' * 1984 - Best Director - '' Mukhamukham'' * 1987 - Best Director - ''Anantharam'' * 1993 - Best Director - '' Vidheyan'' * 2008 - Best Director - '' Oru Pennum Randaanum'' '' Best Story'' * 1977 - Best Story - ''

'' '' Best Screen Play'' * 1993 - Best Screen Play - '' Vidheyan'' * 2008 - Best Screen Play - '' Oru Pennum Randaanum'' '' Best Documentary Film'' * 1982 - Best Documentary Film - Krishnanattam * 1999 - Best Documentary Film - Kalamandalam Gopi ''

Best Short Film Best or The Best may refer to: People * Best (surname), people with the surname Best * Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer Companies and organizations * Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain * Best Lock Corporation, ...

'' * 2005 -

- Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair '' Best Book on Cinema'' * 2004 - Best Book on Cinema - Cinemanubhavam A retrospective of his films was conducted in * Kolkata, by Seagull Foundation for the Arts and Nandan, 2009. * The Slovenian International Film Festival, 2009. * The Munich Film Museum, 2009. * The French Cinematheque, Paris, 1999.

Filmography

References

External links

Official website of Adoor

* * ttp://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/06intro.htm Adoor's oeuvre on Rediff
Collection of photos of Adoor

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gopalakrishnan, Adoor 1941 births Living people Best Director National Film Award winners Directors who won the Best Feature Film National Film Award Best Original Screenplay National Film Award winners Producers who won the Best Feature Film National Film Award J. C. Daniel Award winners Kerala State Film Award winners Recipients of the Legion of Honour Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in arts Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients Film and Television Institute of India alumni Malayalam screenwriters Film producers from Kerala Film directors from Kerala Malayalam film directors Indian documentary filmmakers People from Pathanamthitta district 20th-century Indian film directors Screenwriters from Kerala Malayalam film producers Malayalam film cinematographers Cinematographers from Kerala 21st-century Indian film directors 20th-century Indian photographers 21st-century Indian photographers 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights 21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Malayali people