Parasakthi

1952 Drama 188 minutes Directed by S. Panju

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About Parasakthi

Chandrasekaran, Gnanasekaran, and Gunasekaran live in Rangoon with Chandrasekaran's wife Saraswati. Their sister Kalyani grows up in Madurai with their father, Manickampillai. In 1942 the war leaves only one steamer ticket, so Gunasekaran sails for her wedding to the writer Thangappan and arrives late. Thangappan dies in an accident on the day Kalyani gives birth, and their father dies of the shock. Left with nothing, Kalyani is pushed from relative to relative. A temple priest tries to assault her. The story ends in court, where Vimala brings in the child, who had fallen into her boat rather than the river. The court frees Kalyani and Gunasekaran, and they meet Chandrasekaran again.

Cast & crew

More about Parasakthi

P. A. Perumal Mudaliar produced it for National Pictures. Krishnan–Panju directed. M. Karunanidhi wrote the screenplay from Pavalar Balasundaram's play. S. Maruti Rao photographed it and R. Sudarsanam wrote the songs. Shooting started in mid-1950 and ran more than two years. AVM Productions distributed it.

Themes

Background

The plot uses the 1942 Japanese bombing of Rangoon to split a Tamil family between Burma and Madurai.

In film history

Ganesan's first film role and Karunanidhi's dialogue made the picture a reference point for later Tamil courtroom scenes.

Making

Karunanidhi's courtroom speeches carry the argument. The picture was already being called a problem by Hindu groups at the Diwali opening.

Look

S. Maruti Rao shot the 188-minute feature.

Music

R. Sudarsanam composed the songs. The Saraswathi Stores Orchestra played the background score.

Notes

  • Sivaji Ganesan, as Gunasekaran, and S. S. Rajendran make their film debuts.
  • S. V. Sahasranamam plays Chandrasekaran. Sriranjani Jr. plays Kalyani. Pandari Bai plays Vimala.
  • It opened on Diwali, 17 October 1952.
  • Central Studios had wanted to combine this play with T. S. Natarajan's En Thangai. Natarajan objected and that plan stopped.
  • Protests followed the way the film treats Brahmin characters and temple practice.

Scenes

  • Gunasekaran's ship misses Kalyani's wedding because of the war.
  • Vimala brings the child into court and the case turns.

Influenced by

  • Parasakthi (play by Pavalar Balasundaram)