Desadanam () is a 1996 Indian Malayalam language musical drama film directed by Jayaraj. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. The story is about a young boy chosen to join a monastery. The film was a box-office hit.
The plot revolves around the personal turmoil faced by the parents of a child who is to be inducted into priesthood by a monastery. The characters played by Vijayaraghavan and Mini Nair portray the pain of imminent separation from their only child.
The boy who led a carefree life until then has been identified as having a deep understanding of religious philosophy and scriptures at a very young age by the priests of a holy shrine. They request the family to induct the boy into priesthood to which the grandfather of the boy readily agrees, for he himself had aspirations of joining the shrine in the past. The parents, though not keen on parting with their child are compelled to give in because the elders of the family have given their word.
All the songs in the movie were well received. The music was composed by Kaithapram who himself wrote the lyrics and had a role in the movie too.
The film became commercial success.