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{{about|the 1964 Tamil film starring Sivaji Ganesan|other uses|Karna (disambiguation)}}
{{other uses|Karna (disambiguation)}}


{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Karnan (கர்ணன்)
| name = Karnan<br/>கர்ணன்
| image = Karnan Cover.jpg
| image = Karnan Cover.jpg
| caption = Promotional Poster
| caption = Promotional Poster
Line 41: Line 41:
| [[Sivaji Ganesan]] || [[Karnan]], the [[title role|titular]] protagonist and eldest of the Pandavas
| [[Sivaji Ganesan]] || [[Karnan]], the [[title role|titular]] protagonist and eldest of the Pandavas
|-
|-
| [[N.T. Rama Rao]] || [[Krishna]], a god who orders that Karnan be killed
| [[N.T. Rama Rao]] || [[Krishna]], a god who opposes Karnan during the Kurukshetra war
|-
|-
| [[R. Muthuraman]] || [[Arjuna|Arjun]], one of the Pandavas who eventually kills Karnan
| [[R. Muthuraman]] || [[Arjuna|Arjun]], one of the Pandavas who eventually kills Karnan
Line 55: Line 55:


==Production==
==Production==
''Karnan'' 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreedarshan.com/g-mahabharatam.htm |title=Ganesha Writes Mahabharat |publisher=ShreeDarshan.com |date=2012-01-13 |accessdate=2012-02-29}}</ref> A [[magnum opus]] for its time, it was the first [[epic film]] in [[Tamil language]] to be shot in opulent locations such as the palaces of [[Jaipur]]. The film's [[Art work]], a mammoth task was done by Ganga.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2999234.ece | title=Karnan rules | work=The Hindu | date=March 15, 2012 | accessdate=March 16, 2012 | author=Malathi Rangarajan}}</ref> 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 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2853657.ece | title=A 100 goes unsung | work=The Hindu | date=February 2, 2012 | accessdate=February 29, 2012 | author=Malathi Rangarajan}}</ref>
''Karnan'' 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>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreedarshan.com/g-mahabharatam.htm |title=Ganesha Writes Mahabharat |publisher=ShreeDarshan.com |date=2012-01-13 |accessdate=2012-02-29}}</ref> A [[magnum opus]] for its time, it was the first [[epic film]] in [[Tamil language]] to be shot in opulent locations such as the palaces of [[Jaipur]]. The film's [[art work]], a mammoth task was done by Ganga.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2999234.ece | title=Karnan rules | work=The Hindu | date=March 15, 2012 | accessdate=March 16, 2012 | author=Malathi Rangarajan}}</ref> 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 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2853657.ece | title=A 100 goes unsung | work=The Hindu | date=February 2, 2012 | accessdate=February 29, 2012 | author=Malathi Rangarajan}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| Name = Karnan
| Name = Karnan
| Longtype = to Karnan
| Longtype = to ''Karnan''
| Type = Soundtrack
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist = [[M. S. Viswanathan|Viswanathan]]-[[T. K. Ramamoorthy|Ramamurthy]]
| Artist = [[M. S. Viswanathan|Viswanathan]]-[[T. K. Ramamoorthy|Ramamurthy]]
Line 70: Line 70:
| Recorded =
| Recorded =
| Genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| Genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| Length =
| Length = 43:5
| Language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| Language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| Label = [[Saregama]]
| Label = [[Saregama]]
Line 78: Line 78:
| Next album =
| Next album =
}}
}}
