View the
introductory speech on Poompukar by Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanithi.
Karunanidhi is an
Indian politician and the 3rd Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He is the President
of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He is also known for his writing works in the
Tamil film industry. During the play “Thooku Medai”, M. R. Radha gave him the
title “Kalaignar”. Kalaignar is known for his contributions to Tamil
literature. His contributions cover a wide range: poems, letters, screenplays,
novels, biographies, historical novels, stage-plays, dialogues and movie songs.
Poompuhar is a
Tamil epic film directed by P. Neelakantan based on one of The Five Great Epics
of Tamil Literature Silapadhigaram.
SS. Rajendran, C.
R. Vijayakumari, Rajasree and K. B. Sundarambal played the lead roles. Song
lyrics by Mayavanathan, A. Somu, Mu Karunanidhi, Radha Manickam and Udumalai
Narayana Kavi and music by R. Sudarsanam.
Plot
Kovalan, the son of
a wealthy merchant in Kavirippoompattinam (Poompukar), married Kannagi, the
lovely daughter of another merchant. They lived together happily until Kovalan
met the courtesan Madhavi and fell in love with her. In his infatuation, he
left his wife Kannagi and gradually spent all his wealth on the dancer. At
last, penniless, Kovalan realised his mistake, and returned to Kannagi after a
year. Their only asset was a precious pair of anklets (Silambu), filled with
gems, which she gave to him willingly. With these as their capital they went to
the great city of Madurai, where Kovalan hoped to recoup his fortunes by trade.
The city of Madurai
was ruled by the Pandya king Neduncheziyan. Upon arrival to Madurai, Kovalan
set out to sell Kannagi's anklets. While on his way to sell the anklet, he was
held by the king's guards for the alleged theft of one of the queen's anklets.
Upon the king's orders, he was beheaded without trial. When Kannagi was
informed of this, she became furious, and set out to prove her husband's
innocence to the king, by showing him the anklets.
Kannagi came to the
king's court, broke open the anklet seized from Kovalan and showed that it
contained rubies, as opposed to the queen's anklets which contained pearls.
Realizing their fault, the king and the queen died. Unsatisfied, Kannagi tore
out a breast and flung it on the city, uttering a curse that the entire city be
burnt. Due to her utmost chastity, her curse became a reality.
Cast
S. S. Rajendran as
Kovalan, C. R. Vijayakumari as Kannagi, Rajasree as Madhavi, K. B. Sundarambal
as kavunthi adikal, Nagesh and Manorama.
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