Kuravanji

Kuravanji is a 1960 Indian Tamil language film directed by A. Kasilingam. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. The film, produced by M. Karunanidhi, R. M. Veerappan, and A. Kasilingam, was released on 4 March 1960,^[1] and was not a commercial success.^[2]

Kuravanji
Poster
Directed by	A. Kasilingam
Written by	M. Karunanidhi
Produced by	M. Karunanidhi R. M. Veerappan A. Kasilingam
Starring	Sivaji Ganesan Savitri
Cinematography	G. Durai
Edited by	A. Kasilingam
Music by	T. R. Pappa
Production company	Mekala Pictures
Release date	4 March 1960 (1960-03-04)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

The film tells the story of Thenpandiko, the king of Inbapuri. Ellaipuram is a part of the kingdom and the king appoints his brother, Mukhari, to rule it. Mukhari has a minister, Imaya, who has evil designs. Mukhari falls prey to his evil plans, and besides taking over Ellaipuram, he plans to usurp Inbapuri from his brother. To help the suffering people enters a man named Kadhiravan, hailing from the royal family. He moves around the kingdom in the guise of a vagabond. Princess Kumari wishes to marry him, while he falls in love with Ponni, who is from the fisherfolk community. Coming to know of this, Kadhiravan's brother is furious. The princess is equally upset, but Kadhiravan is more interested in saving the people. Soon there is a protest led by him that gains momentum. What happens to it is narrated in the latter half of the film.

Cast

Male cast[3] Sivaji Ganesan as Kathiravan O. A. K. Thevar R. Balasubramaniam M. N. Krishnan M. R. Santhanam as Kathiravan's Father N. S. Natarajan S. V. Ramadas Karuppaiah Senthamarai Jayaraman Kuladeivam Rajgopal Wahab Kashmiri S. R. Gopal T. K. Sampangi Karikol Raj Krishnamurthi Rajamohan S. A. G. Sami

Female cast Savithri as Kuravanji, Kumari Mynavathi as Ponni Pandari Bai Susheela Radhabhai as Kathiravan's mother C. K. Saraswathi Vanaja (Guest Artist) Sampathkumari Indra Dance Padmini Priyadarshini Vijayalakshmi Lakshmirajam

Production

S. S. Rajendran was initially to play the lead role in Kuravanji. However, due to some "friction" between him and M. Karunanidhi, the role was later offered to Sivaji Ganesan. He was hesitant to accept as he believed Rajendran would misunderstand him if he accepted, but after being reassured by Karunanidhi, Ganesan accepted the offer out of respect.^[4] Kuravanji is Ganesan's 60th film as an actor.^[5] During the shoot, Ganesan chose to wear a gunny sack instead of the woollen clothes that were given to him. He wanted to "connect with the reality of the character of a tribesman".^[6] Rajasulochana had been offered to act in the film but declined.^[7]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by T. R. Pappa.^[3][8]

Song	Singers	Lyrics	Length
"Kaadhal Pollathadhu"	P. Susheela	Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass	03:06
"Sengkayil Vandu Kalin" "Thannamudhudan Pirandhhai" "Sollakelaai Kuri Sollakelaai" "Irunda Megam Sutri"	C. S. Jayaraman & Ramaiya P. Leela A. P. Komala & A. G. Rathnamala C. S. Jayaraman	Thirikooda Rasappa Kavirayar	02:20 02:21 01:05 00:48
"Ennaalum Thanniyile"	A. L. Raghavan & Jikki	Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass	03.27
"Thanneril Meen Irukum.... Unakku Puriyudhu"	C. S. Jayaraman & P. Leela	Kannadasan	05:17
"Athaachi Naazhi Pathaachi"	A. L. Raghavan & M. S. Rajeswari	Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
"Kaadhal Kadal Karaiyorame"	C. S. Jayaraman, P. Leela & P. Susheela	Kannadasan	03:53
"Paadi Azhaippen Endru"	C. S. Jayaraman	Kannadasan	03:23
"Nee Sollavidil Yaar Solluvar Nilavae"	C. S. Jayaraman	Kudanthai R. Krishnamurthi	03:30
"Alai Irukkuthu Kadalile"	K. Jamuna Rani	M. Karunanidhi	03:12
"Alaiyitta Karumbaaka"	C. S. Jayaraman	Kannadasan	01:07
"Onne Onnu Irukku"	Jikki		03:16

Reception

Kanthan of Kalki noted that the film's lengthy runtime was not a detriment to it being an entertainer.^[9]