Arasilankumari

Arasilankumari is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language historical adventure film directed by A. S. A. Sami and A. Kasilingam, and produced by M. Somasundaram under Jupiter Pictures. An adaptation of the 1952 film Scaramouche, itself based on a 1921 novel of the same name, it stars M. G. Ramachandran, Padmini and Rajasulochana. The film was originally directed by Sami, and completed by Kasilingam. It was released on 1 January 1961, and failed commercially.

Plot

Arivazhagan has a sister Anbukarasi. Anbukarasi falls in love with Vetrivelan, who is commander-in-chief of the royal army, but he tells Anbukarasi and Arivazhagan that he is just an ordinary citizen of the kingdom and marries Anbukarasi. Arivazhagan leaves on a mission after his sister's marriage. After some time, Vetrivelan deserts his wife and child and returns to the palace. He starts plotting against the royal family. How his plans are set at naught by the hero and how his wife fights for him against her own brother form the rest of the film.

Cast

M. G. Ramachandran as Arivazhagan
Padmini as Anbukarasi
Rajasulochana as Azhagurani
R. Muthuraman as Pulikesi
M. N. Nambiar as Vetrivelan
K. A. Thangavelu as Kalaimani
Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
R. Nagendra Rao
S. A. Ashokan as Manimara Bhoopathi
T. A. Mathuram
M. Saroja as Annam

Production

Arasilankumari was adapted from the 1952 film version of the Rafael Sabatini novel Scaramouche. It took as long as five years to complete. The film was originally directed by A. S. A. Sami, who had differences with the cast and crew; he was replaced by A. Kasilingam who completed the film. This was the final film produced by Jupiter Pictures. Editor Mohan, uncredited, made his debut as an editor through his film although his second film Ellarum Innattu Mannar was released first.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Ramanathan. The song "Chinna Payale" was later adapted into "Thiruttu Payale" by Bharadwaj for the 2006 film of the same name, with additional lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Song	Singers	Lyrics	Length
"Chinna Payale Chinna Payale"	T. M. Soundararajan	Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram	03:39
"Etramunnaa Etram"	T. M. Soundararajan & Seerkazhi Govindarajan	Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram	03:11
"Kandi Kadhirkamam...Kazhugumalai Pazhanimalai"	Seerkazhi Govindarajan	Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram	01:58
"Nandhavanatthil Or Aandi"	T. M. Soundararajan	Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram	00:54
"Setthaalum Unnai Naan Vida Maatten"	N. S. Krishnan & S. C. Krishnan	Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram	03:32
"Thillaalangadi Thillaalangadi"	P. Susheela	Kannadasan	03:32
"Thaaraa Avar Varuvaaraa"	S. Janaki	Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam	03:36
"Oorvalamaaga Maappillai Pennum"	Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela	R. Pazhanichami	02:19
"Atthaane Aasai Atthaane"	P. Leela	K. S. Gopalakrishnan	02:10
"Thoondiyile Maattikkittu Muzhikkudhu"	K. Jamuna Rani, Seerkazhi Govindarajan & S. C. Krishnan	Muthukoothan	02:39
"Aav Aaahaav En Aasai Purave Aav"	P. Susheela	Udumalai Narayana Kavi	03:23

Release and reception

Arasilankumari was released on 1 January 1961. Kanthan of Kalki appreciated Nambiar's two contrasting performances of the same character. The film was not commercially successful, with historian Randor Guy attributing it to the prolonged production schedule.