Kanchana (1952)
Kanchana
Release date : 11 October 1952
The onscreen adaptation of Tripurasundari’s popular novel Kanchaniyan Kanavu, Pakshiraja Studios produced the film in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam with the aim of tripling the box-office prospects. They also chose the most bankable stars of the time for the 3 versions – Miss Kumari, Lalita & Padmini along with the singing star K. R. Ramaswamy. Miss Kumari as Dr Seetha, who proves to be the nemesis for the philandering zamindar was brilliant in her role, reiterating once again why she was the unchallenged actor-star of her times in Malayalam cinema.
Movie Handbill
Publicity Still from Kanchana (1952)
More about the Movie
| Miss Kumari | Lalitha |
| KR Ramaswami | Padmini |
| PA Thomas | Aranmula Ponnamma |
| K Doraiswamy | KS Kannayya |
| MN Nambiar | NS Narayana Pillai |
| TS Doraraj | Thankam |
| Thankamma |
| Director | Shri Ramulu Naidu |
| Producer | Shri Ramulu Naidu |
| Banner | Pakshiraja Studio |
| Story | Lekshmi (Thripurasundari) |
| Screenplay | Munshi Paramupillai |
| Dialogues | Munshi Paramupillai, Manikiam |
| Lyrics | Abhayadev, Muthuswamy Dikshithar |
| Music | SM Subbaiah Naidu, Muthuswamy Dikshithar |
| Playback Singers | Jayalakshmi (Radhajayalakshmi), ML Vasanthakumari, PA Periyanaayaki |
| Cinematography | Shailan Bose |
| Choreography | Gopinath |
| Studio | Pakshiraja Coimbatore |
Copyrights & Courtesy : The Hindu (B Vijayakumar’s MetroPlus Kochi Column)
Pushpanathan (K. R. Ramaswamy) takes over as Zamindar of Mathur. His widowed mother Ponnammal (Aranmula Ponnamma) wants her son to lead a peaceful life looking after the agricultural lands owned by the family. But Pushpanathan is persuaded by his college mate Manohar (M. N. Nambiar) to start a textile mill. Manohar’s wicked eye is on the wealth of Pushpanathan.
Manohar introduces Pushpanathan to a dancer in the city, Bhanumathi (Padmini). Daughter of a prostitute Bhanumathi leads a honourable life, quite against the wish of her mother. Bhanumathi is in love with Pushpanathan. Manohar manages to manipulate and divert Pushpanathan’s wealth in the cover of the setting up the textile mill.
Neelamegham Pillai (K. Doraiswamy), the former accountant of the Mathur Zamindar, now lives in utter poverty, struggling to bring up his grand children Kanchana (Lalitha) and Sabeshan (P. A. Thomas), who is studying for Medicine. Pushpanathan comes to help the old servant of his family and he becomes enamoured by Kanchana. Shortly afterwards, Pushpanathan weds Kanchana. He assures Bhanumathi that his marriage will not affect his love for her.
Kanchana who had dreamt of a luxurious and happy life as the Zamindar’s wife is ill-treated by her mother-in-law. And she is heart-broken when she comes to know of her husband’s relationship with Bhanumathi.
The financial crisis caused by the borrowings for the construction of the textile mill and domestic worries disturbs Pushanathan’s peace of mind. At this juncture a young lady doctor, Seetha (Miss Kumari) comes to Mathur. Pushpanathan is drawn to her. But Seetha is in love with Kanchana’s brother and her college mate doctor Sabeshan.
Kanchana burns with suspicion and jealousy. To add insult to injury, Pushpanathan beats Kanchana in the presence of Seetha. Disapproving of Pushpanathan’s amorous approaches Seetha leaves Mathur. Pushpanathan vents his anger against Kanchana, who, unable to take it anymore leave home. Pushpanathan does not allow Kanchana to take her son with her.
Doctor Sabeshan misunderstands Seetha and leaves the village. Ponnammal gradually begins to realise what the value of Kanchana. She asks Pushpanathan to bring Kanchana back. Even Bhanumathi pleads with Pushpanathan to bring his wife back home.
Bhanumathi dies. All her wealth is transferred to Kanchana’s son. Pushpanathan brings Kanchana home. All misunderstandings are cleared. Sabeshan weds Seetha.
Songs from the Movie
Publicity Still – Kanchana (1952)
