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| {{short description|1952 film by Krishnan–Panju}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Parasakthi]] |
| {{good article}}
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| {{EngvarB|date=January 2022}}
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| {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
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| {{Infobox film
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| | name = Parasakthi
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| | image = Parasakthi poster.jpg
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| | border = no
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| | caption = Theatrical release poster
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| | director = [[Krishnan–Panju]]
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| | screenplay = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
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| | based_on = {{Based on|''Parasakthi''|Pavalar Balasundaram}}
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| | producer = P. A. Perumal Mudaliar
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| | starring = [[Sivaji Ganesan|V. C. Ganesan]]<br />[[S. V. Sahasranamam]]<br />[[S. S. Rajendran]]<br />[[Sriranjani Jr.]]<br />[[Pandari Bai]]
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| | cinematography = [[S. Maruti Rao]]
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| | editing = Panjabi
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| | music = [[R. Sudarsanam]] <br />'''Background score:''' Saraswathi Stores Orchestra
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| | studio = [[National Pictures]]
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| | distributor = National Pictures
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| | released = {{Film date|1952|10|17|df=y}}
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| | runtime = 188 minutes{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=327}}
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| | country = India
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| | language = Tamil
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| }}
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| '''''Parasakthi''''' ({{translation|The Supreme Goddess}}; {{IPA-ta|paɾaːsakti|pron}}) is a 1952 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[Krishnan–Panju]] and written by [[M. Karunanidhi]]. The film stars [[Sivaji Ganesan|V. C. Ganesan]], [[S. V. Sahasranamam]], [[S. S. Rajendran]], [[Sriranjani Jr.]], and [[Pandari Bai]]. It is the cinematic acting debut of Ganesan and Rajendran. Based on Pavalar Balasundaram's play of the same name, ''Parasakthi'' narrates the misfortunes that befall the members of a [[Tamils|Tamil]] family during [[World War II]].
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| [[Central Studios]] initially planned on creating a film based on the ''Parasakthi'' play and T. S. Natarajan's play ''En Thangai''; however, the idea was dropped after Natarajan objected. The film rights of ''Parasakthi'' were later bought by P. A. Perumal of [[National Pictures]], with the patronage of [[A. V. Meiyappan]]. The soundtrack was composed by [[R. Sudarsanam]], cinematography was handled by [[S. Maruti Rao]], and Panju edited the film under the alias "Panjabi". Filming began in mid-1950, but took over two years to complete
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| ''Parasakthi'' was released on 17 October 1952, during the festive occasion of [[Diwali]], and faced controversies because of its portrayal of [[Brahmin]]s and [[Hinduism|Hindu]] customs and practices in a negative light. The elitarian society including the then ruling State government even demanded the film to be banned. Despite these protests, the film was praised for its dialogues and the actors' performances, and became a commercial success with a theatrical run of over 175 days. ''Parasakthi'' acquired [[cult film|cult status]] in Tamil cinema and became a trendsetter for dialogues and acting for later Tamil films.
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| == Plot ==
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| Chandrasekaran, Gnanasekaran and Gunasekaran are three Indian immigrant brothers living in [[Yangon|Rangoon]], [[Myanmar|Burma]] with Chandrasekaran's wife Saraswati. Their younger sister Kalyani was raised in their home town [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]] by their father Manickampillai. In 1942, during [[World War II]], the three brothers and Saraswati plan to visit Madurai to attend the impending wedding of Kalyani to a writer named Thangappan. Due to war conditions and bombardment of Burmese ports by Japan, the shipping company offers only one ticket; Gunasekaran, the youngest brother, takes it and leaves for Tamil Nadu. The ship fails to reach on time due to the dangers of the war, and Kalyani's marriage takes place without any of her brothers present.
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| Kalyani becomes pregnant. But on the day she delivers her child, Thangappan dies in an accident and Manickampillai dies of shock, leaving Kalyani and her child destitute. Her house gets auctioned off, and she makes her living by selling food on the streets. Gunasekaran, after being stranded at sea for several months, finally arrives in Tamil Nadu at [[Chennai|Madras]]. However, while watching a dance performance, he is robbed of all his belongings after being [[Alcohol intoxication|intoxicated]]. Impoverished, he becomes enraged at the status of the once glorious Tamil Nadu, and fakes insanity by indulging in numerous tricks to make a living. Gunasekaran finally comes across his destitute sister at Madurai, having learned of their father's death and her poverty. He continues to play insane and does not reveal his true identity to her due to his poverty, but hovers around her. Kalyani is irritated by the stranger's behaviour, unaware that he is her brother.
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| Kalyani is nearly molested by a vagabond named Venu, but is saved by Gunasekaran. She later leaves Madurai and arrives at [[Tiruchirappalli|Tiruchi]], where she obtains work as a maid of blackmarketeer Narayana Pillai, who also tries to molest her. She is saved by his wife, and leaves the job. While searching for his sister, Gunasekaran reaches Tiruchi and comes across Vimala, a wealthy woman, to whom he explains the miserable status of him and his sister in the society. After resting in her house for a while, he silently leaves to continue searching for Kalyani.
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| As Japanese shelling intensifies in Burma, Chandrasekaran and Gnanasekaran decide to return to India. Chandrasekaran, accompanied by Saraswati, reaches Tiruchi safely and becomes a judge, but Gnanasekaran is lost in the journey and loses a leg in the shelling before arriving in India. He begs for a living, forms an association for beggars and tries to reform them. Kalyani reaches Chandrasekaran's palatial house seeking food, but Chandrasekaran throws her out without recognising her. She later arrives at a temple seeking help, but the ''[[pujari]]'' also tries to molest her. Frustrated with life and unable to feed her child, Kalyani throws it into a river and attempts suicide, but is soon arrested for killing the child and brought for trial.
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| At the court, Kalyani defends her act of infanticide with the judge being Chandrasekaran, who after hearing her story realises she is his sister, and faints. Gunasekaran is also brought to the court for having attacked the ''pujari'' who tried to molest his sister. During his trial, Gunasekaran explains the misfortunes which have befallen him and his family, and justifies his actions. Gunasekaran's valiant defence in the court awakens everyone on the ills of the society. As the trial proceeds, Vimala arrives and produces Kalyani's child, which was revealed to have safely fallen in her boat instead of the river. Kalyani and Gunasekaran are pardoned and acquitted by the court, and reunite with Chandrasekaran. Gnanasekaran, while collecting donations for his association of beggars, also joins them unexpectedly. With Vimala and Gunasekaran deciding to get married, the family subsequently inaugurates a welfare home for orphans.
