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The heavily orchestrated "Engey Nimmadhi" number, at that time, had the highest number of instruments used for recording. Choir singers from the [[Purasawalkam]] and [[Vepery]] areas of Chennai were used in the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/motivating-musically/article595994.ece|title=Motivating, musically|work=The Hindu|author=Krishnamachari, Suganthy|date=26 August 2010|accessdate=7 December 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141207095645/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/motivating-musically/article595994.ece|archivedate=7 December 2014}}</ref> According to [[Mohan V. Raman]], "Kannadasan could not get the right words nor was there a tune ready and Sivaji came to the composing and did a pantomime of what he would like to do and thus was born the line and the song".<ref name=MADRAS/> [[Cello|Cellist]] R. Selvaraj, whose father was a part of the orchestration for "Engey Nimmadhi" said 250 instrumentalists were used for playing different instruments in sync.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/article452338.ece|title=Instrumentalists facing odds|work=The Hindu|author=Aishwarya, S.|date=11 June 2010|accessdate=28 October 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141028072458/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/article452338.ece|archivedate=28 October 2014}}</ref> The music directors tried over 100 different ways of composing the tune of "Engey Nimmadhi" before the song was recorded.<ref name="CLASS"/> It was based on the [[raga]] ''[[Bilaskhani Todi]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/on-msvs-favourite-hindustani-raag-bilaskhanitodi/article7456091.ece | title=Hindustani raag and hit songs | work=The Hindu | date=23 July 2015 | accessdate=30 August 2015 | author=Guy, Randor | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20150829235231/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/on-msvs-favourite-hindustani-raag-bilaskhanitodi/article7456091.ece | archivedate=30 August 2015}}</ref> The song "Yae Dushyanta", composed by [[Bharadwaj (music director)|Bharadwaj]] for ''[[Asal (film)|Asal]]'' (2010) samples "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/asal-ajith-sameera-reddy-bhavana.html | title=Asal Music Review | publisher=Behindwoods | accessdate=15 July 2012 | author=Sundaram, Malathy | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6FZRPl414 | archivedate=2 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-music-review-aasal/20100108.htm | title=Aasal's music is for Ajith fans | publisher=[[Rediff.com]] | date=8 January 2010 | accessdate=6 March 2013 | author=Srinivasan, Pavithra | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130709144600/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-music-review-aasal/20100108.htm | archivedate=30 March 2013}}</ref>
The heavily orchestrated "Engey Nimmadhi" number, at that time, had the highest number of instruments used for recording. Choir singers from the [[Purasawalkam]] and [[Vepery]] areas of Chennai were used in the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/motivating-musically/article595994.ece|title=Motivating, musically|work=The Hindu|author=Krishnamachari, Suganthy|date=26 August 2010|accessdate=7 December 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141207095645/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/motivating-musically/article595994.ece|archivedate=7 December 2014}}</ref> According to [[Mohan V. Raman]], "Kannadasan could not get the right words nor was there a tune ready and Sivaji came to the composing and did a pantomime of what he would like to do and thus was born the line and the song".<ref name=MADRAS/> [[Cello|Cellist]] R. Selvaraj, whose father was a part of the orchestration for "Engey Nimmadhi" said 250 instrumentalists were used for playing different instruments in sync.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/article452338.ece|title=Instrumentalists facing odds|work=The Hindu|author=Aishwarya, S.|date=11 June 2010|accessdate=28 October 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141028072458/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/article452338.ece|archivedate=28 October 2014}}</ref> The music directors tried over 100 different ways of composing the tune of "Engey Nimmadhi" before the song was recorded.<ref name="CLASS"/> It was based on the [[raga]] ''[[Bilaskhani Todi]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/on-msvs-favourite-hindustani-raag-bilaskhanitodi/article7456091.ece | title=Hindustani raag and hit songs | work=The Hindu | date=23 July 2015 | accessdate=30 August 2015 | author=Guy, Randor | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20150829235231/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/on-msvs-favourite-hindustani-raag-bilaskhanitodi/article7456091.ece | archivedate=30 August 2015}}</ref> The song "Yae Dushyanta", composed by [[Bharadwaj (music director)|Bharadwaj]] for ''[[Asal (film)|Asal]]'' (2010) samples "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-music-reviews/review-1/asal-ajith-sameera-reddy-bhavana.html | title=Asal Music Review | publisher=Behindwoods | accessdate=15 July 2012 | author=Sundaram, Malathy | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6FZRPl414 | archivedate=2 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-music-review-aasal/20100108.htm | title=Aasal's music is for Ajith fans | publisher=[[Rediff.com]] | date=8 January 2010 | accessdate=6 March 2013 | author=Srinivasan, Pavithra | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130709144600/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-music-review-aasal/20100108.htm | archivedate=30 March 2013}}</ref>


