''Kaanchi Thalaivan'' () is a 1963 Indian

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

-language

historical History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...

, directed by A. Kasilingam. The film stars

M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 24 December 1987), also popularly known as M.G.R., was an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and filmmaker who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987 ...

S. S. Rajendran Sedapatti Suryanarayana Rajendran, also known by his initials SSR (January 1928 – 24 October 2014), was an Indian actor, director, producer and politician who worked in Tamil theatre and cinema. Film career Rajendran made his acting de ...

P. Bhanumathi P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, and novelist. She is regarded as the first female super star of Telugu cinema. She is also considered the ...

and C. R. Vijayakumari, with

M. R. Radha Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan (14 April 1907 – 17 September 1979) was an Indian actor and politician active in Tamil plays and films. He was given the title "Nadigavel" (spearhead of acting) by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy. He mostly play ...

and S. A. Ashokan as villains. The film, produced by M. Karunanidhi, A. Kasilingam and

Murasoli Maran Murasoli Maran (17 August 1934 – 23 November 2003) was an Indian politician and an important leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party which was headed by his maternal uncle and mentor, M. Karunanidhi. A Member of Parliament for ...

under Mekala Pictures, had musical score by K. V. Mahadevan and was released on 26 October 1963. The film was subject to numerous controversies, and became a financial failure.

Plot

The story is about the rivalry between the Pallavas and the Chalukyas, MGR as the Narasimha Pallava King, also known as Mamallan, rules Kanchipuram with peace, Pulikesi wants to capture Kanchipuram, with a cunning plan, sending Poovikraman and Chola Kumari to Kanchi. According to the plan, Poovikraman shall work as a sculptor in Kanchi and Chola Kumari as an official. Paranjothi arrests Chola Kumari and takes her to the court of Mamallan, there the King gives due respect and frees her. Meanwhile, Mamallan's friend Manavaraman (King of Ceylon) loses his crown, with his family comes to Kanchi to get the help from his friend, unfortunately the ship wrecks and his family is separated. Poovikraman had the opportunity to save the baby of Manavaraman and later his wife. Poovikaraman asks Chola Kumari to invite Mamallan, during the feast; she provokes the anger of Mamallan and makes him leave the party without taking the food. Later one of his spies informs him of her true identity. Poovikaraman sends another girl in place of Manavarman's wife to Paranjothi, on the way she tries to seduce Paranjothi and gives an impression that Manavarman's wife is adulterous. Paranjothi mentions this to Mamallan in front of his friend Manavarman, Paranjothi is slapped by his King, Paranjothi's loyalty stays the same after this incident. Manavarman tries to kill his wife, but Mamallan plays a drama and finds out that the girl Paranjothi took with him is not the wife of Manavarman. Their friendship is renewed. Though Chola Kumari is against the wish of Pulikesi, her love to Mamallan creates a problem in the kingdom and Pallava's allies turn against him. The time was now ripe for Pulikesi to attack and hold Kanchi forever. Paranjothi too resigns from his post due to the love between the King and Chola Kumari. The King appoints Manavarman as his commander, due to this, his baby was slaughtered by Pulikesi. Initially, Kanchi loses some of its forts to Pulikesi. Mamallan's sister, who is attached to Paranjothi, asks for his help, but he turns her down. She goes to the temple to pray, where Poovikraman plans to kill Mamallan, before the explosives go off, Mamallan comes out of the temple, but his sister dies. Chola Kumari speaks with Pallava's allies and consents to their wish that she will not marry the Kanchi King. Now Paranjothi volunteers for the war and takes up the commanding position with Mamallan, Manavarman on one side and the allies of Kanchi on another side. They destroy the force of Pulikesi and he was later killed in the battle. Finally Kanchi's allies changes their wish and ask Chola Kumari to marry Kanchi Thalaivan.

Cast

as King

Narasimhavarman I Narasimhavarman I was a emperor of the Pallava dynasty who ruled South India from 630 CE – 668 CE. He shared his father Mahendravarman I's love of art and completed the work started by Mahendravarman in Mamallapuram. During his reign famo ...

/ Mamallan *

as Commander

Paranjothi Paranjothi ( ta, பரஞ்சோதி), popularly known as Sirruthondar was an army general of the great Pallava king Narasimavarman I who ruled South India from 630–668 CE. He also led the Pallava army during the invasion of Vatapi in 6 ...

as Chola Kumari *

as Poovikraman / Madhanan * S. A. Ashokan as Chalukya King Pulakeshin II * C. R. Vijayakumari as Narasimha's sister Poongkuzhali * 'Valayapathy' Muthukrishnan as Ceylon King Manavarman *

T. A. Madhuram T. A. Mathuram (14 October 1918 – 23 May 1974) was an Indian stage and film actress and singer. Biography and career Mathuram was born in Srirangam on 14 October 1918 in a family of artists. Her first Tamil film was Rathnaavali released in ...

as Bhairavi * G. Sakunthala as Ceylon Queen Sangai * D. V. Narayanasamy as Kollidakkarai King Mutharaiyar *

S. V. Ramadas S. V. Ramadas (1921-2004) was an Indian actor who appeared in Tamil-language films, most often as a villain. He acted in more than 700 films in a career spanning over four decades. Film career Among popular movies, he acted in Aayirathil Or ...

* Manorama as Singaari * S. M. Thirupathisamy as Urayur Chola King * T. V. Sivanandam as Kodumbalur King

Soundtrack

The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Lyrics were by K. D. Santhanam, M. Karunanidhi and

Alangudi Somu Alangudi Somu (12 December 1932 − 6 June 1997) was an Indian Tamil film lyricist who wrote many popular songs in several films. He was active in the field from 1960 till late 1990s. About Alangudi Somu born on 12 December 1932 in Alangudi vil ...

Controversies

The Censor Board objected to the title ''Kaanchi Thalaivan'' as politician

C. N. Annadurai Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai (15 September 1909 – 3 February 1969), popularly known as Anna also known as Arignar Anna or Perarignar Anna (''Anna, the scholar'' or ''Elder Brother''), was an Indian Tamil politician who served as the fo ...

was, coincidentally, also known as such, and demanded to change the title, but the producers refused. Nonetheless, as noted by historian R. L. Hardgrave, the Board "so badly mangled the film that it was a financial failure". The film also courted controversy by portraying the Chalukya king as a buffoon and featured a scene of the Tamil king trampling upon the flag of the Chalukyas. This led to massive protests in Bangalore under the leadership of Kannada activist

Ma Ramamurthy Ma Ramamurthy (1918–1967) also known as Kannadada Veera Senani, was an Indian writer, journalist and Kannada activist. He is often considered as a commander of Kannada movement in 1960s. Ramamurthy is known for designing the red-and-yellow ''ar ...

culminating into the need for the

Kannada flag The Kannada flag, a strip of yellow and red, symbolises both Kannada and Karnataka. Although it doesn't have any official status. Based on ancient Kannada, people believe the yellow and red colours in the flag stand for Arashina (Turmeric) and ...

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, id=1475371 1960s Tamil-language films 1963 films Films scored by K. V. Mahadevan Indian historical action films