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| == Cast ==
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| [[File:Parasakthi cast.jpg|thumb|right|<small>L to R:</small> S. V. Sahasranamam, Sivaji Ganesan and S. S. Rajendran]]
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| <!-- Cast according to the opening credits -->
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| {{Col-begin|width=60%}}
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| {{col-break|width=50%}}
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| ;Male cast<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Parasakthi |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[National Pictures]] |year=1952 |place=India |time=2:03}}</ref>
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| * [[Sivaji Ganesan|V. C. Ganesan]] as Gunasekaran
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| * [[S. V. Sahasranamam]] as Chandrasekaran
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| * [[S. S. Rajendran]] as Gnanasekaran
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| * Duraisami as Manikkam Pillai
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| * [[T. K. Ramachandran]] as Venu
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| * K. M. Nambirajan as Vellai Sami
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| * Venkatraman as Thangappan
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| * [[V. K. Ramasamy (actor)|V. K. Ramasamy]] as Narayana Pillai
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| * K. P. Kamakshi as the ''[[pujari]]''
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| * M. N. Krishnan as Kuppan
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| * Sakthivel as the Servant
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| * D. V. Narayanasami as Thambidurai
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| * V. K. Karthikeyan as Tamil Pandit
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| {{col-break|width=50%}}
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| ;Female cast<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Parasakthi |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[National Pictures]] |year=1952 |place=India |time=2:17}}</ref>
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| * [[Sriranjani Jr.|Sriranjani]] as Kalyani
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| * [[Pandari Bai]] as Vimala
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| * <!-- V. -->Susheela as Saraswathi
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| * Kannamma as Jolly
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| * Angamuthu as the fruit seller
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| * [[T. P. Muthulakshmi|Muthulakshmi]] as Kantha
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| * A. S. Jaya as Parvathi
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| ;Dance<ref name="Dance" />
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| * [[Kumari Kamala]]
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| * [[Kusalakumari]]
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| {{Col-end}}
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| Additionally, [[Kannadasan]] makes an uncredited appearance as a judge.<ref name="Kannadasan" />
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| == Production ==
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| === Development ===
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| ''Parasakthi'' was a popular 1950s Tamil play written by Pavalar Balasundaram, a Tamil scholar.<ref name="BLAST" />{{sfn|Guy|2016|pp=328-329}} Around the same time, ''En Thangai'' (My Sister), written by T. S. Natarajan, became popular. [[Sivaji Ganesan]], at that time a struggling stage actor, acted in ''En Thangai'' as "a brother sacrificing his love for the sake of his sightless kid sister."<ref name="BLAST" /> The pre-production crew at [[Central Studios]], [[Coimbatore]], initially planned to merge these two plays to make a film. However, Natarajan disagreed with the idea, and sold the rights of the play to another producer.<ref name="BLAST" /><ref name="En Thangai 1952" /> ''En Thangai'' was made into [[En Thangai (1952 film)|a film with the same name]].<ref name="En Thangai 1952" />
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| Later, film distributor P. A. Perumal of National Pictures, with the patronage of [[A. V. Meiyappan]] of [[AVM Productions]], bought the film rights of ''Parasakthi''.<ref name="BLAST" /> The duo [[Krishnan–Panju]] were signed on to direct at Meiyappan's suggestion,{{sfn|Guy|2016|p=331}} and [[M. Karunanidhi]], who would later become the [[List of chief ministers of Tamil Nadu|Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]], was signed to write the script.<ref name="Economic" /> The cinematography was handled by [[S. Maruti Rao]],{{sfn|Pillai|2015|p=133}} while the songs were choreographed by Heeralal.<ref name="Dance" /> Panju edited the film under the alias "Panjabi".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=1 March 2015 |title=Remembering Panju |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu/20150301/282428462643302 |access-date=29 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524075037/https://in.newshub.org/remembering-panju-12679787.html |archive-date=24 May 2022}}</ref>
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| === Casting and filming ===
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| Ganesan, the stage actor of ''En Thangai'' was chosen to play the male lead, making his cinematic acting debut.<ref name="BLAST" /> Perumal cast Ganesan after being impressed with his performance as [[Nur Jahan]] in the Sakthi Nadaga Sabha play of the same name.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raman |first=Mohan V. |author-link=Mohan Raman |date=8 April 2013 |title=The power of the pen |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-power-of-the-pen/article4594630.ece |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220142438/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-power-of-the-pen/article4594630.ece |archive-date=20 February 2022}}</ref> It was he who, in 1950, gave Ganesan a flight ticket to Madras for the screen test for ''Parasakthi''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Nitya |date=23 July 2014 |title=Bearing a legend's name |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/bearing-a-legends-name/article6238923.ece |access-date=19 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519075854/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/bearing-a-legends-name/article6238923.ece |archive-date=19 May 2022}}</ref> Ganesan had simultaneously shot for the Telugu-Tamil bilingual film [[Paradesi (1953 film)|''Paradesi / Poongothai'']], which was supposed to be his actual film to release first,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gopalakrishnan |first=Anu |date=24 August 2012 |title=Glamour or Grammar, he has it right! |url=http://www.miindia.com/articles/anr-interview.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629213610/http://www.miindia.com/articles/anr-interview.aspx |archive-date=29 June 2013 |access-date=14 May 2013 |website=Miindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=17 February 2011 |title=Saga of success |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Saga-of-success/article15448172.ece |url-status=live |access-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218165311/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Saga-of-success/article15448172.ece |archive-date=18 December 2022}}</ref> but released much later after Perumal requested its co-producer [[Anjali Devi]] to let ''Parasakthi'' release first.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Narasimhan |first=M. L. |date=16 November 2013 |title=Paradesi (1953) |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/paradesi-1953/article5358063.ece |url-status=live |access-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119035007/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/paradesi-1953/article5358063.ece |archive-date=19 November 2022}}</ref> Ganesan had earlier dubbed for actor [[Mukkamala (actor)|Mukkamala]] in the 1951 Tamil film ''[[Nirdoshi (1951 film)|Niraparadhi]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=14 November 2011 |title=Niraparadhi 1951 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/niraparadhi-1951/article3023553.ece |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304060635/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/niraparadhi-1951/article3023553.ece |archive-date=4 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=27 July 2001 |title=Talent, charisma and much more |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2001/07/27/stories/09270225.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=19 March 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150221164335/http://www.thehindu.com/2001/07/27/stories/09270225.htm |archive-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>
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| [[File:Parasakthi AVM shooting spot.jpg|thumb|The shooting of ''Parasakthi'' at AVM Studios]]
