Aaravalli
Aaravalli is 1957 Tamil-language Indian fantasy action film directed by Krishna Rao and written by V. N. Sambantham. Produced by Modern Theatres, the film stars G. Varalakshmi, S. Mohana, S. G. Eshwar, Mynavathi and Kaka Radhakrishnan playing lead roles, with A. Karunanidhi, T. P. Muthulakshmi, M. S. Draupadi and V. Gopalakrishnan in supporting roles.
| Aaravalli | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Krishna Rao |
| Written by | V. N. Sambantham |
| Starring | S. G. Eshwar G. Varalakshmi Mynavathi Kaka Radhakrishnan T. P. Muthulakshmi |
| Music by | G. Ramanathan |
| Cinematography | G. R. Nathan |
| Edited by | L. Balu |
Production company | |
Release date | 22 October 1957[1] |
Running time | 155 Mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Aaravalli is a woman-centric story about a queen who rules over men. The story is set in the kingdom of Nellurupattinam, of which the main protagonist Aaravalli (G. Varalakshmi) and her sister Sooravalli (S. Mohana) are the undisputed rulers. They were seven sisters, but the reins of control were in the hands of Aravalli and Sooravalli, who are described as having magical powers. Bheema (Thirupathisamy) offers to conquer them, however he is defeated by these women, who also humiliate him and lock him up in prison. However, Bheema manages to escape the prison. Sooravalli visits Indraprasta and she complains to King Dharma (K. Nadarajan) about his brother Bheema. Dharma concedes to her demands and sends back his brother to Nellurupattinam.
The astrologer Sahadevan formulates a master plan against the two cunning women. The plan is to use their nephew Alli Muthu (S. G. Eswar), the son of their sister Sangavathy (M. S. Draupadi), for the specific purpose of challenging the position of sisters on behalf of the Pandavas. So, Alli Muthu and his companion named as Arayathi (Kaka Radhakrishnan) set out towards the kingdom Nellurupattinam.
On their arrival in Nellurupattinam, they meet the magician queens who ask Alli Muthu to undergo three challenges. Alli Muthu accepts these challenges and ventures to complete them. Alli Muthu meets Aaravalli's daughter Alangaravalli (Mynavathi) at the palace and is fascinated by her and eventually they both fall in love. Then, Alli Muthu performs the three challenges and comes victorious with the help of Alangaravalli. As a sign of their submission, the two queens offer their daughter Alangaravalli in marriage to the victorious Alli Muthu.
The newlywed couple and Arayathi arrive at Indraprasta kingdom. The pair make their way into forest where the bride (Alanaravalli) in her innocence, follows the instruction of her mother and gives poisoned sweets to her husband. After first intoxicating his sense with the fragrance of poisoned bouquet, she asks Arayathi for help to discover the dead body of her husband. Arayathi rescues her companion's life. She cursed her wicked mother and Aaravalli agrees all truth. Then, Sahadevan formulates a plan to discuss with Abimanyu (V. Gopalakrishnan) and Arayathi, that Alli Muthu's life shall not end. So, Sahadevan wants to know which type of poison was used on Alli Muthu.
Abimanyu and Aryathi get help to Singaravalli (T. P. Muthulakshmi), and told her in secret, that the poison is named as Karkotan. Meanwhile, Aaravalli hears the news, so she disguises herself like a woman saint and begs to Dharma for food. Dharma arranges for lunch for her, but she sees Alli Muthu's dead body and the angered saint leaves the house. Then, she was forced to burn Alli Muthu's dead body. King Dharma arranged for the ritual event and set fire to Alli Muthu's body. Fortunately, Abhimanyu reaches at the correct time and saves Alli Muthu's life and curses his defeat. Then Alli Muthu captures the Nelluru Pattinam Kingdom. The two queens and his wife were arrested.
They are tried in front of King Dharma. But the two queens reject the case. So, King Dharma gives punishment to Alli Muthu. Then Alangavalli admitted to all crimes. King Dharma gives judgement to her and Aaravalli. Alangaram's head was to be cut off and her mother was to catch it. Then Alangaram requests to King Dharma, that her head was to be cut off by her husband hands; her mother stops the punishment and approved, Alli Muthu defeats death. Then Alli Muthu reunites with his wife.
Cast
Cast according to the song book[2] and the opening credits.
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Production
Soundtrack
| Aaravalli | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 1957 |
| Recorded | 1957 |
| Genre | Sareegama |
| Language | Tamil |
| Producer | G. Ramanathan |
Music was composed by G. Ramanathan and lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi, Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram and Villiputhan.[2] The song "Chinna Pennana Pothile" is based on "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" from The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956).[4]
| No | Song | Singer | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aaravalli Sooravalli" | G. Ramanathan | 2:58 | |
| 2 | "Chinna Kutty Nathana" | Thiruchi Loganathan | Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram | 2:05 |
| 3 | "Uyirodu Poradum" | C. S. Jayaraman | 2:56 | |
| 4 | "Aambala Un Mel" | 2:45 | ||
| 5 | "Thudikkum Yauvanam" Raga: Kalyani | Jikki | 4:27 | |
| 6 | "Thirumbi Paaru Thambi" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Thiruchi Loganathan | Villiputhan (?) | 2:11 |
| 7 | "Anbe Enthan Munnale" | A. M. Rajah & Jikki | 3:22 | |
| 8 | "Chinna Pennana Pothile" | A. M. Rajah & Jikki | Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram | 2:29 |
| 9 | "Maanamellam Ponna Pinne" | Thiruchi Loganathan & T. M. Soundararajan | 2:11 | |
| 10 | "Pengalai Pazhipaavar Yaar" | T. V. Rathinam | ||
| 11 | "Sengamma Idhu Angamma" | A. G. Rathnamala, Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Thiruchi Loganathan | 3:13 | |
| 12 | "Ila Meesaiyulla Ambalainga" | T. V. Rathinam & K. Jamuna Rani | 3:29 | |
| 13 | "Kummalam Pottathellam" (F) | T. V. Rathinam & A. G. Rathnamala | 3:12 | |
| 14 | "Kummalam Pottathellam" (M) | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Thiruchi Loganathan | 3:11 | |
| 15 | "Pazhakkamillatha Kazhuthaikitta" | Thiruchi Loganathan & Sirkazhi Govindarajan | Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram | 2:19 |
| 16 | "Maanjal Poosi Varum" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Thiruchi Loganathan | 3:07 | |
| 17 | "Adivarum Thendralada" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | 2:58 |
References
- https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19571022&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
- Aaravalli (songbook) (in Tamil). Modern Theatres. 1957.
- Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil film history and its achievements] (in Tamil). Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 2020.
- Pillai, Swarnavel Eswaran (2015). Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema. India: SAGE Publications. pp. 83, 97.