Koteeswaran

1955 film by Sundar Rao Nadkarni

  • 13 November 1955 (1955-11-13)
CountryIndiaLanguageTamil

Koteeswaran (transl. Millionaire) is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language comedy film[2] co-written, co-produced, edited and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, S. Balachander and Ragini. Based on B. V. Warerkar's Marathi play Haach Mulacha Baap, it revolves around two friends setting out to fight against the dowry system in their village. The film was released on 13 November 1955.

Plot

Chandar and Kannan are two friends. They return to their village after completing their studies, but are shocked by the prevalence of the dowry system. They both set out to fight against it.

Cast

Male cast[3]
  • Sivaji Ganesan as Doctor Chandar
  • S. Balachander as Pasupathy
  • Sriram as Kannan
  • K. A. Thangavelu as Rao Bahadur Ramasami
  • Sirukalathur Sama as Jakamba
  • Sattam Pillai Venkatraman as Rangu Pillai
  • A. Ganesh Singh as Servant Karuppan
Female cast[3]
  • Padmini as Neela
  • Ragini as Kamala
  • Rushyendramani as Parvathi
  • Baby Saraswathi as Usha
  • Baby Rajakumari as Rani
Male support cast
  • M. A. Ganapathi Bhat, S. V. Shanmugam, Vijaymani.

Production

Koteeswaran is based on Haach Mulacha Baap, a Marathi play written by B. V. Warerkar. It was directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni who also produced the film with B. Radhakrishna under Sri Ganesh Movietone, and wrote the screenplay alongside Kangeyan. The dialogues were written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and Kangeyan. Cinematography was handled by G. K. Ramu, the art direction by D. S. Kotkavngar and the editing by Nadkarni.[3] The final length of the film was 16,246 feet (4,952 m).[4]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman. The lyrics were written by Papanasam Sivan, Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, Gemini Seetharaman and T. K. Sundhara Vathiyar.[5]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Ulaavum Thendral Nilaavai" A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass 03:35
"Palikumaa, Kanavuthaan Palikumaa" P. Susheela
"Vandhadu Yogam Vaazhvile" P. Leela, Jikki
"Arullilaarkku...Bagavaane Kelaiiyaa Pachondhi" P. Leela 03:21
"Madhu Nilai Maaraadha...Gaanatthaale Kaadhalaaginene" Jikki 03:29
"Yaazhum Kuzhalum" A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela T. K. Sundara Vathiyar 03:50
"Kattikko Thaali Kattikko" S. V. Venkatraman, P. Leela Gemini Seetharaman 06:16
"Isai Amudham Pol Undo" P. Leela Papanasam Sivan 03:27
"Ennudalum Ullak Kaadhalum Unakke" M. L. Vasanthakumari 02:27

Release and reception

Koteeswaran was released on 13 November 1955, Diwali day.[4][6] The Indian Express wrote, "Crisp and spicy dialogue is the highlight" of the film.[2]

References

  1. ^ "கோடீஸ்வரன்". Kalki (in Tamil). 13 November 1955. p. 27. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Kodeeswaran". The Indian Express. 25 November 1955. p. 8. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c கோடீஸ்வரன் [Millionaire] (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Sri Ganesh Movietone. 1955. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b "1955 – கோடீஸ்வரன் – ஸ்ரீகணேஷ் மூவிடோன் (மராதி நாடகம்)" [1955 – Koteeswaran – Sri Ganesh Movietone (Marathi play)]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  5. ^ Neelamegam, G. (December 2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 91.
  6. ^ "'எங்கிருந்தோ வந்தாள்' இங்கிருந்து வந்தாள்!". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Nellai. 17 February 2020. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

External links

  • Koteeswaran at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata