Vaanaprastham
Encyclopedia
Vanaprastham - The Last Dance (English
title: Pilgrimage) (1999) is an India
n-French
-German
produced feature film
directed by Shaji N. Karun
. It stars Mohanlal
, Suhasini Mani Ratnam
, Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar, Kalamandalam Gopi
and Venmani Haridas. The film's music is composed by Zakir Hussain
. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the AFI
Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI Fest) in 1999. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard
section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival
. It is considered one of Mohanlal
's best performances and gave him international acclaim. For this film he studied the art form Kathakali
in 6 months.
dancer Kunhikuttan (Mohanlal
), an admirable and respected performer but a member of a lower caste. He struggles to come to terms with the rejection and estrangement of his father, a member of an upper caste who disapproves of his son. Poor, unhappy, and stuck in an arranged marriage that provides no relief, he gets by for the sake of his daughter. One night, whilst performing as Arjuna
from the epic Mahabarata on stage, his dance is witnessed by Subhadra (Suhasini
), a well educated member of an upper caste family. Defying the norms of India
's rigid caste system, they have a son, but it soon becomes clear that Subhadra loves the character Arjuna from his stage performances, and not Kunhikuttan the dancer. More in love with the valiant, noble hero of the Mahabarata, than the dancer Kunhikuttan, she rejects him and refuses to let him see his son. Denied access to his son, and rejected by his father, Kunhikuttan returns to the stage, leaving behind his hero roles to play demonic characters, reaching within the dark corners of his mind, becoming increasingly resentful and full of anger, until one last dance which brings the feature to a stunning end.
The film has been nominated for the following awards since its release:
1999 AFI Fest (USA)
The film has won the following awards since its release:
2000 Istanbul International Film Festival
(Turkey
)
2000 Bombay International Film Festival (India
)
2000 National Film Awards
(India
)
2000 Kerala State Film Awards
1999 Filmfare Award
Other Awards
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
title: Pilgrimage) (1999) is an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n-French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
produced feature film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
directed by Shaji N. Karun
Shaji N. Karun
Shaji Neelakantan Karun is a National Award-winning Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film Piravi won the Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival...
. It stars Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
, Suhasini Mani Ratnam
Suhasini Mani Ratnam
Suhasini Maniratnam is an Indian actress. She made her film debut in 1980 with the Tamil film Nenjathai Killathe for which she won the Best Actress award. Suhasini has won a National Film Award for Best Actress for Sindhu Bhairavi in 1986...
, Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar, Kalamandalam Gopi
Kalamandalam Gopi
Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair popularly known as Kalamandalam Gopi is a exponent of the classical dance-drama style known as Kathakali...
and Venmani Haridas. The film's music is composed by Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain (musician)
Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St...
. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the AFI
American Film Institute
The American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act...
Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI Fest) in 1999. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival's Official Selection. It is run at the Salle Debussy, parallel to the competition for the Palme d'Or.This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob...
section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival
1999 Cannes Film Festival
The 52nd Cannes Film Festival was held on May 12-23, 1999. The Palme d'Or went to the French-Belgian film Rosetta by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne.-Jury:* David Cronenberg * André Téchiné * Barbara Hendricks...
. It is considered one of Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
's best performances and gave him international acclaim. For this film he studied the art form Kathakali
Kathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
in 6 months.
Plot
The story revolves around a male KathakaliKathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
dancer Kunhikuttan (Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
), an admirable and respected performer but a member of a lower caste. He struggles to come to terms with the rejection and estrangement of his father, a member of an upper caste who disapproves of his son. Poor, unhappy, and stuck in an arranged marriage that provides no relief, he gets by for the sake of his daughter. One night, whilst performing as Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
from the epic Mahabarata on stage, his dance is witnessed by Subhadra (Suhasini
Suhasini Mani Ratnam
Suhasini Maniratnam is an Indian actress. She made her film debut in 1980 with the Tamil film Nenjathai Killathe for which she won the Best Actress award. Suhasini has won a National Film Award for Best Actress for Sindhu Bhairavi in 1986...
