Sathyan (born Cheruvilakathu Veetil Manuel Sathyanesan Nadar; 9 November 1912 – 15 June 1971) was an Indian actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema. Known for his own style and versatility in acting, Satyan was one of the pioneers of realistic acting in

Indian film industry The Cinema of India consists of motion pictures produced in India, which had a large effect on world cinema since the late 20th century. Major centers of film production across the country include Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Ko ...

. He is respectfully called Sathyan Master. He was also a soldier in the British Indian Army and later a police officer with the Travancore State Police. Sathyan served as an officer in the British Indian Army during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. After the war he joined the Travancore state police as an inspector in late 1940s. During this time he got interested in acting and acted in amateur stage plays. He made his debut film in 1952 film

Athmasakhi ''Athmasakhi'' (ml; ആത്മസഖി) is an Indian soap opera which launched by Mazhavil Manorama channel on 11 July 2016. The show stars Malayalam actress Avanthika Mohan and Rayjan Rajan in the lead roles. It took the slot of 7:00 PM ...

and rose to stardom with the critically acclaimed film

Neelakuyil ''Neelakuyil'' ( en, The Blue Cuckoo; ml, നീലക്കുയിൽ) is a 1954 Malayalam film jointly directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat. It is a neo-realistic melodrama and was based on a story written by Uroob who co-wrote the ...

in 1954. He dominated the Malayalam film industry over two decades ( 1952 – 1971) along with his contemporary Prem Nazir. He is remembered for his performances in ''Anubhavangal Palichakal'' (1971), '' Karinizhal'' (1971), ''

Kadalpalam ''Kadalpalam'' is a 1969 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan, written by K. T. Mohammed and produced by M. O. Joseph under Manjilas Films. The film stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi with Sheela, Bahadoor and Adoor Bh ...

'' (1969), ''Yakshi'' (1968), ''Odayilninnu'' (1965), ''

Udhyogastha ''Udhyogastha'' is a 1967 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Venu and produced by P. K. Devadas and P. S. Das. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Madhu and Sharada in the lead roles. The film was scored by M. S. Baburaj. Plot Udhyogasth ...

'' (1967), ''

Veettu Mrugam ''Veettumrugam'' is a 1969 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Venu and produced by P. Sukumaran and G. Arjunan. The film stars Sathyan, Madhu, Sharada and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. The film had musical score by G. Devarajan. Cast * ...

'' (1969), ''Vazhvemayam'' (1970), ''Oru Penninte Kadha'' (1971), '' Karakanakadal'' (1971), ''Pakalkinavu'' (1966), ''Ningalenne Communist Akki'' (1970), ''Kayamkulam Kochunni'' (1966), ''

Sarasayya ''Sarasayya'' is a 1971 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Thoppil Bhasi and produced by P. V. Sathyam. The film stars Sathyan, Madhu, Sheela and Jayabharathi. It is a sequel to the Malayalam film '' Ashwamedham'' (1967), and an adap ...

'' (1971), ''Rowdy'' (1966), '' Mooladhanam'' (1969),''

Chemmeen ''Chemmeen'' () is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language romance film, based on the novel of the same name by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai. It was adapted into a screenplay by S. L. Puram Sadanandan, directed by Ramu Kariat, and produced by Babu Is ...

'' (1965), ''

Ammayenna Sthree ''Ammayenna Sthree'' is a 1970 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, K. R. Vijaya and Ragini. The film has musical score by A. M. Rajah. Plot Hari (Prem Nazir) and Ravi (K. P. ...

'' (1970), ''Kuttavali'' (1970), ''Crossbelt'' (1970), ''

Adimakal ''Adimakal'' () is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and produced by M. O. Joseph. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela and Sharada. The film had musical score and songs composed by G. Devarajan. It ...

'' (1969), '' Thacholi Othenan'' (1964), ''

Aadyakiranangal ''Aadyakiranangal'' is a 1964 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. Bhaskaran. The film stars Sathyan, Madhu, Ambika and K. R. Vijaya, with a musical score by K. Raghavan. The film won National Film Award for Best Featu ...

