''Petralthan Pillaiya'' is a 1966 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

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

directed by

Krishnan–Panju R. Krishnan (1909–1997) and S. Panju (1915–1984), collectively referred to as Krishnan–Panju, were Indian film directors. The duo directed more than 50 films in South Indian languages and in Hindi. Early life R. Krishnan was born on 18 ...

and written by Aaroor Dass. 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 ...

B. Saroja Devi Bangalore Saroja Devi (born 7 January 1938) is an Indian actress who has acted in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. She acted in around 200 films in over six decades. She is known by the epithets "''Abhinaya Saraswathi''" (Saraswathi of ...

and

Sowcar Janaki Sankaramanchi Janaki (born T. Janaki; 12 December 1931), popularly known as Sowcar Janaki (Tamil) or Shavukaru Janaki (Telugu) or Sahukar Janaki (Kannada), is an Indian actress who has appeared in over 300, films, predominantly in Tamil, Telug ...

. Based on

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is consider ...

's 1921 American film, ''

The Kid The Kid or The Kids may refer to: Fictional characters * The kid (''Blood Meridian''), a character in Cormac McCarthy's 1985 novel ''Blood Meridian'' * The Kid (''The Matrix''), a character in the ''Matrix'' film series * The Kid (''The Stand'' ...

'', it revolves around a

tramp A tramp is a long-term homeless person who travels from place to place as a vagrant, traditionally walking all year round. Etymology Tramp is derived from a Middle English verb meaning to "walk with heavy footsteps" (''cf.'' modern English ''t ...

finding a homeless boy and raising him as his own son until five years later the boy's biological parents try to find him. ''Petralthan Pillaiya'' was released on 9 December 1966. The film emerged a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.

Plot

Jeeva is a mother unable to afford the cost of raising a young boy. She abandons him in a temple where a

, Anandhan, discovers him. Anandhan tries to get rid of the boy, but he eventually becomes attached to him. Anandhan names the boy Kannan and educates him, despite his poor financial condition. Five years later, Jeeva, her husband Sekhar and social services try to find her son.

Cast

as Anandhan *

as Mohini *

as Jeeva *

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 ...

as Kabali * S. A. Ashokan as Sekhar * K. A. Thangavelu as Panjavarnam * M. N. Nambiar as Mani *

T. S. Balaiah Thirunelveli Subramaniyan Balaiah (23 August 1914 – 22 July 1972) was an Indian actor. He is best known for playing supporting roles in Tamil films. Born in Sundankottai, near Udankudi in Thoothukudi, Balaiah was introduced to the cine fiel ...

as the old policeman * Baby Shakila as Kannan *

Indira Devi Indira Devi, born as Indira Raje (19 February 1892 – 6 September 1968), was the Maharani of the princely state of Cooch Behar, British India. She was the daughter of Chimnabai II. She broke her arranged engagement to marry Jitendra Narayan ...

as Kala * Mohana

Production

''Petralthan Pillaiya'' is based on

's 1921 American film, ''

''. Writer Aaroor Dass initially narrated the story to

Sivaji Ganesan Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji Ga ...

, who seemed interested but "did not follow up"; he later gave it to

. The duo

(R. Krishnan and S. Panju) directed the film, and Panju edited the film under the alias S. Panjabi. It was produced by K. K. Vasu under the banner Sri Muthukumaran Pictures, and photographed by P. N. Sundaram.

paid to Vasu, and acted in the film without charging. Principal photography began in June 1964. ''Petralthan Pillaiya'' remains the only film produced by Vasu.

Soundtrack

M. S. Viswanathan Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...

composed the soundtrack The lyrics were written by Vaali. The song "Nalla Nalla Pillaigalai" had to be modified for political reasons. The initial version contained the words ''"Arignar Annappol"'' (Like Anna, the scholar), a reference to the 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 ...

. The lyrics were changed after filming to ''"Thiru Vi Ka pol"'' (Like Thiru Vi Ka), a reference to the scholar and activist

Thiru. V. Kalyanasundaram Thiruvarur Viruttachala Kalyanasundaram (Thiruvarur Virudhachala Kalyanasundaram : 26 August 1883 – 17 September 1953), better known by his Tamil initials Thiru. Vi. Ka, was a Tamil scholar, essayist and activist. The analytical depth ...

Release and reception

''Petralthan Pillaiya'' was released on 9 December 1966. ''

Kalki Kalki ( sa, कल्कि), also called Kalkin or Karki, is the prophesied tenth and final incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is described to appear in order to end the Kali Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of exist ...

'' said the film was strictly for those who would prefer affection towards children over love. The film emerged a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links

* {{Krishnan–Panju 1960s Tamil-language films 1966 drama films 1966 films Films directed by Krishnan–Panju Films scored by M. S. Viswanathan Indian drama films Indian remakes of American films