Dikkatra Parvathi

Dikkatra Parvathi
Directed by	Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
Produced by	M. Lakshmikantha Reddy, H. M. Sanjeeva Reddy
Starring	Shreekanth Lakshmi
Music by	Chitti Babu a.k.a "Veena" Chitti Babu
Cinematography	M. Ravivarma
Release date(s)	1974
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Dikkatra Parvathi is a 1974 Tamil language film starring Sreekanth and Lakshmi in the lead roles. Written by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The movie was adapted from a novel by the same name written by C. Rajagopalachari.

Plot

The story espouses the evils of drink, Parvathi (Lakshmi) is a happy girl just married to a very loving husband, Karuppan(Sreekanth). With kind parents-in-law and a doting husband, her life is blissful. Soon, she is blessed with a child. Karuppan wants to increase his earnings and decides to buy a cart, though Parvathi is unwilling, asserting it is happier to be contented with what they have. However Karuppan takes a loan from a money lender and buys a cart. Initially, everything looks rosy. But Karuppan happens to cross the toddy shops on his way home. Slowly, he is initiated into the habit of drink and soon becomes an addict. Parvathi’s life changes into one of hardship and woe. The neglect of Karuppan results in the death of the child. Parvathi’s life becomes tragic. Karuppan is not able to repay the loan. The money lender’s son takes advantage of increasingly abominable attitude of her husband. Parvathi helplessly gives in to the approaches of the moneylender’s son. Coming to know about this, Karuppan throws a scythe at the moneylender’s son, which nearly kills him. Karuppan is arrested. Parvathi is rejected by her kith and kin. Alone she struggles to get her husband released. On the advice of a lawyer she makes a statement in the court that she is guilty, thinking it will facilitate the release of her husband. Karuppan is released, but angered by her statement, rejects her. Dismayed, Parvathi climbs up the hill and ends her trouble by committing suicide.

Cast

• Lakshmi
• Sreekanth
• Y. Gee. Mahendra
• Poornam Vishwanathan
• Typist Gopu

Production

• The film was sponsored by the Film Finance Corporation of India which subsequently became National Film Development Corporation of India

• This is the first and last film from a story by Rajaji(C. Rajagopalachari).

• The Tamilnadu government purchased the film for its purposeful content and aesthetic values. This is the first time in film history that a State Government has purchased a film after its release.

• This is the first neo realistic film in Tamil cinema.

• For the first time, the court scenes were shot in the actual court at Hosur and the local lawyers participated.

• Y. Gee. Mahendra was introduced in this film.

• The film was shot in Thorapalle, the birthplace of Rajaji.

• The signature of Rajaji in the letter of permission given to Singeetam Srinivasa Rao is the last signature of his life.

Reception

• The movie was critically acclaimed.

• The film won the film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil in 1975.^[1]

• Filmfare Best Actress Award (Tamil) for Lakshmi in 1975^[2]

• Filmfare Best Film Award (Tamil) in 1975^[2]

Music

Chitti Babu composed 2 songs for the movie. One written by Rajaji and another sung by Vani Jairam - "Aagaayam Mazhai Pozhindaal", penned by the legendary Kannadasan was a popular number in its time.

References

1. ^ "21st National awards for films". Directorate of Film Festivals. http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm21stNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=21NFA.pdf. Retrieved 4 June 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984. http://books.google.co.in/books?ei=o6TSTZTZENHOrQf55YWmCQ&ct=result&id=kh-2AAAAIAAJ&dq=gnana+oli&q=gemini#search_anchor.