Sarvakalasala 1987

Drama

Runtime

142 mins

Language

Malayalam

Made by

Tharangini Films

Test your knowledge of Sarvakalasala with our quiz!

Sarvakalasala Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Sarvakalasala (1987). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Lal is an orphan college student who is pursuing his third master’s degree, choosing to stay on at the same college to stave off loneliness. He lives in a house near the campus and makes do with leftover money he legally earned as a child. He is a warm, affable presence for everyone around him, and he carries the quiet authority of someone who has watched peers grow into teachers. His role among the students feels almost like that of an elder brother, and his steady presence keeps the college community grounded even as new voices arrive.

Chakkara and his cohort form the energetic, all‑rounder team that animates campus life, constantly moving between classes, clubs, and the annual events that bind students together. Into this milieu steps Jeevan Jeevan, an orphan from Lal’s world, who arrives with his sister Jyothimol Jyothimol and quickly becomes part of Lal’s makeshift family. Lal’s circle also includes Siddhan, a bohemian poet who drinks and roams with him, offering a glimpse into the more unruly, creative currents that flow through the college.

The administration hinges on a trio of figures—the Principal Achen, Charachira Achan, and Fr. Kuttanad—who together steer the day‑to‑day life of the campus, shaping discipline, rituals, and the sense of order that holds the institution together. Siddhan’s sudden departure for a journey turns dark when news arrives that he has been murdered, a shock that ripples through Lal’s circle and unsettles the fragile balance of trust and camaraderie.

In the midst of these pressures, Jeevan, who is slipping mentally, asks Lal to admit him to a psychiatric hospital and to look after his sister for a spell. The drama unfolds against the backdrop of a looming Arts festival, a moment when Lal’s tenderness clashes with the harsher judgments of college life. Lal reconnects with his old flame Gayathri, who has returned as an English teacher at the college, adding a complicated layer to the emotional currents running through the campus.

As Jyothimol trains for a dance at the festival, Lal’s protective instinct shines. After her performance, a sudden blackout strikes the auditorium, and Jyothimol is assaulted. The ensuing chaos sees suspicions pivot toward Lal, and the college and its management move quickly to press charges, casting a shadow over his years of loyalty and kindness. The arrest marks a turning point, testing Lal’s faith in the community he has supported for so long.

Yet the truth is closer than anyone thinks. Before Lal is handed over to the police, the students uncover the real culprit, and the collective voice of the campus—students and staff alike—rallies to secure Lal’s release. The moment of vindication comes with a long-awaited reunion: Lal sees Jyothimol and Jeevan, and the relief and relief-filled embrace between them underscores the resilience of the family the college helped him build.

Throughout the turmoil, the film speaks to a larger message about education, belonging, and the value of goodness. Principal Achen articulates a central idea with a poetic touch, describing the goodness inside a student as something akin to standing under the golden canopy of thine evening sky, where eager eyes turn toward knowledge and values. The closing sentiment remains hopeful: goodness always wins, even in the face of misjudgment and fear.

standing under the golden canopy of thine evening sky and they lift their eager eyes to knowledge and values. Goodness always wins.

Sarvakalasala Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Sarvakalasala (1987) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Lal’s life as a perpetual student and guardian

Lal is an orphan college student pursuing his third master's degree. He continues living near the college to avoid loneliness and lives off leftover funds from his childhood. He is affable and regarded as an elder brother by his peers, whose words carry weight in college life.

Present day College campus and nearby home

Lal adopts Jeevan and Jyothimol as family

Jeevan, an orphanage friend, becomes part of Lal's life when they meet among the new batch of students. Lal takes Jeevan and his sister Jyothimol as his family, offering care and shelter. He treats them with affection and becomes a guardian.

Early in the story College campus and Lal's home nearby

Siddhan, the bohemian poet, joins Lal's circle

Siddhan is described as a bohemian poet who is also an alcoholic and a friend living with Lal. He adds a volatile, creative energy to the group and influences the dynamics around them. He eventually leaves Lal to journey away.

