Raja Paarvai Explained

Director:Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
Producer:Chandrahasan
Charuhasan
Kamal Haasan
Starring:
Cinematography:Barun Mukherji
Editing:V. R. Kottagiri
Music:Ilaiyaraaja
Studio:Haasan Brothers
Runtime:144 minutes
Country:India

Raja Paarvai is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language romance film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. It was simultaneously made and released as Amavasya Chandrudu in Telugu. The story was written by Kamal Haasan, for whom the film was his 100th as an actor and first as a producer. The score and soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. It is loosely based on the 1972 film Butterflies Are Free. Despite being a box office failure, the film received critical acclaim, and Haasan's performance won him the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor. Thota Tharani made his debut as an art director with the film. This is the first film in added animation in song

Plot

Raghu / Chandram is a blind violinist oppressed since infancy. Nancy, a Christian, is keen on chronicling Raghu / Chandram's inspiring life as a visually impaired but independently living person. Their relationship blossoms into a romance that is supported by Nancy's grandfather. Nancy is eventually due to be married to another man selected by her father, but aided by her grandfather, escapes from the church and elopes with Raghu / Chandram.

Cast

Character Actors in language
TamilTelugu
Raghu (Tamil)[1] / Chandram (Telugu)[2] Kamal Haasan
Nancy Madhavi
Nancy's grandfather[3] L. V. Prasad
Raghu's father[4] ! colspan="2" Chandrahasan
Pastor Charuhasan
Seenu (Tamil) / Chanti (Telugu) Y. G. Mahendran
Sulochana Chitra
Raghu / Chandram's Nanny Radhabhai
Nancy's grandmother Nirmalamma
The headmistress of the blind school Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy
Nancy's father Dhanushkodi Kantha Rao
Raghu's stepmother Radha Kumari
Sulochana's father Raavi Kondala Rao
Nancy's brother
Chandram's House owner Sakshi Ranga Rao
Man who beats Raghu / Chandram in lift Santhana Bharathi
Himself Gangai Amaran
Himself S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Young Raghu (Tamil) / Young Chandram (Telugu) Gautam Kanthadai

Production

Raja Paarvai was the 100th film for Kamal Haasan as an actor, and first as producer. He also worked as a screenwriter.[5] [6] He produced the film along with his brothers Charuhasan and Chandrahasan under the banner Haasan Brothers.[7] The film also marked the debut of art director Thota Tharani in Tamil cinema.[8] [9] It was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Amavasya Chandrudu,[10] with principal photography for both versions taking place in 55 days.[11] Among other locations, the film was also shot in Venus Studios. While the film is loosely based on the 1972 film Butterflies Are Free,[12] the final scene which features Madhavi's character escaping from church in her wedding dress and joining Haasan, was inspired by The Graduate (1967). Haasan learnt to play the violin required for the role.[13]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja,[14] while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan, Vairamuthu and Gangai Amaran.[15] The song "Andhi Mazhai" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Vasantha,[16] and "Vizhi Oraththu" is set in Shubhapantuvarali. For the instrumental "Modern Concerto", Viji Manuel was the keyboardist (playing the piano on arpeggio mode), while V. S. Narasimhan was the violinist.[17] In an interview Vairamuthu said that initially the lyrics for the song "Andhi Mazhai" were "Dhiratchai madhu vazhigirathu" before being changed to the present one.[18]

Release

Raja Paarvai was released on 10 April 1981,[19] and Amavasya Chandrudu on 29 August 1981. Despite receiving critical acclaim,[20] the film was a box office failure, and Haasan had to work seven to eight years to recover from the loss he incurred.[21] The 100 days celebration of the film was held at Chettiar Bungalow in AVM studio.[22]

Reception

Kalki, in its review of the Tamil version, called the story ordinary, but said the dialogues and Rao's direction polished the film and lauded Haasan's performance, adding that Prasad outshined everyone else.[23] S. Shiva Kumar wrote in Mid-Day, "Some breath taking photography, slick editing and lilting music contribute in making Raja Parvai a clean and enjoyable movie".[24] Reviewing the Telugu version, Gudipoodi Srihari of the magazine Sitara wrote that barring a few sequences, the film was fairly enjoyable yet inspirational. Haasan won the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor.[25]