'' (1964) and ''

Mudiyanaya Puthran ''Mudiyanaya Puthran'' () is a 1961 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Ramu Kariat. It stars Sathyan, Ambika Sukumaran, Kottayam Chellappan, P. J. Antony, J. A. R. Anand, Miss Kumari, Adoor Bhavani, Kedamangalam Ali, P. A. Thomas, ...

'' (1961). Sathyan won the Best Actor Award at the inaugural Kerala State Film Award ceremony for his double role in ''

''. He won the

Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor The Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor is an honour, begun in 1969, presented annually at the Kerala State Film Awards of India to an actor for best performance in a Malayalam film. Until 1997, the awards were managed directly by the Depart ...

again in 1971 for his film '' Karakanakadal''.

Personal life

Sathyan was born in a Christian ( C.S.I.) Nadar family at Aramada, Thrikkannapuram, Thiruvananthapuram on 9 November 1912 as the first child of Cheruvilakathu Veettil Manuel and Emily. He has four siblings named Chellayya, Neshan, Devadas, and Jacob. Sathyan passed the ''Vidwan'' exam, equivalent to

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Th ...

before joining St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Trivandrum as a teacher. After some time, he got job as a clerk in the Kerala Secretariat and worked there for about a year. He joined the army in 1941 and got posted as a Commissioned Officer of the

Viceroy of India The Governor-General of India (1773–1950, from 1858 to 1947 the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, commonly shortened to Viceroy of India) was the representative of the monarch of the United Kingdom and after Indian independence in 19 ...

. He served the

British army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...

Manipur Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of ...

Burma Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John Wells explai ...

(now

Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John Wells explai ...

) and British Malaya (now

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

) during the

period. After finishing his term in the army, he returned home and joined the then Travancore State Police as a

police inspector Inspector, also police inspector or inspector of police, is a police rank. The rank or position varies in seniority depending on the organization that uses it. Australia In Australian police forces, the rank of inspector is generally the ne ...

. During the

Punnapra-Vayalar uprising The Punnapra-Vayalar killings (October 1946) was a militant communist movement in the Princely State of Travancore, British India against the Prime Minister, C. P. Ramaswami Iyer and the state.Manorama Yearbook 2011, ISSN 0970-9096 Historians ...

in 1946, Sathyan was the inspector at Alappuzha North Police Station. Sathyan was married to Jessy until his death in 1971. They have three sons: Prakash, Satheesh and Jeevan.

Entry to films

Sathyan's entry into the field of acting started during his tenure as the police officer. At that time he acted in several amateur plays and that experience made him more interested in acting. His entry to film industry was accidental. He got introduced to a film musician Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar during his tenure as Inspector in Alappuzha North Police Station. The musician introduced Sathyan to various film personalities and one producer promised to cast him in a film; however, Sathyan did not get any calls from the producer. Sathyan came to know about a film that Kaumudi Chief Editor and his neighbour K. Balakrishnan were planning. He met Balakrishnan and the latter was impressed by Sathyan. Balakrishnan cast him as the protagonist in the film written and produced by him, titled ''Thyagaseema''. The then Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mary Arputham, objected to Sathyan acting in the film. Sathyan resigned from his job to act in this film and shortened his name to Sathyan from Sathyaneshan. However, the film was dropped. ''Thyagaseema'' was also incidentally the first film for Prem Nazir. In 1952 P. Subramaniam established Neela Productions. He happened to see the rushes of ''Thyagaseema'' and was impressed by Sathyan's performance. Subramaniam invited Sathyan to act as hero in his first film ''Athmasakhi'' (1952) which was Sathyan's first release.

Film career

Rise to stardom

In 1952, Sathyan's first film got released. The film was titled ''

'' and it earned him recognition in the industry. Sathyan rose to fame with the legendary ''

Neelakkuyil ''Neelakuyil'' ( en, The Blue Cuckoo; ml, നീലക്കുയിൽ) is a 1954 Malayalam film jointly directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat. It is a neo-realistic melodrama and was based on a story written by Uroob who co-wrote the s ...

