Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan Part 10

[ScottAlise]

Kai Kodutha Deivam



Kai Kodutha Deviam released in 1964 .Another busy year for NT with almost 7 releases in that year out of which 5 movies were hundred days ( including Karnan & Navarathri) which means NT face in movies would have been screened almost the whole year in some theatres with movies changed periodically mostly due to agreement to release new movies


I bought this DVD long back but never cared to watch it as I was very much interested in watching commercial movies but I saw the DVD cover and decided to give it a try courtesy Mayyam thread hubbers who were analyzing various facets of NT acting in movies.


I started watching it without any interest and started watching it keenly

It was one of those beautiful movie which begins in Amritsar( Courtesy: Cameraman : Karnan of Jambu fame) where SSR lands in coat suit with unshaved face and roams the city as a vagabond (as credits roll) only to find himself in a room . He wakes up at the same time Camera focuses on a cigarette which is being smoked and a smile evokes on screen with beautiful eyes, hairstyle( just like director Hari). Screen is filled with Whistles, claps . No prizes for guessing its NT at his usual best

He asks the reason for SSR’s condition and finds out he is a rich man’s son on his way to sucide attempt and reveals that he too was in same condition until last month and has found a peon job for himself . He persuades Ravi( SSR) to stay with him and suddenly Ravi gets a job in NT office( Courtesy NT)

Life is going on smoothly until Raghu( NT) father falls ill & Ravi sends them money which causes a unbreakable bondage(mentally arrested in friendhip). Menawhile Ravi falls in love with a Punjabi girl(KR Vijaya), a character which does not suit her but her tight Salwaar is good . However the director makes quick amends in form of NT who teaches her how to wear a sari, cook in South Indian style and transforms her into a typical South Indian Women.

A treat to watch those brilliantly executed sequences(Story: TS Mahadevan, Screenplay, dialogues, direction by king of family stories KSG)

Meanwhile we are introduced to a separate track in Chennai where SV Rangarao is a millionare and lives with his daughters Savithri & Puspalatha. Savithri is happy go lucky innocent , charming girl who does not care about the society (It might have inspired Panchu Arunachalam to create a smilar character Mayabazar oorvasi)
People talk ill of Savithri saying that she has an love affair with MR Radha, a rouge which is a story created by MR Radha.



Back to Amritsar office people bad talk about and alleged affair between NT & KR Vijaya angers NT and leads to a fight with SSR . The fight sequences, natural quarrel , helplessness about situation, outbursts are typical NT style, SSR on other hand is cool, suvave, not worrying about the issue as he knows(NT & KR vijaya) the truth.

Back home in Chennai NT finds that he has been called to see his bride. Meanwhile he is introduced to Savitri who tells him the truth how she got entangled in the gossip alleged affair between her & MR Radha. NT next day meets her in her home and accepts for marriage & communicates the same to his friend Ravi who disapproves it. NT could not accept the fact and bashes up MR Radha and quarrels with SSR & comes to know he is the brother of Savithri ( He argues that even if Savithri had an affair he must have said it and requested for marriage as their friendship is strong- beautiful natural dialogues for friendship ) . Meanwhile SVR and Savithri cannot digest the fact that her own brother has spoiled her marriage . NT meanwhile decides to marry her but is it possible is to be watched to get an answer



The movie in the first half especially office sequences, where NT would be the peon,SSR the manager and KRV as the typist would be fun.

NT remarks about his luck, KR Vijaya’s transformation into a south Indian Girl offers good entertainment and reassures two stalwarts acting prowessness. The next track in Chennai will be & but MRR will spice up things .

When we start to guess the movie is between NT, ssr & KR vijaya (Friendship, affair) sequences will change and Two tracks will merge and story will take a different turn. The strength of the script lies in the fact that when all viewers think both NT & SSR will quarrel and separate and again rejoin before climax, we are fooled as it never happens which kindles our interest in the movie

Though the movie would take a serious turn, pathos in the form of tears and sentiments would be adequate not over dosage of tears

This movie had other great stalwarts other than NTs and they were SVR and MRR. SVR as a helpless father & MRR as a rouge is a treat to watch especially MRR’s expressions is a feast for our eyes, his one liners especially . Karnan's camera work especially during the boat sequence of Sindhu Nadhiyin would be very much different to that of the camera angles which used to be seen during those days.
NT acting in those sequences is mindblowing would have probably inspired actors doing double roles. No duet inspite of having two heroines

Savithri acting in one word ------------ Nadigayar Thilagam.

Mellisai Mannargal's ,songs were a treat. Ayirathil Oruthi amma nee, Kulunga Kulunga sirikkum sirippil along with the ever green sindhu Nadhiyin (The song which was eventually used to sung by most of the competitors taking part in Bharathi songs competition) still continue to be widely heard.

A family treat where every one shares a equal footing . Those who accuse NT for overacting, not giving space for others can very well watch this before saying it again. Iam sure those who watch it or watched it would change their opinion in this regard.