Black is the darkest color, the result of the absence of or complete absorption of light. It is the opposite of white (the combined spectrum of color or light). It is an achromatic color, literally a color without color or hue. It is one of the four primary colors in the CMYK color model, along with cyan, yellow, and magenta, used in color printing to produce all the other colors.

Black was one of the first colors used by artists in neolithic cave paintings. In the 14th century, it began to be worn by royalty, the clergy, judges and government officials in much of Europe. It became the color worn by English romantic poets, businessmen and statesmen in the 19th century, and a high fashion color in the 20th century.

In the Roman Empire, it became the color of mourning, and over the centuries it was frequently associated with death, evil, witches and magic. According to surveys in Europe and North America, it is the color most commonly associated with mourning, the end, secrets, magic, force, violence, evil, and elegance.

In chess, the player who moves first is referred to as "White" and the player who moves second is referred to as "Black". Similarly, the pieces that each conducts are called, respectively, "the white pieces" and "the black pieces". The pieces are often not literally white and black, but some other colors (usually a light color and a dark color, respectively). The 64 squares of the chessboard, which is colored in a checkered pattern, are likewise referred to as "white squares" or "light squares" on the one hand, and "black squares" or "dark squares" on the other. In most cases, the squares are not actually white and black, but a light color and a contrasting dark color. For example, the squares on plastic boards are often off-white ("buff") and green, while those on wood boards are often light brown and dark brown.

In old chess writings, the sides are often called Red and Black, because those were the two colors of ink then commonly available when hand-drawing or printing chess position diagrams.

Black: The Man From Darkness is a 2004 Indian Malayalam crime thriller film written and directed by Ranjith, and produced by Lal. It deals with the underworld operations in Kochi. Mammootty plays the role of Police Constable Karikkamuri Shanmugham, who ironically is a hit man and a contract killer. The film features cinematography by Amal Neerad. The film was a comeback for actor Rahman to Malayalam cinema. The film was a box office hit.

Plot

Black is based on the underground activities in the city of Kochi(Cochin). Shanmughan (Mammooty) plays a Head Police Constable but also a hitman who does his job with perfection. On the top of the underworld, there is a man, Advocate Devin Carlos Padaveedan (Lal). He and Shanmughan are accomplices.

A newly appointed police officer, Ashok (Rahman), tries to clean up the city from the criminals, but fails to do so as he is killed by Padaveedan. Shanmugan is not very happy about the death of Ashok, and creates some indifference between the friends. After Shanmugan finds his own daughter, he wants to live a peaceful life, but the transformation is not acceptable to Padaveedan, and he wants Shanmughan dead.