The soundtrack received positive response from critics; all the songs were successful.<ref name=HINDU/> Film historian [[Randor Guy]] stated, "The movie has excellent music (Viswanathan-Ramamurthy; lyrics by Kannadasan) and many songs became hits&nbsp;— ''Paartha Gnaabakam Illayo...!'', ''Unnai ondru ketpen'' (P. Sushila) and ''Engey nimmathee'' (T. M. Soundararajan)."<ref name=HINDU/> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' said, "Who can forget the everlasting flavour of MSV’s expertise that emanated through each and every number, beginning with ‘''Unnai Ondru Kaetpaen''’!"<ref name="CLASS" /> Film critic [[Baradwaj Rangan]] called it a "stylish musical bonanza".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/535/535%20baradwaj%20rangan.htm | title=Two people, one industry | publisher=India-seminar.com | accessdate=6 March 2013 | author=[[Baradwaj Rangan|Rangan, Baradwaj]] | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110923133500/http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/535/535%20baradwaj%20rangan.htm | archivedate=19 June 2013}}</ref> According to singer [[Charulatha Mani]], "Unnai Ondru Ketpen" was based on the ''[[Harikambhoji]]'' raaga and further wrote, "In the phrase, ‘Ennai Pada Sonnal’, the notes SRGR,S S,N set the mood for the raga." whilst also calling the song a "super-hit piece".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/positively-tranquil/article5431006.ece | title=Positively tranquil | work=The Hindu | author=[[Charulatha Mani|Mani, Charulatha]] | date=7 December 2013 | accessdate=29 October 2014 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141029085114/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/positively-tranquil/article5431006.ece | archivedate=29 October 2014}}</ref> About the song "Chittu Kuruvi", IndiaGlitz said the song had "a blissful situation of being one with nature."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/muttham-a-symbol-of-love-tamil-news-113393 | title='MUTTHAM' - A Symbol Of Love | publisher=IndiaGlitz | date=4 September 2014 | accessdate=29 October 2014 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141101091927/http://www.indiaglitz.com/muttham-a-symbol-of-love-tamil-news-113393 | archivedate=19 June 2013}}</ref> Music director and singer [[Ramesh Vinayakam]] said "Engey Nimmadhi" was an example of "the unconscious yet natural and healthy fusion that was happening to cinema music at the hands of music directors."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/film-music-down-the-ages/article2998246.ece|title=Film music down the ages|work=The Hindu|author=Shivakumar, S.|date=15 March 2012|accessdate=22 November 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141122103546/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/film-music-down-the-ages/article2998246.ece|archivedate=22 November 2014}}</ref> ''The Hindu'' included "Engey Nimmadhi" in its list, "Immortal songs of TMS".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/monarch-of-melody/article2273070.ece|title=Monarch of melody|newspaper=The Hindu|author=Maheshwari, Uma S.|date=20 July 2007|accessdate=27 November 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141127090921/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/monarch-of-melody/article2273070.ece|archivedate=27 November 2014}}</ref>
The soundtrack received positive response from critics; all the songs were successful.<ref name=HINDU/> Film historian [[Randor Guy]] stated, "The movie has excellent music (Viswanathan-Ramamurthy; lyrics by Kannadasan) and many songs became hits&nbsp;— ''Paartha Gnaabakam Illayo...!'', ''Unnai ondru ketpen'' (P. Sushila) and ''Engey nimmathee'' (T. M. Soundararajan)."<ref name=HINDU/> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' said, "Who can forget the everlasting flavour of MSV’s expertise that emanated through each and every number, beginning with ‘''Unnai Ondru Kaetpaen''’!"<ref name="CLASS" /> Film critic [[Baradwaj Rangan]] called it a "stylish musical bonanza".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/535/535%20baradwaj%20rangan.htm | title=Two people, one industry | publisher=India-seminar.com | accessdate=6 March 2013 | author=[[Baradwaj Rangan|Rangan, Baradwaj]] | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110923133500/http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/535/535%20baradwaj%20rangan.htm | archivedate=19 June 2013}}</ref> According to singer [[Charulatha Mani]], "Unnai Ondru Ketpen" was based on the ''[[Harikambhoji]]'' raaga and further wrote, "In the phrase, ‘Ennai Pada Sonnal’, the notes SRGR,S S,N set the mood for the raga." whilst also calling the song a "super-hit piece".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/positively-tranquil/article5431006.ece | title=Positively tranquil | work=The Hindu | author=[[Charulatha Mani|Mani, Charulatha]] | date=7 December 2013 | accessdate=29 October 2014 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141029085114/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/positively-tranquil/article5431006.ece | archivedate=29 October 2014}}</ref> About the song "Chittu Kuruvi", IndiaGlitz said the song had "a blissful situation of being one with nature."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/muttham-a-symbol-of-love-tamil-news-113393 | title='MUTTHAM' - A Symbol Of Love | publisher=IndiaGlitz | date=4 September 2014 | accessdate=29 October 2014 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141101091927/http://www.indiaglitz.com/muttham-a-symbol-of-love-tamil-news-113393 | archivedate=19 June 2013}}</ref> Music director and singer [[Ramesh Vinayakam]] said "Engey Nimmadhi" was an example of "the unconscious yet natural and healthy fusion that was happening to cinema music at the hands of music directors."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/film-music-down-the-ages/article2998246.ece|title=Film music down the ages|work=The Hindu|author=Shivakumar, S.|date=15 March 2012|accessdate=22 November 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141122103546/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/film-music-down-the-ages/article2998246.ece|archivedate=22 November 2014}}</ref> ''The Hindu'' included "Engey Nimmadhi" in its list, "Immortal songs of TMS".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/monarch-of-melody/article2273070.ece|title=Monarch of melody|newspaper=The Hindu|author=Maheshwari, Uma S.|date=20 July 2007|accessdate=27 November 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141127090921/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/monarch-of-melody/article2273070.ece|archivedate=27 November 2014}}</ref> P. K. Ajith Kumar of ''The Hindu'' stated, "Just as [Susheela] does not need to know the language to sing a song perfectly, we need not know Tamil to enjoy her songs like ... Chittukkuruvi… ( ''Puthiya Paravai'' )".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ode-to-a-southern-nightingale/article7871584.ece | title=Ode to a Southern nightingale | work=The Hindu | date=13 November 2015 | accessdate=20 February 2016 | last=Ajith Kumar | first=P. K. | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220141126/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ode-to-a-southern-nightingale/article7871584.ece | archivedate=20 February 2016}}</ref>