Music is composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]] and [[T. K. Ramamoorthy]], with lyrics by [[Kannadasan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saavn.com/search/tamil/album+karnan |title=album karnan - Saavn Music |publisher=Saavn.com |date= |accessdate=2012-02-26}}</ref>
The soundtrack consisting of 14 tracks, is composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]] and [[T. K. Ramamoorthy]], with lyrics by [[Kannadasan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saavn.com/search/tamil/album+karnan |title=album karnan - Saavn Music |publisher=Saavn.com |date= |accessdate=2012-02-26}}</ref>
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| headline = Tracklist
| headline = Tracklist
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| lyrics_credits=
| lyrics_credits=
| total_length = 43.5
| total_length = 43:5
| title1 = Maharajan
| title1 = Maharajan
| extra1 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. Susheela]]
| extra1 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. Susheela]]
| lyrics1 =
| length1 = 3:02
| length1 = 3.02
| title2 = Iravum Pagalum
| title2 = Iravum Pagalum
| extra2 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. Susheela]]
| extra2 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. Susheela]]
| lyrics2 =
| length2 = 3:46
| length2 = 3.46
| title3 = Nilavum Malarum
| title3 = Nilavum Malarum
| extra3 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. Susheela]]
| extra3 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. Susheela]]
| lyrics3 =
| length3 = 3:43
| length3 = 3.43
| title4 = Ullathil Nalla Ullam
| title4 = Ullathil Nalla Ullam
| extra4 = [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]]
| extra4 = [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]]
| lyrics4 =
| length4 = 3:50
| length4 = 3.50
| title5 = Kangal Engey
| title5 = Kangal Engey
| extra5 = [[P. Susheela]]
| extra5 = [[P. Susheela]]
| lyrics5 =
| length5 = 4:52
| length5 = 4.52
| title6 = Malai Kodukum
| title6 = Malai Kodukum
| extra6 = Thiruchi Loganathan
| extra6 = Thiruchi Loganathan
| lyrics6 =
| length6 = 6:54
| length6 = 6.54
| title7 = Aayiram Karangal Neeti
| title7 = Aayiram Karangal Neeti
| extra7 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. B. Srinivas]], <br> [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]], Thiruchi Loganathan
| extra7 = [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[P. B. Srinivas]], <br> [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]], Thiruchi Loganathan
| lyrics7 =
| length7 = 1:27
| length7 = 1.27
| title8 = En Uyir Thozhi
| title8 = En Uyir Thozhi
| extra8 = [[P. Susheela]]
| extra8 = [[P. Susheela]]
| lyrics8 =
| length8 = 3:44
| length8 = 3.44
| title9 = Manjal Mugam
| title9 = Manjal Mugam
| extra9 = [[P. Susheela]]
| extra9 = [[P. Susheela]]
| length9 = 4.23
| length9 = 4:23
| title10 = Maranathai Enni
| title10 = Maranathai Enni
| extra10 = [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]]
| extra10 = [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]]
| length10 = 3.03
| length10 = 3:03
| title11 = Poi Vaa Magale
| title11 = Poi Vaa Magale
| extra11 = [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]]
| extra11 = [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]]
| length11 = 3.44
| length11 = 3:44
| title12 = Ennakoduppan
| title12 = Ennakoduppan
| extra12 = [[P. B. Srinivas]]
| extra12 = [[P. B. Srinivas]]
| length12 = 1.31
| length12 = 1:31
| title13 = Naanichivandhana
| title13 = Naanichivandhana
| extra13 = Thiruchi Loganathan
| extra13 = Thiruchi Loganathan
| length13 = 1.14
| length13 = 1:14
| title14 = Malargal Sutti
| title14 = Malargal Sutti
| extra14 = [[P. Susheela]]
| extra14 = [[P. Susheela]]
| length14 = 1.18
| length14 = 1:18
}}
}}

