K. Ravindranathan Nair

K. Ravindranathan Nair (3 July 1933 – 8 July 2023), also known as Achani Ravi or General Pictures Ravi, was an Indian film producer of Malayalam films, industrialist and philanthropist. He was known for a number of critically acclaimed films he produced, such as Kanchana Sita, Thampu, Kummatty, Esthappan, Pokkuveyil, Elippathayam, Manju, Mukhamukham, Anantaram and Vidheyan. Nair was credited with fostering the art film movement in Malayalam cinema during the period from the 1970s to the 1990s.[1] A multiple recipient of National and State film awards, Nair was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award by the Government of Kerala, in 2008, for his contributions to Malayalam cinema.[2][3]

K. Ravindranathan Nair
Born(1933-07-03)3 July 1933
Kollam, Travancore, British Raj
Died8 July 2023(2023-07-08) (aged 90)
Other namesAchani Ravi
General Pictures Ravi
OccupationFilm producer
Years active1967–2023
SpouseUsha Ravi
Children3
AwardsJ. C. Daniel Award
National Film Award
Kerala State Film Award
WebsiteOfficial web site

Biography

K. Ravindran Nair was born in a rich family, dealing with cashew production and exports.[4] He was the fifth son of Vendor Krishna Pillai, one of the cashew processing pioneers of Kerala. His passion for literature and arts brought him into Malayalam cinema and in 1967, he established General Pictures under the banner of which he produced his first movie, Anweshichu Kandethiyilla, directed by P. Bhaskaran.[5][6] This was followed by two more films the next year, Kattukurangu and Lakshaprabhu, both directed by Bhaskaran. Ravi, as he is generally known, was silent for the next few years till he came out with his next film, Achani, an A. Vincent movie, in 1973, which earned him the moniker, Achani Ravi. The film was reported to be a commercial success like his earlier films and Ravi is known to have contributed the returns from the movie to building a Public Library in Kollam,[4][7] of which he was a founder member and honorary secretary.[4]

1977 marked a new chapter in Nair's life with the first of his films with the filmmaker G. Aravindan, Kanchana Sita releasing that year. This was followed by four more Aravindan films, Thampu (1978), Kummatty (1979), Esthappan (1979) and Pokkuveyil (1981).[5] [6] The next film he produced, Elippathayam (1981), was directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Three more films, Mukhamukham (1984), Anantaram (1987) and Vidheyan (1993), with the same director were released in the ensuing years. In between, he also produced a film, Manju (1982) for the Jnanpith and National Film award winner, M. T. Vasudevan Nair.[5][6]

Nair produced a total of 14 films for which he received 18 awards before he retired from cinema.[8]

Personal life and death

Usha Ravi, Ravindran Nair's wife, was a playback singer having sung in movies such as Thampu, Aambal poovu and Detective 909.[9] Usha died on 2 October 2013.[9]

Nair died on 8 July 2023, at the age of 90.[10]

Filmography
Film Year Director Awards
Anweshichu Kandethiyilla1967P. BhaskaranNational Film Award[11]
Kattukurangu1968P. Bhaskaran-
Lakshaprabhu1968P. Bhaskaran-
Achani1973A. Vincent-
Kanchana Sita1977G. AravindanNational Film Award for Best Direction[12]
Thampu1978G. AravindanNational Film Award[13]
Kummatty1979G. AravindanKerala State Film Award[14]
Esthappan1979G. AravindanKerala State Film Award[14]
Pokkuveyil1981G. Aravindan-
Elippathayam1981Adoor GopalakrishnanNational Film Award[15]
Kerala State Film Award[14]
Manju1982M. T. Vasudevan Nair-
Mukhamukham1984Adoor GopalakrishnanNational Film Award[16]
Anantaram1987Adoor GopalakrishnanNational Film Award for Best Direction[17]
Vidheyan1993Adoor GopalakrishnanNational Film Award[18]

See also

References
  1. "Mathrubhumi". Mathrubhumi. 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  2. Venkiteswaran, C. S. (19 June 2009). "The alchemist of cinema". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  3. "The New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  4. "Thiruvananthapuram First". Thiruvananthapuram First. 11 June 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  5. "The alchemist of Cinema". The Hindu. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  6. "Kollam City". Kollam City. 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  7. "Achani". Achani. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  8. Ee Vazhitharayil (Along this pathway) (Documentary). Kerala: Mathrubhumi News. 2014.
  9. "Usha Ravi". Kaumudi. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  10. "Famous Film Producer Achani Ravi Passes Away". Kaumudi Online. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  11. "15th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  12. "25th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 2,44. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  13. "26th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  14. "1979 Film Awards". Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  15. "29th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  16. "32nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  17. "35th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. pp. 12–13. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  18. "41st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 3 March 2012.

Further reading
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