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| ''Parasakthi'' did not begin well for Ganesan. When shooting began and 2000 feet of the film was shot, Meiyappan was dissatisfied with Ganesan's "thin" physique, and wanted him replaced with [[K. R. Ramasamy (actor)|K. R. Ramasamy]]. Perumal refused, and Ganesan was retained. Meiyappan was also satisfied with the final results of the film. The initial scenes of Ganesan which he earlier disliked were reshot.{{sfn|Pillai|2015|p=136}} Karunanidhi later recalled that Ramasamy was unable to accept the film due to other commitments.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karunanidhi |first=M |author-link=M. Karunanidhi |date=2 October 2013 |title=Cinema for a cause |work=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]] |url=http://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/cinema-for-a-cause/article5189240.ece |access-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012200428/http://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/cinema-for-a-cause/article5189240.ece |archive-date=12 October 2022}}</ref> Ganesan was paid a monthly salary of {{INR}}250 (about US$52.5 in 1952{{efn|name=exchange1948}}) for acting in the film.{{sfn|Kannan|2010|p=195}} [[S. S. Rajendran]], another successful stage artist, also debuted in ''Parasakthi'' after the advice of politician [[C. N. Annadurai]].{{sfn|Velayutham|2008|p=67}} According to historian [[Film News Anandan]], ''Parasakthi'' was one of the few films at that time to be "completely driven" by stage artists.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Damodaran |first=Pradeep |date=27 October 2014 |title=Tamil cinema still entwined with politics |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141027/entertainment-kollywood/article/tamil-cinema-still-entwined-politics |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206171511/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141027/entertainment-kollywood/article/tamil-cinema-still-entwined-politics |archive-date=6 December 2022}}</ref>
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| [[Rajasulochana]] was initially cast as the female lead, but opted out due to her pregnancy, and was eventually replaced by [[Sriranjani Jr.]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=5 March 2013 |title=The queen of the screen |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-queen-of-the-screen/article4478600.ece |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308151037/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-queen-of-the-screen/article4478600.ece |archive-date=8 March 2022}}</ref> [[Pandari Bai]] was added to the film, after Meiyappan was impressed with her performance in ''[[Raja Vikrama]]'' (1950).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=14 February 2003 |title=Actress who glowed with inner beauty |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/02/14/stories/2003021401030300.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=4 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030405062026/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/02/14/stories/2003021401030300.htm |archive-date=5 April 2022}}</ref> Poet [[Kannadasan]] declined to work as one of the film's lyricists, and instead acted in a minor role as a judge, as he was "determined to take part in the ''Parasakthi'' movie".<ref name="Kannadasan" /> A portrait of lawyer [[P. Theagaraya Chetty]] was used to portray the father-in-law of [[S. V. Sahasranamam]]'s character Chandrasekaran.{{sfn|Kannan|2010|p=196}} The film's climax song "Ellorum Vazha Vendum" featured [[stock footage]] of the politicians [[C. Rajagopalachari]], [[Periyar|E. V. Ramasamy]], [[M. Bhaktavatsalam]], Annadurai, and Karunanidhi.{{sfn|Pillai|2015|p=148}} Although Ganesan began working on the film in mid-1950, it took over two years to complete.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raman |first=Mohan V. |author-link=Mohan Raman |date=20 June 2009 |title=PARASAKTHI — Special day Cover |url=http://mohanramanmuses.blogspot.in/2009/07/parasakthi-special-day-cover.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816153454/http://mohanramanmuses.blogspot.in/2009/07/parasakthi-special-day-cover.html |archive-date=16 August 2016 |access-date=16 August 2016 |website=Mohan's Musings}}</ref>
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| == Themes ==
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| <!--http://www.slguardian.org/2016/06/tamil-nadu-and-tamils-overseas/--><!-- https://indiancine.ma/GPF/documents -->
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| {{Quote box
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| | quote = My intention was to introduce the ideas and policies of social reform and justice in the films and bring up the status of the Tamil language as they were called for in DMK policies.
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| | source = – Karunanidhi, in 1970{{sfn|Ramachandran|2012|p=13}}
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| | align = right
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| | width = 30%
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| }}
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| Panju stated that ''Parasakthi'' was designed to "create havoc. Of course, it did. We were challenging the social law itself, the basic Constitution itself".{{sfn|Velayutham|2008|p=63}} The title song of the film was composed by [[Bharathidasan]], keeping with the demand of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] party seeking a sovereign Dravidian nation. The poem glorifies the [[utopia]]n nature of the Dravidian nation and ends with a long monologue that grieves the present India's reality. When the female lead Kalyani becomes pregnant, she and her husband Thangappan decide to name the child "Pannirselvam" if it is a boy, and "Nagammai" if it is a girl. The names are references to [[A. T. Pannirselvam]], a prominent and respected leader of the [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] and Nagammai, a leading activist in the [[Self-Respect Movement]] and the wife of E. V. Ramasamy.{{sfn|Pandian|1991|p=759}} According to film historian Selvaraj Velayutham, ''Parasakthi'' was basically oriented to social reform.{{sfn|Velayutham|2008|p=69}} [[United News of India]] (UNI),<ref name="IBN" /> Malini Nair of ''[[The Times of India]]''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nair |first=Malini |date=3 February 2013 |title=When satire wasn't off-limits ... |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/When-satire-wasnt-off-limits-/articleshow/18313476.cms |access-date=27 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027072644/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/When-satire-wasnt-off-limits-/articleshow/18313476.cms |archive-date=27 October 2022}}</ref> and K. S. Sivakumaran of the Sri Lankan newspaper ''[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)|Daily News]]''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sivakumaran |first=K.S. |date=13 July 2011 |title=Film Appreciation with K S Sivakumaran: Early Tamil films |work=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)|Daily News]] |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/07/13/art06.asp |access-date=27 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027071334/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2001/pix/PrintPage.asp?REF=%2F2011%2F07%2F13%2Fart06.asp |archive-date=27 October 2022}}</ref> have referred to the film as a [[satire (film and television)|satire]], with UNI describing it as a "sociological satire".<ref name="IBN" />
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| The film deploys Kalyani's vulnerability as a widow in a hostile society, with consequent threats to her chastity, especially during the court trial scenes. The name Kalyani was chosen by the screenwriter to emphasise the contradiction between the meaning of her name indicating auspiciousness and her contrasting penury. The theme is expressed through Gunasekaran's arguments in the court : "[My] sister's name is Kalyani. An auspicious name [indeed]. But there is no {{'}}''mangalyam''{{'}} around [her] neck". Also, Vimala, who becomes Gunasekaran's bride, compares herself to [[Kannagi (Tamil mythology)|Kannagi]], a popular symbol of chastity in Tamil culture. Ganesan, who enacted the role of Gunasekaran in ''Parasakthi'', was a DMK activist in real life in 1952 and helped in propagating the theme of [[Dravida Nadu]]. The film attempted to bring to light the alleged [[Pious fraud|fraud]] in the name of religion and presented agnostic views, displaying a powerful critique of the Congress rule in the Madras Presidency.{{sfn|Pandian|1991|p=761}} Film historian [[Mohan Raman]] compared ''Parasakthi'' to ''[[Velaikari]]'' (1949), as both films featured a "court scene where the hero rids society of irrational beliefs and practices".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raman |first=Mohan V. |author-link=Mohan Raman |date=20 September 2014 |title=The man who started the trend |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/k-r-ramaswamy-the-man-who-started-the-trend/article6429708.ece |access-date=3 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103154151/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/k-r-ramaswamy-the-man-who-started-the-trend/article6429708.ece |archive-date=3 November 2022}}</ref>
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| == Music ==