===Critical response===
The album received very positive reviews from critics. Baradwaj Rangan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' said, "My interest in ''Karnan'' (apart from the critic's mandate that I see everything) was primarily the songs".<ref name=BARADWAJ/> Meera Srinivasan, another critic from ''The Hindu'' praised the film for the "music score and songs by the inimitable Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo with Kannadasan's striking lyrics".<ref name=MEERA/> M. Suganth of ''[[The Times of India]]'' stated "The [film's] pacing is uneven, the complexities of the plot are overtly simplified, the songs are one too many (but what songs they are!)".<ref name=SUGANTH/>


==Release==
==Release==
===Reception===
===Reception===
''Karnan'' was released on 14 January 1964,<ref name=POP/> coinciding with [[Pongal|Pongal festival]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pongalfestival.org/when-is-pongal.html |title=When is Pongal,Pongal in 2012,When is Pongal Festival,When is pongal 2012 |publisher=Pongalfestival.org |date=2012-01-14 |accessdate=2012-03-15}}</ref> and opened to high critical acclaim. [[Ayngaran International]] called the film as "One of the all time great Indian Classics with a fantastic star cast and great acting".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=newsdetails.php?newsid=7354|title=Evergreen Blockbuster Karnan in new format|work=[[Ayngaran International]]|date=February 19, 2012|accessdate=February 23, 2012}}</ref> [[The Hindu]] praised the film for "many reasons, including the stunning performances of [[Sivaji Ganesan|Sivaji]] [Ganesan] as [[Karnan]] and [[N.T. Rama Rao]] as [[Lord Krishna]], the powerful battlefield sequences and the music score and songs by the inimitable [[M.S. Viswanathan|Viswanathan]]-[[T.K. Ramamoorthy|Ramamoorthy]] duo with [[Kannadasan]]'s striking lyrics".<ref>{{cite web|author=Meera Srinivasan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2306392.ece |title=Arts / Cinema : ‘Karnan' set to come back, digitally dazzling |publisher=The Hindu |date=2011-07-30 |accessdate=2012-03-15}}</ref> The film subsequently won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]] in 1964.<ref name=GEO/>
''Karnan'' was released on 14 January 1964,<ref name=POP/> coinciding with [[Pongal|Pongal festival]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pongalfestival.org/when-is-pongal.html |title=When is Pongal,Pongal in 2012,When is Pongal Festival,When is pongal 2012 |publisher=Pongalfestival.org |date=2012-01-14 |accessdate=2012-03-15}}</ref> and opened to high critical acclaim. [[Ayngaran International]] called the film as "One of the all time great Indian Classics with a fantastic star cast and great acting".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=newsdetails.php?newsid=7354|title=Evergreen Blockbuster Karnan in new format|work=[[Ayngaran International]]|date=February 19, 2012|accessdate=February 23, 2012}}</ref> [[The Hindu]] stated that "''Karnan'', directed by [[B.R. Panthulu]] in 1964, is considered a classic for many reasons, including the stunning performances of [[Sivaji Ganesan|Sivaji]] [Ganesan] as [[Karnan]] and [[N.T. Rama Rao]] as [[Lord Krishna]], the powerful battlefield sequences and the music score and songs by the inimitable [[M.S. Viswanathan|Viswanathan]]-[[T.K. Ramamoorthy|Ramamoorthy]] duo with [[Kannadasan]]'s striking lyrics".<ref name=MEERA>{{cite web|author=Meera Srinivasan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2306392.ece |title=Arts / Cinema : ‘Karnan' set to come back, digitally dazzling |publisher=The Hindu |date=2011-07-30 |accessdate=2012-03-15}}</ref> The film subsequently won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil]] in 1964.<ref name=GEO/>


===Box Office===
===Box Office===
Despite critical acclaim, ''Karnan'' did not do well at the [[box office]] during it's release.<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article3205767.ece</ref> It was however declared a "super-hit" by reviewers and audiences.<ref>http://www.tamilkey.com/re-release-is-the-new-trend-in-kollywood.html</ref>
Despite critical acclaim, ''Karnan'' did not do well at the [[box office]] during it's release.<ref name=BARADWAJ>{{cite web|author=Baradwaj Rangan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article3205767.ece |title=Life & Style / Metroplus : Lights, Camera, Conversation… — The granddaddy of bromance |publisher=The Hindu |date=2012-03-16 |accessdate=2012-03-24}}</ref> It was however declared a "super-hit" by reviewers and audiences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilkey.com/re-release-is-the-new-trend-in-kollywood.html |title=Re- Release is the new trend in Kollywood |publisher=Tamilkey.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-24}}</ref>