Early phase Lal's place

Siddhan's departure and the shocking murder

Siddhan departs with no clear plan, but soon news arrives that he has been murdered. The loss marks a dark turn and raises tension within Lal's circle. The event foreshadows further turmoil in the college community.

After Siddhan leaves Around Lal's home and college

Lal reconnects with Gayathri, now a teacher

Meanwhile, Lal is reintroduced to his old college flame Gayathri, who has become an English teacher at the college. Their renewed acquaintance hints at past romance and reorients Lal's social circle.

Between incidents and before festival College

The Annual Arts festival nears

The college's annual Arts festival approaches, and everyone starts preparing for the event. Lal supports Jyothimol by encouraging her interest in dancing for the festival. The atmosphere is one of anticipation as students refine performances.

Approaching festival College campus

Jyothimol's dancing and Lal's protective arrangement

Lal promotes Jyothimol's dancing for the Arts festival and helps her prepare. The scene underscores Lal's concern for Jyothimol's well-being and the supportive campus environment. She rehearses and gets ready for the big performance.

Festival prep night College campus/Arts festival venue

Assault and the suspicion on Lal

During the dance, the electricity goes out and Jyothimol is assaulted. Lal is the first to reach the scene, which sours the mood and triggers suspicion among some staff. The incident marks a turning point that tests Lal's innocence and the trust of the college community.

Festival night Festival venue

Lal's arrest and the investigation begins

The college administration files a case and Lal is arrested by the police. The students and staff initially believe the accusation, creating a tense climate on campus. This marks a dramatic hardship for Lal as the truth begins to surface.

Immediately after assault College and police station

Students uncover the real culprit and push for release

Before Lal can be formally charged, the real culprit behind the assault is identified by the students. The administration and the majority of students rally to secure Lal's release. This collective action reaffirms the community's faith in justice and truth.

After investigation reveals culprit College and police

Reunion with Jyothimol and Jeevan

Lal is released and reunites with Jyothimol and Jeevan in a moment of relief and relief. They share a closing hug, reaffirming their bond and Lal's role as a guardian. The reunion restores a sense of safety and family within the group.

After release Outside the college/police area

Principal Achen's reflection on goodness

Principal Achen delivers a reflective speech about the goodness inside a student, likening it to standing under the golden canopy of the evening sky. He speaks of knowledge and values, emphasizing that goodness and truth ultimately prevail. The speech resonates with the events that unfolded.

After the release College auditorium/hall

Campus life endures: the all-rounders

The story closes with a nod to campus life, noting that Chakkara and his cohorts are the all-rounders in college activities. Their presence signals a thriving student community that values resilience, teamwork, and virtue. The film ends on a hopeful note for the community's future.

Closing College campus

Sarvakalasala Characters

Explore all characters from Sarvakalasala (1987). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Lal (Mohanlal)

An orphan college student pursuing a third master's degree who remains deeply connected to the campus community. He is affable, protective, and acts as an elder brother to his peers, guiding friendships and decisions with warmth and integrity.

🎭 Protagonist 📚 Student 🤝 Leader

Jeevan (Sreenath)

An orphan and Lal's long-time friend who is mentally strained; Lal takes on a caregiver role for Jeevan and his sister Jyothimol, highlighting themes of loyalty and family found within friendships.

🧠 Vulnerable 🤝 Friend 👪 Family

Jyothimol (Jyothi) (Lissy)

Jyothimol is Jeevan’s sister and Lal encourages her dancing for the college annual arts festival. She becomes a focal point in the plot after being assaulted during the festival, representing innocence and resilience in the face of trauma.

🩰 Dancer 👧 Youth 🕊️ Survivor

Siddhan

A bohemian poet and Lal’s alcoholic friend who leaves with Lal on a journey; his abrupt departure and presumed murder add tension to the story and test Lal’s circle.

🎨 Poet 🌀 Bohemian 🧠 Complex

Principal Achen

The college principal who embodies authority and moral guidance, articulating that true goodness within students shines when knowledge and values are pursued.

