Malayalam Film Music

[raagadevan]

Director A. Vincent’s movie Bhargavi Nilayam (1964) was based on the short story Neela Velichcham
by the famous Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. A few scenes and events from some of
his other stories were added in the one and only screenplay written by Basheer himself. Music was by
the King of Melody M.S. Baburaj.

The story revolved around a house haunted by the ghost of a young woman named Bhargavi.
A novelist (actor Madhu) and his servant Cheriya Pareekkanni (actor Adoor Bhasi) move into the house
without knowing the history of the house. They come to know from the local people that it is a haunted
house. The story was that it was haunted by the ghost of the previous owner’s daughter who was
murdered by being pushed into a well in the property.

The novelist experiences strange happenings in the house; the gramophone plays on its own, objects
move around, etc. He finds some old letters written to Bhargavi (actress Vijaya Nirmala) by her lover
Sasikumar (actor Prem Nazir). The letters give some indication about their love affair and their tragic death.
The novelist has a more or less unexpected encounter with Bhargavi’s ghost…



(“Ekaandhathayude apaara theeram…” sung by Kamukara Purushothaman)

He starts to communicate with Bhargavi. She wants him to write her story. With input from the villagers,
the old love letters and Bhargavi herself, he starts to write the story…

Bhargavi was a happy girl, living with no worries or concerns…



(“anuraaga madhuchashakam…” Sung by S. Janaki)

She had a cousin Naanukuttan (actor P.J. Antony) who wanted to marry her, but she did not like him.
Shortly thereafter, Sasikumar moved in as a neighbour, and they slowly, but surely fell in love…



(arabik kadaloru maNavaaLan…” sung by K.J. Yesudas & P. Susheela)

Naanukuttan unsuccessfully tried lots of nasty tricks to separate the two lovers. Sasikumar often
felt lonely, and longed for Bhargavi’s presence…



(thaamasamenthE varuvaan… sung by K.J. Yesudas)

Suddenly, Sasikumar disappeared from the scene. Bhargavi was concerned and worried…



(pottaaththa ponnin kinaavu koNdoru… sung by S. Janaki)



(vaasantha Panchami naaLil… sung by S. Janaki)

Bharagavi became furious when she found out that her lover was in fact murdered by
Naanukuttan. She had an argument with Naanukuttan, who in a scuffle pushed her into a well,
killing her. He spread the news that Bhargavi had committed suicide.

Each night, the novelist would read to Bhargavi what he wrote that day, and when necessary,
she would correct him...



(pottiththakarnna kinaavu koNdoru… sung by S. Janaki)

Naanukuttan overhears one night the story being read out loud by the novelist. He fears that
the truth behind the death of Bhargavi and Sasikumar will be out once the story is published.
He attacks the novelist and a fight ensues. During the fight, both Naanukuttan and the novelist
reach the well in which Bharagavi was drowned. While trying to push the novelist into the well,
Naanukuttan loses his balance. He falls into the well and is killed, while the novelist has a
narrow escape. The novelist then prays for the peace of Bhargavi's soul and the movie ends with
the loud and happy laugh of Bhargavi.