==Re-release==
==Re-release==
A digitally restored version of ''Karnan'' (with digital enhancements and restored audio to enable its screening in digital cinemas) was released on 16 March 2012,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Teched-up-Karnan-to-hit-screens-soon/articleshow/12283361.cms | title=Teched-up ‘Karnan’ to hit screens | work=Times of India | date=March 16, 2012 | accessdate=March 16, 2012 | location=Chennai}}</ref> to commemorate director [[B.R. Panthulu]]'s birth centenary.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2931990.ece | title=Karnan Calling | work=The Hindu | date=February 25, 2012 | accessdate=March 16, 2012 | author=Malathai Rangarajan | location=Chennai}}</ref> The mammoth efforts of re-releasing this film, which cost {{INRConvert|40|l}} and consumed three years of hard work, had been undertaken by film distributor Santhi Chokkalin­gam. In an interview, he stated "The sound negative was totally gone and the five to six reels from the picture negative were damaged to a great extent".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-20/news-interviews/31079429_1_film-restoration-film-preservation-big-screen|title=Karnan: Old wine in new bottle|work=[[The Times Of India]]|author=M. Suganth|date=February 20, 2012|accessdate=February 23, 2012}}</ref> Thus, the film was released with [[DTS (sound system)|DTS]] [[5.1 surround sound]], and visual improvements in 50 screens across [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mytamilchannel.com/index/sivaji-ganesans-karnan-set-for-digital-re-run/|title=Sivaji Ganesan’s Karnan set for digital re-run|date=February 17, 2012|accessdate=February 23, 2012}}</ref> The restored version of ''Karnan'' was also very well received upon release, although the restoration process was criticized for being "far from perfect".<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/tamil/Karnan/movie-review/12288933.cms</ref>
A digitally restored version of ''Karnan'' (with digital enhancements and restored audio to enable its screening in digital cinemas) was released on 16 March 2012,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Teched-up-Karnan-to-hit-screens-soon/articleshow/12283361.cms | title=Teched-up ‘Karnan’ to hit screens | work=Times of India | date=March 16, 2012 | accessdate=March 16, 2012 | location=Chennai}}</ref> to commemorate director [[B.R. Panthulu]]'s birth centenary.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2931990.ece | title=Karnan Calling | work=The Hindu | date=February 25, 2012 | accessdate=March 16, 2012 | author=Malathai Rangarajan | location=Chennai}}</ref> The mammoth efforts of re-releasing this film, which cost {{INRConvert|40|l}} and consumed three years of hard work, had been undertaken by film distributor Santhi Chokkalin­gam. In an interview, he stated "The sound negative was totally gone and the five to six reels from the picture negative were damaged to a great extent".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-20/news-interviews/31079429_1_film-restoration-film-preservation-big-screen|title=Karnan: Old wine in new bottle|work=[[The Times Of India]]|author=M. Suganth|date=February 20, 2012|accessdate=February 23, 2012}}</ref> Thus, the film was released with [[DTS (sound system)|DTS]] [[5.1 surround sound]], and visual improvements in 50 screens across [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mytamilchannel.com/index/sivaji-ganesans-karnan-set-for-digital-re-run/|title=Sivaji Ganesan’s Karnan set for digital re-run|date=February 17, 2012|accessdate=February 23, 2012}}</ref> The restored version of ''Karnan'' was also very well received upon release, although the restoration process was criticized for being "far from perfect".<ref name=SUGANTH>{{cite web|author=M Suganth |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/tamil/Karnan/movie-review/12288933.cms |title=Karnan movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer at Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-24}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 11:54, 24 March 2012

For other uses, see Karna (disambiguation).
Karnan
கர்ணன்
File:Karnan Cover.jpg
Promotional Poster
Directed byB.R. Panthulu
Written bySakthi T. K. Krishnasamy
Produced byB.R Panthulu
StarringSivaji Ganesan
N.T. Rama Rao
R. Muthuraman
Savitri
Devika
S. A. Ashokan
CinematographyV. Ramamoorthy
Edited byR. Devarajan
Music by
Production
company
Padmini Pictures
Release date
14 January 1964[1]
Running time
175 min
CountryTemplate:Film India
LanguageTamil

Karnan (Tamil: கர்ணன்) is a Tamil mythological epic 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 Karna, a character from the great Indian epic Mahabharata. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Karna and subsequently as Dhaan Veer Karna in Hindi.[2]

Plot

Born with Kavasam and Kundalam (Armour and ear-rings), and bequeathed as a gift from the Sun God 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 Dhritarashtra patronises Karnan and makes him the king of Angadesh. Duryodhan, in fact, built him up as a counterweight to Pandava Arjun (R. Muthuraman). Meanwhile, Karnan saves Subhangi (Devika) from an out-of-control chariot, and they soon get married.

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 asks for his Kavasam and Kundalam in daanam (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 Kavasam and Kundalam, 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 varam (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. Kunti gets a wish from Karnan that he will not attack anyone other than Arjun and he will attack Arjun only twice.

Parasuram's curse was to prove Karnan's undoing. At the Kurukshetra battle, when facing Arjun, Karnan's son gets killed by Arjun. This results in Subhangi and Karnan's dismay, making Karnan more determined to kill Arjun. The next day during war, 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 disguises as a brahmin, goes to karnan and asks him his virtues as donation. Karnan who cannot say no to anyone gives his virtues to the brahmin. Then Karnan dies. The other Pandavas arrive and are saddened by the death of their eldest brother, so is Kunti. Arjun, struck by guilt, curses himself for killing Karnan. But Krishna reminds him that before the final battle, the curses that inflicted Karnan (eg: by Lord Indra and Parasuram) were also responsible for his death, and that there was no need for Arjun to blame just himself.