'' (1954). The film was also a milestone in Malayalam film history. It was the first film to have an authentic Malayalam story. The film was written by renowned literary figure

Uroob Parutholli Chalappurathu Kuttikrishnan, popularly known by his pen name Uroob ( ml, ഉറൂബ്; 1915 – 1979) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. Along with Basheer, Thakazhi, Kesavadev, and Pottekkatt, Uroob was counted a ...

and directed by Ramu Karyat-P. Bhaskaran duo. The songs in the film written by P. Bhaskaran and set to tunes by K. Raghavan were superhits. The film became the first Malayalam film to win national recognition when it was awarded the ''Rajat Kamal'' (National Film Awards, Silver Lotus Award). The film's success at the box office raised Sathyan and his co-star Miss Kumari to stardom.

Peak time

Sathyan's career was influenced by great directors like K. S. Sethumadhavan, P. Venu, A. Vincent and Ramu Karyat. Sathyan's roles in various films directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan like ''Pappu'' in ''Odayil Ninnu (film), Odayil Ninnu'', ''Jayarajan'' in ''Daham'', ''Prof. Sreeni'' in ''Yakshi (film), Yakshi'' (first psychological thriller in Malayalam) and the pratogonist in ''Vazhve Mayam'' were well appreciated. Sathyan's other major performances include those in ''

'', ''Snehaseema'', ''Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu'', ''

'', ''

'', ''Bharya (1962 film), Bharya'', ''Shakuntala (1965 film), Shakuntala'', ''Kayamkulam Kochunni'', ''

'' and '' Karakanakadal''. His famous title character 'Othenan' in the film '' Thacholi Othenan'' became highly popular among the masses. His role in ''

'', the poignant love story set against the background of the coast of Alappuzha did not win him the best actor award for the year, but is one of the most popular roles of his career. He acted in over 150 Malayalam films and two Tamil films. Sathyan won the first Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1969 for the double role in

Final films

Vazhve Mayam, Anubhavangal Paalichakal, Karakanakadal which won high critical acclaim were among his final films. Other releases were ''Bhikara Nimishankal'', ''Aranazhikaneram'' and ''Oru Penninte Katha'' (as Madhavan Thambi). Sathyan died before completing the movie 'Anubhavangal Paalichakal.' It is said that the expressions of Sathyan in the song 'Pravaachankanmare' in that movie is real because of the pain he suffered in real life. It is also said that, the final scenes of Sathyan in the movie are made with a dupe and the crying scene of Sheela in the climax is real because of the departure of Sathyan in real life. He was posthumously awarded the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1971 for his performance in ''Karakanakadal''. Mammootty and Suresh Gopi debuted in film as child artists in Sathyan's movies. Mammootty in Anubhavangal Paalichakal and Suresh Gopi in Odayil Ninnu.

Death

Sathyan died of leukemia after fighting it for a year and four months on 15 June 1971 at Madras. He was aged 58 at the time of his death. His body was taken back to his native place Thiruvananthapuram, and was buried with full state honours. Thousands attended his funeral. His wife outlived him for 16 years, dying in 1987. His eldest son Prakash Sathyan died on Vishu day in 2014.

Accolades and legacy

Sathyan was a prominent actor to be considered as a superstar in Malayalam film industry after Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. During the late 1950s and the whole of the 1960s, he and Prem Nazir formed a bipolar industry with a considerable number of films starring at least one of them. He won the inaugural Kerala State Film Award for best actor in 1969 & again posthumously in 1971. There is a Sathyan Memorial Art Gallery in Thiruvananthapuram.

