Paravoor Bharathan – Famous Character Artist of Malayalam Cinema

Paravoor Bharathan (1929 – 2015) was a versatile actor of Malayalam cinema known for portraying different shades of roles on screen. From comedy to villain, he has essayed a wide range of roles. He was a stage actor during his early days. This veteran has been associated with Malayalam cinema since 1951 and his last film, Changathikoottam was released in 2009. Thus he has been a part of several iconic movies made during different phases of growth of Malayalam cinema, and has shared screen space with actors belonging to three generations. He has acted in more than 1000 films.

Bharathan was born in Paravoor, Ernakulam, and that’s why he adopted the screen name, Paravoor Bharathan. His father was a coconut plucker and mother was a coir maker. He had to quit studies at a young age following his father’s death. Since school days he used to act. He was spotted by Kedamangalam Sadanandan, a noted Kathaprasangam artiste. He introduced him to a troupe Pushpitha in the mid-1940s, and that’s how his career with amateur plays began.

His debut film Rakthabandham was originally a stage play adapted to screen. When the movie was made in 1951 his name was recommended by artist Vijayabhanu, and thus he bagged his debut film role. Over the years he turned a busy actor, and has been a part of iconic movies like Chemmeen, Marumakal, Sindooracheppu, Maaya, Lanka Dahanam, Gandharavakshetram, Chemparathi, Anubhavangal Paalichakal, Vazhve Mayam, Kannur Delux, Kallichellamma, Bhakta Kuchela, Nadi, Karutha Kai, Kadathukaaran etc.

Mazhavil Kavadi, Idanaazhiyil Oru Kaalocha, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Mudra, Mrigaya etc are some of his film roles in the 1980s. Some of his popular roles post-1990 includes Aniyathipravu, Varabhalam, Bandhukkal Sathrukkal, Meleparambil Aanveedu, Manathe Kottaram, Aniyan Bava Chettan Bava, Vaarabhalam, Bharya, Spadikam, Godfather, In Harihar Nagar, C.I.D. Moosa, Njan Salperu Ramankutty etc. He stayed away from spotlight for the last few years.

Paravoor Bharathan – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Vaavakaadu of Paravoor was his birthplace.

2. He was married to stage actress Thankamani, with whom he shared stage space for the famous play, Maattoli. The couple also played brief roles in the iconic movie, Neelakuyil. The couple has 4 children.

3. He has performed with many theatre groups, including one owned by actor Jose Prakash.  

4. He died exactly on the same day of 50^th year of release of Chemmen. He appeared in a brief role in the movie.

5. During his initial days in cinema, he was fully active in theatre as well. His role in the play ‘Mattoli’ became a turning point of his career in the early 1950s.