C. P. Padmakumar
Chengazhisseri Purushotaman Padmakumar, was born in Trivandrum, Kerala, India on March 5, 1952. He graduated from the University of Kerala [BSc Botany] in 1973.
C.P. Padmakumar was a film maker and director of unique quality. He came out with his debut film "The Track" in 1977,a short film which was a striking piece of art harmoniously blending with deep philosophy; "the meaninglessness of hope and hopelessness." He had an eye for visual beauty, the kind that makes one plunge into wonder. Every frame in his films was a masterpiece, a symphony of fine visual orchestration. It is no wonder why Aravindan picked Padmakumar as his Art Director.
He was a painter & designer form the late 1960s. He printed and published the literary magazine "Nithyatha". Nithyatha was one of the pioneering modern literary magazines in Kerala during the early 70's.
Filmography
Film |
Role |
Year |
Category |
|---|---|---|---|
The Track |
Director |
1977 |
Short Film |
Kanchana Sita |
Assistant Director |
1977 |
Feature Film |
Thampu (The Circus Tent) |
Assistant Director |
1978 |
Feature Film |
Kummatty |
Assistant Director |
1979 |
Feature Film |
Esthappan |
Assistant Director |
1980 |
Feature Film |
Aparna |
Producer/Director |
1981 |
Documentary |
Chidambaram |
Associate Director |
1985 |
Feature Film |
The day of silence |
Director |
1986 |
Feature Film |
Oridathu |
Art Director |
1987 |
Feature Film |
Marattam |
Art Director |
1988 |
Feature Film |
Unni |
Assistant Director |
1989 |
Feature Film |
Niramizhikal |
Director |
1989 |
Documentary |
Vasthuhara |
Art Director |
1991 |
Feature Film |
Art Director |
1994 |
Feature Film |
|
Sammohanam |
Producer/Director |
1994 |
Feature Film |
Independence |
Director |
1997 |
Documentary |
Gathy |
Director |
2005 |
Short Film |
Savari |
Director |
2006 |
Short Film |
Bakel |
Director |
2008 |
Short Film |
Take Care |
Director |
2010 |
Short Film |
Food Security |
Director |
2011 |
Short Film |
Mind that Flows (Unpublished) |
Director/Narrator |
- |
Docu-Fiction |
Awards and Recognition
- Aparna [Malayalam 1981] - Kerala State film Award for Black & white Cinematography
- Sammohanam [Malayalam, 1994] - Edinburgh Film Festival, UK [Awarded Best of Fest].
- Fukuoka Asian Film Festival At Fukuoka, Japan [Special mention for artistic excellence].
- Manheim Film Festival, Germany, as official entry in the competitive section Fribourg Film Festival , Switzerland.
- Bradford Film Festival, UK, as official entry.
Summary of Short films
- The Track [1977] – Debut film, A philosophical film that dealt with the despondency of old age.
- The day of silence [1986] – A film on leprosy shot at the sanatoriums of Nooranad and Vattappara, Kerala, with an interview of Sri. Baba Amte.
- Niramizhikal [1989] – A film for India Population project.
- Independence [1997] – Indian Independence through the eyes of freedom fighters.
- Gathy [2005] – A short film on two wheeler Road safety precautions.
- Savari [2006] – On safe Autorikshaw driving.
- Bakel [2008] – A film for tourism promotion for Bakel Tourism Development Corporation.
- Take Care [2010] – A short film on safe school bus driving.
- Food Security [2011] – Documentary for Kudumbasree mission.
Death
On April 12, 2012, He was admitted to a Hospital in Ernakulam and was diagnosed with a form of liver cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma. On May 12, 2012, he passed away.