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Poompuhar (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Poompuhar' is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language epic film directed by P. Neelakantan. It is the second film based on the epic 'Cilappatikaram' after 'Kannagi' (1942). The film stars S. S. Rajendran, C. R. Vijayakumari, Rajasree and K. B. Sundarambal. It was released on 18 September 1964.
Plot
Kovalan, the son of a wealthy merchant in the city of Kaveripattinam, marries Kannagi, the daughter of another merchant. They live together happily in Kaveripattinam, until Kovalan met the courtesan Madhavi and fell in love with her. In his infatuation, he leaves his wife and gradually spends all his wealth on Madhavi. Eventually penniless, Kovalan realises his mistake, and returns to Kannagi after a year. Their only asset is a precious pair of anklets called Silambu, which Kannagi gave to him willingly. With these as their capital, they go to the city of Madurai, where Kovalan hopes to recoup his fortunes by trade.
Madurai is ruled by the Pandya king Nedunjeliyan I. Upon arrival there, Kovalan sets out to sell Kannagi's anklets. While on his way to sell the anklet, he is held by the king's guards for the alleged theft of one of the queen's anklets. Upon the king's orders, he is beheaded without trial. When Kannagi is informed of this, she becomes furious, and set out to prove her husband's innocence to the king, by showing him the anklets.
Kannagi comes to the king's court, breaks open the anklet seized from Kovalan and shows that it contained rubies, as opposed to the queen's anklets which contain pearls. Realising their fault, the king and the queen die of shame. Unsatisfied, Kannagi tears out a breast and flings it on the city, uttering a curse that the entire city be burnt. Due to her utmost chastity, her curse becomes a reality.
Cast
* S. S. Rajendran as Kovalan
* C. R. Vijayakumari as Kannagi
* Rajasree as Madhavi
* K. B. Sundarambal as Gavundhi Adigal
* Nagesh as Ganasabai
* Manorama as Vasanthasena
*O. A. K. Thevar as King Nedunjeliyan I
*G. Sakunthala as Kopperundevi
*Senthamarai as Minister of Pandyan kingdom
Soundtrack
Music was composed by R. Sudarsanam while the lyrics were penned by Udumalai Narayana Kavi, Mayavanathan, Alangudi Somu, M. Karunanidhi and Radha Manikam.
Release and reception
'Poompuhar' was released on 18 September 1964, and distributed by SSR Pictures in Madras. 'The Indian Express' called it an "ambitious motion picture in the grand tradition of screen spectacle. It combines lavish and gigantic sets, good acting [..] and pleasing music by Sudharshanam". T. M. Ramachandran of 'Sport and Pastime' wrote the story is "well-known, the film sustains the interest of the audience on account of imaginative treatment and deft touches by director P. Neelakantan" while praising the artistes and their performances.
References
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