), a well educated member of an upper caste family. Defying the norms of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
's rigid caste system, they have a son, but it soon becomes clear that Subhadra loves the character Arjuna from his stage performances, and not Kunhikuttan the dancer. More in love with the valiant, noble hero of the Mahabarata, than the dancer Kunhikuttan, she rejects him and refuses to let him see his son. Denied access to his son, and rejected by his father, Kunhikuttan returns to the stage, leaving behind his hero roles to play demonic characters, reaching within the dark corners of his mind, becoming increasingly resentful and full of anger, until one last dance which brings the feature to a stunning end.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Mohanlal Mohanlal Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star... |
Kunhikuttan |
| Suhasini Mani Ratnam Suhasini Mani Ratnam Suhasini Maniratnam is an Indian actress. She made her film debut in 1980 with the Tamil film Nenjathai Killathe for which she won the Best Actress award. Suhasini has won a National Film Award for Best Actress for Sindhu Bhairavi in 1986... |
Subhadra |
| Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar | Raman |
| Kukku Parameswaran | Savithri |
| Venmani Haridas | Vasu Namboothiri |
| Kalamandalam Gopi Kalamandalam Gopi Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair popularly known as Kalamandalam Gopi is a exponent of the classical dance-drama style known as Kathakali... |
Kunju Nair |
| Venmani Vishnu | Pisharadi |
| Kalamandalam Kesavan | Thirumeni |
| Bindu Panicker Bindu Panicker Bindu Panicker is a Malayalam actress who has more than 80 films to her credit. She has played both comedic and character roles in Malayalam cinema, and also takes on character roles. Her films include Vaatsalyam, Soothradharan, and Joker.She won the fourth Lux-Asianet award for the best... |
Bhageerathi |
Awards
- 1999 Cannes Film Festival1999 Cannes Film FestivalThe 52nd Cannes Film Festival was held on May 12-23, 1999. The Palme d'Or went to the French-Belgian film Rosetta by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne.-Jury:* David Cronenberg * André Téchiné * Barbara Hendricks...
(FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) - His film was screened in the Un Certain RegardUn Certain RegardUn Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival's Official Selection. It is run at the Salle Debussy, parallel to the competition for the Palme d'Or.This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob...
section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival1999 Cannes Film FestivalThe 52nd Cannes Film Festival was held on May 12-23, 1999. The Palme d'Or went to the French-Belgian film Rosetta by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne.-Jury:* David Cronenberg * André Téchiné * Barbara Hendricks...
.
The film has been nominated for the following awards since its release:
1999 AFI Fest (USA)
- Nominated - Grand Jury Prize - Shaji N. KarunShaji N. KarunShaji Neelakantan Karun is a National Award-winning Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film Piravi won the Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival...
The film has won the following awards since its release:
2000 Istanbul International Film Festival
Istanbul International Film Festival
The Istanbul International Film Festival is the first and oldest international film festival in Turkey, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts , a non-profit organisation. It is held every year in April in movie theaters in Istanbul, Turkey...
(Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
)
- Won - Special Prize of the Jury - Shaji N. KarunShaji N. KarunShaji Neelakantan Karun is a National Award-winning Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film Piravi won the Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival...
2000 Bombay International Film Festival (India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
)
- Won - FIPRESCI Prize - Shaji N. KarunShaji N. KarunShaji Neelakantan Karun is a National Award-winning Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film Piravi won the Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival...
2000 National Film Awards
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
(India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
)
- Won - Golden Lotus Award - National Film Award for Best FilmNational Film Award for Best FilmThe National Award for Best Feature film is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, India, and was constituted in the year 1954. This is one of the Golden Lotus Awards given among National Film Awards...
- Won - Silver Lotus Award - National Film Award for Best ActorNational Film Award for Best ActorThe National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
- MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star... - Won - Silver Lotus Award - National Film Award for Best EditingNational Film Award for Best EditingThe National Film Award for Best Editing winners:-References:...
- A. Sreekar PrasadA. Sreekar PrasadAkkineni Sreekar Prasad better known as Sreekar Prasad is an National Award winning Indian film editor.-Brief lifesketch:He was born to editor A. Sanjivi. Veteran L. V. Prasad was his maternal uncle. He was a graduate in Literature and started his film editing career in Telugu films...
, Joseph Guinvarch
2000 Kerala State Film Awards
- Won - Best Actor - MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
- Won - Best Director - Shaji N. KarunShaji N. KarunShaji Neelakantan Karun is a National Award-winning Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film Piravi won the Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival...
- Won - Best Editor - A. Sreekar PrasadA. Sreekar PrasadAkkineni Sreekar Prasad better known as Sreekar Prasad is an National Award winning Indian film editor.-Brief lifesketch:He was born to editor A. Sanjivi. Veteran L. V. Prasad was his maternal uncle. He was a graduate in Literature and started his film editing career in Telugu films...
