Parthiban Kanavu
Theatrical release poster
Directed byD. Yoganand
Screenplay byD. Yoganand
Based onParthiban Kanavu
by Kalki
Produced byV. Govindarajan
StarringVyjayanthimala
Gemini Ganesan
S. V. Ranga Rao
CinematographyK. S. Selvaraj
Edited byV. B. Natarajan
"Pazhani" R. Rajan
Music byVedha
Production
company
Jubilee Films
Release date
  • 3 June 1960 (1960-06-03)
Running time
219 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Parthiban Kanavu (transl. Parthiban's Dream) is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language historical fiction film, directed by D. Yoganand. The film stars Vyjayanthimala, Gemini Ganesan and S. V. Ranga Rao, with Ragini, S. V. Subbaiah, Kumari Kamala, T. S. Balaiah, P. S. Veerappa and S. A. Ashokan in supporting roles.[1] It is based on the 1942 historical novel of the same name, written by Kalki Krishnamurthy.[2] The film also had actor K. Balaji in a special appearance and actress B. Saroja Devi as an extra.

Parthiban Kanavu was produced by V. Govindarajan under his Jubilee Films. Upon release, the film was well received by critics, where it won the Best Feature Film in Tamil at the 8th National Film Awards. In 2011, the film was criticised for its historical inaccuracies.

Plot

In the 7th century AD. Parthiban, the Chola King, dies in battle leaving incomplete his desire to be free from the yoke of the Pallavas. His son Vikraman is determined to fulfill his father's dream. He is captured by the Pallava king, Narasimhavarman and exiled to an island where he is chosen as the king. Though he has banished him, Narasimhavarman, in fact, cares a great deal about Vikraman as the latter loves his daughter Kundhavi. Vikraman returns to the mainland to see his mother and is attacked by robbers. Narasimhavaraman, in the guise of a sage and who has been helping Vikraman constantly, rescues him. Vikraman weds Kundhavi and rules over the independent Chola Kingdom, thus fulfilling his father's dream.

Cast

Cast according to the film songbook[3] and the opening credits of the film

Production

The film was many years in the making. Saroja Devi appeared as an extra as Kundavi's companion. These scenes began disappearing later. The production was halted for many years, meanwhile Saroja Devi had become a star and was no longer available for small roles. Later, her name appeared in the credits as a guest appearance.[4] Maniyam, who was an associate of Kalki Krishnamurthy was chosen as the art director.[5]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Vedha, with the lyrics by Kannadasan, Vindhan and A. Maruthakasi.[3][6] The song "Andhi Mayanguthadi" is set in Yaman Kalyan raga.[7]

SongSinger/sLyricistLength
"Andhi Mayanguthadi"M. L. VasanthakumariVindhan03:29
"Idhaya Vaanin"A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela03:25
"Kannale Naan Kanda"A. M. Rajah, P. SusheelaA. Maruthakasi03:23
"Pazhagum Thamizhe"A. M. Rajah, P. SusheelaKannadasan03:20
"Malligai Poo Marikolundhu"K. Jamuna Rani & group03:28
"Engal Kula Samudhayam"03:22
"Munnam Avanudaya Naamam Kettaal"M. L. VasanthakumariAppar Thevaram04:45
"Vadiveru Thirisoolam Thondrum"03:02

Release and reception

Parthiban Kanavu was released on 3 June 1960.[8] Kanthan of Kalki said the novel had been adapted well for the screen without losing out its taste.[9] However, according to historian Randor Guy, the revealing of the yogi's identity in the beginning of the film was criticised as it did not build up the suspense, which had been the plus point of the novel, among the audience. He noted that this was a huge factor in the commercial failure of a good film, though the lead pair Vyjayanthimala and Ganesan proved to be an attractive pair and their scenes with excellent songs sustained interest in the film.[4] At the 8th National Film Awards, Parthiban Kanavu won the award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.[10] The film was dubbed into Telugu as Veera Samrajyam in 1961.[11]

Controversy

While analysing the 2011 science fiction film 7aum Arivu, where it was compared with other Tamil films about history and folklore, which had been historically inaccurate like Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Rajaraja Cholan and Parthiban Kanavu itself, the film historian S. Theodore Baskaran had quoted that, "The crew of Parthiban Kanavu — a film on the Pallava dynasty — did not even visit Mahabalipuram ruled by the Pallavas", while criticising the filmmakers, saying that "They do not even do basic research".[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Guy, Randor (1 December 2006). "Patriot and an idealist". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  2. ↑ Srivathsan, A. (17 February 2011). "Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  3. 1 2 பார்த்திபன் கனவு (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Jubilee Films. 1960. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  4. 1 2 Guy, Randor (29 May 2009). "Paarthibhan Kanavu 1960". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  5. ↑ Charukesi (10 November 2011). "Art world's Famous Five". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  6. ↑ Neelamegam, G. (December 2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 204.
  7. ↑ Venkataraman, Shankar (28 June 2018). "M.L. Vasanthakumari's impeccable style gave us many evergreen hits". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  8. ↑ "Tamil Film Parthiban Kanavu Completes 62 Years". News18. 4 June 2022. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  9. ↑ காந்தன் (19 June 1960). "பார்த்திபன் கனவு". Kalki (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  10. ↑ "State Awards for Films". International Film Festival of India. 31 March 1961. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  11. ↑ "Veera Samrajyam". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  12. ↑ Muralidharan, Kavitha (9 November 2011). "7 Aum Arivu row: Debate rages over Bodhi Dharma's identity". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 17 December 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
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