🎓 Authority 🏫 Mentor

Chakkara

Chakkara leads a team of all-rounders who participate actively in college activities, illustrating the vibrant campus culture and the social energy of student life.

🎯 Team 🧰 Campus life

Aasan

Aasan is a senior figure within the college community who offers practical wisdom and support to Lal and others during trying times.

🧠 Mentor 🗣️ Elder

Fr. Chanakathara

A religious dignitary within the college setting who participates in the governance and social fabric of campus life.

⛪ Clergy 🗣️ Counselor

Leelamma

A woman who forms part of the college community’s social fabric, offering support and contributing to the warm, communal atmosphere of the campus.

👩 Matriarch 🤝 Support

Sarvakalasala Settings

Learn where and when Sarvakalasala (1987) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Location

College campus, Lal's home near the college

The story unfolds largely on a college campus, which functions as the central social hub and workplace for the characters. Lal lives in a home adjacent to the campus, blending student life with his personal routines. The campus atmosphere shapes friendships, conflicts, and the annual arts festival that anchors the plot.

🎓 Education 🏫 Setting 🏠 Domestic life

Sarvakalasala Themes

Discover the main themes in Sarvakalasala (1987). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🎓

Education

Education is depicted as more than formal learning; the college is a space for mentorship, character formation, and community values. Lal's leadership and his role as an elder brother illustrate how knowledge and ethics are fostered within peer networks. The events around the arts festival, exams, and daily life reveal that learning includes compassion, responsibility, and social bonds. The theme suggests true growth comes from applying knowledge to support others.

🧭

Justice & Solidarity

The students band together to uncover the real culprit, showing how a community can uphold justice beyond official channels. False accusations test loyalty and integrity, highlighting the collective responsibility of peers. The resolution—where the true offender is revealed and Lal is released—emphasizes the power of unity and ethical action within the college world. It frames justice as a communal value defended through action and truth.

🕊️

Compassion

Compassion anchors Lal's decisions, especially in caring for Jeevan and Jyothimol amid trauma and instability. The narrative centers on empathy in times of vulnerability, including mental strain and assault aftermath. The Principal’s closing words reinforce that kindness and moral goodness can prevail within a demanding environment. The theme portrays care as essential to healing and social harmony.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sarvakalasala Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Sarvakalasala (1987). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the bustling halls of a modest college, a quiet yet magnetic presence anchors the community. Lal, an orphan who has made the campus his lifelong home, is pursuing a third master’s degree simply to keep the loneliness at bay. With a gentle authority earned from years of watching classmates become teachers, he embodies the role of an older brother to the younger students, offering steady guidance while remaining firmly rooted in the rhythms of hostel life.

Around him swirl the energetic members of the student body. Chakkara and his tight‑knit crew inject vigor into every corner of campus, moving effortlessly between classes, clubs, and the rituals that bind the students together. New arrivals such as Jeevan, another orphan, and his sister Jyothimol quickly become part of Lal’s improvised family, while the free‑spirited poet Siddhan adds a touch of bohemian flair to their shared experiences. Their interactions create a lively tapestry of camaraderie, ambition, and the occasional mischief that defines college years.

The institution itself is guided by a trio of seasoned administrators—Principal Achen, Charachira Achan, and Fr. Kuttanad—whose combined influence shapes the daily order, discipline, and traditions that everyone respects. Their presence lends the campus a sense of stability, even as the students navigate the inevitable ebb and flow of relationships, personal dreams, and the looming arts festival that promises both celebration and subtle tension. Amid this backdrop, Gayathri, a former flame returning as an English teacher, re‑enters Lal’s world, hinting at unresolved feelings and new emotional currents.

Together, the characters inhabit a world where education is more than coursework; it is a crucible for belonging, kindness, and the quiet optimism that goodness, nurtured in the shared spaces of study and shared meals, can illuminate even the most uncertain paths.

Can’t find your movie? Request a summary here.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.