Dikkatra Parvathi

Dikkatra Parvathi is a 1974 Tamil language film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao based on a novel by the same name written by C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji).[1][2] The film stars Srikanth and Lakshmi. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil, while Lakshmi won many accolades for her performance and was reported to have narrowly missed the National Film Award for Best Actress.[3]

Dikkatra Parvathi
Film poster
Directed bySingeetam Srinivasa Rao
Written byKaraikudi Narayanan
Produced by
  • Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
  • M. Lakshmikantha Reddy
  • H. M. Sanjeeva Reddy
Starring
CinematographyMankada Ravi Varma
Music byChitti Babu
Release date
14 June 1974
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

The story espouses the evils of drink. Parvathi (Lakshmi) is a happy girl who recently married a loving husband, Karuppan (Srikanth). With kind parents-in-law and a doting husband, her life is blissful. Soon, she has a child. Karuppan wants to increase his earnings and decides to buy a cart, though Parvathi is unwilling, asserting it is happier to be content with what they have. However Karuppan takes a loan from a money lender and buys a cart. Initially, everything looks rosy. But Karuppan happens to cross the toddy shops on his way home. Slowly, he is initiated into the habit of drink and soon becomes an addict. Parvathi's life changes into one of hardship and woe. The neglect of Karuppan results in the death of the child. Parvathi's life becomes tragic. Karuppan is unable to repay the loan. The money lender's son takes advantage of the increasingly abominable attitude of her husband. Parvathi helplessly gives in to the approaches of the moneylender's son. Upon discovering this, Karuppan throws a scythe at the moneylender's son, nearly killing him. Karuppan is arrested. Parvathi is rejected by her kith and kin. Alone she struggles to get her husband released. On the advice of a lawyer, she makes a statement in the court that she is guilty, thinking it will facilitate the release of her husband. Karuppan is released, but angered by her statement, rejects her. Dismayed, Parvathi climbs up the hill and kills herself.

Cast

Production

The film was shot in Thorapalli, the birthplace of Rajaji, in a single 28-day schedule.[4] The court scenes were shot in the actual court at Hosur and Chennai and the local lawyers participated, for the first time in Tamil cinema.[5][6] The film's ₹2.5 lakh (worth ₹3.3 crore in 2021 prices) budget was 80 per cent funded by the Film Finance Corporation of India which was subsequently renamed National Film Development Corporation of India and set a precedent.[5][4] When the producers and the director could not repay the loan, then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. G. Ramachandran, repaid the dues and purchased the film for the Tamil Nadu state.[7] It was the first time in film history that a State Government had purchased a film after its release.[5] The dialogues for the film were written by Karaikudi Narayanan.[3]

It was the only film with a story based upon Rajaji's work. The signature of Rajaji in the letter of permission given to Singeetam Srinivasa Rao is the last signature of his life.[5][4]

Awards

Music

Chitti Babu composed two songs for the film, the lyrics of which were written by Rajaji and Kannadasan; both were sung by Vani Jairam.

  1. "Aagaayam Mazhai Pozhindaal" - Vani Jairam
  2. "Enna Kutram Seidheno" - Vani Jairam

Reception

Kanthan of Kalki praised the film for retaining the soul of original material while also praising the performances of cast, dialogues, music and cinematography.[10]

References
  1. "Singeetham Srinivasa Rao's gems before Christ - Rediff.com".
  2. "Flair for the unusual". The Hindu. 6 April 2001. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  3. "ராஜாஜியின் கதை திக்கற்ற பார்வதி: 20 வயதில் வசனம் எழுதினார் காரைக்குடி நாராயணன்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 6 September 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  4. Rangan, Baradwaj (28 June 2014). "Four decades later, a flashback". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  5. "Celebrating a Rajaji classic - The Hindu". The Hindu.
  6. "திரையுலகில் ராஜாஜி". Kalki. 9 December 1979. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  7. "Dikkatra Parvathi Screening | Silverscreen India".
  8. "21st National awards for films" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  9. The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984.
  10. காந்தன் (24 February 1974). "திக்கற்ற பார்வதி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 11. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022.
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