, Joseph Guinvarch - Won - Best Sound Recordist - Lakshmy Narayana, Bruno Tareere
- Won - Best Processing Lab - Prasad Colour LabPrasad StudiosPrasad Productions, Prasad Studios and Prasad Film Labs are motion picture post production studios in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, started by L.V. Prasad in 1956...
- Won - Best Make-up Artist - M.O. Devasya, Saleem
1999 Filmfare Award
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the South Indian film industry. The awards are separately given for Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films...
- Won - Best ActorFilmfare Award for Best Actor (Malayalam)The Filmfare Best Actor Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Malayalam film lead actors. The award was first given in 1972 with Madhu being the first recipient....
- MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
Other Awards
- Won - MathrubhumiMathrubhumiMathrubhumi is a Malayalam language newspaper that is published from Kerala, India. Mathrubhumi was founded by K. P. Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.-History:...
Film Awards - Best Actor - MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star... - Won - Film Critics Award - Best Actor - MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
Soundtrack
| Song | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arjunavallabhayallo | Manoj Kuroor Manoj Kuroor Manoj Kuroor is a poet in Malayalam language. His first collection is Uthamapurushan Katha Parayumpol contains 30 poems). E. P. Rajagopalan and A. C. Sreehari in their study point out that most of these poems are using the technique of storytelling. Manoj Kuroor(born 1971) is a poet in Malayalam... |
Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |
Venmani Haridas Kalamandalam Haridas Kalamandalam Haridas, more popularly known as Venmani Haridas, was a renowned Kathakali musician noted for his evocative rendition of songs for the classical dance-drama from Kerala in south India.... |
| Bhavatheeya Niyogam | Kottayathu Thampuran | Traditional | Kalamandalam Sukumaran |
| Dark Melody | Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |
||
| Enanka Dinam | Irayimman Thampi Irayimman Thampi Ravi Varman Thampi better known as Irayimman Thampi was a Carnatic musician as well as a music composer from Kerala, India. He was a vocalist in the court of Swathi Thirunal... |
||
| Inimelil Janikunna | Ittiraarisa Menon | Traditional | |
| Kaaminee Mama | Manoj Kuroor Manoj Kuroor Manoj Kuroor is a poet in Malayalam language. His first collection is Uthamapurushan Katha Parayumpol contains 30 poems). E. P. Rajagopalan and A. C. Sreehari in their study point out that most of these poems are using the technique of storytelling. Manoj Kuroor(born 1971) is a poet in Malayalam... |
Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |
Kottakkal Madhu Kottakkal Madhu Kottakkal Madhu is a Sopana music singer and composer from Kottakkal, Kerala, who specializes in the Kathakali related music . He was born to K. Govindan Nair and K. Sathyabhama. He initially learned his music from Parameswara Iyer. Subsequently, in 1980, he joined P.S.V... |
| Karyamavanodu | Kalloor Namboothirippad | Traditional | |
| Kallinodu Thulya | Kilimanoor Cherunnikoyi Thampuran | Traditional | |
| Kandu Njan Thozhee | Manoj Kuroor Manoj Kuroor Manoj Kuroor is a poet in Malayalam language. His first collection is Uthamapurushan Katha Parayumpol contains 30 poems). E. P. Rajagopalan and A. C. Sreehari in their study point out that most of these poems are using the technique of storytelling. Manoj Kuroor(born 1971) is a poet in Malayalam... |
Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |
K. Omanakutty |
| Kunhikuttan | Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |
||
| Medoorabhakthiyulla | Muringoor Sankara Potti | Traditional | |
| Mindidaathathenthe | Irayimman Thampi Irayimman Thampi Ravi Varman Thampi better known as Irayimman Thampi was a Carnatic musician as well as a music composer from Kerala, India. He was a vocalist in the court of Swathi Thirunal... |
||
| Pushkara Vilochana | Muringoor Sankara Potti | Traditional | |
| Smile | Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |
||
| Sodara Balin | Kottayathu Thampuran | Traditional | |
| Subhadra | Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |
||
| Subhadra 2 | Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |
||
| Sukumaara Nandakumaara | Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma, also known as Prince Rama Varma, is a South Indian classical musician, a performing vocalist, veena player and writer.-Early life and background:... |
Traditional | |
| Thaal Manthra | Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain (musician) Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St... |