| Thulabharam | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | A. Vincent |
| Written by | Thoppil Bhasi |
| Produced by | Hari Pothen – Supriya |
| Starring | Prem Nazir Sharada Madhu Sheela Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair Adoor Bhasi |
| Cinematography | P. Bhaskara Rao |
| Edited by | G. Venkittraman |
| Music by | G. Devarajan |
Production company | |
Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Thulabharam (transl. Weighing scale) is a 1968 IndianMalayalam-language film, directed byA. Vincent. It is based on theKerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written byThoppil Bhasi.[1] Thoppil Bhasi also adapted the play for the screen. The film had anensemble cast includingPrem Nazir,Sharada,Madhu,Sheela,Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair andAdoor Bhasi.[2] The film won twoNational Awards.[3] The film was a major blockbuster and following the Malayalam version, the film was made in Tamil (Thulabharam), Telugu (Manushulu Marali) and Hindi (Samaj Ko Badal Dalo), with Sharada playing lead roles in all versions.
Two close friends, Vijaya and Vatsala had to part ways after Vatsala's father, a lawyer loses a case of Vijaya's father and it results in the latter's death. Vijaya marries Ramu, a trade union leader against her will. Ramu leads a union strike and is killed when the agitation turns violent. Vijaya's life becomes miserable and she kills her starving children, but she is arrested before being able to commit suicide. In the end, she is given the death penalty by the prosecution, led by her former dear friend Vatsala, who had become a famous lawyer in the meantime.
Thulabharam is an adaptation of theKerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written byThoppil Bhasi.[4]
The music was composed byG. Devarajan and the lyrics were written byVayalar Ramavarma.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Bhoomidevi Pushpiniyaayi" | P. Susheela, B. Vasantha | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 2 | "Katadichu" | K. J. Yesudas | Vayalar Ramavarma | 3:45 |
| 3 | "Nashtappeduvaan" | P. Jayachandran, Chorus | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 4 | "Omanathinkalinnonam" | K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 5 | "Omanathinkalinnonam" (Pathos) | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 6 | "Prabhaatha Gopura" | K. J. Yesudas,S. Janaki | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 7 | "Thottu Thottilla" | K. J. Yesudas | Vayalar Ramavarma |
The film's success prompted for three remakes with Sharada playing the same role in all versions.[5] The Tamil film with the same name was made by Vincent himself withA. V. M. Rajan replacing Nazir.V. Madhusudhana Rao directed theTelugu andHindi versions.[4]
The film won two awards at the16th National Film Awards.[4]