Agnisakshi (1999 film)

Agnisakshi (English: With Fire As Witness) is a 1999 Indian Malayalam-language spiritual film written and directed by Shyamaprasad, based on the novel of the same name by Lalithambika Antharjanam. It stars Rajit Kapur, Shobana, Srividya, Praveena, Madhupal and Madambu Kunhukuttan. The film premiered at the Soorya Festival on 14 September 1998. Agnisakshi received numerous accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and nine Kerala State Film Awards. The film holds the distinction of being the only film to get 9 Kerala State Film Awards.[1]

Agnisakshi
CD cover
Directed byShyamaprasad
Screenplay byShyamaprasad
Based onAgnisakshi
by Lalithambika Antharjanam
Produced byV V Babu
StarringRajit Kapur
Shobana
Srividya
Praveena
Madhupal
Madambu Kunhukuttan
CinematographyAlagappan N.
Edited byBeena Paul
Music byKaithapram Damodaran
Production
company
Srishti Films
Release date
  • 1999 (1999)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Plot and themes

Unni marries Devaki in a traditional arranged marriage and brings her into the fold of his Namboothiri illam. Bound by a plethora of traditional beliefs, customs and rituals that constitute life within four walls of the joint family, and also consumed by his commitment to not hurt others by going against any tradition, Unni is unable to be the husband that he would have liked to be. Yet, Unni and Devaki understand and love each other immensely and silently. Guarded by the fortress of tradition, the family remains oblivious to the winds of change sweeping through society. Though Unni is aware, he shuts the door to everything that his family will never be able to comprehend or accept. But Devaki, who is essentially of a different mould, longs to step out into the world — and is finally forced to do so.

Set in early 1930s, the story develops within walls of a Namboothiri Illam, in the South Indian state of Kerala, against the backdrop of the struggle for freedom from the British rule. The film opens in Haridwar, a holy city, where Thankam, Unni's younger cousin sister [Unni's father's younger brother's daughter (Apfan's daughter). Since Unni's late father was the eldest son in that Namboothiri family, he could marry a Brahmin woman. So Unni's mother was Namboothiri. Only the eldest could marry, and other sons of Namboothiri household could only have "sambandham"s with non-Brahmin women. So Thankam's mother was Nair] has come to immerse Unni's ashes in the Ganga and trace Devaki, who now is an ascetic. The story is revealed through the reminiscences of Thankam, a mute spectator who is caught between these characters and the complexities of their relationship — complexities that can never be relegated to the realms of right and wrong.

Cast

Soundtrack
Agnisakshi
Soundtrack album by
Kaithapram
ReleasedOctober 3, 1999 (1999-October-03)[2]
GenreFilm soundtrack
LabelJohny Sagariga
T-Series

The album consists of 9 tracks all written (except Aathole and Sa virahe) and composed by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.[3]

No.TitleSinger(s)RaagamNotes
1JwaalamukhamaayK. J. Yesudas
2VaarthinkaludhikkaathaK. S. ChithraKapi
3Gange Maha MangaleK. J. Yesudas, SindhuChakravakam
4Kannaanthali MuttatheSujatha Mohan
5VaarthinkaludhikkaathaK. J. YesudasKapi
6Saa ViraheKavalam SreekumarDwijavanthiWritten by Jayadeva
7MangalaathiraSudha Ranjith
8PankajavairiSudha Ranjith
9Aathole KunjaatholeSudha RanjithTraditional lyrics

Awards
National Film Awards – 1998
Kerala State Film Awards – 1998
Kerala State Film Critics Awards
  • Best Film - V V Babu
  • Best Director - Shyamaprasad
  • Best Lyrics - Kaithaprom
  • Best Actress - Shobana
  • Best Cinematographer - Azhagappan
  • Best Art Director - Premachandran
Other awards

References
  1. "Happy Birthday Shobana: Five movies of the actress from 'Manichithrathazhu' to 'Makalkku' that you should watch right away". The Times of India. 21 March 2020.
  2. "Agnisakshi (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music.
  3. "Agnisakshi - MSIDb". malayalasangeetham.info.
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