Kumara Raja (1961 film)

Kumara Raja
Theatrical release poster
Directed byG. K. Ramu
Screenplay byMurasoli Maran
Produced byK. Muniratnam
StarringJ. P. Chandrababu
T. S. Balaiah
M. N. Rajam
Suryakala
CinematographyG. K. Ramu
Music byT. R. Pappa
Production
company
Sivakami Pictures
Release date
  • 21 April 1961 (1961-04-21)[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Kumara Raja (transl. Prince) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language film directed by G. K. Ramu. The film stars J. P. Chandrababu, T. S. Balaiah and M. N. Rajam.[2] It was released on 21 April 1961.[3]

Plot

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A wealthy man (T. S. Balaiah) has a son (J. P. Chandrababu) who spends his money and time singing and dancing with girls. The father tries to marry him to a modest girl (M. N. Rajam). But the son spends most of his time with his girl friend (Suryakala). How the son is brought back to normal life forms the rest of the story.[2]

Cast

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The list was adapted from Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2[4]

Production

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J. P. Chandrababu, who was playing mostly comedian roles was cast in the main role. At a time when bigger stars like M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan were paid salaries ranging from 50,000 (equivalent to 4.4 million or US$53,000 in 2023)—60,000 (equivalent to 5.3 million or US$64,000 in 2023), Chandrababu received 100,000 (equivalent to 8.8 million or US$110,000 in 2023) for this film.[4] The film was in production as early as 1960.[5]

Soundtrack

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Music was composed by T. R. Pappa while the lyrics were penned by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, A. Maruthakasi, Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and K. D. Santhanam.[4]

Song Singer/s Lyricist Duration
"Yettil Padithathodu Irundhuvidaathe" P. Leela Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram 03:12
"Kandaleh Podhum, Kadhal Vandhu Modhum" K. Jamuna Rani & Group
"Manamagalaaga Varum Mangai Evalo" V. N. Sundaram 02:54
"Naan Vandhu Serndha Idam Nalla Idam" V. N. Sundaram & P. Leela 03:50
"Ennai Paartha Kannu Veru Pennai Parkuma" J. P. Chandrababu & K. Jamuna Rani
"Moodinaalum Thiranthaalum" K. D. Santhanam
"Onnume Puriyalae Ulagathile" J. P. Chandrababu 03:20
"Aanundu Paada, Pennundu Aada" J. P. Chandrababu & P. Leela 03:00
"Angadikadai Veedhiyile" Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & A. G. Rathnamala Thanjai Ramaiah Dass
"Kannalagi Bhama, Enmunne Vaamma" K. Jamuna Rani A. Maruthakasi

Reception

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Kanthan of Kalki wrote that when the producers themselves did not care about the script, why should the viewer care about it.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "1961 – குமார ராஜா – சிவகாமி பிக்சர்ஸ்" [1961 – Kumara Raja – Sivakami Pictures]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 8 March 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b Guy, Randor (3 March 2012). "Kumara Raja 1961". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Kumara Raja". The Indian Express. 21 April 1961. p. 12. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  4. ^ a b c Neelamegam, G. (2016). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2 (in Tamil). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 20.
  5. ^ "Kumara Raja". The Indian Express. 13 April 1960. p. 12. Retrieved 12 November 2022 – via Google News Archive.
  6. ^ "குமார ராஜா". Kalki (in Tamil). 21 May 1961. p. 53. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024 – via Internet Archive.
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