Malayalam cinema has a unique historical connection with the state's rich literary heritage.
The identity of Malayalam cinema is built on Kerala’s unique intellectual foundation, including high literacy and a strong legacy of visual arts like Tholpavakkuthu (puppet dance).
This era saw a "love affair" between literature and cinema, with novelists like Uroob and Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai scripting landmark films. Chemmeen (1965) became the first South Indian film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film .