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| The music of ''Parasakthi'' was composed by R. Sudarsanam.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/sok.Parasakthi_Krishnan-Panchu_1952 |title=பராசக்தி |publisher=[[National Pictures]] |year=1952 |language=ta |type=[[song book]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Parasakthi (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/parasakthi-original-motion/id929434896 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910183410/https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/parasakthi-original-motion/id929434896 |archive-date=10 September 2015 |access-date=11 September 2015 |website=[[iTunes]]}}</ref> The lyrics were written by [[Bharathidasan]], [[Subramania Bharati]], [[M. Karunanidhi]], Annal Thango, [[Udumalai Narayana Kavi]] and K. P. Kamatchisundaram.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Neelamegam |first=G. |title=Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 |publisher=Manivasagar Publishers |year=2014 |location=Chennai |pages=38 |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeshi |first=K. |date=10 September 2012 |title=Blockbusters of Coimbatore |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/blockbusters-of-coimbatore/article3881150.ece |url-status=live |access-date=30 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708044500/http://www.thehindu.com/books/blockbusters-of-coimbatore/article3881150.ece |archive-date=8 July 2022}}</ref> The background score was composed by the Chennai-based Saraswathi Stores Orchestra.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Parasakthi |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[National Pictures]] |year=1952 |place=India |time=1:47}}</ref> Relatively higher importance was given to the film's dialogues over its music,<ref name="Ultimate star" /> so the dialogues were sold separately on audio cassettes.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Baskaran |first1=S. Theodore |author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran |last2=Warrier |first2=Shobha |author-link2=Shobha Warrier |title=The Millennium Special: Theodore Baskaran on ten South Indian films that made history |url=http://m.rediff.com/millenni/theod.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006112511/http://m.rediff.com/millenni/theod.htm |archive-date=6 October 2015 |access-date=6 October 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Some of the numbers from ''Parasakthi'' were based on songs from Hindi films; one was a rehash from the [[Urdu]] film ''Akeli'' (1952).{{efn|S. Theodore Baskaran's 1996 book ''The Eye of the Serpent'' does not make any mention of the song names.{{sfn|Baskaran|1996|p=112}}}} The number "O Rasikkum Seemane" inspired "Itai Tazhukikkolla" from ''[[Periyar (2007 film)|Periyar]]'' (2007).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivas |first=Saraswathy |date=8 January 2007 |title=Music Review: Periyar is impressive |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/08ssperiyar.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126091800/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/08ssperiyar.htm |archive-date=26 January 2007 |access-date=9 May 2013 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> The 2010 film ''[[Rasikkum Seemane]]'' borrows its title from the song of the same name.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=15 February 2010 |title=Rasikkum Seemane lacks substance |url=http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/feb/15/south-tamil-review-rasikkum-seemane.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218215625/http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/feb/15/south-tamil-review-rasikkum-seemane.htm |archive-date=18 February 2010 |access-date=17 May 2013 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> A cryptic reference 'Annave' appears in the number "Kaa Kaa Kaa", in the line "''Kaakai Annave neengal azhagaana vaayaal pannaga paadureenga''", which translates to "Crow elder, you are singing so melodiously with your beautiful mouth".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sri Kantha |first=Sachi |author-link=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=1 September 2013 |title=Anna, Annachi, Annathe {{!}} Semantics of a sensitive, endearing Tamil word |url=http://sangam.org/anna-annachi-annathe/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704111420/http://sangam.org/anna-annachi-annathe/ |archive-date=4 July 2014 |access-date=21 January 2016 |website=[[Ilankai Tamil Sangam]]}}</ref> It was written by Narayana Kavi.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vamanan |date=5 May 2014 |title=Move over Kolaveri: Tender Poetry is Back in Film Songs |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_PASTISSUES2&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOICH/2014/05/05&ID=Ar00500 |access-date=27 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427093637/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib%3ALowLevelEntityToPrint_PASTISSUES2&Type=text%2Fhtml&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOICH%2F2014%2F05%2F05&ID=Ar00500 |archive-date=27 April 2022}}</ref>{{sfn|Guy|2016|p=333}} "Poomalai" is based on the Urdu song "Sanwariya, Tohe Koi Pukare" from the [[Cinema of Pakistan|Pakistani film]] ''Dupatta'' (1952).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bali |first=Karan |date=20 September 2015 |title=India's loss, Pakistan's gain: The journey of singing great Noor Jehan after 1947 |url=http://scroll.in/article/756301/indias-loss-pakistans-gain-the-journey-of-singing-great-noor-jehan-after-1947 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412141424/http://scroll.in/article/756301/indias-loss-pakistans-gain-the-journey-of-singing-great-noor-jehan-after-1947 |archive-date=12 April 2016 |access-date=25 February 2016 |website=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref> An album containing remixed versions of the songs of ''Parasakthi'' was released in on 3 June 2009, to commemorate Karunanidhi's 86th birthday.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 June 2009 |title=Songs written by MK for 1952 movie remixed |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article104912.ece |access-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412141433/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article104912.ece |archive-date=12 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 June 2009 |title=Album released |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/album-released/article252333.ece |access-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412141441/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/album-released/article252333.ece |archive-date=12 April 2022}}</ref>
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| {{Track listing
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| | headline = Track listing<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parasakthi (1952) |url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/album/T0001758.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091219192332/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/album/T0001758.html |archive-date=19 December 2009 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref>
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| | total_length = 35:46
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| | extra_column = Singers
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| | title1 = Desam Gnanam Kalvi
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| | extra1 = [[C. S. Jayaraman]]
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| | lyrics1 = Udumalai Narayana Kavi
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| | length1 = 3:26
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| | title2 = Kaa Kaa Kaa
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| | extra2 = C. S. Jayaraman
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| | lyrics2 = Udumalai Narayana Kavi
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| | length2 = 3:00
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| | title3 = Nenju Porkku Thillaiye
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| | extra3 = C. S. Jayaraman
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| | lyrics3 = Subramania Bharati
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| | length3 = 4:50
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| | title4 = Ill Vaazhviniley
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| | extra4 = T. S. Bagavathi, M. H. Hussain
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| | lyrics4 = Bharathidasan
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| | length4 = 2:07
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| | title5 = Puthu Pennin
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| | extra5 = M. S. Rajeswari
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| | lyrics5 = K. P. Kamatchisundaram
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| | length5 = 4:23
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| | title6 = Oh Rasikkum Seemane
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| | extra6 = M. S. Rajeswari
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| | lyrics6 = K. P. Kamatchisundaram
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| | length6 = 1:44
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| | title7 = Ellorum
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| | extra7 = T. S. Bagavathi, M. S. Rajeswari
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| | lyrics7 = Annal Thango
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| | length7 = 1:35
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| | title8 = Konju Mozhi
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| | extra8 = T. S. Bagavathi
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| | lyrics8 = K. P. Kamatchisundaram
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| | length8 = 3:03
