Kai Kodutha Deivam (transl. The God Who Helped) is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Savitri, S. S. Rajendran and K. R. Vijaya. It was released on 18 July 1964 and became a success, winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil – President's silver medal. The film was remade Telugu as Marapurani Katha (1967),[1] in Malayalam as Palunku Pathram (1970)[2] and in Hindi as Pyar Ki Kahani (1971).[3]
| Kai Kodutha Deivam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. S. Gopalakrishnan |
| Screenplay by | K. S. Gopalakrishnan |
| Story by | T. S. Mahadevan |
| Produced by | M. S. Velappan |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Savithri S. S. Rajendran K. R. Vijaya |
| Cinematography | M. Karnan |
| Music by | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy |
Production company | Sri Ponni Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 164 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (September 2021) |
The film relates the true meaning of friendship between two youths, Raghu and Ravi. Ravi leaves his home town in Tamil Nadu and comes to Amritsar. Here, Raghu finds him in an unconscious state and takes him home. Raghu sacrifices his managerial post and gives it to Ravi. Ravi, however, does not reveal his true identity and the real reason for leaving home. As per his parents' wish, Ragu sees a girl to marry. However, when Ravi sees the photograph of the girl, he asks Raghu not to marry her. A shocking truth about the girl is then revealed to Raghu.
Cast
edit- Sivaji Ganesan as Raghu
- Savithri as Kokila
- S. S. Rajendran as Ravi
- K. R. Vijaya as Latha
- M. R. Radha as Keady Varathan
- S. V. Ranga Rao as Mahadevan
- V. Nagayya as Latha's father
- Pushpalatha as Sakunthala
- S. V. Sahasranamam as Mahadevan's lawyer
- R. Balasubramaniyam as Raghu's father
- Pushpavalli as Raghu's mother
- Karikol Raju (guest role)
- Radha Bai (guest role)
- C. I. D. Sakunthala as a dancer
Production
editKai Kodutha Deivam was Vijaya's second film as an actress. Ganesan helped her with dialogue delivery, at a time when dialogues were not dubbed but recorded on set.[4]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.[5] The songs "Aayirathil Oruthi" and "Sindhu Nadhiyin" were well received. The Telugu portions of the song "Sindhunadhi" were performed by Telugu composer J. V. Raghavulu.[6]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sindhu Nadhiyin" | Bharathiyar | T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari, J. V. Raghavulu | 6:20 |
| 2. | "Aairathil Oruthiyamma" | Kannadasan | T. M. Soundararajan | 3:55 |
| 3. | "Mangala Melam" | Kannadasan | P. Susheela | 4:21 |
| 4. | "Kulunga Kulunga Sirikkum" | Kannadasan | P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari | 3:56 |
| Total length: | 18:32 | |||
Release and reception
editKai Kodutha Deivam was released on 18 July 1964.[7][8] The Indian Express wrote, "[W]ith fine visual conception of story-weaving, [Gopalakrishnan] has made the film slick and enjoyable."[9] T. M. Ramachandran wrote in Sport and Pastime, "The story has been told on the screen in a logical manner and with a fast tempo. The director has shown great imagination and understanding in preparing a well-knit screenplay".[10] Kanthan of Kalki said the story was a "difficult subject", but appreciated the fact that all actors were given a chance to shine.[11] The film ran successfully for 100 days in theatres in Tamil Nadu,[12] and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil – President's silver medal in 1965.[13]
References
edit- ^ subbaraon (27 July 2022). "Fifty Five Years for Marapurani Katha : వాణిశ్రీని అభినేత్రిగా నిలిపిన 'మరపురాని కథ'!". NTV (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 159.
- ^ "Its flashback time for Amitabh Bachchan". The Indian Express. 5 May 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ Vijaya, K. R. (27 July 2001). "Acting with him was never an effort". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ^ "Kai Kodutha Deivam". JioSaavn. 18 July 1964. Archived from the original on 12 October 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ^ Ashok Kumar, S.R. (7 December 2013). "Audio Beat: En Oviya – Happy listening!". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Kai Kodutha Deivam". The Indian Express. 18 July 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 26 January 2021 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 176.
- ^ "Gopalakrishnan does it again in Kai Kodutha Deivam". The Indian Express. 25 July 1964. p. 3. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2021 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Ramachandran, T. M. (15 August 1964). "An Outstanding Film". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 18. p. 50. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2021 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ காந்தன் (9 August 1964). "கை கொடுத்த தெய்வம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 21. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Ganesan & Narayana Swamy 2007, p. 241.
- ^ Dhananjayan 2014, pp. 176–177.
Bibliography
edit- Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013. Blue Ocean Publishers. OCLC 898765509.
- Ganesan, Sivaji; Narayana Swamy, T. S. (2007) [2002]. Autobiography of an Actor: Sivaji Ganesan, October 1928 – July 2001. Sivaji Prabhu Charities Trust. OCLC 297212002.
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.