Legacy

Raja Paarvai attained cult status in Tamil cinema.[26] In Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema, Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen described Srinivasa Rao's direction and Haasan's performance as "unabashedly melodramatic, milking the hero's disability for all its worth" and that Rao's zooms and cutaways underlined by "rapid and awkward editing" were "fully in evidence". In 2010, Sify included Raja Paarvai in its list, "Kamal's most memorable romantic films", where it praised Haasan and Madhavi's onscreen rapport, the visuals and the climax.[27] In 2017, Haasan named Amavasya Chandrudu (the Telugu version of the film) as one of his 70 most favourite films and considered it superior to Raja Paarvai.[28]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Raja Paarvai (1981) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222113520/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b75f23c7f . 22 February 2018 . 22 February 2018 . British Film Institute.
  2. News: Srihari . Gudipoodi . 13 September 1981 . సినిమా రివ్యూ: అమావాస్య చంద్రుడు . Film review: Amavasya Chandrudu . live . https://archive.today/20230311114156/https://indiancine.ma/documents/PUQ/0,0,1881,2728 . 11 March 2023 . 19 May 2022 . . te.
  3. News: 18 May 2015 . அழியாத கோலங்கள் . Enduring Patterns . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222101352/http://kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=8724&id1=6&issue=20150518 . 22 February 2018 . 22 February 2018 . . ta.
  4. News: Srinivas Chari . T. K. . July 2012 . The actor in the shadows . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171008130608/http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2022%20No%206/the-actor-in-the-shadows.html . 8 October 2017 . 22 February 2018 . Madras Musings.
  5. News: Kesavan . N. . 14 May 2016 . 100th film jinx grips the mighty sans 'Captain' . live . https://archive.today/20171209021148/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-industry-100th-film-jinx-grips-the-mighty-sans-captain/article8595803.ece . 9 December 2017 . 21 September 2017 . The Hindu.
  6. News: Rangarajan . Malathi . 26 October 2007 . Now it's the turn of Kamal Haasan ... the writer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219210946/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/now-its-the-turn-of-kamal-haasan-the-writer/article2274078.ece . 19 February 2018 . 19 February 2018 . The Hindu.
  7. Web site: RS . Anand Kumar . 15 May 2022 . Revisiting Kamal Haasan's 1986 Vikram: A film that was ahead of its time . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220521164305/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/revisiting-kamal-haasan-s-1986-vikram-film-was-ahead-its-time-163986 . 21 May 2022 . 27 May 2022 . The News Minute.
  8. Web site: Narasimham . M.L. . 20 May 2005 . Spinning magic . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060409062525/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/05/20/stories/2005052001520300.htm . 2006-04-09 . 2022-09-15 . The Hindu.
  9. News: Ashok Kumar . S. R. . 8 May 2009 . Talent finds meeting point . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180223044305/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/Talent-finds-meeting-point/article15938209.ece . 23 February 2018 . 21 September 2017 . The Hindu.
  10. News: Dundoo . Sangeetha Devi . 3 November 2015 . My focus is to give quality films at great speed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151124035704/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/kamal-haasan-my-focus-is-to-give-quality-films-at-great-speed/article7837607.ece . 24 November 2015 . 16 September 2017 . The Hindu.
  11. News: Ramanujam . Srinivasa . 7 October 2015 . Glitch music used in Kamal Haasan's 'Thoonga Vanam' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219210913/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/glitch-music-used-in-kamal-haasans-thoonga-vanam/article7734482.ece . 19 February 2018 . 19 February 2018 . The Hindu.
  12. Web site: கண்ணன் . சுரேஷ் . 8 June 2020 . 'ராஜபார்வை' கமலின் முதல் ரிஸ்க் தெரியும்; ஆனால் இந்தக் குறியீடுகள் தெரியுமா? . live . https://archive.today/20200709143538/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/why-kamal-haasans-raja-paarvai-is-so-special-80s-90s-movie-series . 9 July 2020 . 25 June 2021 . . ta.