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| | title9 = Poomaalai
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| | extra9 = T. S. Bagavathi
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| | lyrics9 = M. Karunanidhi
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| | length9 = 3:01
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| | title10 = Porule Illaarkku
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| | extra10 = T. S. Bagavathi
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| | lyrics10 = K. P. Kamatchisundaram
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| | length10 = 3:37
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| | title11 = Vaazhga Vaazhgave
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| | extra11 = [[M. L. Vasanthakumari]]
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| | lyrics11 = Bharathidasan
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| | length11 = 5:00
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| }}
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| == Release ==
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| [[File:Sivaji Parasakthi.jpg|thumbnail|245px|right|Sivaji Ganesan in ''Parasakthi '''s climactic court scene]]
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| ''Parasakthi'' was released on 17 October 1952, on [[Diwali]] day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 November 2013 |title=Released on Deepavali |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/released-on-deepavali/article5304910.ece |access-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202183812/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/released-on-deepavali/article5304910.ece |archive-date=2 December 2022}}</ref> It was regarded as a "propaganda vehicle for a new political party" and marked the start of cinema's "starring role in Tamil politics".<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 June 2013 |title=Lights, camera, election |work=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21579075-why-are-so-many-tamil-politicians-ex-film-stars-lights-camera-election |access-date=30 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629083224/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21579075-why-are-so-many-tamil-politicians-ex-film-stars-lights-camera-election |archive-date=29 June 2022}}</ref> Ganesan's performance in the film's court scene was also very well received by audience, and was considered to have propelled him to stardom.<ref name="Ultimate star" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramachandran |first=K. |date=14 March 2001 |title=Talk of the town |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/03/14/stories/0414401y.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=9 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710140102/http://www.hindu.com/2001/03/14/stories/0414401y.htm |archive-date=10 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=14 October 2002 |title=How V C Ganesan became Sivaji Ganesan |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/oct/14siv.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422062530/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/oct/14siv.htm |archive-date=22 April 2008 |access-date=9 April 2013 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> The film became an instant commercial success,<ref name="BLAST" /> running for over 175 days in several theatres, and was one of the first films to be screened at the [[Madurai]]-based Thangam theatre, which was noted as Asia's largest theatre at the time.<ref name="Economic" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Karthikeyan |first=D. |date=15 August 2011 |title=Climax to Thangam Theatre – it's razed down |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/climax-to-thangam-theatre-its-razed-down/article2358763.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=9 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708081347/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/climax-to-thangam-theatre-its-razed-down/article2358763.ece |archive-date=8 July 2022}}</ref> It ran for over 50 days in all the 62 centres it was released, and at the Sri Lanka-based Mailan Theatre, it ran for nearly 40 weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2015 |title=Lights, camera, politics |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/lights-camera-politics/article7070727.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816112024/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/lights-camera-politics/article7070727.ece |archive-date=16 August 2016 |access-date=16 August 2016 |website=Business Line}}</ref> ''Parasakthi''{{'}}s [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-dubbed version of the same name was released on 11 January 1957.{{sfn|Saravanan|2013|p=418}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baskaran |first=S. Theodore |title=Sivaji Ganesan: Profile of an Icon |publisher=Wisdom Tree |year=2008 |pages=87 |author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran}}</ref>
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| == Reception ==
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| ''Parasakthi'' received critical acclaim.{{sfn|Pillai|2015|p=99}} P. Balasubramania Mudaliar of ''[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)|Sunday Observer]]'' wrote, "The story is simple but it has been made powerful by Mr. Karunanidhi by his beautiful dialogues. Mr. Shivaji Ganesan, who plays the main role dominates from the beginning to the end" and concluded, "If an [[Academy Awards|Academy award]] were to be given to any picture, I have little doubt that this picture would be entitled on its merits to such an award."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mudaliar |first=P. Balasubramania |year=1952 |title=Parasakthi |work=Sunday Observer |url=http://www.freewebs.com/pammalar/filmreviews.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=19 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625063942/http://www.freewebs.com/pammalar/filmreviews.htm |archive-date=25 June 2022}}</ref> ''[[Dinamani]] Kadir'', a Tamil weekly owned by [[Indian Express Limited]] (then known as The Indian Express Group), carried an unusually long review of ''Parasakthi'' running into three closely printed pages. The review was given a cynical title, "''Kandarva Mandalam''" ("The Abode of Kandarvas") and it began with a small box-item which read, "''Parasakthi'': This goddess is abused in a Tamil film with her name". The reviewer opined, "The main aim of the film is to attach gods. Along with that, the government and society are overtly and covertly attacked. The embittered and agitated reviewer further claimed, "He [the hero of the film], acting as a mad man, threatens and beats the people on the street and grabs whatever they have and eats it. Then he goes to give repeatedly all those economics lectures, rationalist lectures and anti-god lectures. When we see the hero doing all that, it seems as if he is portraying the lives of those who are trying to force such ideas in the ...film." For the reviewer, thus, the DMK men were living on others' sweat and preaching unacceptable subversive ideas.{{sfn|Pandian|1991|p=764}} The magazine ''Sivaji'' praised the dialogues by Karunanidhi, and the performances of Ganesan and Sahasranamam.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2 November 1952 |title=நகர சினிமாக்கள்: பராசக்தி |trans-title=City Cinemas: Parasakthi |url=http://i60.tinypic.com/33uzmo5.jpg |url-status=dead |magazine=Sivaji |language=ta |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160921083325/http://i60.tinypic.com/33uzmo5.jpg |archive-date=21 September 2016 |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref>
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| == Controversies ==
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| Post release, ''Parasakthi'' was marred by numerous controversies, and was defined as "one of the most controversial films in the history of Tamil cinema" by historian [[S. Theodore Baskaran]].{{sfn|Baskaran|1996|p=111}} It was accused of trying to [[Portrayal of Tamil Brahmins in popular media#In Films 2|portray Brahmins in poor light]]. Abuse of [[Hindu]] customs and religious practices evoked strong protests from the Hindu orthodoxy. Scenes like a priest attempting to rape a woman in a temple were found to be very provocative. The social elite and members of the then ruling Congress party demanded the film to be banned. The-then Chief Minister of Madras, [[C. Rajagopalachari]] was unhappy with the extremely provocative nature of the film, but allowed it to be screened.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srivathsan |first=A. |date=12 June 2006 |title=Films and the politics of convenience |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/12/stories/2006061206151100.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=27 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613192240/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/12/stories/2006061206151100.htm |archive-date=13 June 2022}}</ref> One of the reasons stated by them was the dialogue spoken by Ganesan's character, "Just because you came around chanting names and offered flowers to the stone, would it become a god?", which was accused of "mocking the audiences." His reference to Goddess Parasakthi as a stone created a stir, and the word "stone" was eventually censored from the soundtrack. However, the given message was still "clear and the impact viral."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srivathsan |first=A. |date=2 February 2013 |title=A revolution betrayed |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-revolution-betrayed/article4373069.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=28 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308013528/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-revolution-betrayed/article4373069.ece |archive-date=8 March 2022}}</ref> The State Government requested the Union Government to reconsider the film certification, but they declined, due to a previous examination by a Madras intelligence officer, who stated:{{sfn|Pandian|1991|p=765}}
