Paadha Kaanikkai

Paadha Kaanikkai (transl. Offering to the feet) is a 1962 Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Shankar and written by M. S. Solamalai. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Savitri, with C. R. Vijayakumari, M. R. Radha, and Kamal Haasan in supporting roles. It was released on 14 July 1962.

Paadha Kaanikkai
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	K. Shankar
Written by	M. S. Solamalai
Produced by	G. N. Velumani
Starring	Gemini Ganesan Savitri Vijayakumari
Cinematography	Thambu
Edited by	K. Shankar K. Narayanan
Music by	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Production company	Saravana Films
Release date	14 July 1962 (1962-07-14)
Running time	158 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Cast

• Gemini Ganesan as Sekar
• Savitri as Malathi
• C. R. Vijayakumari as Chitra^[1]
• M. R. Radha as Veerasamy Pillai
• J. P. Chandrababu as Veerasamy Pillai's son
• Kamal Haasan as Ravi
• S. V. Subbaiah as Sekar's father
• S. A. Ashokan as Manickam
• M. V. Rajamma as Parvathi
• C. K. Saraswathi as Eshwari
• Karikol Raju as Villager
• S. Rama Rao as Pardeshi
• D. Balasubramaniam
• Padmini Priyadarshini
• K. R. Indira Devi

Production

Paadha Kaanikkai was produced by G. N. Velumani,^[2] directed and edited by K. Shankar, written by M. S. Solamalai.^[3]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, with lyrics by Kannadasan.^[4] The song "Poojaikku Vandha" is set in Bhimpalasi raga.^[5]

Song	Singers	Length
"Aththai Magane"	P. Susheela	04:07
"Ettadakku Maligaiyil"	P. Susheela	04:24
"Kadhal Enbathu"	P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela, J. P. Chandrababu, L. R. Eswari	04:58
"Poojaikku Vantha"	P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki	03:54
"Sonnathellam"	P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari	03:48
"Thaniya Thavikkira"	J. P. Chandrababu	03:44
"Unathu Malar"	P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari	03:59
"Veedu Varai Uravu"	T. M. Soundararajan	05:25

Release and reception

Paadha Kaanikkai was released on 14 July 1962.^[6] The Indian Express stated on 10 August, "In Saravana Films' [Paatha Kaanikai], one gets to know what boredom is. A meaning or purpose is difficult to deduce from this shoddy yarn." The reviewer noted that the characters were "poorly drawn" and criticised the direction by K. Shankar, but noted that the actors "make the best of a bad job".^[7] Kalki negatively reviewed the film but praised the performances of certain actors.^[8] According to historian Randor Guy, the film failed commercially, mainly due to "its predictable storyline and theatrical look."^[3]