=== Tracklist ===
=== Tracklist ===
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''Puthiya Paravai'' received positive reviews, with praise directed at the performances of the lead actors and its innovative filmmaking, which was considered to be of "international standard". On 4 October 1964, ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' said, "We can accept the film intellectually. However, it is tough to accept it in our heart due to the climax".{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=221}} [[G. Dhananjayan]], in his book ''The Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 1976'', called it "An innovative landmark film with international standards of direction".{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=220}} Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' said, "''Pudhiya Paravai'' is a thriller in the [[whodunit]] genre. Dada Mirasi’s astute adaptation saw to it that the suspense was maintained till the very end, and the denouement neatly tied up the strands of suspense."<ref name=CLASS/>
''Puthiya Paravai'' received positive reviews, with praise directed at the performances of the lead actors and its innovative filmmaking, which was considered to be of "international standard". On 4 October 1964, ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' said, "We can accept the film intellectually. However, it is tough to accept it in our heart due to the climax".{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=221}} [[G. Dhananjayan]], in his book ''The Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 1976'', called it "An innovative landmark film with international standards of direction".{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=220}} Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' said, "''Pudhiya Paravai'' is a thriller in the [[whodunit]] genre. Dada Mirasi’s astute adaptation saw to it that the suspense was maintained till the very end, and the denouement neatly tied up the strands of suspense."<ref name=CLASS/>