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| {{Blockquote|text=''The dialogues for the film have been specially written in a forceful manner by Sri M Karunanidhi, the well known leader of the Dravidian Progression Federation ... The film graphically describes the sufferings and hardships that a young widow with her baby in arms has to face due to poverty and how cruelly society treats her, or illtreats her. The substance of the story by itself is not objectionable. The plot is interesting and the story has a powerful moral appeal, namely that there will be ups and downs in a man's life and that chastity is the most precious jewel of womanhood.''|sign=A Madras intelligence officer, who reviewed the film}}
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| == Legacy ==
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| <!-- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/dmk-supremo-m-karunanidhi-has-impacted-tn-political-narrative-for-decades/article8621455.ece -->
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| <!-- http://i501.photobucket.com/albums/e413/subbuchennai/avm_zps778b6bf4.jpg -->
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| <!-- https://frontline.thehindu.com/static/html/fl2115/stories/20040730003803600.htm -->
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| [[File:Sivaji AVM Memorial.jpg|thumb|200px|The memorial of Ganesan at AVM Studios, Chennai]]
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| ''Parasakthi'' acquired [[cult film|cult status]] and changed the character of Tamil cinema. Dialogue writing was given more importance than ever before.<ref name="BLAST" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Muralidharan |first=Kavitha |date=21 July 2015 |title=Fourteen years on, Sivaji Ganesan's legacy lives on |url=http://www.dailyo.in/arts/sivaji-ganesan-papanasam-kamal-haasan-nt-rama-rao-southern-cinema-aamir-khan-amitabh-bachchan/story/1/5127.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629083811/http://www.dailyo.in/arts/sivaji-ganesan-papanasam-kamal-haasan-nt-rama-rao-southern-cinema-aamir-khan-amitabh-bachchan/story/1/5127.html |archive-date=29 June 2016 |access-date=29 June 2016 |website=[[India Today|DailyO]]}}</ref> Speeches of the film replaced traditional music of artists like [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]], [[K. B. Sundarambal]] and others at festivities.{{sfn|Kannan|2010|p=198}} The film also had its share in giving the DMK the necessary stimulus to overthrow the [[Indian National Congress|Congress party]] in Tamil Nadu.{{sfn|Kannan|2010|p=195}} The dialogues became so popular that "roadside entertainers used to recite long passages from the film in market area of Madras and collect money from bystanders",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chandrasekar |first=Gokul |date=7 February 2013 |title='Vishwaroopam' and Tamil Nadu's cinema of politics |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/02/08/vishwaroopam-and-tamil-nadus-cinema-of-politics/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621124402/http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/02/08/vishwaroopam-and-tamil-nadus-cinema-of-politics/ |archive-date=21 June 2017 |access-date=7 May 2013 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> and memorising the film's dialogues became a "must for aspirant political orators".{{sfn|Pandian|1991|p=759}} They were even released separately on [[phonograph|gramophone]] records.{{sfn|Pillai|2015|p=126}} K. Hariharan, the director of L. V. Prasad Film Academy in Chennai, included the film in his 2013 list, "Movies that stirred, moved & shook us".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hariharan |first=K. |date=3 May 2013 |title=Movies that stirred, moved & shook us |work=[[Bangalore Mirror]] |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Movies-that-stirred-moved-shook-us/articleshow/21199984.cms |url-status=live |access-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416051240/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Movies-that-stirred-moved-shook-us/articleshow/21199984.cms |archive-date=16 April 2022}}</ref> According to Film News Anandan, after ''Parasakthi'', Ganesan "became the dominant icon of the DMK", replacing K. R. Ramasamy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Film News Anandan]] |title=Tamil Cinema History – The Early Days 1945 to 1953 |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Memories/98/fna/fna3.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712005710/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Memories/98/fna/fna3.htm |archive-date=12 July 2012 |access-date=18 May 2013 |website=Indolink}}</ref> Historian [[S. Muthiah]] said that ''Parasakthi'' "showed Karunanidhi as the master of meaningful screen dialogue that carried forceful messages to the masses".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Muthiah |first=S. |author-link=S. Muthiah |date=14 August 2006 |title=The medium is the message |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/08/14/stories/2006081401360500.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=24 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070522065144/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/08/14/stories/2006081401360500.htm |archive-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> In 2017, [[Kamal Haasan]] included the film in his list of 70 favourite movies, stating "This film changed the texture of society. A star was born – the ease with which Sivaji Ganesan walked through the film! His peers paled into insignificance. The writer was Karunanidhi. It was a film about social anger. I saw it much later; I understood it only then."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bollywood blockbuster to Kollywood classic: Kamal Haasan picks his 70 favourite movies |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/interactives/kamal-hassan-70-movies |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
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| In celebration of the film's 50th year,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Muthiah |first=S. |date=4 November 2002 |title=He played 300 different roles |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/11/04/stories/2002110400180300.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=9 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030630202617/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/11/04/stories/2002110400180300.htm |archive-date=30 June 2022}}</ref> Ganesan's autobiography, entitled ''Enathu Suya Sarithai'' ({{Translation|My Autobiography}}) was released on 1 October 2002 in Tamil, exactly a year after the actor's death in 2001. The English version, titled ''[[Autobiography of an Actor]]: Sivaji Ganesan, October 1928-July 2001'', was released exactly five years later in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sri Kantha |first=Sachi |date=9 November 2008 |title=Book Review : Autobiography of Actor – Politician Sivaji Ganesan |url=http://www.sangam.org/2008/11/Sivaji_Ganesan.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126123008/http://www.sangam.org/2008/11/Sivaji_Ganesan.php |archive-date=26 January 2012 |access-date=12 April 2013 |website=Ilankai Tamil Sangam}}</ref> To commemorate 50 years since the release of ''Parasakthi'', a memorial was inaugurated in AVM Studios on 17 October 2002 by [[Kamal Haasan]] in the presence of Ganesan's sons [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]] and [[Ramkumar Ganesan|Ramkumar]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 October 2002 |title=Honouring a titan |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/10/18/stories/2002101803270200.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203120912/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/10/18/stories/2002101803270200.htm |archive-date=3 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2002 |title=Sivaji remembered |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/oct/17sivaji.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021222195005/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/oct/17sivaji.htm |archive-date=22 December 2002 |access-date=1 October 2013 |website=Rediff}}</ref> The memorial stands at the same place where Ganesan first faced the camera. A slab of black granite, the memorial has on its top a brass medallion that bears a close-up of Ganesan uttering his popular opening line "Success". At its bottom is a rectangular plaque that gives details about the memorial's inauguration. At the base of the rectangular plaque are two other plaques resembling the pages of an open book and contains the names of the technical crew and all those involved in the making of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sriram |first=V. |date=1 October 2013 |title=A simple memorial to a legendary thespian |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-simple-memorial-to-a-legendary-thespian/article5187136.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930215612/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-simple-memorial-to-a-legendary-thespian/article5187136.ece |archive-date=30 September 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The visage of Ganesan wearing a hat was designed by [[Thota Tharani]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2010 |title=Monument for Sivaji |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/02/19/stories/2010021950950100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225123202/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/02/19/stories/2010021950950100.htm |archive-date=25 February 2010 |access-date=25 February 2014 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The 2003 film ''[[Success (2003 film)|Success]]'', starring Ganesan's grandson [[Dushyanth Ramkumar]], was named after Ganesan's popular line.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |date=4 September 2003 |title=You can't fool the audience! |url=http://www.rediff.co.in/movies/2003/sep/04success.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629090813/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/sep/04success.htm |archive-date=29 June 2007 |access-date=17 May 2013 |website=Rediff}}</ref>
