Aravalli (film)

1957 Indian film

Aravalli

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Krishna Rao
Written by| V. N. Sambantham
Screenplay by| V. N. Sambantham
Produced by| T. R. Sundaram
Starring| G. Varalakshmi
S. G. Eshwar
Mynavathi
Kaka Radhakrishnan
T. P. Muthulakshmi
Cinematography| G. R. Nathan
Edited by| L. Balu
Music by| G. Ramanathan

Production
company

Modern Theatres

Distributed by| Modern Theatres

Release date

* 22 October 1957 (1957-10-22)

Running time

| 155 minutes
Country| India
Language| Tamil

Aravalli (Tamil pronunciation: [aːɾaʋaɭɭi]) is 1957 Indian Tamil-language fantasy action film directed by Krishna Rao and written by V. N. Sambantham. Produced by Modern Theatres, the film stars G. Varalakshmi, S. Mohana, S. G. Eshwar, Mynavathi and Kaka Radhakrishnan playing lead roles, with A. Karunanidhi, T. P. Muthulakshmi, M. S. Draupadi and V. Gopalakrishnan in supporting roles. It was released on 22 October 1957.[1]

In the film, two sisters with magical powers serve as co-rulers of the kingdom of Nellurupattinam. An astrologer forms a plan to depose the two queens in favor of their nephew. The young man wins the right to the throne after completing three challenges, and also marries a first cousin which he loves. But his aunt and new mother-in-law uses her daughter to poison him. The young man dies and is resurrected. He asks King Dharma for the right of revenge, but Dharma orders the execution of the man's wife instead of his aunts.

## Plot

[edit]

In the kingdom of Nellurupattinam, Aaravalli and her sister Sooravalli are the undisputed rulers. They were seven sisters, but the reins of control were in the hands of Aravalli and Sooravalli, who are described as having magical powers. Bheema offers to conquer them, however he is defeated by these women, who also humiliate him and lock him up in prison. However, Bheema manages to escape the prison. Sooravalli visits Indraprasta and she complains to King Dharma about his brother Bheema. Dharma concedes to her demands and sends back his brother to Nellurupattinam.

The astrologer Sahadevan formulates a master plan against the two cunning women. The plan is to use their nephew Alli Muthu, the son of their sister Sangavathy, for the specific purpose of challenging the position of sisters on behalf of the Pandavas. So, Alli Muthu and his companion named as Arayathi set out towards the kingdom Nellurupattinam.

On their arrival in Nellurupattinam, they meet the magician queens who ask Alli Muthu to undergo three challenges. Alli Muthu accepts these challenges and ventures to complete them. Alli Muthu meets Aaravalli's daughter Alangaravalli at the palace and is fascinated by her and eventually they both fall in love. Then, Alli Muthu performs the three challenges and comes victorious with the help of Alangaravalli. As a sign of their submission, the two queens offer their daughter Alangaravalli in marriage to the victorious Alli Muthu.

The newlywed couple and Arayathi arrive at Indraprasta kingdom. The pair make their way into forest where the bride in her innocence, follows the instruction of her mother and gives poisoned sweets to her husband. After first intoxicating his sense with the fragrance of poisoned bouquet, she asks Arayathi for help to discover the dead body of her husband. Arayathi rescues her companion's life. She cursed her wicked mother and Aaravalli agrees all truth. Then, Sahadevan formulates a plan to discuss with Abimanyu and Arayathi, that Alli Muthu's life shall not end. So, Sahadevan wants to know which type of poison was used on Alli Muthu.

Abimanyu and Aryathi get help to Singaravalli, and told her in secret, that the poison is named as Karkotan. Meanwhile, Aaravalli hears the news, so she disguises herself like a woman saint and begs to Dharma for food. Dharma arranges for lunch for her, but she sees Alli Muthu's dead body and the angered saint leaves the house. Then, she was forced to burn Alli Muthu's dead body. King Dharma arranged for the ritual event and set fire to Alli Muthu's body. Fortunately, Abhimanyu reaches at the correct time and saves Alli Muthu's life and curses his defeat. Then Alli Muthu captures the Nelluru Pattinam Kingdom. The two queens and his wife were arrested.