Film historian [[Randor Guy]] stated, "Sivaji Ganesan as the hero forced into a corner is excellent. Saroja Devi exudes glamour, while Sowcar Janaki as the boozing wife acquits her role with considerable conviction", concluding that the film would be "Remembered for the taut onscreen narration, the excellent performances by Sivaji Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki and M. R. Radha, and Saroja Devi’s glamour".<ref name=HINDU/> Film historian [[Film News Anandan]] praised it for being "the first film which had a classy, rich look right through."<ref name=TIMES/> T. Ramakrishnan of ''The Hindu'' called Saroja Devi's character a "brilliant role".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/08/06/stories/2002080602580200.htm | title=The day of the heroine? | work=The Hindu | date=6 August 2012 | accessdate=6 March 2013 | author=Ramakrishnan, T. | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6HU6N7Prq | archivedate=19 June 2013}}</ref> ''IndiaGlitz'' said, "In the colourful {{'}}''Puthiya Paravai''{{'}} Sivaji's every movement with Saroja Devi talks love."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54310.html | title=Romancing the Romance&nbsp;— I | publisher=IndiaGlitz | date=9 February 2010 | accessdate=20 March 2013 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20121023230902/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54310.html | archivedate=19 June 2013}}</ref>
Film historian [[Randor Guy]] stated, "Sivaji Ganesan as the hero forced into a corner is excellent. Saroja Devi exudes glamour, while Sowcar Janaki as the boozing wife acquits her role with considerable conviction", concluding that the film would be "Remembered for the taut onscreen narration, the excellent performances by Sivaji Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki and M. R. Radha, and Saroja Devi’s glamour".<ref name=HINDU/> Film historian [[Film News Anandan]] praised it for being "the first film which had a classy, rich look right through."<ref name=TIMES/> T. Ramakrishnan of ''The Hindu'' called Saroja Devi's character a "brilliant role".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/08/06/stories/2002080602580200.htm | title=The day of the heroine? | work=The Hindu | date=6 August 2012 | accessdate=6 March 2013 | author=Ramakrishnan, T. | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6HU6N7Prq | archivedate=19 June 2013}}</ref> ''IndiaGlitz'' said, "In the colourful {{'}}''Puthiya Paravai''{{'}} Sivaji's every movement with Saroja Devi talks love."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54310.html | title=Romancing the Romance&nbsp;— I | publisher=IndiaGlitz | date=9 February 2010 | accessdate=20 March 2013 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20121023230902/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/54310.html | archivedate=19 June 2013}}</ref> Ramaa of Behindwoods stated, "Tamil films generally fall in the genres of musical, sentimental drama and comedy. A recent phenomenon in the past two decades has been the action film [...] Nevertheless, a missing element is the thriller for which there are only a few films worth mentioning like Sivaji’s ''{{sic|Pudhiya}} Paravai''".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/moviearticles/articles1/thrillers/tamil-cinema-movies-article-thrillmovies.html | title=Can we have some thrillers please? | publisher=Behindwoods | accessdate=20 February 2016 | author=Ramaa | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716020019/http://www.behindwoods.com/features/moviearticles/articles1/thrillers/tamil-cinema-movies-article-thrillmovies.html | archivedate=16 July 2014}}</ref>


=== Box office ===
=== Box office ===

Revision as of 14:19, 20 February 2016

Puthiya Paravai
File:Puthiya Paravai New Bird.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDada Mirasi
Produced bySivaji Ganesan
StarringSivaji Ganesan
B. Saroja Devi
M. R. Radha
Sowcar Janaki
CinematographyK. S. Prasad
Music byViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Production
company
Release date
12 September 1964
Running time
151 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Puthiya Paravai ([New Bird] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help)) is a 1964 Indian Tamil romantic thriller film directed by Dada Mirasi. The film features Sivaji Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi, M. R. Radha and Sowcar Janaki in the lead roles, with V. K. Ramasamy, Nagesh and Manorama playing supporting roles. The plot revolves around Gopal, a businessman who falls in love with a woman named Latha, but is haunted by the death of his wife Chitra.