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| ''Parasakthi'' is included with other Ganesan films in ''Yettavathu Ulaga Athisayam Sivaji '' (Sivaji, the Eighth Wonder of the World), a compilation DVD featuring Ganesan's "iconic performances in the form of scenes, songs and stunts" which was released in May 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 May 2012 |title=DVD on Sivaji Ganesan to be released on May 6 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/dvd-on-sivaji-ganesan-to-be-released-on-may-6/article3386682.ece |url-status=live |access-date=25 March 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180325045029/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/dvd-on-sivaji-ganesan-to-be-released-on-may-6/article3386682.ece |archive-date=25 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Iyer |first=Aruna V. |date=12 May 2012 |title=For the love of Sivaji |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/for-the-love-of-sivaji/article3412363.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=28 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704094406/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/for-the-love-of-sivaji/article3412363.ece |archive-date=4 July 2022}}</ref> During the film's [[diamond jubilee]] year celebrations in January 2013, K. Chandrasekaran, then the president of Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Social Welfare Association said, "Six decades down the line ''Parasakthi'' is remembered because it is not just a film, but an epic".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vandhana |first=M. |date=7 January 2013 |title='Parasakthi' completes 60 years |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/parasakthi-completes-60-years/article4281843.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=18 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710140230/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/parasakthi-completes-60-years/article4281843.ece |archive-date=10 July 2022}}</ref> On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, ''[[Forbes India]]'' included Ganesan's performance in the film in its list, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Prasad |first1=Shishir |last2=Ramnath |first2=N. S. |last3=Mitter |first3=Sohini |date=27 April 2013 |title=25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema |url=http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0#ixzz2ktYNETPs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519053125/http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0 |archive-date=19 May 2015 |access-date=27 January 2015 |magazine=[[Forbes (India)|Forbes]]}}</ref> Actor [[Sivakumar]] stated, "You can’t reproduce movies like ''Parasakthi'', ''[[Pasamalar]]'', ''[[Devadasu (1953 film)|Devadas]]'', ''Veerapandiya Kattabomman'' or ''[[Ratha Kanneer]]'' [...] By remaking such films, you are lowering yourself, while it enhances the original artists’ image."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anand |first=N. |date=3 January 2008 |title=Sivakumar not for old wine in new bottle |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/sivakumar-not-for-old-wine-in-new-bottle/article1170631.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326134402/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/sivakumar-not-for-old-wine-in-new-bottle/article1170631.ece |archive-date=26 March 2015 |access-date=20 February 2015 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
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| [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] parodied the film's climax in ''[[Palayathu Amman]]'' (2000).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shekar |first=Anjana |date=17 April 2021 |title='Take diversion': 13 unforgettable comedy scenes from Vivek |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/take-diversion-13-unforgettable-comedy-scenes-vivek-147306 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417181137/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/take-diversion-13-unforgettable-comedy-scenes-vivek-147306 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |access-date=17 April 2021 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> [[Karthi]]'s performance in his debut film ''[[Paruthi Veeran]]'' (2007) was compared by critics with ''Parasakthi''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=23 September 2007 |title=Karthi Sivakumar, casual and down to earth |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article1916328.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519052729/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article1916328.ece |archive-date=19 May 2015 |access-date=20 December 2014 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan, in her review of ''[[Citizen (film)|Citizen]]'' (2001) at ''The Hindu'', mentioned that the court scene during the climax was reminiscent of ''Parasakthi'''s climax.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=15 June 2001 |title=Film Review: Citizen |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2001/06/15/stories/09150222.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519052901/http://www.thehindu.com/2001/06/15/stories/09150222.htm |archive-date=19 May 2015 |access-date=20 December 2014 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> In ''[[Sivaji (film)|Sivaji]]'' (2007), the eponymous character ([[Rajinikanth]]) who shares his first name with Sivaji Ganesan, utters the dialogue, "''Parasakthi'' hero da" ("The hero of ''Parasakthi'', man") when referring to himself.{{sfn|Nakassis|2016|p=206}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=Shivaji |date=13 December 2012 |title=Rajini still entertains, and how! |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-cinema/rajini-still-entertains-and-how/article4195634.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216074223/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-cinema/rajini-still-entertains-and-how/article4195634.ece |archive-date=16 December 2012 |access-date=10 September 2015 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><!-- http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/aug/13/revisiting-parasakthi-the-film-that-changed-everything-1856870.html -->
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| Film Heritage Foundation announced in March 2015 that they would be restoring ''Parasakthi'' along with a few other Indian films from 1931 to 1965 as a part of their restoration projects carried out in India and abroad in accordance to international parameters. The foundation, however, stated that they would not colourise any of the films as they "believe in the original repair as the way the master or the creator had seen it."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Behrawala |first=Krutika |date=2 March 2015 |title=Quest to save India's cine history |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/quest-to-save-indias-cine-history/16028179 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006085418/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/quest-to-save-indias-cine-history/16028179 |archive-date=6 October 2015 |access-date=6 October 2015 |website=[[Mid-Day]]}}</ref> In July 2016, Ganesan's other grandson [[Vikram Prabhu]] launched a production house named "First Artist" with a still of Ganesan from ''Parasakthi'' as part of its logo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Janani |first=K |date=7 July 2016 |title=I am proud to see Vikram producing on his own: Prabhu |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/070716/i-am-proud-to-see-vikram-producing-on-his-own-prabhu.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714155102/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/070716/i-am-proud-to-see-vikram-producing-on-his-own-prabhu.html |archive-date=14 July 2016 |access-date=14 July 2016 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref>
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| == See also ==
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| * [[Portrayal of Tamil Brahmins in popular media]]
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| * [[Tamil cinema and Dravidian politics]]
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| == Explanatory notes ==
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| {{notes
