Kuchela (film)

Kuchela (transl. Devotee Kuchela) is a 1936 Indian devotional film in Tamil language directed and produced by lawyer turned filmmaker K. Subramaniam.^[1] The film featured Papanasam Sivan as Kuchela and S. D. Subbulakshmi in dual roles as Lord Krishna and Kuchela's wife Susheela.^[2][3]

Kuchela
Poster
Directed by	K. Subramaniam
Produced by	Krishnaswamy
Starring	Papanasam Sivan S. D. Subbulakshmi
Release date	10 April 1936 (1936-04-10)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

The film depicted the tale of friendship between the poor Brahmin Kuchela who had 27 children and Lord Krishna.

Cast

The following list was adapted from The Hindu review article by Randor Guy^[3] and from the film's song book.

Male cast Papanasam Sivan as Kuchela Vidwan Shankaralingam as Balaraman S. S. Mani Bhagavathar as Saandheepa Muni Jolly Kittu as Dwarapaalakar G. Pattu Iyer as Samba Moorthi Kunjithapatham Pillai as Vevukaar Salem Sundaram as Rich Mirasudar

Female cast S. D. Subbulakshmi as Lord Krishna and Suseelai K. K. Parvathi as Rukmini Poornima as Sathyabhama Bala Saraswathi as Young Krishnan Neelambal as Young Kuchela

Production

Subramanyam cast Subbulakshmi in a double role as a male (Lord Krishna) and a female (Susheela, Kuchela's wife). Such casting was the first of its kind in Tamil film history and even Indian cinema.^[3] Cinematography was handled by Sailen Bose^[2] and the continuity (Editing) was supervised by G. Pattu Iyer.

Title

The Encyclopedia of Indian cinema and The Hindu review article gives the title of the film as Bhaktha Kuchela. Whereas, Film News Anandan's database and the Song Book gives the title as Kuchela.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Papanasam Sivan who also penned the lyrics.^[2] There were more than 30 songs in the film.^[3] The song book gave the details of orchestra.

• Parthasarathy Naidu – Harmonium
• Rajam Iyer – Fiddle (Violin)
• Ekambara Achari – Mridangam

Reception

Writing in 2010, Randor Guy said the film was a success. He said the film is "Remembered for the innovative casting, pleasing music and Subbulakshmi's performance."^[3]

References

1. Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1998. p. 581. Listed as Bhakta Kuchela
2. Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [History of Landmark Tamil Films] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
3. Guy, Randor (7 January 2010). "Bhaktha Kuchela (1936)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2018.

External links

• Thaal Vananguvorkku on YouTube - A rare duet by Papanasam Sivan and S. D. Subbulakshmi from this film.
• A Viruttam sung by Papanasam sivan on YouTube