O K Johnny
O K JOHNNY, is a National Award winning South Indian Documentary film-maker, film and media critic and a leading columnist in Malayalam. He Authored four books on film, media and cultural history and directed five acclaimed documentary films.
His book on film Cinemayude Varthamaanam bagged the Kerala state special jury award for the best book on film. His first documentary film The Trapped got the National Award for the best anthropological film (1995). This film participated in many major International festivals including Leipzig (Germany), Internacionais de Cinema, Portugal, Soureh short Film festival,Iran & the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India. His film Silent screams:A Village Chronicle on sexually exploited unwed tribal mothers of Thirunelly in the Wayanad hills bagged the National Award and the Kerala state Award for best documentary film in 1997.
Born in 1957 in Wayand district of Kerala,(south India), Johnny started his career as a journalist with the Malayalam daily Kerala Kaumudi and the news agency, Press Trust of India (PTI). Then he worked as the editor of the first and short-lived Malayalam agricultural magazine, Kaarshikarangam published from Bangalore in the eighties.
One among the few authorities on Wayanad and its complex cultural heritage, Johnny has written an exceptional book titled `Wayanad Reghakal.' It is in fact a gateway into Wayanad's unique but chequred history in which upper caste wealthy landlords used to exploit the hapless tribals and poor nominal farmers. His book is a passionate advocacy of the cause of these downtrodden and an attempt to approach history from the perspective of the marginalised .
Both his films and writings have something in common. His immense faith in left values and ideals is making his works distinct from the rest of the crowd. His works are not just sympathising with the suffering human beings. Instead, he is sharing their woes. He is passionately and selflessly advocating their cause.
He along with late legendary journalist Jayachandran had contributed a lot in exposing the attrrocities against tribals in Wayanad. He is also concerned of environmental protection. His collection of essays `Madhyama Vrithantham' is in fact a ready reference for journalism students on pro-people public interest serious journalism.
Presently he is with the Mathrubhumi group of publications as its Editorial Manager, Books division. Email: johnny@mpp.co.in
His films:
* The Trapped (35mm, 28mnts)
* Silent Screams; A village Chronicle (35mm, 58mnts)
* Portrait of Janu (video,23mnts. produced by LSSP & Doordarsan)
* Wayanad (Video, 23mnts, Produced by The Kerala state Public Relations Dept;)
* Ayalkaazhchakal (A 13 episode Television travel documentary series,produced&aired by Kairali TV)
His books:
* Cinemayude Varthamanam
* Wayanadu Rekhakal
* Madhyama Vruthantham
* Nizhalinte Sathyam