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| | notes =
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| {{efn
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| | name = exchange1948
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| | The exchange rate between 1948 and 1966 was 4.79 Indian rupees ({{INR}}) per 1 US dollar (US$).<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 August 2013 |title=Rupee's journey since Independence: Down by 65 times against dollar |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-08-24/news/41444029_1_indian-rupee-american-currency-continued-dollar-demand |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130829085318/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-08-24/news/41444029_1_indian-rupee-american-currency-continued-dollar-demand |archive-date=29 August 2013 |access-date=30 August 2013 |website=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref>
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| }}
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| }}
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|
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|
| == References ==
| | {{Redirect category shell| |
| {{reflist|refs=
| | {{R from incomplete disambiguation}} |
| <ref name="BLAST">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=24 April 2011 |title=Parasakthi 1952 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/parasakthi-1952/article1761261.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621041707/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/parasakthi-1952/article1761261.ece |archive-date=21 June 2022}}</ref>
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| <ref name="En Thangai 1952">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |date=28 November 2008 |title=En Thangai 1952 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/en-thangai-1952/article3023607.ece |access-date=20 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603013631/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/en-thangai-1952/article3023607.ece |archive-date=3 June 2022}}</ref>
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| <ref name="Kannadasan">{{Cite web |last=Sri Kantha |first=Sachi |date=11 October 2011 |title=Remembering Poet Kannadasan (1927–1981); on his 30th death anniversary |url=http://www.sangam.org/2011/10/Remembering_Kannadasan.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823060500/http://www.sangam.org/2011/10/Remembering_Kannadasan.php |archive-date=23 August 2012 |access-date=26 April 2013 |website=[[Ilankai Tamil Sangam]]}}</ref>
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| <ref name="IBN">{{Cite news |date=10 August 2006 |title=MGR film drawing audience down south |work=[[News18]] |agency=[[United News of India]] |url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/mgr-film-drawing-audience-down-south-243398.html |access-date=1 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501083726/http://www.news18.com/news/india/mgr-film-drawing-audience-down-south-243398.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}</ref>
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| <ref name="Ultimate star">{{Cite web |last1=Baskaran |first1=S. Theodore |last2=Warrier |first2=Shobha |date=23 July 2001 |title=He was the ultimate star |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jul/23sive.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620141533/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jul/23sive.htm |archive-date=20 June 2009 |access-date=19 March 2013 |website=[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]}}</ref>
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| <ref name="Economic">{{Cite news |date=5 August 2011 |title=Curtains come down on Thangam theatre, once considered Asia's largest |work=[[The Economic Times]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-08-05/news/29855008_1_cinema-hall-cinema-theatre-owners-association-starrer |url-status=dead |access-date=22 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027131959/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-08-05/news/29855008_1_cinema-hall-cinema-theatre-owners-association-starrer |archive-date=27 October 2022}}</ref>
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| <ref name="Dance">{{Cite AV media |title=Parasakthi |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[National Pictures]] |year=1952 |place=India |time=1:58}}</ref>
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| }} | | }} |
|
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| == Bibliography ==
| |
| {{refbegin|30em}}
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| * {{Cite book |last=Baskaran |first=S. Theodore |title=The Eye of the Serpent: An Introduction to Tamil Cinema |publisher=East West Books |year=1996 |location=Chennai |oclc=243920437 |author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran}}
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| * {{Cite book |last=Guy |first=Randor |title=Memories of Madras: Its Movies, Musicians & Men of Letters |publisher=Creative Workshop |year=2016 |isbn=978-81-928961-7-5 |author-link=Randor Guy}}
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| * {{Cite book |last=Kannan |first=R. |title=Anna: The Life and Times of C.N. Annadurai |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-670-08328-2 |location=India}}
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| * {{Cite book |last=Nakassis |first=Constantine V. |title=Doing Style: Youth and Mass Mediation in South India |publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]] |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-226-32785-3}}
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| * {{Cite magazine |last=Pandian |first=M. S. S. |date=March 1991 |title=Parasakthi: Life and Times of a DMK Film |magazine=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |volume=26}}
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| * {{Cite book |last=Pillai |first=Swarnavel Eswaran |title=Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema |publisher=[[SAGE Publishing|SAGE Publications]] |year=2015 |isbn=978-93-5150-212-8}}
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| * {{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] and [[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |author-link2=Paul Willemen |orig-date=1994}}
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| * {{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |title=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |title-link=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |publisher=Penguin Books |year=2012 |isbn=978-81-8475-796-5 |location=New Delhi |author-link=Naman Ramachandran}}
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| * {{Cite book |last=Saravanan |first=M. |title=AVM 60 Cinema |publisher=Rajarajan Pathippagam |year=2013 |edition=3rd |language=ta |oclc=1158347612 |author-link=M. Saravanan (film producer) |orig-date=2022}}
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| * {{Cite book |title=Tamil Cinema: The Cultural Politics of India's Other Film Industry |publisher=Psychology Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-203-93037-3 |editor-last=Velayutham |editor-first=Selvaraj}}
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| <!--https://www.scribd.com/doc/157785518/10/Encounters-with-%E2%80%98India%E2%80%99
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| https://books.google.com/books?id=UsR8AgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Tamil+Cinema:+The+Cultural+Politics+of+India%27s+Other+Film+Industry&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=parasakthi&f=false
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| -->
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| {{refend}}
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|
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| == External links ==
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| * {{IMDb title|0215033}}
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| * {{BFI|59ba56565fe8a|Parasakthi}}
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| {{Krishnan–Panju}}
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| [[Category:1950s Tamil-language films]]
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| [[Category:1952 drama films]]
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| [[Category:1952 films]]
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| [[Category:Films about poverty in India]]
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| [[Category:Films about rape in India]]
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| [[Category:Films directed by Krishnan–Panju]]
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| [[Category:Films scored by R. Sudarsanam]]
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| [[Category:Films with screenplays by M. Karunanidhi]]
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| [[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
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| [[Category:Indian courtroom films]]
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| [[Category:Indian drama films]]
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| [[Category:Indian films based on plays]]
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| [[Category:Indian satirical films]]
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| [[Category:Indian World War II films]]
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