It is later revealed that Parasuram 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 opposes Karnan during the Kurukshetra war
R. Muthuraman Arjun, one of the 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

Karnan 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, it was the first epic film in Tamil language to be shot in opulent locations such as the palaces of Jaipur. The film's art work, a mammoth task was done by Ganga.[4] 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.[5]

Soundtrack

Untitled

The soundtrack consisting of 14 tracks, is composed by M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[7]

Tracklist
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Maharajan"T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3:02
2."Iravum Pagalum"T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3:46
3."Nilavum Malarum"T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3:43
4."Ullathil Nalla Ullam"Seerkazhi Govindarajan3:50
5."Kangal Engey"P. Susheela4:52
6."Malai Kodukum"Thiruchi Loganathan6:54
7."Aayiram Karangal Neeti"T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Srinivas,
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Thiruchi Loganathan		1:27
8."En Uyir Thozhi"P. Susheela3:44
9."Manjal Mugam"P. Susheela4:23
10."Maranathai Enni"Seerkazhi Govindarajan3:03
11."Poi Vaa Magale"Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi3:44
12."Ennakoduppan"P. B. Srinivas1:31
13."Naanichivandhana"Thiruchi Loganathan1:14
14."Malargal Sutti"P. Susheela1:18
Total length:43:5

Critical response

The album received very positive reviews from critics. Baradwaj Rangan of The Hindu said, "My interest in Karnan (apart from the critic's mandate that I see everything) was primarily the songs".[8] Meera Srinivasan, another critic from The Hindu praised the film for the "music score and songs by the inimitable Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo with Kannadasan's striking lyrics".[9] M. Suganth of The Times of India stated "The [film's] pacing is uneven, the complexities of the plot are overtly simplified, the songs are one too many (but what songs they are!)".[10]

Release

Reception

Karnan was released on 14 January 1964,[1] coinciding with Pongal festival[11] and opened to high critical acclaim. Ayngaran International called the film as "One of the all time great Indian Classics with a fantastic star cast and great acting".[12] The Hindu stated that "Karnan, directed by B.R. Panthulu in 1964, is considered a classic for many reasons, including the stunning performances of Sivaji [Ganesan] as Karnan and N.T. Rama Rao as Lord Krishna, the powerful battlefield sequences and the music score and songs by the inimitable Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo with Kannadasan's striking lyrics".[9] The film subsequently won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil in 1964.[2]

Box Office

Despite critical acclaim, Karnan did not do well at the box office during it's release.[8] It was however declared a "super-hit" by reviewers and audiences.[13]

Re-release

A digitally restored version of Karnan (with digital enhancements and restored audio to enable its screening in digital cinemas) was released on 16 March 2012,[14] to commemorate director B.R. Panthulu's birth centenary.[15] 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. In an interview, he stated "The sound negative was totally gone and the five to six reels from the picture negative were damaged to a great extent".[16] Thus, the film was released with DTS 5.1 surround sound, and visual improvements in 50 screens across Tamil Nadu.[17] The restored version of Karnan was also very well received upon release, although the restoration process was criticized for being "far from perfect".[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Karnan - Movie Reviews, Videos, Wallpapers, Photos, Cast & Crew, Story & Synopsis on". Popcorn.oneindia.in. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "http://popcorn.oneindia.in/title/6639/karnan.html" ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b "Chevalier Dr. Sivaji V. C. Ganesan". Geocities.ws. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  3. ^ "Ganesha Writes Mahabharat". ShreeDarshan.com. 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  4. ^ Malathi Rangarajan (March 15, 2012). "Karnan rules". The Hindu. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  5. ^ Malathi Rangarajan (February 2, 2012). "A 100 goes unsung". The Hindu. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  6. ^ "The Orchard". The Orchard. 1963-12-31. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
  7. ^ "album karnan - Saavn Music". Saavn.com. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
  8. ^ a b Baradwaj Rangan (2012-03-16). "Life & Style / Metroplus : Lights, Camera, Conversation… — The granddaddy of bromance". The Hindu. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  9. ^ a b Meera Srinivasan (2011-07-30). "Arts / Cinema : 'Karnan' set to come back, digitally dazzling". The Hindu. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  10. ^ a b M Suganth. "Karnan movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer at Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  11. ^ "When is Pongal,Pongal in 2012,When is Pongal Festival,When is pongal 2012". Pongalfestival.org. 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  12. ^ "Evergreen Blockbuster Karnan in new format". Ayngaran International. February 19, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  13. ^ "Re- Release is the new trend in Kollywood". Tamilkey.com. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  14. ^ "Teched-up 'Karnan' to hit screens". Times of India. Chennai. March 16, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  15. ^ Malathai Rangarajan (February 25, 2012). "Karnan Calling". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  16. ^ M. Suganth (February 20, 2012). "Karnan: Old wine in new bottle". The Times Of India. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  17. ^ "Sivaji Ganesan's Karnan set for digital re-run". February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.

External links

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