Kappalottiya Thamizhan: Difference between revisions
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==Production== |
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The film ''Kappalottiya Thamizhan'' is based on the life of freedom fighter [[V. O. Chidambaram Pillai|Va Vu Chidambaram Pillai]], who founded the Swadeshi Stream Navigation Company to break the monopoly of the British over maritime trade out of India. During a time when the [[DMK]] was gaining political ground in [[Tamil Nadu]], a time when there was competition between parties, and films were pitched against each other, the opposition unleashed a malicious propaganda that since Chidambaram belonged to the [[Congress|Congress Party]], ''Kappalottiya Thamizhan'' was a film for the Congress. The film was not targeted for the masses, who at that time did not want to be "stirred" by the Nationalist Spirit.<ref name=BOOK/> |
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==Soundtrack== |
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The soundtrack of the film was composed by G. Ramanathan. |
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{{tracklist |
{{tracklist |
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| headline = Tracklist<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/album/T0001351.html | title=Kappalottiya Thamizhan songs | accessdate=March 24, 2012}}</ref> |
| headline = Tracklist<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/album/T0001351.html | title=Kappalottiya Thamizhan songs | accessdate=March 24, 2012}}</ref> |
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== |
==Release== |
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===Reception=== |
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''Kappalottiya Thamizhan'' received largely positive reviews for its patriotic dialogues. A reviewer said "Sivaji brings Chidambaram Pillai before our eyes with his portrayal of the freedom fighter."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tamilnation.co/hundredtamils/voc.htm | title=Kappalottiya Tamilan - The Film | accessdate=March 24, 2012 | author=Balaji Balasubramaniam}}</ref> Though it was the first Tamil film to get tax exemption from the government, it was a commercial failure.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-04/chennai/29850271_1_films-with-tamil-titles-entertainment-tax-small-budget-films | title=Government rains on film world tax holiday | publisher=Times of India, Chennai | date=August 4, 2011 | accessdate=March 24, 2012 | author=M. T. Saju}}</ref> The film faced a loss of {{INRConvert|7|l}}. |
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About the film's failure, [[Sivaji Ganesan]] wrote in his autobiography: |
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{{cquote|Since the [[Congress]] did not understand artistic sensitivities, ''Kappalottiya Tamizhan'', which was a film made for the Congress, was a box office failure. We were not upset that we lost money making movies to kindle the national spirit, but happy that we could harness the medium to remind people of the great freedom fighters of the bygone era. Whenever the people remember those leaders, they cannot help but remember me as well!<ref name=BOOK>[[Sivaji Ganesan]] (2002). ''Autobiography of an Actor'', p. 148-149, Sivaji Prabhu Charities Trust, Chennai</ref>}} |
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==Awards== |
===Awards=== |
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;[[National Film Awards]] |
;[[National Film Awards]] |
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* [[9th National Film Awards]] - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil|Best Feature Film in Tamil]] for [[B. Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu]] |
* [[9th National Film Awards]] - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil|Best Feature Film in Tamil]] for [[B. Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu]] |
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==Other |
==Other info== |
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Though [[Sivaji Ganesan]] acted in different roles he was hesitant to role of VOC as he doubted whether he could assay the role flawlessly. But latter he accepted the role. He once said that the highest award he got for this film is when VOC's son Subramaniam said he saw his father alive in the screen.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/27/stories/09270226.htm | title=Role that moved him to tears | publisher=The Hindu | date=July 27, 2001 | accessdate=March 24, 2012 | author=S. R. ASHOK KUMAR}}</ref> |
Though [[Sivaji Ganesan]] acted in different roles he was hesitant to role of VOC as he doubted whether he could assay the role flawlessly. But latter he accepted the role. He once said that the highest award he got for this film is when VOC's son Subramaniam said he saw his father alive in the screen.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/27/stories/09270226.htm | title=Role that moved him to tears | publisher=The Hindu | date=July 27, 2001 | accessdate=March 24, 2012 | author=S. R. ASHOK KUMAR}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 16:35, 24 April 2012
| Kappalottiya Thamizhan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | B. R. Panthulu |
| Written by | S. T. Sundaram |
| Screenplay by | Sitra Krishnaswamy |
| Story by | M. P. Sivagnanam |
| Produced by | B. R. Panthulu |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Gemini Ganesan S. V. Subbaiah |
| Music by | G. Ramanathan |
Production company | Padmini Pictures |
Release date | Feb 1961.[1] |
| Country | Template:Film India |
| Language | Tamil |
Kappalottiya Thamizhan (Tamil: கப்பலோட்டிய தமிழன்; English: The Tamilian who launched a Ship) is a 1961 Tamil patriotic film directed by B. R. Panthulu. Starring Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan in the lead roles, the film is based on the life of Va Vu Chidambaram Pillai, who founded the Swadeshi Stream Navigation Company to break the monopoly of the British over maritime trade out of India.
