Parthiban Kanavu (1960 film)

Parthiban Kanavu
Directed by D. Yoganand
Produced by V. Govindarajan
Written by Vindhan
Screenplay by D. Yoganand
Story by Kalki
Based on Parthiban Kanavu
by Kalki
Starring Vyjayanthimala
Gemini Ganesan
S. V. Ranga Rao
Music by Vedha
Cinematography K. S. Selvaraj
Edited by V. B. Natarajan
'Pazhani' R. Rajan
Production
company
Jubilee Films
Distributed by Jubilee Films
Release date
  • 3 June 1960 (1960-06-03)
Running time
 219 minutes
Country India
Language
  • Tamil
  • Telugu
  • Sinhala

Parthiban Kanavu (lit. Parthiban's Dream) is a 1960 multilingual historical fiction film directed by D. Yoganand.[1] The film starred Vyjayanthimala, Gemini Ganesan and S. V. Ranga Rao in the lead with Ragini, S. V. Subbiah, Kumari Kamala, T. S. Balaiah, P. S. Veerappa and S. A. Ashokan forms an ensemble cast.[2]

The film was based on 1942 Historical novel Parthiban Kanavu written by Kalki Krishnamurthy.[3] The film also had actor K. Balaji in special appearance and actress B. Saroja Devi as extra.

Parthiban Kanavu was produced in three language, Tamil, Telugu and Sinhala by V. Govindarajan with his Jubilee Films.[4] Upon release the film was well received by critics where it won Best Feature Film in Tamil at the 8th National Film Awards. With its huge budget, the film failed to perform well at box office where it ended as box office bomb.

In 2011, the movie was in controversy along with Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Thillaanaa Mohanambal for its historical inaccuracies.[5]

Plot

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 (Gemini Ganesh) is determined to fulfill his father's dream. He is arrested by the Pallava king, Narasimhavarman and exiled to an island where he is chosen the king. Though he has banished him, Narasimhavarman in fact cares a great deal about Vikraman as the latter loves his daughter Kundhavi (Vyjayanthimala). 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

Crew

  • Producer: V. Govindarajan
  • Production Company: Jubilee Films
  • Director: D. Yoganand
  • Story: Kalki Krishnamurthy
  • Screenplay: D. Yoganand
  • Dialogues: Vindhan
  • Art Direction: Maniam
  • Editing: V. B. Natarajan & 'Pazhani' R. Rajan
  • Choreography: G. Ellappa & Muthusami Pillai
  • Cinematography: K. S. Selvaraj
  • Stunt: Shyam Sundar
  • Audiography: Mukul Bose

Production

The film was many years in the making. Actress B. Saroja Devi had appeared as an extra as the heroine Vyjayanthimala's companion. These scenes began disappearing later.[7] The production was halted for many years, meanwhile actress B. Saroja Devi had become a star and was no longer available for small roles. Later, her name appeared in the credits as guest appearance.[7] The film was produced in three language, Tamil, Telugu and Sinhala.[4] Maniyam who was an associate of Kalki Krishnamurthy was chosen as the art director who brings the historical characters alive.[8]

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack was composed by Vedha with the lyrics penned by Kannadasan, Vindhan and A. Maruthakasi. The album had A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela, M. L. Vasanthakumari and K. Jamuna Rani as the singers.[9]

The song Pazhagum Thamizhe which was a duet filmed on Vyjayanthimala and Gemini Ganesan and the Other Two Duets like IdhayaVaanin and Kannale Naan Kanda Kaname also became popular and are remembered to this day by music lovers.[7]

No.SongSinger/sFeaturing ArtistDuration (m:ss)Lyricist
1Andhi MayanguthadiM. L. VasanthakumariKumari Kamala03:29Vindhan
2Idhaya VaaninA. M. Rajah, P. SusheelaVyjayanthimala, Gemini Ganesan03:25
3Kannale Naan KandaA. M. Rajah, P. Susheela03:23A. Maruthakasi
4Pazhagum ThamizheA. M. Rajah, P. Susheela03:20Kannadasan]]
5Malligai Poo MarikolundhuK. Jamuna Rani & group-03:28
6Engal Kula Samudhayam03:22
7Munnam Avanudaya Naamam KettaalM. L. VasanthakumariKumari Kamala04:45Appar Thevaram
8Vadiveru Thirisoolam Thondrum03:02

Reception

Commercial response

Despite the excellent star cast and good direction by D. Yoganand, the film did not fare well at box office.[7]

Critical response

The movie generally received positive review among critics for the direction of D. Yoganand and the impressive performance by the star cast, Gemini Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala and S. V. Ranga Rao. On the other hand, the revealing of the yogi's identity in the beginning of the film was criticized as it did not build up the suspense among the audience. This suspense had been the plus point of the novel.[7] Unfortunately The Disguise That Was Described In The Original Novel By The Author 'Kalki' Of The Pallava King Was Not Enough To Keep The a suspense Of The Two Main Characters Essayed By The Famous Actor Sri S.V.Ranga Rao. This Was A Huge Factor In The Commercial Failure Of A Good Movie. The lead pair Vyjayanthimala and Gemini Ganesan proved to be an Attractive pair and their scenes with Excellent Songs sustained interest in the cinema.[7] The success of the lead pair continued through another film, Then Nilavu in the 1960.[10] Randor Guy from The Hindu had conclude that the film is "remembered for the glamour of Vyjayanthimala, the winsome lead pair, exquisite sets and pleasing music".[7]

Awards

National Film Awards

Controversy

While analyzing the 2011 Tamil science fiction thriller film 7aum Arivu where it was compared with other Tamil films about history and folklore which had been historically inaccurate like Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Parthiban Kanavu itself. The Tamil 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 criticizing the film makers that "They do not even do basic research".[5]

See also

  • List of longest films in India by running time
  • Malathi Rangarajan (16 January 2009). "Melody, music and MLV". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2017.

References

  1. ↑ "Director Yoganand is no more". Indiaglitz.com. 2006-11-28. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  2. ↑ Randor Guy (1 December 2006). "Patriot and an idealist". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  3. ↑ A. Srivathsan (2011-02-17). "Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan". The Hindu. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
  4. 1 2 "Popular director Yoganand passes away". Oneindia.in. 2006-11-26. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  5. 1 2 "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.
  6. ↑ Randor Guy (15 May 2009). "A void on the film firmament". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Randor Guy (2009-05-29). "Paarthibhan Kanavu 1960". The Hindu. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  8. ↑ Charukesi (10 November 2011). "Art world's Famous Five". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  9. ↑ G. Neelamegam. Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil). Manivasagar Publishers, Chennai 108 (Ph:044 25361039). First edition December 2014. p. 204.
  10. ↑ "C.V Sridhar, veteran director passes away!". Sify. 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  11. ↑ "8th National Film Awards". International Film Festival of India. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
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