Puthiya Paravai is the maiden Tamil production of Sivaji Films, later renamed Sivaji Productions, and the third overall production for Sivaji Films after the Hindi films Amar Deep (1958) and Rakhi (1962). The film is a remake of the Bengali film Shesh Ankaa (1963), which is itself inspired by the British film Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958). The costumes featured in the film were tailored and brought from Singapore and England. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan.

Puthiya Paravai was released on 12 September 1964 to positive reviews from critics, with praise directed at the innovative filmmaking, the music and the performances from the lead actors. The film was also a commercial success, and had a theatrical run of 100 days. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Singapore CID and was released on 11 September 1965. The film was re-released on 23 July 2010 at Ganesan's family-owned theatre Shanti, and was again met with positive response.

Plot

Gopal (Sivaji Ganesan) is a rich businessman en route to India from Singapore on a cruise ship. He meets Latha (Saroja Devi), another traveller who has been accompanied by her father Ramadurai (V. K. Ramasamy). Gopal and Latha find that they like each other, so Gopal invites them to stay at his palatial mansion in Ooty, which they accept. One day, Latha discovers that Gopal gets agitated whenever he sees an onrushing train and demands the reason for it. Gopal explains that the reason behind this is his first wife.

In a flashback, after losing his mother, Gopal, in his sorrow had been wandering aimlessly at Singapore. In a nightclub, he meets a singer named Chitra (Sowcar Janaki). He gets attracted to her and they decide to marry, in the presence of Chitra's brother Raju (S. V. Ramadoss). But he is disappointed — from the very first day of their marriage, she comes home inebriated, and despite his repeated requests, has little respect for tradition and family values. Eventually, Gopal's father (Dada Mirasi) dies of a heart attack after seeing Chitra's drunken behaviour on Gopal's birthday. Gopal tries to control Chitra, but she is always irritated by his acts. At one point, she tries to leave him. Gopal begs her to change her decision, but Chitra still leaves. The next day, he hears that Chitra had died on a railway track, and this hurts him a lot. Latha sympathises with Gopal and accepts his love.

Their engagement is fixed and while the reception is being held, a young woman arrives, claiming to be Chitra, accompanied by her uncle Rangan (M. R. Radha). Gopal says the woman is an impostor, but she and her uncle produce evidence which convinces even Gopal's police officer friend Kumar (O. A. K. Thevar). Gopal's engagement with Latha is cancelled. Chitra and Rangan become disruptive and Gopal gets frustrated, fearing that Latha might leave him because his "wife" has turned up. Several days later, Gopal reveals the truth to everyone. In a flashback, when Chitra was ready to leave Gopal, he slapped her. Chitra, suffering from a heart condition, is unable to take the insult of his slap and dies from the shock. Gopal realises that he had inadvertently killed his wife. To avoid arrest, and safeguard the honour of his family, he manipulates the murder to appear like a suicide on a railway track and fabricates the necessary evidence to show that Chitra committed suicide. Thus, Gopal escapes from the charges of murder. Not wishing to continue living in Singapore, he leaves by a ship to India.

Upon hearing this, Latha and Ramadurai reveal themselves as police officers from Singapore investigating Chitra's death based on the complaint filed by Raju. Rangan is the local investigating officer, while the woman impersonating Chitra is actually Rangan's aide, Saroja. Together, they staged an entrapment in order to get the killer's confession, because there was no other conclusive evidence. Latha confesses to a dejected Gopal that though she initially pretended to love him, his good nature impressed her and she truly loves him; she promises that she will wait for him till he returns after completing his jail term. Gopal is relieved, but is still arrested and imprisoned.

Cast

Any role that is unusual, unconventional has a special appeal for me, a character like the one I played in "Puthiya Paravai". Maybe it has something to do with my own psyche. I love complex characters.

