Kaviya Thalaivi
Kaviya Thalaivi (/kɑːvɪjʌ θəlaɪvɪ/ transl. Epic Heroine / Queen of Arts) is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language film, written and directed by K. Balachander and produced by Sowcar Janaki. It is a remake of the 1963 Bengali film Uttar Falguni. Janaki also stars alongside Gemini Ganesan and M. R. R. Vasu. The film was released on 29 October 1970, Diwali day, and became a success. For his performance, Ganesan won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor.
| Kaviya Thalaivi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. Balachander |
| Screenplay by | K. Balachandar |
| Based on | Uttar Falguni by Nihar Ranjan Gupta |
| Produced by | Sowcar Janaki |
| Starring | Gemini Ganesan Sowcar Janaki |
| Cinematography | N. Balakrishnan |
| Edited by | N. R. Kittu |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | Selvi Films |
| Distributed by | Sree Balaji Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 166 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Devi is in love with Suresh, a lawyer, but is forced to marry Paranthaman, an alcoholic gambler. Devi escapes from him, and obtains work as a dancer in Hyderabad where she gives birth to a daughter named Krishna. When Vasu tries to kidnap the child, she has Suresh adopt her. Later, when Vasu's blackmail threatens Krishna's marriage, Devi kills him.
Cast
- Gemini Ganesan as Suresh[1]
- Sowcar Janaki as Devi and Krishna[1]
- Ravichandran[2]
- M. R. R. Vasu as Paranthaman[1]
- S. Varalakshmi[2]
- Lakshmi Prabha[2]
- V. Nirmala[2]
- Baby Dolly[2]
Production
Kaviya Thalaivi is a remake of the 1963 Bengali film Uttar Falguni,[3] and was produced by Sowcar Janaki under the banner Selvi Films; she also starred in dual roles.[1][4] The screenplay for the remake was written by K. Balachander, who also directed.[1] Cinematography was handled by N. Balakrishnan,[1] and the editing by N. R. Kittu.[5]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and the lyrics were written by Kannadasan.[6][7] The song "Oru Naal Iravu" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Sumanesaranjani.[8]
| Song | Singer | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Kaiyodu Kai Serkkum" | P. Susheela | 03:50 |
| "Oru Naal Iravu" | P. Susheela | 04:24 |
| "Nerana Nedunsalai" | M. S. Viswanathan | 03:15 |
| "Kavithaiyil Ezhuthiya" | S. Varalakshmi, P. Susheela | 02:39 |
| "Aarambam Indre Agattum" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, L. R. Eswari | 03:21 |
| "Nalam Ketka" (Penn Partha Mappillai) | P. Susheela | 04:22 |
| "En Vaanathil Aayiram" | P. Susheela | 05:30 |
Release and reception
Kaviya Thalaivi was released on 29 October 1970, Diwali day,[9][10] and distributed by Sree Balaji Movies.[11] The Indian Express wrote, "Sowcar Janaki in the dual role gives a sterling performance. Gemini Ganesh, after a long break, comes into his own and is highly satisfactory. K. Balachander's dialogue has flashes of brilliance."[12] It emerged a commercial success,[13] and Ganesan won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor.[14][15]
Legacy
Film historian Mohan Raman described Kaviya Thalaivi as one of Janaki's "exceptional performances".[16] Janaki also named the film as among her personal favourites.[17]
References
- Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 404.
- "பொன்விழா படங்கள்: காவியத் தலைவி -பெங்காலி படத்தை ரீமேக் செய்த கே.பாலச்சந்தர்" [Golden jubilee films: Kaviya Thalaivi -K. Balachander, who remade a Bengali film]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 31 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- "Remakes of Bengali films: What's new in this trend?". The Times of India. 27 November 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- Vamanan (23 April 2018). "Tamil cinema's Bong connection". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- Kaaviya Thalaivi (motion picture) (in Tamil). Selvi Films. 1970. Opening credits, from 0:00 to 3:44.
- "Kaaviya Thalaivi". Saregama. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- "Kaviya Thalaivi 1970". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- "திரையிசையின் மென்முகம்". Dinamalar (in Tamil). 16 August 2015. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- "Kaviya Thalaivi". The Indian Express. 29 October 1970. p. 5. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- தீனதயாளன், ப. (6 April 2016). "வைஜெயந்தி மாலா: 5. டெலிபோன் ஆபரேட்டர்!". Dinamani (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- "Kaviya Thalaivi". The Indian Express. 8 November 1970. p. 5. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- "Cinema". The Indian Express. 31 October 1970. p. 10. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- Vijayakumar, B. (25 August 2013). "Ammaye Kanaan 1963". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 August 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- Anandan, Film News (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil Film History and Its Achievements] (in Tamil). Sivagami Publications. p. 738.
- Dineshkumar, P (22 March 2018). "ஜெமினியின் வாடகை வீடு... ஜெயலலிதாவின் உத்தரவு..! - ஜெமினி கணேசனின் நினைவு தினப் பகிர்வு". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- "A Trip Down Memory Lane". The New Indian Express. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- Ashok Kumar, S. R. (25 December 2006). "Still Ready to Act Sowcar Janaki". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
Bibliography
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.