Aaraam Thampuran

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Aaraam Thampuran
Aaram thamburan.jpg
Directed by Shaji Kailas
Produced by Suresh Kumar
Written by Ranjith
Starring Mohanlal
Manju Warrier
Narendra Prasad
Music by Raveendran (songs)
Rajamani (film score)
Cinematography P. Sukumar
Edited by L. Bhoominathan
Distributed by Swargachithra Release
Release date(s)
  • 1997 (1997)
Running time 167 minutes
Country India
Language Malayalam

Aaraam Thampuran (English: The Sixth Lord) is a 1997 Malayalam film written by Ranjith, directed by Shaji Kailas, and starring Mohanlal, Narendra Prasad, and Manju Warrier in the lead roles. The film was a huge success at the box office, and developed a cult following.[1]


Nandakumar (Saikumar), a business tycoon in Bombay, faces huge financial loss when his manager Abey Mathew decides to broker a deal with an Australian group and another rival Indian firm. He calls up Jagannadhan (Mohanlal), alias Jagan, his close buddy and business partner asking him to intervene. Jagan lands up at the office of Abey and forces him to withdraw from brokering the deal with the Australian company, there by bringing massive profit to Nandan. In return, Nandan is profuse in his offer of compensation to Jagan, all of which he humbly disavows. Jagan finally demands Nandan a small favor. He wants Nandan to purchase an old palace at Kanimangalam, a village in Kerala, to which Nandan agrees. Jagan also expresses his desire that the palace should be bought in the name of Nandan, and Jagan should be there as a benami of him. Jagannadhan reaches down at Kanimangalam for the registration of the palace and the property surrounding it. Meanwhile, Kulappully Appan Thamburan (Narendra Prasad), a feudal landlord with vested interests, opposes the purchase of the land. Appan's sister was married to Dathan Thampuran of Kanimangalam palace, who deserted her one day. The extreme hatred towards Kanimangalam had made Appan to even stop the annual temple festival, which according to the villagers has resulted in the anger of Goddess Kali, the local deity. Now, with the arrival of Jagannathan, Appan is back again creating troubles. But Jagannathan successfully overcomes it and gets the palace registered. Presently the palace is occupied by Krishna Varma (Oduvil Unnikrishnan), an old musician, and Unnimaya (Manju Warrier), his foster daughter. Unnimaya is believed to be the daughter of Dathan Thampuran, but is disowned by the rest of his family members. Though, now in the hands of Jagan, he allows Varma and Unnimaya to stay in the palace. Though, initially, both Varma and Unnimaya felt uncomfortable in staying with Jagan, slowly, they develop an affection towards him.

Within a short time, Jagan gets involved in the problems of the villagers and they started considering him to the heir of the palace and their leader. Jagannathan invites the ire of Appan Thamburan, with whom he clashes over the demolition of the palace, which he had earlier promised during the registration. Jagan, when expresses his desire to stay at Kanimangalam, Appan sends his henchmen, who had to humiliatingly return from Jagan. Now, the villagers decide to hold up the annual festival at the temple, after a long gap of 16 years. Jagannathan takes up the leadership and with the support of villagers, he starts the preparations. Within mean time, Unnimaya develops a closeness towards him. In the midst of this, Nayanthara (Priya Raman), a close friend of Jagan, reaches Kanimangalam from Bangalore. She expresses her desire to marry Jagan, which he declines, saying that he is now in love with Unnimaya. Nayanthara accepts his decision and goes back wishing him all the best for the future. According to the customs of the village, the festival puja should be done under a head priest from Keezhpayoor Mana, but when Appan Thamburan interferes, the members from Keezhpayoor refuses to conduct the puja, which makes Jagan to forcefully take the younger namboothiri (Kalabhavan Mani) from away from home on way back.

Suddenly Nandakumar lands down at Kanimangalam with his friends, one of whom harasses Unnimaya. This upsets Jagan, and, without Nandan's knowledge, he forcefully sends them back from Kanimangalam. In midst of this, the younger priest is taken away by Appan Thamburan's men. It is then revealed by Jagan that he is the son of the Kaloor Brahmadathan Namboothiripadu, the head priest of the temple, who died after being wrongly accused of stealing the divine ornaments of the Goddess. Jagan follows Ayinikad Namboothiri (Madampu Kunjukuttan), the astrologer's instructions and wears his Yagyopaveetham, the holy thread, and adopts back Brahmanyam.

The day of the festival arrives. Nandan, who had gone in search of his friends, is now back in an inebriated condition and furiously demands Jagan to leave the palace. Jagan pleads him one day's time, but Nandan is not ready to listen. Finding no other option, Jagan locks up Nandan in a room and reaches the temple to perform the rituals. Kulappully Appan's henchmen attacks villagers. Jagan is helpless as he is supposed to control his emotions while performing the puja and holding the divine ornaments of the Goddess. The younger priest suddenly reappears and replaces Jagan in the puja so that Jagan can save the villagers. Jagan fights and saves the villagers, emerging as their leader. He then points his sword at Appan's neck and threatens to kill him if he ever comes back. The festival concludes successfully and the village is cheerful.

Nandan is released and Jagan announces the cheering crowd that its not him, but Nandakumar, the original owner of the Kanimangalam palace and he is leaving the village with both Unnimaya and Krishna Varma. But, Nanda Kumar, who is overwhelmed by seeing the affection of the people for Jagan, calls him back and hands over the ownership to him.


Box office[edit]

The film was released in December 1997. It was subject to high expectations, as it was the first collaboration between Mohanlal and Shaji Kailas. Upon release, this film became a huge hit and successfully completed a theatrical run of 250 days. The soundtrack was also popular, with songs spending months on charts. The film's success redefined Shaji Kailas as a director, who was formerly known for political thrillers. Moreover, Ranjith became the most demanded script writer in Malayalam cinema.


* Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer - K. J. Yesudas


Aaraam Thampuran
Soundtrack album by Raveendran
Released 1997
Genre Soundtrack
Label Manorama Music
Producer Menaka Suresh Kumar
Raveendran chronology
Malayalam Maasam Chingam Onnu Aaraam Thampuran Aattuvela

This film includes 5 songs written by lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery and 1 traditional song by Muthuswami Dikshitar. The songs are composed by the music maestro Raveendran.

Track Song Singers Lyricist Raga
1 "Harimuraleeravam" K. J. Yesudas Gireesh Puthenchery Sindhu Bhairavi
2 "Paadi" K. S. Chithra Gireesh Puthenchery Darbar
3 "Santhatham" Manju Menon Gireesh Puthenchery Raagamaalika (Mohanam, Gawleepanthu, Begada)
4 "Kadalaadum" M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra Gireesh Puthenchery Mohanam
5 "Kuyilpaadum" M. G. Sreekumar, Sujatha Mohan Gireesh Puthenchery Madhyamavati
6 "Paadi" K. J. Yesudas Gireesh Puthenchery Darbar
7 "Santhatham" K. J. Yesudas, Sharreth Gireesh Puthenchery Raagamaalika (Reethigowla, Vasantha, Shree)
8 "Govardhana Gireesham" Manju Traditional (Muthuswami Dikshitar) Hindolam


External links[edit]