- Sowcar Janaki, in an interview with Film World[2]

  • Sivaji Ganesan as Gopal, a businessman formerly from Singapore
  • B. Saroja Devi as Latha, Gopal's love interest
  • M. R. Radha as Rangan, the local investigating officer who acts as Chitra's uncle
  • Sowcar Janaki as Chitra, Gopal's former wife / Saroja, Rangan's aide
  • Nagesh as Sanjeev, Gopal's servant
  • Manorama as Alli, Sanjeev's wife
  • V. K. Ramasamy as Ramadurai, Latha's father
  • O. A. K. Thevar as Kumar, a police inspector and a close friend of Gopal
  • S. V. Ramadoss as Raju, Chitra's brother
  • Dada Mirasi as Gopal's father

Production

The 1958 British thriller film Chase a Crooked Shadow, directed by Michael Anderson, was a "success around the world, including India".[3] It inspired the Bengali film Shesh Ankaa (1963), which starred Uttam Kumar, Sharmila Tagore and Sabitha Chowdhary. Shesh Ankaa's screenplay by Rajkumar Mitra was acquired by Sivaji Films (later renamed Sivaji Productions) to be made in Tamil as its first "in-house" production. The film was titled Puthiya Paravai, with Dada Mirasi as its director and screenwriter.[3] Shanmugham, a relative of Sivaji Ganesan, also made inputs to the film's screenplay.[4] The film was the third production for Sivaji Films after the Hindi films Amar Deep (1958) and Rakhi (1962).[5] Arur Doss wrote the dialogues for the film.[6]

Sivaji Ganesan was cast as the male lead. Both the female leads – B. Saroja Devi and Sowcar Janaki – were cast in roles different from what they were earlier proposed for.[7] According to Ganesan's eldest son Ramkumar, "Sivaji always thought of Sowcar Janaki as classy and sophisticated," which was why he cast her as a "modern woman" in Puthiya Paravai. "Before that Sowcar had only acted in homely roles".[8] Mirasi, who made a cameo appearance as the hero's father in the film,[3] was initially not convinced about Janaki acting in the film. But after seeing her performance in the song "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo", Mirasi decided to include her for the rest of the film.[9] Janaki added her own subtle distinctions and inputs to her role as portraying an out-and-out seductive vamp, according to her, would have felt deplorable.[10] Nagesh,[11] S. V. Ramadoss,[12] V. K. Ramasamy, M. R. Radha, O. A. K. Thevar and Manorama were cast in supporting roles.[13]

Puthiya Paravai was filmed in Eastman Color.[4] The costumes were tailored and brought from Singapore and England.[4][a] K. S. Prasad was the film's cinematographer,[4] and N. M. Shankar served as the editor, with Ganga as art director.[1] The tuxedo worn by Ganesan in the film was ordered from London.[7] For the filming of the song "Unnai Ondru Ketpen", Ganesan smoked so as to set the mood for the song's feel.[15] According to Abishek Raaja of Behindwoods, Ganesan's style of smoking was similar to that of Humphrey Bogart.[16] The final length of the film was 4,473 m (14,675 ft).[1]

Themes

In her 2002 book Cinema of Interruptions: Action Genres in Contemporary Indian Cinema, Lalitha Gopalan noted that the male protagonists in Indian films use the piano to express their desire with no regard to the consequences and cited Raj Kapoor in Sangam (1964), Sivaji Ganesan in Puthiya Paravai and Gemini Ganesan in Missamma (the Tamil version of the 1955 Telugu film Missamma) as a few examples for the same.[17]

Music

Untitled

The film's soundtrack and score were composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy (M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy) while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan; T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela are the only singers featured in the soundtrack.[18] The soundtrack was released under the label of Saregama.[19] The first song recorded was "Chittu Kuruvi".[20][4] "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo" is inspired by Dean Martin's version of "Sway".[21][22] Philips, an autodidact guitarist, played the guitar for "Aha Mella".[23] The interlude of "Unnai Ondru Ketpen" had saxophone music.[24]