They are tried in front of King Dharma. But the two queens reject the case. So, King Dharma gives punishment to Alli Muthu. Then Alangavalli admitted to all crimes. King Dharma gives judgement to her and Aaravalli. Alangaram's head was to be cut off and her mother was to catch it. Then Alangaram requests to King Dharma, that her head was to be cut off by her husband hands; her mother stops the punishment and approved, Alli Muthu defeats death. Then Alli Muthu reunites with his wife.

## Cast

[edit]

Cast according to the song book[2] and the opening credits.

Male cast

* S. G. Eshwar as Allimuthu
* V. Gopalakrishnan as Abhimanyu
* Kaka Radhakrishnan as Araichi
* A. Karunanidhi as Naman
* K. Natarajan as Dharmar
* S. M. Thirupathisami as Bheeman
* T. N. Sivathanu as King
* Azhwar Kuppusami as King
* K. N. Venkatraman as King
* S. S. Sivasooriyan as King
* Pakkirisami as King
* Nambirajan as King
* K. Sairam as Maragathavalli's husband
* K. K. Soundar as Prisoner
* Singaram as Veeramanni
* V. S. Raju

Female cast

* G. Varalakshmi as Aaravalli
* M. Mynavathi as Alangaravalli
* M. S. Draupadi as Sangavathi
* S. Mohana as Sooravalli
* T. P. Muthulakshmi as Singaravalli
* G. Sakunthala as Maragathavalli
* M. Saroja as Chithravalli

Dance

* K. Rita Devi
* P. T. Saroja

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## Production

[edit]

Aravalli was directed by Krishna Rao, produced by T. R. Sundaram and written by V. N. Sambantham.[3]

## Soundtrack

[edit]

Music was composed by G. Ramanathan.[2][4] The song "Chinna Pennana Pothile" is based on "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" from The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)[5][6] and "Chinna Kutty Nathana" includes elements of Baila, a Sri Lankan music genre.[7]

Song | Singer | Lyrics | Length (m:ss)

|
|
|

"Aaravalli Sooravalli" | G. Ramanathan |  | 2:58
"Chinna Kutty Nathana" | Thiruchi Loganathan | Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram | 2:05
"Uyirodu Poradum" | C. S. Jayaraman |  | 2:56
"Aambala Un Mel" |  |  | 2:45
"Thudikkum Yauvanam"
Raga: Kalyani | Jikki |  | 4:27
"Thirumbi Paaru Thambi" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Thiruchi Loganathan | Villiputhan (?) | 2:11
"Anbe Enthan Munnale" | A. M. Rajah & Jikki |  | 3:22
"Chinna Pennana Pothile" | A. M. Rajah & Jikki | Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram | 2:29
"Maanamellam Ponna Pinne" | Thiruchi Loganathan & T. M. Soundararajan |  | 2:11
"Pengalai Pazhipaavar Yaar" | T. V. Rathnam |  |
"Sengamma Idhu Angamma" | A. G. Rathnamala, Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Thiruchi Loganathan |  | 3:13
"Ila Meesaiyulla Ambalainga" | T. V. Rathnam & K. Jamuna Rani |  | 3:29
"Kummalam Pottathellam" (F) | T. V. Rathnam & A. G. Rathnamala |  | 3:12
"Kummalam Pottathellam" (M) | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Thiruchi Loganathan |  | 3:11
"Pazhakkamillatha Kazhuthaikitta" | Thiruchi Loganathan & Seerkazhi Govindarajan | Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram | 2:19
"Maanjal Poosi Varum" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Thiruchi Loganathan |  | 3:07
"Adivarum Thendralada" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan |  | 2:58

## Reception

[edit]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2024)

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[8]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Aravalli". The Indian Express. 22 October 1957. p. 1. Retrieved 10 April 2019 – via Google News Archive.
2. ^ a b Aaravalli (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Modern Theatres. 1957. Retrieved 23 June 2022 – via Internet Archive.
3. ^ "1957 – ஆரவல்லி – தி மாடர்ன் தியேட்டர்ஸ் சேலம்" [1957 – Aravalli – The Modern Theatres Salem]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
4. ^ Neelamegam, G. (December 2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 122.
5. ^ Pillai 2015, pp. 83, 97.
6. ^ Jeyaraj, D.B.S. (27 July 2019). "Singer-Actress Doris Day's evergreen signature song 'Que Sera Sera'". Daily FT. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
7. ^ Vamanan (6 February 2018). "His Surangani ferried Baila tunes from Lankan shores". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
8. ^ "ஆரவல்லி". Kalki (in Tamil). 10 November 1957. p. 22\. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2021.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Pillai, Swarnavel Eswaran (2015). Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema. India: SAGE Publications. ISBN 9789351502128.