Awards and recognition

Kerala State Film Awards: *1969: Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, Best Actor – ''

'' (First State Award receiver) *1971: Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, Best Actor – ''Kara Kana kadal, Karakanakkadal'' Film Film Awards: *1969: Adimakal

Popular roles

Below are a few of the most popular & critically praised characters played by Sathyan: *

(1954) – Sreedharan Nair * Thacholi Othenan (1964) – Othenan *Odayil Ninnu (film), Odayil Ninnu (1965) – Pappu *

(1965) – Palani *Yakshi (film), Yakshi (1968) – Sreeni *

(1969) – Double Role * Mooladhanam (1969) – multistarrer with Nazeer *Vazhve Mayam (1970) – Sudhi * Karinizhal (1970) – Colonel *Anubhavangal Paalichakal (1971) – Chellappan * Karakanakadal (1971) – posthumous state award winner

Memorials

Awards established in his name

'' Sathyan National Film Award (Sathyan Foundation) '': An award instituted by the "Sathyan Foundation" a charitable organization formed with the basic objective of perpetuating the memory of veteran actor Sathyan by his children and grand child. The "Sathyan National Film Award" is presented annually to an eminent personality of Indian cinema. Memento, certificate and 25000rs/- are given as award for the awardees. *Winners: Murali, Thilakan, P. Bhaskaran, Balachandra Menon, Kalabhavan Mani, Sheela, Nedumudi Venu, Dileep, K. S. Chithra, K.J Yesudas, Kalabhavan Mani, Madhu, Sharada, Suresh Gopi,M. Jayachandran, Sreekumaran Thampi, Jerry Amaldev. ''Sathyan Award'': An award instituted by the Kerala Cultural Forum. The award carries a sum of Rs. 10000 and a plaque. *Winner: Innocent (2007) ''Sathyan Memorial Film Award'': An award instituted by the Sathyan Memorial Arts and Sports Club. The award is given in various fields including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Anti-Hero, Best Comedian, Best Newcomer and Best Singers (male and female), taking the last year's performances into consideration.

Filmography

Malayalam

*Thenaruvi (1973) – Posthumous film *Lakshyam (1972) *Akkarapacha (1972) *Agnimrugam (1971) -guest role *Kuttyedathi (1971) .... Appunni *Thettu (1971).... Johny *

(1971).... Dr. Thomas *Anubhavangal Paalichakal(1971).... Chellappan *Panchavankaadu (1971)...Ananda Kurup *Moonnupookkal (1971) *Shiksha (film), Shiksha (1971).... Surendran *CID in Jungle (1971) *Karakaanaakkadal (1971) *Oru Penninte Kadha (1971) * Karinizhal (1971) *Vimochanasamaram (1971) *Kalithozhi (1971) *Kurukshethram (1970 film), Kurukshethram (1970) *Sthree (1970) *Aranaazhikaneram (1970).... Mathukkutty *Nishaagandhi (1970) *

(1970) *Dathuputhran (1970)...Kunjachan *Bheekara Nimishangal (1970)..... Mancheri Raghavan *Cross Belt (1970).... Rajasekharan Nair *Othenante Makan (1970)... Othenan Kurup *Ningalenne Communistakki (film), Ningalenne Communistaakki (1970)...Paramu Pilla *Thriveni (1970) *Kalpana (1970 film), Kalpana (1970) *Kuttavaali (1970) .... Kedi Krishnan *Thara (1970 film), Thaara (1970).... Balakrishna Pilla *Nilakkaatha Chalanangal (1970) *Vazhve Mayam (1970) .... Sudhindharan Nair *Vivaahitha (1970).... Ashok *''

'' (1969) *Sandhya (film), Sandhya (1969) *Kadalppaalam (1969)...Narayana Kaimal, Raghu (double role) *Urangatha Sundari (1969) .... Vikraman Kartha *

(1969) .... Appukuttan *Velliyaazhcha (1969).... Ravi * Mooladhanam (1969).... Ravi *Chattambikkavala (1969) *Koottukudumbam (1969) *Kaattukurangu (1969) *Vilakkappetta Bandhangal (1969) *Kuruthikkalam (1969) *Aparaadhini (1968) *Manaswini (1968) *Agnipareeksha (1968) .... Dr.Mohan *Yakshi (film), Yakshi (1968)...Sreenivasan *Velutha Kathreena (1968) .... Chellappan *Thokkukal Kadha Parayunnu (1968) *Kaliyalla Kalyaanam (1968) *Pengal (1968) *Vazhi Pizhacha Santhathi (1968) *Midumidukki (1968) *Kaarthika (1968).... Kunju *Sahadharmini (1967) *Thalirukal (1967) *Khadeeja (1967) *Mainatharuvi Kolakkes (1967) *N. G. O. (1967) *Swapnabhoomi (1967) *Kaavaalam Chundan (1967) *Sheelaavathi (1967) *Anweshichu Kandethiyilla (1967) *

