Ratha Thilagam


Ratha Thilagam is a 1963 Indian Tamil language romantic war film directed by Dada Mirasi. The film features Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri in lead roles. The film, produced by National Movies, had musical score by K. V. Mahadevan and was released on 14 September 1963.

Plot

Kumar is a graduate who decides to enlist in the Indian Army, following news of Chinese invasion in the country during the midst of the Sino-Indian War, only to find out that his love interest Kamala was working against the Indian Army.

Cast

Ratha Thilagam was directed by Dada Mirasi who also wrote the screenplay. It was produced by Panju Arunachalam under National Movies, while Kannadasan, P.C. Ganesan and Thyagan wrote the dialogue.

Themes

Critic Baradwaj Rangan noted Ratha Thilagams similarities to the Bengali film Saptapadi in that both films had "the backdrop of war, the star-crossed lovers, and, of course, the staging of Othello, which, in both films, appears to have been dubbed by the same voices." Writing for The Times of India, Ganesh Krishnamoorthy felt that, as the film was set in the backdrop of the Sino-Indian War, "this scene, used as a play enacted by the characters, provides a structural unity to the main plot."

Soundtrack

The music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The songs "Oru Koppaiyila", "Pasumai Niraintha" were well received. Manorama sang the song "Pogathe Pogathe" which was picturised on her character.

Reception

of The Hindu noted that the film is remembered for "Outstanding performances by Sivaji Ganesan and Savithri, the comedy track of Manorama and Nagesh, the pleasing music and impressive cinematography of the battle scenes".