Lohithadas - "The Tearful adieu to master storyteller"

Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas (A. K. Lohithadas) (10 May 1955 – 28 June 2009) was a prolific screenwriter, director, and producer in Malayalam cinema, known for his rich, detailed, and realistic screenplays. Thaniyavarthanam, Kireedam, Bharatham, Amaram are the possibly the masterpieces among his screenplays, while Boothakannadi, Kasthooriman, Arayannangalude Veedu standout in his directorial ventures.

* Biography

Early life

Lohithadas (or 'Lohi', he is often referred to) was born on 10 May 1955 in Chalakudy, Kerala. He showed an initial interest in short-stories, but failed to make a mark in that genre. He soon moved into Malayalam theater in 1986 when his debut script was accepted for the stage by the legendary theater personality Thoppil Bhasi. Bhasi's CPI party backed drama troupe, the highly successful 'Kerala People's Arts Club', produced the play, leading to a state award for Lohithadas.

Career

Fresh with the play's commercial and critical success, Lohithadas moved to Malayalam Cinema by writing for director Sibi Malayil. His first movie screenplay Thaniavarthanam was directed by Malayil and went on to be a success. The Sibi Malayil-Lohithadas combination would later produce several memorable Malayalam movies. His screenplay works for Sibi Malayil are Thaniyavarthanam (1987), Kireedam (1989), His Highness Abhdullah (1990), Bharatham (1990), Kamaladalam (1992), and Chenkol (1993). Sasneham (1990) and Veendum Chila Veetukaryangal (1999) for Sathyan Anthikkad and Amaram (1991) for Bharathan. He later turned into a filmmaker and made films such as Boothakannadi (1997), Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Arayannangalude Veedu (2000), Joker (2000), Kasthooriman (2003) (which he himself produced), and Nivedyam (2007)[1]. Most of his works were critical and commercial sucess. His works were recognised from his very first venture Thaniyavarthanam which brought him Kerala State Film Award for Best Story .

Death

On June 28, 2009, in the morning he felt chest pain and uneasiness at his home at Aluva near Ernakulam and was immediately taken to the Lisy Hospital, Kaloor, Ernakulam where he was declared dead from a heart attack at 10:50

Awards

• 45th National Film Award for Best film - Bhoothakannadi (1997)
• Kerala State Film Award for Best Story - Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
• Kerala State Film Award for Best Film - Bhoothakannadi (1997)
• Tamil Nadu State Film Award for 2nd Best Film - kasthoorimann (1997)
• Film Critics award for Best script - Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
• Film Critics award for Best script - Dasaratham(1989)
• Film Critics award for Best script - kireedom(1990)
• Film Critics award for Best script - Bharatham(1991)
• Film Critics award for Best script - chenkol(1993)
• Film Critics award for Best script - Chakoram(1994)
• Film Critics award for Best script - Sallapam(1995)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Thoovalkottaram(1996)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Bhoothakannadi(1997)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Ormacheppu(1998)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Joker(1999)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Veendum chila veetukaryangal(2000)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Kasthooriman(2003)
• Film Critics award for Best script- Nivedyam(2007)
• Film Critics award for Best Director- Bhoothakannadi(1997)
• Film Critics award for Best Director- Joker(1999)
• Film Critics award for Best Director- Kasthoorimann(2003)
• Film Critics award for Best Director- Nivedyam(2007

Michael Jackson - The King Of POP

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his debut on the professional music scene in 1968 as a member of The Jackson 5. He then began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group and was referred to as the "King of Pop"[4] in subsequent years. Jackson's 1982 album Thriller remains the world's best-selling album of all time,[5] and four of his other solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and History (1995).

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" — widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form — helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists across several generations.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records — including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" — 13 Grammy Awards, thirteen number one singles in his solo career, and the sale of 750 million records worldwide.[6]

Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundations, charity singles, and support of 39 charities .Other aspects of his personal life, including his often changing appearances and eccentric behavior, generated significant controversy which damaged his public image. The singer had experienced health concerns since the early 1990s along with conflicting reports regarding the state of his finances since the late 1990s. Jackson married twice and brought up three children, actions which caused further controversy. Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993 but the investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of similar allegations.

On June 25, 2009, Jackson was found unconscious in his bed by his personal physician and was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm PDT (21:26 UTC) on the same day. At the time of his death, he was preparing and rehearsing for This Is It, a series of 50 concerts that would have been held in London beginning July 13, 2009