P. J. Antony

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P. J. Antony
Antony in Nirmalyam
Born1 January 1925 (1925-01)[1]
Died14 March 1979 (1979-03-15) (aged 54)[2]
Occupation(s)Soldier, Actor, Director, Script Writer, Lyricist, Novelist
Years active1958–1979
SpouseSmt. Mary (1954–1979) (his death)
Children2
AwardsNational Film Award for Best Actor Kerala State Film Awards
1973 - Nirmalyam

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]

He also established his own theater, named Prathibha Theatres, in Kochi.[6]

Biography[edit]

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).[citation needed]

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.

Awards[edit]

National Film Awards:

Kerala State Film Awards:

Filmfare Awards South:

Filmography[edit]

As actor[edit]

1950s[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1958 Randidangazhi Koran

1960s[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2022 Bheeshma Parvam Paily Anjoottikkaran (Paily Chettayi) (deceased) Photo presence

Director[edit]

  • Periyar (1973)

Screenwriter[edit]

Literary works[edit]

P. J. Antony has authored 30 short stories, 100 songs, 41 dramas, 2 autobiographies.[10]

Short stories[edit]

  • Pukachurulukal
  • Kalakavan
  • Naludivasangal
  • Ennayillaatha vilakku
  • Chilampoli
  • Thakarnna veena
  • Aa moksham ningalkku venda

Novels[edit]

  • Itha manushyan
  • Orugramathinte Athmavu

Poems[edit]

  • Prabhatha geetham

Song collections[edit]

  • Onappattukal
  • Thakarnna veena
  • Prema sangheetham
  • Keralam Unarunnu

Memories[edit]

  • Ente nadaka smaranakal
  • Natakame Ulakam

References[edit]

  1. ^ Uncertain, IMDB states 1923, www.pjantonyfoundation.com 1 January 1925.
  2. ^ Uncertain, IMDB states 4 April www.pjantonyfoundation 14 March.
  3. ^ "P.J. Antony remembered". The Hindu. 15 March 2004. Retrieved 13 February 2018.[dead link]
  4. ^ Official website: About Us Archived 27 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "പി.ജെ.ആന്‍റണി - മഹാനടനും മനുഷ്യസ്നേഹിയും". WebDunia (in Malayalam). 14 March 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  6. ^ "P.J. Antony's 'Socrates' today". The Hindu. 14 March 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Weblokam profile Archived 10 September 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Makers release statement regarding Neelavelicham songs copyright claims". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  10. ^ "ശവക്കല്ലറയില്‍ രേഖപ്പെടുത്താനുള്ള വരികള്‍ കുറിച്ചുവച്ചാണ് പി.ജെ ആന്റണി യാത്രയായത്". Mathrubhumi. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.

External links[edit]