Puthiya Paravai

Puthiya Paravai

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Dada Mirasi
Produced by Sivaji Ganesan
Based on Shesh Ankaa 
by Rajkumar Mitra
Starring Sivaji Ganesan
B. Saroja Devi
M. R. Radha
Sowcar Janaki
Music by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Cinematography K. S. Prasad
Production
company
Release dates
 12 September 1964
Running time
 151 minutes[1]
Country India
Language Tamil

Puthiya Paravai (English: New Bird) 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. Ramamurthy 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 walks in, 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). 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. 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]

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 to be made in Tamil as its first "in-house" production. The film was titled Puthiya Paravai, with Dada Mirasi as the film's director and screenplay writer.[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, later renamed Sivaji Productions, 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] Dada 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 and M. R. Radha were cast in supporting roles.[11]

Puthiya Paravai was filmed in Eastman Color.[4] The costumes were tailored and brought from Singapore and England. 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.[12]

Music

Puthiya Paravai
Soundtrack album by
Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Language Tamil
Label Saregama
Producer
  • M. S. Viswanathan
  • T. K. Ramamoorthy

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.[13] The soundtrack was released under the label of Saregama.[14] The first song recorded was "Chittu Kuruvi".[15][4] "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo" is inspired by Dean Martin's version of "Sway".[16][17] Philips, an autodidact guitarist, played the guitar for "Aha Mella".[18] The interlude of "Unnai Ondru Ketpen" had saxophone music.[19]

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.[20] 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".[21] 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.[22] The music directors had went over 100 possibilities for the music and tuning of "Engey Nimmadhi" before the song was recorded.[4] The song "Yae Dushyanta", composed by Bharadwaj for Aasal (2010) samples "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo".[23][24]

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".[25] 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".[26] About the song "Chittu Kuruvi", IndiaGlitz said the song had "a blissful situation of being one with nature."[27] 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."[28] The Hindu included "Engey Nimmadhi" in its list, "Immortal songs of TMS".[29]

Tracklist

All lyrics written by Kannadasan. 

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

Release

Puthiya Paravai was released on 12 September 1964,[1] and was slated to be released in the theatre Shanthi,[21] which is Sivaji Ganesan's family-held theatre.[7] However, because the Hindi film Sangam (1964) 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.[21] It was Ganesan's fifth release of the year.[30] The dubbed Telugu version, Singapore CID, was released on 11 September 1965.[31]

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".[15] 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".[32] IndiaGlitz said, "In the colourful ‍ '​Puthiya Paravai‍ '​ Sivaji's every movement with Saroja Devi talks love."[33]

Box office

The film had a theatrical run of 100 days in theatres.[15] 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 Aandavan Kattalai (1964), which was also running at the same theatre, was removed after completing 70 days.[21]

In popular culture

Puthiya Paravai is frequently screened on Tamil television channels,[3] most notably Jaya TV.[34][35] The film portrayed a new investigating technique for the police, which met with a positive response.[15] The songs were featured in a charity concert held by M. S. Viswanathan at the Kamaraj Arangam in Chennai on 14 July 2012.[36] In April 2006, P. Susheela chose "Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo" and "Unnai Ondru Ketpen" as her favourite songs that she had recorded.[37] A song from Nadigan (1990) also has the same title as the song from Puthiya Paravai—"Engey Nimmadhi".[38] IndiaGlitz, in its review of the film, Chanakya (2005), said the film had "shades of Puthiya Paravai".[39]

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).[40] 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).[41]

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.[42][43][44][45] In Muthu (1995), Padmini (Subhashri) hums the song "Aha Mella".[46] 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).[47] In the film Siruthai (2011), Kaatu Poochi (Santhanam) watches the film's climax on television before stealing the television set.[48] Scenes from Puthiya Paravai are featured in the film Burma (2014).[49]

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.[50] 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.[51][52]

