The 48th State film awards were distributed at a sombre, yet nostalgic function here on Wednesday evening.
The usual glitter and flamboyance, characteristic of such functions, were avoided as a mark of respect to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi who passed away on Tuesday and the function was confined to distribution of awards. A music ensemble comprising songs of Sreekumaran Thampi and M.K. Arjunan was also cancelled.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who inaugurated the function, reminded that Kerala was one place where artistes and other creative personalities had a milieu for free expression and it needed to be protected and conserved. Cinema as a medium that wielded considerable clout among the audience, through the strength of its reach, should defend incursions by communal forces.
Social corrections
Taking a dig at those who objected to the government decision to have actor Mohanlal as chief guest at the function, Mr. Vijayan said that the choice was primarily based on the fact that he was a front-ranking actor. He also lauded the acumen of cinema professionals who had been constantly trying for social renovation through their creative endeavours and urged them to take the lead in making social corrections from time to time.
Cinema to all
Culture Minister A.K. Balan said that the government was keen on taking cinema to remote hamlets and settlements of tribespeople. A permanent venue for IFFK in the capital and a digital archives scheduled to be opened in September were some such interventions, he said.
Referring to the criticism against the decision to have Mr. Mohanlal as the chief guest, Mr. Balan said that the government did not nurse any grouse even to its harshest critics. The State award for best cartoonist was presented by Mr. Vijayan to one of his bitter critics, he said.
Unlike national award functions conducted in an ornamental manner, the State awards were presented with massive public involvement. Prominent actors such as Madhu were invited as chief guests for such functions earlier too, he said.
Mr. Mohanlal said Thiruvananthapuram was the place where he and his family lived for long. He made his acting debut with a scene shot in one of the lanes here. Mr. Mohanlal said that he had been part of the industry for 40 years and hence deserved to be in the midst of a function honouring his friends even without an invitation. When artistes such as Indrans were honoured, he never turned envious, but only yearned to improve his performance and be on a par with them.
Alancier dissuaded
Actor Alancier Le Lopez who won the award for the best character artiste made a vain bid to move to the stage and protest, but he was gently dissuaded.
Organising committee chairman K. Muraleedharan, MLA, welcomed the gathering.
Chalchitra Academy Chairman Kamal, secretary Mahesh Panju, J.C. Daniel Award winner Sreekumaran Thampi, and best actor award winner Indrans were among those who spoke.
