Jagathy N. K. Achary (1924–1997) was an Indian dramatist and writer who also worked in Malayalam films. He was known for his plays and screenplays. He is the father of actor Jagathy Sreekumar.

Jagathy N. K. Achary
Malayalam Screenwriter Jagathy NK Achary in a cameo role in the film Deshadanakkili Karayarilla
Born1924
Died1997 (aged 73)
Resting placeJagathy, Thiruvananthapuram
Other namesJagathy
Occupation(s)Dramatist, writer, actor, screenwriter
Years active1950–1997
StyleSatire, mythic fiction, whimsical, thrillers, horror, speculative
SpousePrasanna
ChildrenJagathy Sreekumar
Krishnakumar
Jameela

Life sketch

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Jagathy N. Kochukrishnan Achary was born in 1924 at Krishnavilasam in Jagathy, Trivandrum, then capital of Travancore, to "Ananthapadmanabhan" Nanu Achary and Ponnammal. He had his education in Thiruvananthapuram and Scott Christian College, Nagercoil. After obtaining a BA in literature, he followed up with a degree in law.

Kochukrishnan's paternal ancestors were involved in the construction works of many palaces and stately mansions in Travancore built during the latter half of the nineteenth century. His grandfather Krishnan Achari and his brother were given land to settle down in Jagathy. N. K. Kochukrishnan's father was Kottaram Moothchari under Moolam Thirunal and Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma of erstwhile Travancore.

He was married to Prasanna (Ponnamma) from Edavanacaud had three children: Jagathy Sreekumar, P. K. Krishnakumar and P. K. Jameela.

He died of old age diseases in 1997 at his Thiruvananthapuram residence. A road in Cotton Hill, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram is named after him.[citation needed]

Education and career

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He started his career as an employee at the palace.[1] Later, he joined the All India Radio as a staff artist where he worked as a programme executive at various stations and subsequently rose to the position of Station Director.[2]

Kochukrishnan wrote many plays for the radio, crossing over to writing more than twenty plays for professional theatre,[3] and subsequently films. Many of his screenplays were published and enacted by amateur theatre groups all over Kerala. His first work was in Vimal Kumar's Achanum Makanum in the year 1957, followed by Ummini Thanka in 1961 and Velu Thambi Dalawa in 1962.[4]

He was a partner of the Kalanilayam Theatre group, for which he wrote many plays. During the 1960s-70s, Kalanilayam revolutionised Malayalam theatre, with its dramas like Raktharakshass, Kayamkulam Kochunni, Kadamattathu Kathanar, Iravikkodu Pillai, Naradan Keralathil, Taj Mahal, Sree Guruvayoorappan and Alavudinum Athbhuthavilakkum,[2] all simultaneously with his illustrious career in films. He was closely associated with directors such as K. G. George and Padmarajan; starting a drama school with the former in the 1980s and appearing in cameo roles in the later's films such as Moonnam Pakkam and Desatanakkili Karayarilla.[5] Other published plays include Podikkai,Karakku Company,Noorjahan,Lahari, Podikkai,Japan Daivam etc.

He is a recipient of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1983) and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (1991).[6][7]

Film career

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Kochukrishnan penned story, screenplay and dialogues for more than 33 Malayalam movies[8] and [5] also experimental films such as Sexilla Stundilla, Paathirapattu etc. He also wrote films with strong female characters in the 60s and 70s.

Filmography as screenwriter

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Year Film Contribution Director
1988 Inquilabinte Puthri Story, screenplay, dialogue Jayadevan
1986 Deshadanakkili Karayarilla Actor Padmarajan
1986 Karinagam Story, screenplay, dialogue K. S. Gopalakrishnan
1982 Aa Divasam Screenplay, dialogue M. Mani
1982 Anuraagakkodathi Actor Hariharan
1982 Keni Dialogues J. Sasikumar
1979 Kalliyankattu Neeli Story, screenplay, dialogue M. Krishnan Nair
1978 Snehikkan Samayamilla Story, screenplay, dialogue Viayanand
1977 Kaavilamma Story, screenplay, dialogue N. Sankaran Nair
1977 Penpuli Story, screenplay, dialogue Crossbelt Mani
1977 Sreedevi Story, screenplay N. Sankaran Nair
1976 Kenalum Collectorum Story, screenplay, dialogue M. M. Nesan
1976 Swimming Pool Story, screenplay, dialogue J. Sasikumar
1976 Sexilla Stundilla Screenplay, Dialogues B. N. Prakash
1975 Kottaaram Vilkkaanundu Story, screenplay, dialogue K Sukumaran
1975 Ullasa Yaathra Story, screenplay, dialogue A. B. Raj
1973 Divyadharsanam Story, screenplay, dialogue J. Sasikumar
1973 Poymughangal Story, screenplay, dialogue B. N. Prakash
1973 Manassu Screenplay, Dialogues Hameed Kakkassery
1973 Panchavadi Screenplay, Dialogues J. Sasikumar
1972 Sakthi Story, screenplay, dialogue Crossbelt Mani
1971 Thapaswini Story, screenplay, dialogue M. Krishnan Nair
1971 Sumangali Story, screenplay, dialogue M.K Ramu
1968 Kodungallooramma Story, screenplay Kunchacko
1968 Anchu Sundarikal Story, screenplay, dialogue M. Krishnan Nair
1968 Kayalkkarayil Story, screenplay, dialogue N. Prakash
1967 Madatharuvi Story, screenplay, dialogue P. A. Thomas
1967 Paathirapattu Story, screenplay N. Prakash
1967 Postman Screenplay, Dialogues P. A. Thomas
1966 Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966 film) Dialogues P. A. Thomas
1962 Bhagyajathakam Screenplay, Dialogues P. Bhaskaran
1962 Velu Thambi Dalawa Story, Screenplay, Dialogues G. Vishwanath
1962 Laila Majnu Screenplay, Dialogues P. Bhaskaran
1961 Ummini Thanka Story, screenplay, dialogue G. Vishwanath
1957 Achanum Makanum Story, screenplay, dialogue Vimal Kumar

References

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  1. ^ Babu, Sathish (26 December 2012). "Imprints On Indian Film Screen: JAGATHY N.K.ACHARY". Imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.ae. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Jagathy ramblings". The Hindu. 3 May 2004. Archived from the original on 20 February 2005. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Article: Samprathi Varthah Shrooyantham! | Some Updates…". Thiruvananthapuramupdates.wordpress.com. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Jagathy N. K. Achary".
  5. ^ a b "Jagathi N.K. Achari". IMDb.
  6. ^ "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award: Drama". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship: Drama". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Profile of Malayalam Story Writer Jagathy NK Achari". En.msidb.org. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
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