Parasakthi | |
---|---|
Directed by | R. Krishnan S. Panju |
Produced by | A. V. Meiyappan, P.A.Perumal Mudaliar |
Written by | M. Karunanidhi |
Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Pandari Bai S. S. Rajendran S. V. Sahasranam Sriranjani |
Music by | R.Sudarsanam |
Release date(s) | 17 October 1952[1] |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Parasakthi (Tamil: பராசக்தி; English: The Goddess) is a 1952 Indian film produced in Tamil cinema. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan in his debut, Pandari Bai, S. S. Rajendran, S. V. Sahasranamam and Sriranjani. It was directed by R. Krishnan and S. Panju and produced by AVM. The dialogues for the film were penned by writer M. Karunanidhi who later became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.[2]
Contents |
Plot
The story is based on the life of three brothers — Chandrasekaran (Sahasranamam), Gnanasekaran (S. S. Rajendran) and Gunasekaran (Sivaji Ganesan) — who settle down in Burma during the Second World War. The youngest, Gunasekaran, gets the opportunity to visit India for the marriage of their younger sister Kalyani (Sriranjani) but, as fate would have it, he gets stranded at sea due to intense Japanese bombardment of Burmese ports.
As the Japanese shelling of Burma intensifies, Chandrasekaran and Gnanasekaran pack their belongings and cross over to India. But Gnanasekaran is lost and is presumed killed in the bombardment.
Meanwhile, Kalyani delivers a boy after her marriage. Soon after the birth of the child, her husband and her father die, leaving her destitute. Gunasekaran manages to reach India but is robbed of his belongings. He begins to beg people to give him food and shelter, but they refuse. Because of their aggressive nature, he understands that being a good and innocent person cannot fetch him his wants and needs. So he turns into a robber and causes all sorts of havoc around the town to live better. Later, Gnanasekaran is revealed to be alive, although he loses a leg and walks on crutches, having no clue where his family is.
Gunasakeran manages to find out where Kalyani lives and meets her many times; he hides the fact that he is her brother. He meanwhile falls for Vimala (Pandari Bai). Kalyani becomes the target of anti-social elements. A number of people, including a rich man and a temple priest, make sexual advances at her. In the meantime, she tosses her baby boy into the river because of no way to feed him or make him live properly, thus leading her to face the high court. Gunasekaran attacks the temple priest who tortured Kalyani for his misdemeanor and lands up in the same court as Kalyani. Gunasekaran fights an epic battle in the court explaining the misfortunes which had befallen him and justifying his actions. Eventually, the baby tossed by Kalyani is revealed to be alive as it was caught by Vimala before it touched the water. But the judge at the court (Chandrasekaran) realizes that he was dealing with his own sister whom he was unable to recognize and falls into a coma out of sadness.
Through a sequence of events, Gunasekaran, Gnanasekaran and Kalyani finally find their elder brother Chandrasekaran and reunite with him, thus returning to their rich life. Vimala also joins them and decides to get married to Gunasekaran. The film ends with C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi and several other famous people attending a stage drama conducted by Gnanasekaran.
Cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Gunasekaran, the youngest of three brothers
- Sriranjani as Kalyani, the sister of the three brothers
- Pandari Bai as Vimala, love interest of Gunasekaran
- S. S. Rajendran as Gnanasekaran, the second of three brothers
- Sahasranamam as Chandrasekaran, the oldest of three brothers
Production
A. V. Meiyappan's newly established AVM Productions which was on a high, having produced a series of hits as Nam Iruvar and Vazhkai planned to make a film, later titled as Parasakthi in 1952 with a newcomer Sivaji Ganesan, who had earlier dubbed for a Telugu artist in the Tamil film Niraparadhi.[3] Parasakthi was inspired by a stage drama En Thangai, which told the story of a brother sacrificing his love for the sake of his sightless sister. The role of the "loving brother" in this drama was played Sivaji Ganesan.[4]
However, Parasakthi did not begin well for Ganesan. The directors, Krishnan and Panju, worked hard with the newcomer and after a few thousands of feet were canned, Meiyappan and his crew viewed the rough-cut footage and were disappointed. They felt that Ganesan was not the right choice. Meiyappan suggested that the hero be replaced and K. R. Ramasami be signed up. But producer P. A. Perumal was not convinced. He had great faith in Ganesan and was not ready to heed Meiyappan's advice. Therefore, he stopped for quite a while and Ganesan had no option but to undergo long stretches of intense mental agony, and insecurity, until Perumal decided to continue with him.[4]
Made at an impressive budget and with dialogues penned by eminent writer M. Karunanidhi, the film critically examined the social issues at the time. By the time the film was off the theatres, it had created a revolution.[5] Today, it forms a part of Tamil political history and comprises an unforgettable chapter in the history of the Dravidian Movement.
