# Kandhan Karunai

Kandhan Karunai (transl. By the mercy of Kandhan) is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film, written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan. It features an ensemble cast including Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, K. B. Sundarambal, Savitri, Jayalalithaa, K. R. Vijaya and Sivakumar. This was the debut film for Sridevi, who had starred as Lord Murugan at the age of 3.

## Plot

The film revolves around Murugan, his birth, marriage, and acceptance of the post of head of the army of heaven. In Hinduism, there are six abodes of Lord Muruga, known as the "Arupadaiveedu". The story behind each of the abodes is portrayed chronologically in the film. It starts with Swamimalai, where Lord Muruga teaches the meaning of the word 'OM' to his father, Shiva. He goes to Palani Hills after a fight over a sacred fruit, that is his second abode. Then he wins over the demon king Surapadman in Thiruchendur and that is his third abode. The King of Heaven, Indra offers his daughter's hand in appreciation of Lord Muruga's victory, and he marries her in Thirupparamkunram, his fourth abode. He later marries Valli in his fifth abode of Thiruthani, and after a short dispute between both his wives, they amicably settle in Pazhamudircholai, his sixth abode. All the events are summarized by Nakkeerar, a great Tamil poet portrayed by Sirkazhi Govindarajan at the end of the film.

## Cast

* Sivaji Ganesan as Veerabaahu, Murugan's army commander
* Gemini Ganesan as Shiva, Parvati's husband, Ganesha and Murugan's father
* K. B. Sundarambal as Avvaiyar
* Savitri as Parvati, Shiva's wife, Ganesha and Murugan's mother
* Jayalalithaa as Valli, Murugan's second wife.
* K. R. Vijaya as Deivanai, Murugan's first wife.
* S. A. Ashokan as Soorapadman, the demon king, Banukopan's father
* K. Balaji as Banugopan, Soorapadman's son
* E. R. Sahadevan as Simhamukha, a demon, Soorapadman's brother
* Nagesh as Nageswaran
* V. Gopalakrishnan as Jayanta, Indra's son who was kidnapped by Soorapadman
* Sivakumar as Murugan, Shiva and Parvati's son, Ganesha's brother, Valli and Deivanai's husband
* S. V. Ramadas as Soorapadman's assistant
* Master Sridhar as Child Murugan
* Sirkazhi Govindarajan as Nakkeerar (cameo)
* S. Varalakshmi as Shachi, Indra's wife, Jayanta's mother
* G. Sakunthala as Ajamukhi
* Manorama as Valli's friend
* Ambika as Paduma Komalai
* Manimala as Banugopan's wife
* B. V. Radha as Ajamukhi's assistant
* Sridevi as Child Murugan

## Production

Vijayakumar was supposed to play Lord Murugan in the film, but he was replaced by Sivakumar. Vijayakumar instead appeared as one of the lords who was in the jail. Kannadasan recommended Sridevi for her role. This was the debut film for actress Sridevi.

## Soundtrack

The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, for which he received the National Film Award for Best Music Direction. The song "Thiruparankundrathil Nee" was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The song "Arupadai Veedu" is a ragamalika; it starts off with Kambodhi followed by Hindolam, Chakravakam, Kaanada, Hamsanandhi, Natakurinji and Kapi. "Solla Solla inikkudhadaa" song is set to Kundhalavarali raaga."Thiruparankundrathil Nee" song set in Suddha Dhanyasi ragam and "Arumugamana Porul" song set in Mohanam ragam."Vellimalai Mannava" song set in Charukesi ragam.
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
| "Aarumugamana Porul" | Renuka, S. Janaki. Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | Kannadasan | 03:24 |
| "Aarumuga Saravana" | P. Susheela | Sankaradas Swamigal | 00:54 |
| "Arupadai Veedu Konda" | Sirkazhi Govindarajan | Kannadasan | 06:41 |
| "Ariyathu Ketkum" | K. B. Sundarambal | Kannadasan | 06:06 |
| "Konjum Kili" | S. V. Ponnusamy | Sankaradas Swamigal | 01:11 |
| "Kurinjiyile Poo Malarnthu" | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 03:44 |
| "Manam Padaithen" | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 04:01 |
| "Murugane Senthil" | Sirkazhi Govindarajan | Kannadasan | 00.58 |
| "Munthum Thamizh" | S. C. Krishnan, A. L. Raghavan, K. Jamuna Rani, A. P. Komala | Kannadasan | 01:51 |
| "Muruga Muruga Muruga" | K. B. Sundarambal | Kannadasan | 01:43 |
| "Solla Solla" (Film Version) | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 02:22 |
| "Solla Solla" (Full Version) | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 03:21 |
| "Thirupparang Kundrathil" | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, P. Susheela | Poovai Senguttavan | 03:23 |
| "Vallimalai Pothigaimalai" | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | |
| "Vellimalai Mannava" | S. Varalakshmi | Kannadasan | 01:54 |
| "Vetrivel Veeravel" | T. M. Soundararajan | Kannadasan | 02:41 |

## Reception

Kalki appreciated Nagarajan for taking an old story and reinventing it.