## External links

[edit]

* Aravalli at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Modern Theatres

Key people|

* T. R. Sundaram (founder)

Films produced|

| 1930s|

* Modern Girl (1935)
* Bandit of the Air (1936)
* Country Girl (1936)
* Modern Lady (1936)
* Modern Youth (1937)
* Mr. Ammanchi (1937)
* Naveena Nirupama (1937)
* Padma Jothi (1937)
* Sathi Ahalya (1937)
* Balan (1938)
* Dhaksha Yagnam (1938)
* Kambar (1938)
* Maya Mayavan (1938)
* Mayuradhawaja (1938)
* Santhanadevan (1938)
* Thayumanavar (1938)
* Maanikka Vaasakar (1939)
* Manmadha Vijayam (1939)
* Sathyavaani (1939)
* Sri Sankarachariyar (1939)

|

1940s|

* Harihara Maya (1940)
* Raja Yogam (1940)
* Sathyavaani (1940)
* Sathi Mahananda (1940)
* Sathi Murali (1940)
* Uthama Puthiran (1940)
* Vikrama Oorvasi (1941)
* Bhaktha Gowri (1941)
* Dhayalan (1941)
* Ashok (1942)
* Manonmani (1942)
* Sathi Suganya (1942)
* Sivalinga Satchi (1942)
* Arundhathi (1943)
* Dewan Bahadur (1943)
* Soorapuli (1943)
* Sow Sow (1944)
* Rajarajeswari (1944)
* Burma Rani (1945)
* Chitra (1946)
* Sangram (1946)
* Subhathra (1946)
* 1000 Thalaivangi Apoorva Chinthamani (1947)
* Sulochana (1947)
* Adhithan Kanavu (1948)
* Ahimasa Yuddham (1948)
* Bhojan (1948)

1950s|

* Thigambara Samiar (1950)
* Manthiri Kumari (1950)
* Maaya Rambha (1950)
* Ponmudi (1950)
* Aada Janma (1951)
* Sarvadhikari (1951)
* Kaadu (1952)
* The Jungle (1952)
* Atthinti Kapuram (1952)
* Kalyani (1952)
* Savathiporu (1952)
* Valayapathi (1952)
* Mangala Gowri (1953)
* Thirumbi Paar (1953)
* Deva Kannika (1954)
* Illara Jothi (1954)
* Sugam Enge (1954)
* Kathanayaki (1955)
* Maheswari (1955)
* Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956)
* Pasavalai (1956)
* Aravalli (1957)
* Kitna Badal Gaya Insan (1957)
* Veera Kankanam (1957)
* Petra Maganai Vitra Annai (1958)
* Engal Kuladevi (1959)
* Thalai Koduthaan Thambi (1959)
* Vannakili (1959)

1960s|

* Anna Chellalu (1960)
* Kaithi Kannayiram (1960)
* Kandam Becha Kottu (1961)
* Kumudham (1961)
* Modern Girl (1961)
* Kavitha (1962)
* Kattu Roja (1963)
* Konjum Kumari (1963)
* Yarukku Sontham (1963)
* Amma Enge (1964)
* Chitrangi (1964)
* Vallavanukku Vallavan (1965)
* Iru Vallavargal (1966)
* Monagallaku Monagadu (1966)
* Vallavan Oruvan (1966)
* Ethirigal Jakkirathai (1967)
* Kadhalithal Podhuma (1967)
* Evaru Monagadu (1968)
* Naangu Killadigal (1969)

1970s|

* CID Shankar (1970)
* Justice Viswanathan (1971)
* Nenu Manishine (1971)
* Karunthel Kannayiram (1972)
* Thedi Vandha Lakshmi (1973)
* Prayachitham (1974)
* Kaali Koyil Kabali (1979)
* Vallavan Varugiraan (1979)

1990s|

* Jenanaayakan (1999)

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