Karnan (1964 film): Difference between revisions
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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The film is based on the life of the [[Karna|namesake warrior]] from the Indian [[epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]'', written by [[Lord Ganesh]] and dictated by [[Veda Vyasa]].<ref>http://www.shreedarshan.com/g-mahabharatam.htm</ref> A [[magnum opus]] for its time, ''Karnan'' was the first [[epic film]] in [[Tamil language]] to be shot in opulent locations such as the palaces of [[Jaipur]]. Huge moving [[chariot]]s were made in [[Chennai]] and transported to [[Kurukshetra]], where the war sequences were filmed. Government permission was sought, and [[cavalry]] and [[infantry]] from the [[Indian Army]] were brought to the locations at Kurukshetra and the first rows of the charging armies on horses and elephants had soldiers from the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite news|title=A 100 goes unsung|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2853657.ece|accessdate=February 29, 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=February 2, 2012|author=Malathi Rangarajan}}</ref> |
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==Soundtrack== |
==Soundtrack== |
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Revision as of 05:18, 29 February 2012
| Karnan (கர்ணன்) | |
|---|---|
| File:Karnan Cover.jpg Promotional Poster | |
| Directed by | B.R. Panthulu |
| Written by | Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy |
| Produced by | B.R Panthulu |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan N.T. Rama Rao Savitri Devika Ashokan R. Muthuraman |
| Cinematography | V. Ramamoorthy |
| Edited by | R. Devarajan |
| Music by | |
Production company | Padmini Pictures |
Release date | 14 January 1964[1] |
Running time | 175 min |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Karnan (Tamil: கர்ணன்) is an Indian mythological Tamil film written by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy and directed by B. Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu. It features an ensemble cast composed of Sivaji Ganesan, N.T. Rama Rao, Savitri and R. Muthuraman. The film is based on the story of Karnan, a character from the great Indian Epic Mahabharata. The film was dubbed in Telugu as as Karna and subsequently as Daanveer Karna in Hindi.[2]
Plot
Born with an Armour and ear-rings, and bequeathed as a gift from Surya to an unwed Kunti (M.V. Rajamma), Karnan (Sivaji Ganesan) is abandoned so as to prevent embarrassment for her. He is set afloat in the Ganga, rescued and adopted by a horse-carriage driver, who is employed with Dhritarashtra, the blind king. Karnan is keen to acquire the Brahmastra mantra from the great teacher Parasuram. However, he knows that Parasuram gives instructions to Brahmins (the priestly tribe) only. So he disguises as a Brahmin and beseeches Parasuram to accept him as a sishya (disciple). Parsuram accepts him as such and starts giving him instructions.
One day when Parasuram is resting in Karnan's lap, it so happens that a giant bee stings Karnan on the lower portion of his thigh. It was very painful and he starts bleeding. However, fearing that if he moved his legs, he would awaken Parasuram, he does not move at all and continues to suffer. When Parasuram wakes up, he sees Karnan bleeding. He asks Karnan about his true identity, and states that a Brahmin cannot suffer so much physical pain. Only a kshattriya (the warrior tribe) can endure so much discomfort. Karnan is obliged to disclose his identity. Parasuram is greatly enraged, because he is a sworn enemy of Kshattriyas. He therefore curses Karnan that as he had learnt through deceit, he shall forget the vidya (skill) which Parasuram had taught him at the crucial juncture.
Duryodhan (S.A. Ashokan), and his 99 brothers (all together known as the Kauravas) are jealous and sworn enemies of their cousins, the Pandavas (King Pandu's sons). Meanwhile Duryodhan, the son of Pandu's brother Dhritrashtra patronises Karnan and makes him the king of Angadesh. Duryodhan, in fact, built him up as a counterweight to Pandava Arjun (R. Muthuraman).
On the eve of the famous Mahabharata battle, Lord Indra, the rain god and king of heavens, disguised as an old Brahmin, goes to Karnan and asked for his Kavach and Kundal in daan (donation). Indra was apprehensive that Karnan, by virtue of his phenomenal skills as a warrior, may be able to overwhelm Arjun. He therefore asked for this gift so as to reduce his strength. Karnan had been cautioned by the Sun God that Lord Indra was going to make some such move. But Karna is so large hearted that he cannot refuse anyone. Knowing fully well, that Indra was playing a trick on him disguised as a Brahmin, he yet parts with his Kavach and Kundal, which were parts of his body since birth and which made him invincible. Lord Indra is taken aback at Karnan's capacity to give away anything asked for. He tells that what Karnan has done today, no ordinary mortal could have done. Immensely pleased with Karnan's generosity, Indra lets him ask for any vardaan (wish). Karnan asks Indra to kindly give him the weapon Shakti which has the potential to destroy any enemy. Lord Indra gives Shakti to Karnan with the proviso however that he could use it only once and that thereafter the weapon shall return to Lord Indra. Meanwhile, Karnan finally finds out that Kunti is his real mother and he is the eldest of the Pandavas. He reconciles with his mother.