Re-releases

Puthiya Paravai was re-released on 23 July 2010 to commemorate the ninth anniversary of Sivaji Ganesan's death.[21] 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] 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.[53] The film was screened at the Russian Cultural Centre Auditorium in Alwarpet on 14 September 2014.[54] In October 2014, it was reported that the film would be dubbed into Russian, to "create awareness about the ills of drinking" in Russia.[55]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Dhananjayan 2011, p. 220.
  2. ↑ Ramachandran 1972, p. 45.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Guy, Randor (26 June 2009). "Puthiya Paravai 1964". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Rangarajan, Malathi (5 August 2010). "The bird flies high". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  5. ↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (1 September 2006). "And now... scaling heights in Delhi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "Applause and accolades". The Hindu. 24 February 2012. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Blast from the past as Sivaji movie runs housefull". The Times of India. 27 July 2010. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "Fans go back in time to pay tribute to Sivaji". The Times of India. 23 January 2012. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  9. ↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (29 December 2006). "A dauntless spirit showcased". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  10. ↑ Bhumika K. (10 June 2011). "Shine on". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "Sivaji still draws houseful audience". Behindwoods. 27 July 2010. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  12. ↑ S. Shivakumar (11 June 2005). "Going up in smoke". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  13. ↑ "Puthiya Paravai songs". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  14. ↑ "Saregama Album Details : Pudhiya Paravai". Saregama. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Dhananjayan 2011, p. 221.
  16. ↑ "Tamil Copycat Songs (at 0:24)". YouTube. Vikatan TV. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "Chronicles of Plagiarism in Indian Film Music". Itwofs.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  18. ↑ "Harmony with strings". The Hindu. 28 November 2014. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  19. ↑ Mishra 2006, p. 102.
  20. ↑ Krishnamachari, Suganthy (26 August 2010). "Motivating, musically". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 Raman, Mohan (September 2010). "Partha Gnyabagam Illayo". Madras Musings. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  22. ↑ S. Aishwarya (11 June 2010). "Instrumentalists facing odds". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  23. ↑ Sundaram, Malathy. "Asal Music Review". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  24. ↑ Srinivasan, Pavithra (8 January 2010). "Aasal's music is for Ajith fans". Rediff. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  25. ↑ Ragan, Baradwaj. "Two people, one industry". India-seminar.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  26. ↑ Mani, Charulatha (7 December 2013). "Positively tranquil". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "'MUTTHAM' - A Symbol Of Love". IndiaGlitz. 4 September 2014. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  28. ↑ S. Shivakumar (15 March 2012). "Film music down the ages". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 November 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  29. ↑ Maheshwari, Uma S. (20 July 2007). "Monarch of melody". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  30. ↑ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 2014, p. 97.
  31. ↑ "Singapore C I D (1965) (Dubbing (Tamil 'Puthiya Paravai (12Sep1964)'))". AP Talkies.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  32. ↑ T. Ramakrishnan (6 August 2012). "The day of the heroine?". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  33. ↑ "Romancing the Romance — I". IndiaGlitz. 9 February 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  34. ↑ "TV programme listings (01/08/2013)". The Hindu. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  35. ↑ "TV programme listings (20/04/2014)". The Hindu. 20 April 2014. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  36. ↑ "Sweet memories". The Hindu. 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  37. ↑ M. Balaganessin (15 April 2006). "Voice defying age". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  38. ↑ "Enge Nimmathi - Nadigan". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  39. ↑ "Chanakya Review - Gritty masala". IndiaGlitz. 26 September 2005. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  40. ↑ Srinivasan, Sudhir (6 September 2014). "He’s hot and happening". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  41. ↑ Srinivasan, Sudhir (18 January 2015). "Going wild over titles". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  42. ↑ "Vivek into a girl’s world!". The Times of India. 20 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  43. ↑ "Guru En Aalu - Baskar in love with Lady Vivek". YouTube. Star Music India. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  44. ↑ "Guru En Aalu - Ultimate Hit Comedy". YouTube. Star Music India. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  45. ↑ "Guru En Aalu - Hilarious Romance". YouTube. Star Music India. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  46. ↑ Muthu (DVD) (Motion picture). India: Kavithalaya Productions. Clip from 1:36:00 to 1:36:12.
  47. ↑ Thenali (DVD) (Motion picture). India: K. S. Ravikumar. Clip from 2:15:22 to 2:15:33.
  48. ↑ Siruthai (DVD) (Motion picture). India: Studio Green. Clip from 21:37 to 21:56.
  49. ↑ Rangan, Baradwaj (16 September 2014). "Burma: Wild romp in the dark". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  50. ↑ "Sujatha, Divyadarshini, Mano & Srinivas - Super Singer Special - MGR Saroja Devi Round". YouTube. STAR Vijay. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  51. ↑ "கலைஞர் டிவியில் புதுப்பொலிவுடன் குஷ்பு! (Kushboo serial on Kalaignar TV!)". Dinamalar. 23 December 2012. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  52. ↑ "Kushboo on cloud nine". Sify. 6 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  53. ↑ Naig, Udhav (2 March 2013). "Second coming". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  54. ↑ "12fr calendar". The Hindu. 12 September 2014. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  55. ↑ Narayanan, Vivek (2 October 2014). "Sivaji in Russian, fighting the good fight against alcohol". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.

Further reading

External links