Kappalottiya Thamizhan: Difference between revisions
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| released = Feb 1961.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://popcorn.oneindia.in/movie-mates/6601/kappal-ottiya-thamizhan.html | title=Kappalottiya Thamizhan | accessdate=March 24, 2012}}</ref> |
| released = Feb 1961.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://popcorn.oneindia.in/movie-mates/6601/kappal-ottiya-thamizhan.html | title=Kappalottiya Thamizhan | accessdate=March 24, 2012}}</ref> |
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| language = Tamil |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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[[V. O. Chidambaram Pillai|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) |
[[V. O. Chidambaram Pillai|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 he mobilises fund to buy two ships operating between [[Thoothukudi]] and [[Colombo]]. But the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISN) wage a price war. BISN offer the tickets for 16 annas (1 Re). Swadeshi comapany in turn offer the ticket for 8 annas (.5 Re). The British company go further by offering free tickets and free umbrellas for the passengers. Unable to bear the monopolistic trade practices of the British company, Chidambaram's Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company becomes bankrupt. He is 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 40 years imprisonment at jail, and the city goes insane. In the mean time, Madaswami however finishes half his job, by hiring assassins to kill the local district collector Ash. Through public protests, Chidambaram's imprisonment is reduced to 6 years, and he gets released. However he is disappointed because his country did not get independence, and his brother (who went insane after Chidambaram's arrest) refuses to believe that Chidambaram is back. Thus, he dies in vain. |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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| [[Gemini Ganesan]] || Madaswami |
| [[Gemini Ganesan]] || Madaswami |
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| S.V. Subbaiah ||[[Bharathiar]] |
| S.V. Subbaiah || [[Bharathiar]] |
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| [[T. K. Shanmugham]] || [[Subramaniya Siva]] |
| [[T. K. Shanmugham]] || [[Subramaniya Siva]] |
Revision as of 10:57, 6 June 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 | 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. Upon release, the film received critical acclaim and was adjudged the Best Tamil Film at the 9th National Film Awards, however it failed at the box office.[2][3]
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 he mobilises fund to buy two ships operating between Thoothukudi and Colombo. But the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISN) wage a price war. BISN offer the tickets for 16 annas (1 Re). Swadeshi comapany in turn offer the ticket for 8 annas (.5 Re). The British company go further by offering free tickets and free umbrellas for the passengers. Unable to bear the monopolistic trade practices of the British company, Chidambaram's Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company becomes bankrupt. He is 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 40 years imprisonment at jail, and the city goes insane. In the mean time, Madaswami however finishes half his job, by hiring assassins to kill the local district collector Ash. Through public protests, Chidambaram's imprisonment is reduced to 6 years, and he gets released. However he is disappointed because his country did not get independence, and his brother (who went insane after Chidambaram's arrest) refuses to believe that Chidambaram is back. 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
Development
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 Indian National Congress, 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.[3]
Casting
Sivaji Ganesan was hesitant to do the role of VOC as he doubted whether he could assay the role flawlessly, but later accepted the role. He once said that the highest award he got for this film was when VOC's son Subramaniam said he saw his father alive in the screen.[4] Gemini Ganesan was cast in the role of Madasamy, a character who was later labelled "authentic",[2] and S. V. Subbiah was cast as the Tamil language poet Subramania Bharathi.[5] While veteran villain actor S. A. Ashokan made his debut in this film as Collector Ash,[6] actor Nagaiah who was then in "dire straits", was signed up for a significant role, as director B. R. Panthulu wanted to give him a "break in films".[7]
Filming
There is no evidence of any research undertaken for making the film. The film had no props, apart from the character's costumes and the female character's ear-lobes, which were done to create a "period effect". The scenes which involved the burning of non-Indian textiles were labelled as "flat" and "unconvincing".[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 has received largely positive reviews. Film critic Balaji Balasubramaniam said, "Sivaji brings Chidambaram Pillai before our eyes with his portrayal of the freedom fighter." He further pointed out, "He is majestic during the initial portions, as he strides with confidence, collecting money for buying the ship and sure of its success in propagating the freedom movement. He delivers his dialogs forcefully and with passion and the accompanying expressions and gestures complement the effect."[9] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu said, "Films on patriotism are many. But Panthulu's Kappalottiya Tamizhan stands apart for the natural portrayal of Sivaji Ganesan as VOC, and S.V. Subbiah who came up with a brilliant performance as Bharatiar. The film remains a perfect showcase of the Independence Movement in the South!"[7] Another reviewer from The Hindu said, "S. V. Subbiah's performance as Bharatiyar in the film, Kappalottiya Tamizhan was reminiscent of his role as Kavi Anandar."[5] S. Viswanathan of The Frontline praised Ganesan's performance, saying "Critics list several films as his best in terms of performance. However, according to the actor, his career best was Kappalottiya Thamizhan, which tells the life of a freedom fighter, V.O. Chidambaram."[10] Tamil film historian S. Theodore Baskaran said, "Though Sivaji Ganesan's portrayal of Chidambaram Pillai is affected in the earlier part of the film, later in the prison sequences and during the trauma of disillusionment, his acting is natural. The format of the film remains traditional with duets, songs and fight sequences."[2]
Box office
Kappalottiya Thamizhan was the first Tamil film to get tax exemption from the government of India, because of its content. Despite this, it emerged a commercial failure.[11] It 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![3]
Awards
References
- ^ "Kappalottiya Thamizhan". Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b c d S. Theodore Baskaran (1996). The Eye of the Serpent: An Introduction to Tamil Cinema, p. 131-132, East West Books, Chennai
- ^ a b c Sivaji Ganesan (2002). Autobiography of an Actor, p. 148-149, Sivaji Prabhu Charities Trust, Chennai
- ^ S. R. ASHOK KUMAR (July 27, 2001). "Role that moved him to tears". The Hindu. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Music & Dance / Drama : `Devarum magizhkindra senthamizh natakam'". The Hindu. 2004-12-01. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
- ^ S A Ashokan - Cinema Ghar. "S A Ashokan | Cinefundas.com - One Stop Cinema Portal". Cinefundas.com. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
- ^ a b Malathi Rangarajan (2012-02-02). "Arts / Cinema : A 100 goes unsung". The Hindu. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
- ^ "Kappalottiya Thamizhan songs". Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ Balaji Balasubramaniam. "Kappalottiya Tamilan - The Film". Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ "Tamil cinema's lodestar". Frontlineonnet.com. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
- ^ M. T. Saju (August 4, 2011). "Government rains on film world tax holiday". Times of India, Chennai. Retrieved March 24, 2012.