  13. 18 November 1979 . வயலின் வாசிக்கும் கமல் . live . https://archive.today/20231020120624/https://archive.org/details/kalki1979-11-18/page/n33/mode/2up? . 20 October 2023 . 21 March 2024 . . 33 . Ta . Internet Archive.
  14. Web site: 10 April 1981 . Raaja Paarvai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP . live . https://archive.today/20190311070129/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/raaja-paarvai-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1338727402 . 11 March 2019 . 29 May 2021 . Apple Music.
  15. Web site: Rajapaarvai Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211229104010/https://mossymart.com/product/rajapaarvai-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja-2/ . 29 December 2021 . 29 December 2021 . Mossymart.
  16. News: Mani . Charulatha . Charulatha Mani . 6 January 2012 . A Raga's Journey — Hopeful, festive, vibrant Vasantha . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181214115400/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-ragas-journey-hopeful-festive-vibrant-vasantha/article2780440.ece . 14 December 2018 . 28 December 2020 . The Hindu.
  17. News: Balasubramanian . V. . 4 September 2014 . Back with a bang . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219210831/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/back-with-a-bang/article6379597.ece . 19 February 2018 . 19 February 2018 . The Hindu.
  18. "எனக்கு தாய், காதலி எல்லாமே என் மனைவி தான்.."- Vairamuthu Opens Up About His Family SPB . 2022-04-19 . ta . Galatta Tamil கலாட்டா தமிழ் . 2024-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603051746/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUnmJ5v7a5I&feature=youtu.be . 3 June 2024 . live . YouTube.
  19. Web site: ராம்ஜி . வி. . 2 June 2020 . சிவகுமார், கமல், ரஜினி, விஜயகாந்த், சத்யராஜ், பிரபு... 100வது படங்களுக்கு இளையராஜாதான் இசை! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200729183342/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/557544-ilayaraaja-birthday-spl.html . 29 July 2020 . 13 September 2020 . . ta.
  20. News: Kumar . S. Shiva . 27 August 2009 . 'I'm a limelight moth' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180305070117/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Im-a-limelight-moth/article16877425.ece . 5 March 2018 . 19 February 2018 . The Hindu.
  21. News: Subramanian . Karthik . 30 January 2013 . Will have to seek a secular State for my stay . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130712151725/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/will-have-to-seek-a-secular-state-for-my-stay/article4360501.ece . 12 July 2013 . 19 February 2018 . The Hindu.
  22. News: 4 June 2018 . A cinema geek? AVM's Chettiar Bungalow is open for your special day . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200405171054/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/chettiar-bungalow-at-chennai-avm-studios-is-now-open-for-public/article24077063.ece . 5 April 2020 . 22 October 2020 . The Hindu.
  23. சாஸ்திரி . நளினி . 3 May 1981 . ராஜபார்வை . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230414112714/https://ibb.co/pypN8xv . 14 April 2023 . 14 April 2023 . . 32–33 . ta.
  24. News: Shiva Kumar . S. . 31 May 1981 . Studio snippets . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519112736/https://twitter.com/sshivu/status/1527249481661825025 . 19 May 2022 . 27 May 2022 . . Twitter.
  25. Book: The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who . . 1984 . 234.
  26. Web site: Srinivasan . Pavithra . 7 September 2010 . Singeetham Srinivasa Rao's gems before Christ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170917032615/http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/sep/07/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-singeetham-srinivasa-rao.htm . 17 September 2017 . 19 February 2018 . Rediff.com.
  27. Web site: 23 December 2010 . Kamal's most memorable romantic films . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180305065321/http://www.sify.com/movies/kamal-s-most-memorable-romantic-films-news-tamil-kmwjxMjihefsi.html . 5 March 2018 . 5 March 2018 . Sify.
  28. News: Haasan . Kamal . Kamal Haasan . 13 August 2017 . Bollywood blockbuster to Kollywood classic: Kamal Haasan picks his 70 favourite movies . live . https://archive.today/20170813134310/http://www.hindustantimes.com/interactives/kamal-hassan-70-movies/ . 13 August 2017 . 24 February 2018 . Hindustan Times.

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