The heavily orchestrated "Engey Nimmadhi" number, at that time, had the highest number of instruments used for recording. Choir singers from the Purasawalkam and Vepery areas of Chennai were used in the song.[25] According to Mohan V. Raman, "Kannadasan could not get the right words nor was there a tune ready and Sivaji came to the composing and did a pantomime of what he would like to do and thus was born the line and the song".[26] Cellist R. Selvaraj, whose father was a part of the orchestration for "Engey Nimmadhi" said 250 instrumentalists were used for playing different instruments in sync.[27] The music directors tried over 100 different ways of composing the tune of "Engey Nimmadhi" before the song was recorded.[4] It was based on the raga Bilaskhani Todi.[28] The song "Yae Dushyanta", composed by Bharadwaj for Asal (2010) samples "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo".[29][30]

The soundtrack received positive response from critics; all the songs were successful.[3] Film historian Randor Guy stated, "The movie has excellent music (Viswanathan-Ramamurthy; lyrics by Kannadasan) and many songs became hits — Paartha Gnaabakam Illayo...!, Unnai ondru ketpen (P. Sushila) and Engey nimmathee (T. M. Soundararajan)."[3] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu said, "Who can forget the everlasting flavour of MSV’s expertise that emanated through each and every number, beginning with ‘Unnai Ondru Kaetpaen’!"[4] Film critic Baradwaj Rangan called it a "stylish musical bonanza".[31] According to singer Charulatha Mani, "Unnai Ondru Ketpen" was based on the Harikambhoji raaga and further wrote, "In the phrase, ‘Ennai Pada Sonnal’, the notes SRGR,S S,N set the mood for the raga." whilst also calling the song a "super-hit piece".[32] About the song "Chittu Kuruvi", IndiaGlitz said the song had "a blissful situation of being one with nature."[33] Music director and singer Ramesh Vinayakam said "Engey Nimmadhi" was an example of "the unconscious yet natural and healthy fusion that was happening to cinema music at the hands of music directors."[34] The Hindu included "Engey Nimmadhi" in its list, "Immortal songs of TMS".[35] P. K. Ajith Kumar of The Hindu stated, "Just as [Susheela] does not need to know the language to sing a song perfectly, we need not know Tamil to enjoy her songs like ... Chittukkuruvi… ( Puthiya Paravai )".[36]

Tracklist

All lyrics are written by Kannadasan

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Engey Nimmadhi"T. M. Soundararajan6:21
2."Chittu Kuruvi"P. Susheela5:08
3."Aha Mella"T. M. Soundararajan4:12
4."Unnai Ondru Ketpen"P. Susheela3:02
5."Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo"P. Susheela3:38
6."Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo (Sad)"P. Susheela4:00
7."Unnai Ondru Ketpen (Sad)"P. Susheela2:10
Total length:28:31

Release

Puthiya Paravai was released on 12 September 1964, and was slated to be released in the theatre Shanthi,[26] which is Sivaji Ganesan's family-held theatre.[7] However, because Sangam was already running there successfully, the film was instead released in the now non-existent theatre Paragon, which had to be refurbished before the film's screening.[26] It was Ganesan's fifth release of the year.[37] The dubbed Telugu version, Singapore CID, was released on 11 September 1965.[38]

Critical reception

Puthiya Paravai received positive reviews, with praise directed at the performances of the lead actors and its innovative filmmaking, which was considered to be of "international standard". On 4 October 1964, Ananda Vikatan said, "We can accept the film intellectually. However, it is tough to accept it in our heart due to the climax".[20] G. Dhananjayan, in his book The Best of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 1976, called it "An innovative landmark film with international standards of direction".[1] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu said, "Pudhiya Paravai is a thriller in the whodunit genre. Dada Mirasi’s astute adaptation saw to it that the suspense was maintained till the very end, and the denouement neatly tied up the strands of suspense."[4]

Film historian Randor Guy stated, "Sivaji Ganesan as the hero forced into a corner is excellent. Saroja Devi exudes glamour, while Sowcar Janaki as the boozing wife acquits her role with considerable conviction", concluding that the film would be "Remembered for the taut onscreen narration, the excellent performances by Sivaji Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki and M. R. Radha, and Saroja Devi’s glamour".[3] Film historian Film News Anandan praised it for being "the first film which had a classy, rich look right through."[7] T. Ramakrishnan of The Hindu called Saroja Devi's character a "brilliant role".[39] IndiaGlitz said, "In the colourful 'Puthiya Paravai' Sivaji's every movement with Saroja Devi talks love."[40] Ramaa of Behindwoods stated, "Tamil films generally fall in the genres of musical, sentimental drama and comedy. A recent phenomenon in the past two decades has been the action film [...] Nevertheless, a missing element is the thriller for which there are only a few films worth mentioning like Sivaji’s Pudhiya [sic] Paravai".[41]

