Karuthamma
| Karuthamma | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Bharathiraja |
| Written by | Bharathiraja |
| Story by | M. Rathnakumar |
| Produced by | Bharathiraja |
| Starring | Raja Rajashree Maheswari Saranya Ponvannan |
| Cinematography | B. Kannan |
| Edited by | K. Pazhani Vel |
| Music by | A. R. Rahman |
Production company | Vetrivel Art Creations |
| Distributed by | Vetrivel Art Creations |
Release date | November 3, 1994 |
Running time | 153 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Karuthamma (1994) is a Tamil feature film directed by Bharathiraja. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by A. R. Rahman. The film met with critical acclaim upon release and received accolades.
Plot
The film looks at female infanticide and the hatred that surrounds the birth of a female child. A father blames his miseries on the birth of his daughters. Set in a rural village. Karuthamma was released to critical acclaim.
Cast
- Raja as Stephen
- Rajashree as Karuththamma
- Maheswari as Rosy
- Saranya Ponvannan
- Ponvannan
- Periyar Dasan as Mokkaiyan
- Vadivelu
- Vadivukkarasi
- Janagaraj
- R. Sundarrajan
- S. N. Lakshmi
Production
The film's title was named after Bharathiraja's mother.[1] The film's story was based on a real-life incident in a village and the script was written by Bharathiraja's assistant M. Rathnakumar.[2] Periyar Dasan who worked as professor in Pachaiyappa's college made his acting debut with this film.[3] Rajashree and Maheswari, who is the cousin of actress Sridevi made their acting debuts in this film.[4][5]
Awards
The film has won the following awards since its release:
1994 National Film Awards (India)
- Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Female Playback Singer - Swarnalatha - "Poraale Ponnuthaayi..."
- Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Lyricist - Vairamuthu - "Poraale Ponnuthaayi..."
- Won - National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare - Bharathiraja
1994 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
- Won - Best Female Playback -Swarnalatha - "Poraale Ponnuthaayi..."
- Won - Best Lyricist -Vairamuthu - "Poraale Ponnuthaayi..."
- Won - Best Actress -Rajashree
Music
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
The soundtrack of the film features score and 7 songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.
The soundtrack proved popular upon release. A. R. Rahman demonstrated his skills in composing for smaller budget films, reflecting themes of rural life, equally effectively. The songs gained A.R. Rahman notice for composing native folk, and ballads, such as both versions of the song "Porale Ponnuthayi", as well as dance-inspired compositions like "Thenmerku Paruva Kattu" featured. The song "Porale Ponnuthayi" went on to prove one of the career best's for Swarnalatha fetching her the most deserving National Film Awards for her soulful singing. The music was released to high acclaim. The music of "Porale Ponnu Thaye" was reused for "Gurus of Peace", for the album Vande Mataram.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Thenmerku Paruva Kaatru" | Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra | 05:02 |
| 2. | "Poraale Ponnuthayi (Sad)" | Swarnalatha | 06:22 |
| 3. | "Poraale Ponnuthayi" | Unni Menon, Sujatha | 05:42 |
| 4. | "Pacha Kili Paadum" | Shahul Hameed, Minmini | 04:41 |
| 5. | "Kaadu Potta Kaadu" | Bharathiraja, Malaysia Vasudevan | 05:33 |
| 6. | "Araro Ariraro I" | T. K. Kala, Theni Kunjarama, Deepan Chakravarthy | 01:47 |
| 7. | "Yaar Petha Pillai" | Jayachandran | 02:03 |
| 8. | "Araro Ariraro I" | T. K. Kala, Theni Kunjarama, Deepan Chakravarthy | 01:52 |
Telugu - Vanitha
The soundtrack was also released in Telugu in the dubbed version of the film Vanitha.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sirimalle Mogga Meeda" | Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra | 05:02 |
| 2. | "Poodota Poochindata" | Swarnalatha | 06:22 |
| 3. | "Poodota Poochindata" | Unni Menon, Sujatha | 05:42 |
| 4. | "Padaalenno Paade Voor" | Shahul Hameed, Sujatha | 04:41 |
| 5. | "Koodu Pette Bhoomi" | Mano, Rajgopal, T.K. Kala | 05:33 |
| 6. | "Jo Laali Jo Laali" | T. K. Kala, Sarala | 01:47 |
| 7. | "Ye Thalli Kannadani" | Jayachandran | 02:03 |
Release
Behindwoods wrote:"Taking in his hands the issue of female infanticide, Bharathiraja presented the poignant tale of a female child who was to be slain as soon as she was born. Besides, he did not fail to pose a question in the end of the movie, serving his part in making the viewer socially conscious".[6]
Legacy
In Kadhal Sadugudu (2003), Theni Kunjaramma tries to kill a female child with milk, Super Subbu (Vivek) who witnesses this says that he has been seeing this from the days of "Karuthamma".[7] One of the songs "Thenmerku Paruvakaatru" inspired a 2010 film of same name.[8] Scenes from the film has been parodied in Thamizh Padam (2010), in the film female infanticide has been replaced with male infanticide. Periyardasan reprises his role from the original film.
References
- ^ http://m.timesofindia.com/city/madurai/Whos-who-of-Tamil-film-world-congregate-in-city/articleshow/18107898.cms
- ^ http://www.indiaglitz.com/none-can-predict-the-climax-bharathiraja-tamil-news-43521
- ^ http://www.indiaglitz.com/periyar-dasan-no-more-tamil-news-96610
- ^ http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/45215.html
- ^ http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/sep-08-03/maheswari-19-09-08.html
- ^ http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-slide-shows/movie-1/social/tamil-cinema-social-karuthamma.html
- ^ Kadhal Sadugudu (DVD)
- ^ http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/thenmerku-paruvakatru-movie-review.html
External links
- Karuthamma at IMDb