Parasuram's curse was to prove Karnan's undoing. At the Kurukshetra battle, when facing Arjun, Karnan forgets the Brahmastra mantra taught to him by Parasuram. The wheels of his chariot sink in soft earth and he gets immobilised. At that time, Arjun defeats him. Arjun shoots many arrows at the helpless Karnan, severely wounding him, but is curiously unable to kill him. Lord Krishna (N.T. Rama Rao) tells him that the great Dharma of noble charity that Karnan had performed during his lifetime was protecting him. Krishna orders Arjun to redouble his efforts. Arjun complied and Karnan gets killed. The other Pandavas arrive and are saddened by the death of their eldest brother, so is Kunti. She curses Krishna and Arjun for the "outrage", but Krishna reminds them that before the final battle, the curses that inflicted Karnan (by Lord Indra and Parasuram) were also responsible for his death, and that there was no need to blame just Arjun and Krishna.
It was later revealed that Parasurama knew about the impending massacre at Kurukshetra; he explained to Karnan in a dream, on the night before Karnan's battle with Arjun, that he purposely cursed him in that way so as to ensure the defeat of the Kauravas. In this dream, he blesses Karnan with everlasting glory after his death, because of his humble acceptance of the curse.
Cast
| Actor/Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Sivaji Ganesan | Karnan, the titular protagonist and eldest of the Pandavas |
| N.T. Rama Rao | Krishna, a god who orders that Karnan be killed |
| R. Muthuraman | Arjun, one of the five Pandavas who eventually kills Karnan |
| S.A. Ashokan | Duryodhan, Karnan's eternally best friend |
| Savitri | Bhanumati, wife of Duryodhan |
| Devika | Subhangi, wife of Karnan |
| M. V. Rajamma | Kunti, the real mother of Karnan |
Production
The film is based on the life of the namesake warrior from the Indian epic Mahabharata, written by Lord Ganesh and dictated by Veda Vyasa.[3] A magnum opus for its time, Karnan was the first epic film in Tamil language to be shot in opulent locations such as the palaces of Jaipur. Huge moving chariots were made in Chennai and transported to Kurukshetra, where the war sequences were filmed. Government permission was sought, and cavalry and infantry from the Indian Army were brought to the locations at Kurukshetra and the first rows of the charging armies on horses and elephants had soldiers from the Indian Army.[4]
Soundtrack
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Music is composed by M.S. Viswanathan and T.K. Ramamurthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[6]
| Track | Song | Length | Singers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maharajan | 3:02 | T.M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| 2 | Iravum Pagalum | 3:46 | P. Susheela, T.M. Soundararajan |
| 3 | Nilavum Malarum | 3:43 | T.M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela |
| 4 | Ulathil Nala Ullam | 3:50 | Seerkazhi Govindarajan |
| 5 | Kangal Engey | 4:52 | P. Susheela |
| 6 | Malai Kodukum | 6:54 | Trichy Loganathan |
| 7 | Aayiram Karangal Neeti | 1:27 | T.M. Soundararajan, P.B. Sreenivas, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Trichy Loganathan |
| 8 | En Uyir Tholi | 3:44 | P. Susheela |
| 9 | Manjal Mugam | 4:23 | Susheela |
| 10 | Maranathai Eni | 3:03 | Seerkazhi Govindarajan |
| 11 | Poi Vaa Magale | 3:43 | Sulamangalam Rajalakshmi |
| 12 | Ennakoduppan | 1:31 | P.B. Sreenivas |
| 13 | Naanichivandhana | 1:14 | Trichy Loganathan |
| 14 | Malargal Sutti | 1:18 | P. Susheela |
| 15 | Kannuku Kulam Yedu | 4:08 | P. Susheela |
| 16 | Mannavar Porulkalai | 2:46 | T.M. Soundararajan |
Reception
Ayngaran International called the film as "One of the all time great Indian Classics with a fantastic star cast and great acting".[7]
Re-release
A digitally restored version of Karnan (with digital enhancements and restored audio to enable its screening in digital cinemas) is due for release in March 2012. The mammoth efforts of re-releasing this film, which cost ₹40 lakh (US$48,000) and consumed three years of hard work, had been undertaken by film distributor Santhi Chokkalingam. He stated that noise restoration processes were done and that the film will be released with DTS 5.1 surround sound. Karnan is the first Tamil film to be digitally restored to it's original glory.[8][9]
References
- ^ "Karnan - Movie Reviews, Videos, Wallpapers, Photos, Cast & Crew, Story & Synopsis on". Popcorn.oneindia.in. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Karna (1963) - Movie connections". IMDB. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ http://www.shreedarshan.com/g-mahabharatam.htm
- ^ Malathi Rangarajan (February 2, 2012). "A 100 goes unsung". The Hindu. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ^ "The Orchard". The Orchard. 1963-12-31. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "album karnan - Saavn Music". Saavn.com. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "Evergreen Blockbuster Karnan in new format". Ayngaran International. February 19, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ "Sivaji Ganesan's Karnan set for digital re-run". February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ "Karnan: Old wine in new bottle". The Times Of India. February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