Box office

The film had a theatrical run of 100 days in theatres.[20] In Chennai, it was showing for 132 days at Paragon, 76 days at the theatres Krishna and Sayani, and for eight weeks in all major centres. Due to the successful run of Puthiya Paravai at Paragon, the film Andavan Kattalai (1964), which was also running at the same theatre, was removed after completing 70 days.[26]

In popular culture

Puthiya Paravai is frequently screened on Tamil television channels,[3] most notably Jaya TV.[42][43] The film portrayed a new investigating technique for the police, which met with a positive response.[20] The songs were featured in a charity concert held by M. S. Viswanathan at the Kamaraj Arangam in Chennai on 14 July 2012.[44] In April 2006, P. Susheela chose "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo" and "Unnai Ondru Ketpen" along with "Paal Polave" from Uyarndha Manithan (1968) as her favourite songs that she had recorded.[45] A song from Nadigan (1990) also has the same title as the song from Puthiya Paravai—"Engey Nimmadhi".[46] IndiaGlitz, in its review of the film, Chanakya (2005), said the film had "shades of Puthiya Paravai".[47]

In September 2014, Vijay Sethupathi, in an interview with Sudhir Srinivasan of The Hindu, listed Puthiya Paravai among his favourite films alongside Ratha Kanneer (1954), Thillana Mohanambal (1968) and Rajapart Rangadurai (1973).[48] In January 2015, Sudhir Srinivasan included Puthiya Paravai in his list of films which include the names of birds as titles, such as Mynaa (2010), Manam Kothi Paravai (2012) and Cuckoo (2014).[49]

Many scenes from the film, especially those involving Sivaji Ganesan and Saroja Devi were parodied many times. One notable parody is the comedy track from Guru En Aalu (2009), which featured Vivek and M. S. Bhaskar, who imitate Saroja Devi and Sivaji Ganesan respectively. The parody became popular and was frequently screened on comedy channels like Adithya TV and Sirippoli.[50][51][52][53] In Muthu (1995), Padmini (Subhashri) hums the song "Aha Mella".[54] In the film Thenali (2000), Kailash (Jayaram) watches "Chittu Kuruvi" on television but changes the channel after imagining that Ganesan's face morphs into Thenali (Kamal Haasan).[55] In the film Siruthai (2011), Kaatu Poochi (N. Santhanam) watches the film's climax on television before stealing the television set.[56] Scenes from Puthiya Paravai are featured in the film Burma (2014).[57]

In the third season of the television show Airtel Super Singer, the show's host Dhivyadharshini and singer Mano imitate Saroja Devi and Sivaji Ganesan's mannerisms from the film.[58] The song "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo" inspired a television serial of the same name, which featured actress Kushboo. The serial aired on Kalaignar TV in March 2012.[59][60]

Re-releases

Footage from Puthiya Paravai was screened at Ganesan's 80th birthday celebrations held at Kalaignar Arangam, Chennai in 2008.[61] The film was re-released on 23 July 2010 to commemorate the ninth anniversary of Sivaji Ganesan's death.[26] The negatives of the film were "cleaned up at a lab" prior to release, and the film was released at Shanthi theatre, where it could not originally be released in 1964. Despite being a re-release, the film earned public acclaim and took a good opening, running to one-hundred percent theatre occupancy for three days,[7] and became a commercial success.[62] In 2013, production house Sai Ganesh Films announced that the film's digitally restored version would be released in 2014, 50 years since the original release in 1964, but this did not happen.[63] The film was screened at the Russian Cultural Centre Auditorium in Alwarpet on 14 September 2014.[64]

Notes

  1. ^ Sowcar Janaki's costumes in the film were personally brought from Hong Kong as she did not like the dresses tailored for her.[14]

References

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Sources

External links

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