P. J. Antony
P. J. Antony (1 January 1925 – 14 March 1979) was an Indian stage and film actor.[3] He received the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Nirmalyam in 1974. He was also the first actor working in Malayalam cinema to receive the award.[4] Antony was also a respected figure in the professional theatre field, working with communist cultural and art bodies like the K.P.A.C.[5]
P. J. Antony | |
|---|---|
 Antony in Nirmalyam | |
| Born | 1 January 1925[1] |
| Died | 14 March 1979 (aged 54)[2] |
| Occupation(s) | Soldier, Actor, Director, Script Writer, Lyricist, Novelist |
| Years active | 1958–1979 |
| Spouse | Smt. Mary (1954–1979) (his death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | National Film Award for Best Actor
Kerala State Film Awards 1973 - Nirmalyam |
He also established his own theater, named Prathibha Theatres, in Kochi.[6]
Biography
In his early 20s, Antony served in the Royal Navy during World War II. Post war, he returned home and joined a workshop as an officer. It was in this period that Antony got chance to work with professional theatre artists. Soon he established himself as a prominent figure in Malayalam plays with his skills in acting, writing and direction. He was directly associated with the K.P.A.C., a major political drama theater at that time. He later established two theaters of his own, namely P. J. Theatres and Prathibha Theatres (which is still active).
Building on his expertise in stage plays, Antony began his film acting career.[7] His debut film was Randidangazhi (1957), a film adaptation of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's novel of the same title. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor (known then, in 1974, as the Bharath Award) for his performance as a velichappadu (an oracle or medium between the Goddess and the worshipper in a Hindu temple) in Nirmalyam, directed by prominent literary figure M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Antony was the lyricist and screenwriter for a small number of films. He also directed a film titled Periyar.[8]
In a historical drama, Amal Neerad's Iyobinte Pusthakam had the famous director Aashiq Abu playing the role of P. J. Antony, though in a guest appearance.
Filmography
1950s
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Randidangazhi | Koran | |
1960s
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Mudiyanaya Puthran | Vasu | |
| 1962 | Kalpadukal | ||
| 1963 | Ninamanija Kalpadukal | Thankamma's husband | |
| Ammaye Kaanaan | Sukumaran Nair | ||
| 1964 | Kalanjukittiya Thankam | Kuttan Nair | |
| Oral Koodi Kallanayi | |||
| Ore Bhoomi Ore Raktham | |||
| Aadyakiranangal | Kariyachan | ||
| Thacholi Othenan | Kathiroor Gurukkal | ||
| Bhargavi Nilayam | Narayanan Nair (Nanukuttan) | [9] | |
| 1965 | Rosie | ||
| Murappennu | Kunjikrishana Menon | ||
| 1966 | Kunjali Marakkar | Zamorin's nephew | |
| Tharavattamma | Govinda Pilla | ||
| 1967 | Balyakalasakhi | ||
| Ashwamedham | Keshavan Swamy | ||
| Anweshichu Kandethiyilla | Unnunnichayan | ||
| Kavalam Chundan | |||
| Sheelavathi | Athri Maharshi | ||
| Iruttinte Athmavu | Gopalan Nair | ||
| Kamuki | |||
| Pareeksha | Neelakanda Pilla | ||
| Mulkireedam | |||
| Nagarame Nandi | Anandan Pillai | ||
| Chekuthante Kotta | |||
| 1968 | Manaswini | ||
| Punnapra Vayalar | Kochu Naanu | ||
| Kayalkkarayil | |||
| Lakshaprabhu | |||
| Asuravithu | Kunjarikkar | ||
| 1969 | Veettumriam | ||
| Virunnukari | Raghava Menon | ||
| Kattukurangu | Vasavan | ||
| Nadhi | Mullakkal Varkey | ||
1970s
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Dathuputhran | Maanichan | |
| Kurukshethram | |||
| Kakkathamburatti | Kochupaappu | ||
| Cross Belt | Sekhara Panikkar | ||
| Pearl View | Xavier | ||
| Moodalmanju | |||
| 1971 | Jalakanyaka | ||
| 1972 | Manushyabandhangal | Sanku Pilla | |
| 1973 | Ragging | ||
| Dharmayudham | Naanu | ||
| Periyar | |||
| Nirmalyam | Velichapad | ||
| 1975 | Athithi | ||
| Odakkuzhal | |||
| 1977 | Nurayum Pathayum | ||
| 1978 | Paadasaram | Pulluvan | |
| 1979 | Choola | ||
| Manninte Maril | |||
2020s
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Bheeshma Parvam | Paily Anjoottikkaran (Paily Chettayi) (deceased) | Photo presence |
Director
- Periyar (1973)
Screenwriter
- Sheelavathi (1968)
- C.I.D. Nazir (1971)
- Rosie (1965)
Literary works
P. J. Antony has authored 30 short stories, 100 songs, 41 dramas, 2 autobiographies.[10]
Short stories
- Pukachurulukal
- Kalakavan
- Naludivasangal
- Ennayillaatha vilakku
- Chilampoli
- Thakarnna veena
- Aa moksham ningalkku venda
Novels
- Itha manushyan
- Orugramathinte Athmavu
Poems
- Prabhatha geetham
Song collections
- Onappattukal
- Thakarnna veena
- Prema sangheetham
- Keralam Unarunnu
Memories
- Ente nadaka smaranakal
- Natakame Ulakam
References
- Uncertain, IMDB states 1923, www.pjantonyfoundation.com 1 January 1925.
- Uncertain, IMDB states 4 April www.pjantonyfoundation 14 March.
- "P.J. Antony remembered". The Hindu. 15 March 2004. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
- Official website: About Us Archived 27 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- "പി.ജെ.ആന്റണി - മഹാനടനും മനുഷ്യസ്നേഹിയും". WebDunia (in Malayalam). 14 March 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
- "P.J. Antony's 'Socrates' today". The Hindu. 14 March 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
- "Breaking News, Kerala news, latest news, India, Kerala politics, sports, movies, celebrities, lifestyle, E-paper, Photos & Videos". Manorama Online. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- Weblokam profile Archived 10 September 2005 at the Wayback Machine
- "Makers release statement regarding Neelavelicham songs copyright claims". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- "ശവക്കല്ലറയില് രേഖപ്പെടുത്താനുള്ള വരികള് കുറിച്ചുവച്ചാണ് പി.ജെ ആന്റണി യാത്രയായത്". Mathrubhumi. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
