Excel Productions

Background

This was the oldest major film production studio in the Malayalam film industry of India. It was established in 1947 by director-producer Kunchacko and film distributor K. V. Koshy in Pathirappally, Alappuzha in Kerala. The studio influenced the gradual shift of the Malayalam film industry from its original base of Chennai, Tamil Nadu to Trivandrum, now considered a milestone in the history of the Malayalam film industry. The first film of the studio was Vellinakshatram (1949).

The films produced at the studio were produced under the banner of K&K Combines, and later under Excel Productions (also spelt X. L. Productions).

1st Logo (1960-1972)

Logo: On a black background, we first see a statue of a rooster. The camera zooms away from it just to reveal that the statue is on top of a model of a globe and also reveals that we are on a mountain range. At the same time, the globe is on top of a table-like thing, containing the big text: "UDAYA", which takes up most of the table's space. The table also contains the text: "UDAYA-NAGAR", being below the word "UDAYA" and the word: "STUDIOS" being below the globe. On the top-left corner, we can see a set of text reading:

EXCEL PRODUCTIONS
Presents

fading in. The word "Presents" is also in a script font.

Technique: Camera-controlled animation combined with cel animation (for the text appearing).

Music/Sounds: A rooster's cry, followed by a fanfare.

Availability: Rare. This was seen on their films during the time such as Thara.

2nd Logo (August 1, 1975-1983)

Logo: On a sunset background, we see a silhouette of the same rooster statue and globe from the previous logo. It zooms out, just to reveal the same table-like thing containg the same elements from the previous logo, but this time in color. The sun can be seen in the background and a portion of a palm tree can bee seen on the top-left corner.

Technique: Live action.

Music/Sounds: The same rooster's cry from before, followed by a held string note and a lyre flourish.

Availability: Rare. Again, this was seen on their films during the time which includes Neela Ponman.

◄ K&K Combines

Excel Productions