(1967) *Postman (1967 film), Postman (1967) *Ollathumathi (1967) *Chekuthaante Kotta (1967) *Naadan Pennu (1967) *Ashwamedham (1967)..... Thomas *Kudumbam (1967 film), Kudumbam (1967) *Pavappettaval (1967) .... Gopi *Arakkillam (1967) *Rowdy (1966) *Anarkali (1966 film), Anarkali (1966)..... Akbar *Thilothama (1966) *Tharavaattamma (1966).... Gopi *Station Master (1966 film), Station Master (1966) *Kallippennu (1966) *Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966 film), Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966)...Kochunni *Pakalkkinaavu (1966) *Jail (1966) *Koottukar (1966 film), Koottukaar (1966) *Thommante Makkal (1965) *

(1965) .... Palani *Shakunthala (1965) *Daaham (1965) .... Jayaraj *Kadathukaaran (1965)...Ramu *Inapraavukal (1965) *Shyaamala Chechi (1965) *Devatha (1965 film), Devatha (1965) *Odayil Ninnu (film), Odayil Ninnu (1965) .... Pappu *Chettathi (1965) .... Premachandran *Kaattuthulasi (1965) *Ammu (1965 film), Ammu (1965) *

(1964).... Kunjukutty *Aayisha (1964) *Omanakkuttan (1964) *Manavaatti (1964) *Anna (1964 film), Anna (Old) (1964) * Thacholi Othenan (1964)...Thacholi Othenan *Kalanjukittiya Thankam (1964).... Sugathan *Pazhassiraaja (1964) *Check Post (1974) *Aashaachakram (1973) *Rebecca (1963 film), Rebecca (1963) *Nithyakanyaka (1963) *Doctor (1963 film), Doctor (1963) .... Rajendran *Ammaye Kaanaan (1963) .... Chandran *Moodupadam (1963) *Kadalamma (1963) *Baalya Prathijna (Purusharathnam) (1972) *Akkarappacha (1972) *Kalippaava (1972) *Paalaattu Koman (Konkiyamma) (1962) *Bhaagyajaathakam (1962) *Laila Majnu (1962 film), Laila Majnu (1962) *Vidhi Thanna Vilakku (1962) *Sreekovil (film), Sreekovil (1962) *Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi (1962) .... Sukumaran *Kannum Karalum (1962) *Viyarppinte Vila (1962) *Bharya (1962 film), Bhaarya (1962) *Krishnakuchela (1961) *Arappavan (1961).... Vettukaaran Ramu *

(1961).... Rajasekharan Pilla *Unniyarcha (1961)...Aromal Chekavar *Minnalppadayaali (1959) *Chathurangam (1959 film), Chathurangam (1959) *Nairu Pidicha Pulivaalu (1958)..... Chandran *Lilly (film), Lilly (1958) *Minnunnathellaam Ponnalla (1957) *Achanum Makanum (1957) *Thaskaraveeran (1957 film), Thaskaraveeran (1957) *Deva Sundari (1957) *Avar Unarunnu (1956) *Kaalam Maarunnu (1955) *

(1954)..... Sreedharan Nair *Snehaseema (1954).... Johny *Aashadeepam (1953) *Lokaneethi (1953) *Thiramaala (1953) *Aathmasakhi (1952) *Thyaagaseema (1951) (unreleased film)

Tamil

*''Aalukkoru Veedu'' (1960) *''Pesum Dheivam'' (1967)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sathyan Male actors from Tamil Nadu 1912 births 1971 deaths Kerala State Film Award winners Male actors in Malayalam cinema Indian male film actors 20th-century Indian male actors People from Nagercoil Deaths from leukemia Deaths from cancer in India Indian Christians