Soundtrack
The music of Parasakthi was composed by R. Sudarsanam.[6] Lyrics by Kannadasan, M. Karunanidhi, T.N. Ramaiah Das and Bharathidasan.[7]
No. | Song | Singers | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1 | "Desam Gnanam Kalvi" | C. S. Jayaraman | 03:26 |
2 | "Kaa Kaa Kaa" | C. S. Jayaraman | 03:00 |
3 | "Nenju Porkku Thillaiye" | C. S. Jayaraman | 04:50 |
4 | "Ill Vaazhviniley" | T S Bhagavathi, M.H. Hussain | 02:07 |
5 | "Puthu Pennin" | M.S. Rajeswari | 04:23 |
6 | "Oh Rasikkum Seemane" | M.S. Rajeswari | 01:44 |
7 | "Ellorum" | T. S. Bhagavathi, M. L. Vasanthakumari | 01:35 |
8 | "Koneu Mozhi" | T. S. Bhagavathi | 03:03 |
9 | "Poomaalai" | T. S. Bhagavathi | 03:01 |
10 | "Porule Illaarkku" | T. S. Bhagavathi | 03:37 |
11 | "Vaazhga Vaazhgave" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 05:00 |
Release
Reception
Parasakthi was released on Diwali Day in 1952,[8] after months of shooting and preparations. It received critical acclaim largely due to Ganesan's performance. Randor Guy, a critic from The Hindu praised the film for the "dialogue and the stunning performance of the new hero", and further stated that "Tamil cinema was never the same again. A new kind of history, which would have far-reaching consequences, was beginning to be made."[4] P. Balasubramania Mudaliar, editor of Sunday Observer wrote, "The story is simple but it has been made powerful by Mr.Karunanidhi by his beautiful dialogues. Mr.Shivaji Ganesan,who plays the main role dominates from the beginning to the end."[9]
Box office
Regarded as the first significant attempt by the Dravidian Movement to use media for propaganda, the film catapulted Sivaji Ganesan to fame overnight and evoked comparisons with the Hollywood legend Spencer Tracy.[10] Specifically, his valiant defense in the court-scene filled with soul-stirring dialogues by M. Karunanidhi revolutionized the Tamil film industry.[4] Released without any cuts, the film ran for over 100 days in theaters, and was officially declared a box-office hit.[11]
Controversies
Parasakthi, despite being labelled as "hit of the year",[4] was marred by numerous controversies right from the onset. It was accused of trying to portray Brahmins in poor light. Abuse of Hindu customs and religious practices evoked strong protests from the Hindu orthodoxy. The then Chief Minister of Madras, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari was unhappy with the extremely provocative nature of the film but allowed it to be screened. The State Government unsuccessfully requested the Union Government to reconsider film certification.[8] The film was labelled as "one of the most controversial films in the history of Tamil cinema".[12]
References
- ^ "Home - Parasakthi - Nadigar Thilagam's First Film". Parasakthi1.webs.com. 1952-10-17. http://www.parasakthi1.webs.com/. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
- ^ "Land Marks in Tamil cinema". indiafilm.com. http://www.indiafilm.com/lm.htm. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
- ^ Cinema Plus / Columns : Niraparadhi 1951. The Hindu (2008-11-14). Retrieved on 2012-04-04.
- ^ a b c d e Randor Guy (April 24, 2011). "Blast from the Past: Parasakthi". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/cp/2011/04/24/stories/2011042450301600.htm. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
- ^ PSK. "Tribute-Sivaji Ganesan". idlebrain.com. http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/bio-data/bio-sivaji.html. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
- ^ Parasakthi Songs - Parasakthi Tamil Movie Songs - Tamil Songs Lyrics Trailer Videos, Preview Stills Reviews. Raaga.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-04.
- ^ Parasakthi : Tamil Movie - Parasakthi Songs, Parasakthi Mp3 Downloads, Parasakthi Music, Parasakthi Lyrics. Hummaa.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-04.
- ^ a b A. Srivathsan (2006-06-12). "Films and the politics of convenience". Chennai, India: idlebrain.com. http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/12/stories/2006061206151100.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
- ^ Film Reviews - Nadigar Thilagam SIVAJI GANESAN. Freewebs.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-02.
- ^ "Talent, charisma and much more". The Hindu. July 27, 2001. http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/27/stories/09270225.htm.
- ^ "Making history - The Hindu". Cscsarchive.org:8081. 2004-06-20. http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/85C3D48EE374C57965256941001E4B90. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
- ^ The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema - Sundararaj Theodore Baskaran - Google Books. Books.google.co.in. Retrieved on 2012-04-04.