In 1967, the anti-caste and pro-social justice Dravidian movement in the state would go on to form the government for the first time. The episode not only fits with the caste discrimination apparent in the society described by the epic, it would have also been relevant to the audience watching the film at the time. He also says that it is his duty as the ruler to ensure the welfare of children like him. Karnan hails the boy and even apologises to him, taking him along to get him admitted to a school.
"I did not want this injustice happening in your reign and that's why I burnt the school. "It is wrong for a lowborn to study with those higher than him, it is a sin, get out, they say," the boy tells Karnan. When Karnan asks him why he did so, the boy reveals that because he's an orphan who does not know who his parents are, people were not willing to accept him in school. In Karnan's new court, a young boy who has set fire to a patashala (school) rushes in, chased by guards. However, there is an interesting little story that's woven into the script. The narrative does not question the casteist notions within it. For instance, the episode in which an angry Parasuramar finds out that Karnan is not a Brahmin but a Kshatriya because he's able to bear pain and tolerate the sight of blood, is presented as such. While the 1964 film does question casteism and privilege ordained by birth to a certain extent, it is a straightforward retelling of the epic which does not indulge in subversions. He also makes Karnan the king of Anga, to make him an "equal" to Arjunan, but the assembly is dissolved. But though he's the famed archery teacher Dronacharya's student too, Karnan is questioned by the gurus, who declare that his 'low birth' means he cannot participate on an equal footing with Arjunan, who is of royal birth (Arjunan, in fact, is born to Kunti and Indra, the lord of the heavens).ĭuryodhanan (Ashokan) comes to his rescue (in the film, it's because he senses an opportunity to bring his cousins, the Pandavas, down by a notch) and laughs at the logic offered by the gurus. He soon grows up to become warrior Karnan, who challenges Arjunan's (Muthuraman) archery skills. The film begins with a distressed Kunti setting baby Karnan afloat in the river. He's portrayed as a generous man who does not hesitate to give all that is asked of him and more. The film, produced and directed by BR Panthulu, is closely modelled on episodes from the Mahabharata but makes Karnan the hero of the narrative. The 1964 mythological film told the Mahabharata from Karnan's perspective, and starred many other stalwarts like NT Rama Rao, Savitri and Muthuraman. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Telegram.Sivaji Ganesan played many memorable roles in his career, but his portrayal of Karnan is widely regarded to be one of his finest. Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here. Unlike his successful career in films, Ganesan had a forgettable stint in politics. In 1989, Ganesan became the president of the Tamil Nadu wing of former VP Singh’s Janta Dal. His party contested 50 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, however, it could not get much success. After being affiliated with many political outfits, Ganesan finally floated his own political party Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani in the year 1988. Ganesan was active in politics from his early days.
He won the best actor awards at the Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Cairo, Egypt in 1960 for his portrayal in the 1959 Tamil film Veerapandiya Kattabomman. He was the first Indian actor to get a ‘Best Actor’ award at an international film festival. This helped him to memorise scripts in a glance. Ganesan was known for his eidetic memory - the ability to recall images, sounds, or objects in memory. He went there on the invitation of then US President John F Kennedy. Ganesan was the first Indian artist to visit the United States as India’s cultural ambassador in 1962.
Ganesan was a trained dancer in many classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Manipuri. Social reformer EV Ramasamy gave him this name. Ganesan earned the name ‘Shivaji’ after his portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the play Shivaji Kanda Hindu Rajyam. A Look At The Incredible Journey Of Sivaji Ganesan On His 93rd Birth Anniversary