Kochi, the place which encouraged arts and culture, has given proficient personalities like T S Muthaiyya, Thomas Berly, Augustine Joseph and national award winners like Arjunan master, Dr K J Yesudas, Mehboob and T K Pareekutty.
It is important to remember T K Pareekutty who has gifted a lot to Malayalam film industry. He was born as the second child of Thenkuzhiveetil Kunju Marakkar and Fathima Kunju Marakkar in 1909. At the age of 19, Pareekutty was a sound businessman, owning 50 boats. Later, he went on to become a film producer. He has produced nine films including Rarichen Enna Pauran, Moodupadam, Bhargavi Nilayam and Almaram.
His film Neelakkuyil (written by Uroob) under the banner of Chandrathara starring Sathyan, Bhaskaran master and Miss Kumari, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam, thus becoming the first nationally recognized Malayalam film.
It was T K who built 'Zina' - the first 70mm theatre in Kerala. Various international films were screened in the theatre including The Bible, Sound of Music and Dr Zhivago. His last wish was to build a film studio for Chandrathara, but unfortunately he passed away on July 21, 1969, without fulfilling his dream.