Rajaraja Cholan
| Rajaraja Cholan | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | A. P. Nagarajan |
| Written by | Aru. Ramanthan |
| Screenplay by | A. P. Nagarajan Aru. Ramanthan |
| Produced by | G. Umapathy |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Vijayakumari |
| Cinematography | W. R. Subba Rao |
| Edited by | T. Vijayarangam |
| Music by | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan |
Production company | Anand Movies |
| Distributed by | Anand Movies |
Release date | 31 March 1973 |
Running time | 2 hr 54 min |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | ₹90 lakh[citation needed] |
Rajaraja Cholan is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language film about the life of the Chola king Rajaraja Chola. The film has Sivaji Ganesan playing the title role. It was the first cinemascope to be released in Tamil.[1] Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan composed the music for the film.[2] Sivaji Ganesan's portrayal as Rajaraja Chola was critically acclaimed.[3]
Cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Raja Raja Cholan I the Chola Maharaja
- Vijayakumari as Cholama devi (Raja Raja Cholan Wife)
- R. Muthuraman as Prince Vimalathithan of (later king) Vengai Nattu Thalaivan
- Sivakumar as Rajendra Chola I Crown Prince (Raja Raja Cholan Son, future Emperor)
- Lakshmi as Kundavai (Raja Raja Cholan Daughter, Vimalathithan Lover)
- Kumari Padmini as Rajendra Cholan (Lover)
- M. N. Nambiar as Bala Devar (Sathyasiriyan's Spy. Enemy role)
- R. S. Manohar as Sathyasiriyan (Princess King, Enemy role)
- Pushpalatha as (Sathyasiriyan wife)
- T. R. Mahalingam as Karuvur Devar
- Sirkazhi Govindarajan as Nambiyandar Nambi
- S. Varalakshmi as Kundavai Pirāttiyār, Rajaraja Cholan's Elder Sister
- Suruli Rajan as Palace Servant
- Manorama as Poonkodi (Bala Devar Spy)
- A. Sakunthala as Dancer
- K. D. Santhanam as Sirpy
- MLA Thangaraj
- Oru Viral Krishna Rao as (Guest of role)
- Ganthimathi as (Guest of role)
- S. N. Parvathy as (Guest of role)
- Master Sekhar as Ponna (Sirpy Assistant)
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album was composed by Violinist Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The lyrics were written by Tirunavukkarasar, Kannadasan, K. D. Santhanam, Poovai Senguttuvan and 'Ulunthurpettai' Shanmugham.
Track list
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Thendraloodu" | Kannadasan | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | T. R. Mahalingam with Sivaji Ganesan | |
| 2. | "Thanjai Periya" | Kannadasan | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | T. R. Mahalingam, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Varalakshmi | |
| 3. | "Mayakkum Mannan" | K. D. Santhanam | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | L. R. Easwari | |
| 4. | "Nadanai Kandeanadi" | Thirunavukarasar | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | P. Susheela, B. Radha | |
| 5. | "Mathennai Padaithaan" | Thirunavukarasar | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | T. M. Soundararajan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, L. R. Easwari | |
| 6. | "Yedu Thanthaanadi" | Kannadasan | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Varalakshmi | |
| 7. | "Kaththu Thirakadal" | Poovai Senguttuvan | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | A. P. Nagarajan | |
| 8. | "Unkaiyil En Pillai" | Ulundurpettai Shanmugam | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | Seerkazhi Govindarajan |
Reception
Rajaraja Cholan's prints were taken to theatres atop an elephant. In Tiruchirappalli, fans hired a helicopter and showered flower petals on the print.[4] The Hindu said, "A great deal of thought and effort has gone into Anand Movies' "Raja Raja Chozhan" in CinemaScope produced by G. Umapathy and directed by A. P. Nagarajan. The grandeur, majesty and the culture and prosperity of the golden era of "Raja Raja Chozhan" have been captured faithfully including the building of the Thanjavur temple." The Indian Express said, "The film is lavishly mounted. Muthuraman and Lakshmi impress and Kumari Padmini has given a good account of herself." The Mail said, "As befitting the distinction, it is lavishly mounted, carefully produced and studded with stars. Producer G. Umapathy merits a pat on the back for steering so huge a project safely home."[5]
References
- ^ First Cinema scop film format in Kollywood
- ^ "Cine Quiz". The Hindu. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
- ^ Jeyaraj, D. B. S. "A doyen among actors". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
- ^ Raman, Mohan (12 August 2014). "Bidding adieu to celluloid". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
- ^ "மக்களிடம் செல்வாக்கு பெற்ற பத்திரிக்கைகளின் பாராட்டு".