Plot
Va Vu Chidambaram Pillai (Sivaji Ganesan), a lawyer by profession is also an owner of a salt factory. He participates in swadeshi movement and joins in burning all the foreign goods, frequently assisted by Madaswami (Gemini Ganesan) who idolizes him. Even he burns a new silk shirt his son wears which was brought from abroad. He notices that there is no Indian ship in the Indian waters to go abroad. So mobilises fund to buy two ships operating between Thoothukudi and Colombo. But the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISN) waged a price war. BSIN offered the tickets for 16 annas (1 Re). Swadeshi comapany in turn offered the ticket for 8 annas (.5 Re). The British company went further by offering free ticket and a free umbrella for the passengers. Unable to bear the monopolistic trade practices of the British company Va Vu Chidambaram Pillai's Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company becomes bankrupt. He was arrested on charges of sedation along with Subramaniya Siva for leading a strike against along with workers of the Coral mill run by a British. He is sentenced to life imprisonment and made to do hardwork in the jail. After a few years however, he gets released but is disappointed because his country did not get independence. Thus, he dies in vain.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Sivaji Ganesan | Va Vu Chidambaram Pillai |
| Gemini Ganesan | Madaswami |
| S.V. Subbaiah | Bharathiar |
| T. K. Shanmugham | Subramaniya Siva |
| Rukmini | Chidambaram Pillai's wife |
| K. Balaji | Vanchinathan |
| Savitri | |
| S. V. Ranga Rao | |
| S. A. Ashokan | Collector Ash |
Production
The film Kappalottiya Thamizhan is based on the life of freedom fighter Va Vu Chidambaram Pillai, who founded the Swadeshi Stream Navigation Company to break the monopoly of the British over maritime trade out of India. During a time when the DMK was gaining political ground in Tamil Nadu, a time when there was competition between parties, and films were pitched against each other, the opposition unleashed a malicious propaganda that since Chidambaram belonged to the Congress Party, Kappalottiya Thamizhan was a film for the Congress. The film was not targeted for the masses, who at that time did not want to be "stirred" by the Nationalist Spirit.[2]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of the film was composed by G. Ramanathan.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Vande mataram" | Bharathiar | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | 2.44 |
| 2. | "Endru thaniyum" | Bharathiar | Tiruchi Loganathan | 2.18 |
| 3. | "Velli Panimalayin" | Bharathiar | Tiruchi Loganathan | 3.42 |
| 4. | "Paarukkulae nalla nadu" | Bharathiar | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | 2.39 |
| 5. | "Thaneer vittom" | Bharathiar | Tiruchi Loganathan | 3.07 |
| 6. | "Nenjil uramindri" | Bharathiar | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | 2.11 |
| 7. | "Kaatru Veliyidal" | Bharathiar | P. B. Srinivas, P. Susheela | |
| 8. | "Chinnakkuzhandaigal" | Bharathiar | P. Susheela | |
| 9. | "Odi vilayadu" | Bharathiar | Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Gajalakshmi, Meera |
Release
Reception
Kappalottiya Thamizhan received largely positive reviews for its patriotic dialogues. A reviewer said "Sivaji brings Chidambaram Pillai before our eyes with his portrayal of the freedom fighter."[4] Though it was the first Tamil film to get tax exemption from the government, it was a commercial failure.[5] The film faced a loss of ₹7 lakh (US$8,400). About the film's failure, Sivaji Ganesan wrote in his autobiography:
Since the Congress did not understand artistic sensitivities, Kappalottiya Tamizhan, which was a film made for the Congress, was a box office failure. We were not upset that we lost money making movies to kindle the national spirit, but happy that we could harness the medium to remind people of the great freedom fighters of the bygone era. Whenever the people remember those leaders, they cannot help but remember me as well![2]
Awards
Other info
Though Sivaji Ganesan acted in different roles he was hesitant to role of VOC as he doubted whether he could assay the role flawlessly. But latter he accepted the role. He once said that the highest award he got for this film is when VOC's son Subramaniam said he saw his father alive in the screen.[6]
References
- ^ "Kappalottiya Thamizhan". Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b Sivaji Ganesan (2002). Autobiography of an Actor, p. 148-149, Sivaji Prabhu Charities Trust, Chennai
- ^ "Kappalottiya Thamizhan songs". Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ Balaji Balasubramaniam. "Kappalottiya Tamilan - The Film". Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ M. T. Saju (August 4, 2011). "Government rains on film world tax holiday". Times of India, Chennai. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ S. R. ASHOK KUMAR (July 27, 2001). "Role that moved him to tears". The Hindu. Retrieved March 24, 2012.