Thumbolarcha

Last updated

Thumbolarcha
Directed by Kunchacko
Written by P. K. Sarangapani
Screenplay byP. K. Sarangapani
Produced byM. Kunchacko
Starring Prem Nazir
Sheela
Srividya
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Edited byT. R. Sekhar
Music by G. Devarajan
Production
company
Udaya
Distributed byUdaya
Release date
  • 23 August 1974 (1974-08-23)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Thumbolarcha is a 1974 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by Kunchacko. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Srividya and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The film has musical score and songs composed by G. Devarajan. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

The film depicts an episode in the youth of Puthooram Aromal Chekavar and cousin Chandu before the infamous fatal duel described in the film Unniyarcha (1961).

Thumbolarcha, the fair warrior maiden of Mikavil Mikacheri family, is a fiancée by cross-cousinage of Aromal Chekavar and they both wish to marry. However, as fate would have it, Archa's life is turned upside down when one night, a distraught father with his pregnant daughter in labour appear at their doorstep confounded by weather. The magnanimous Archa take them in and offer them the best hospitality and service in the absence of her family, and the lady gives birth to a boy safely. However the father escapes with the daughter before dawn leaving the child at Mikacheri house, implying that this was an illegitimate pregnancy that nobody likes to acknowledge. Archa, though upset at the situation, refuses to dispose off the baby as her friends suggest and decides to bring the baby up herself. This, however, leads to speculations that the baby is her own, and even her own parents and uncle who return from a trip of many months from the North, fall suspicious of Archa's affection for the baby and start believing that she herself became pregnant and delivered during their absence.

Aromal's parents Kannappa Chekavar and wife, who arrived to formally decide the marriage of Aromal and Archa gets to witness the scandal firsthand and decide against the proposal. Back home, Aromal himself is sympathetic at first though the overwhelming public opinion and misogynist scandal all over the place influence him to summarily reject Thumbolarcha, his love for long, shocking her to the core. Furthermore, Aromal's family quickly finds him another alliance and he is compelled to marry soon. Watching from her balcony, Archa is shocked to realise that Aromal's bride Kunjunnooli is none other than the lady who delivered the baby at her house earlier. She decides against making a revelation fearing for Kunjunnooli's life and reputation, while Kunjunnooli herself is upset to see Archa and later devastated to know from Aromal of their past affair. Realising that she herself was the reason behind the ruin of Thumbolarcha's life and Aromal's love, she argues with Aromal for Archa's case and pleads that he save Archa too from the disgraced life that she has been condemned to.

Archa herself, though devastated by the most unkindest cut served by the love of her life, resigns to her fate and decides to devote her life to raising the baby. But her family would naturally have none of that. Her father and uncle go on to court Chandu Chekavar, Aromal's cousin, who also had an eye on Archa but was summarily rejected by them all. Chandu demands that Archa undergo a so-called Test of Fire at the local temple to prove her fidelity and further demand that the baby be killed if he is to marry Archa. Archa's family is all set to agree and Archa realises that she has no choice. She also happens to witness Chandu personally strangling the baby at her house. Determined to exact revenge on him, she declares that she would prove her fidelity on the appointed day and further put to test any warrior who wishes to court her; she would marry only a warrior who can defeat her. Chandu who underestimates Archa and has a deluded image of himself, agrees in amusement.

On the appointed day, in a dramatic magical display, Archa proves her fidelity before a large audience by emerging unscathed from fire. She further challenges any warrior who wishes to court her and proceeds to defeat everybody present hand down, including the acclaimed Chandu Chekavar himself. At this point, a crude tribal youth emerges as a suitor and defeats Archa to everybody's surprise. Impressed, Archa submits herself in marriage to him, though her family as well as Chandu seethe in humiliation. Archa is taken to the tribal youth's hut and she moves in with his family, happily blending in. However, the enigmatic youth leaves on an errand of work into the deep forest without consummating their marriage, for which he promises to return on a certain auspicious night.

At this time, her family and Chandu come into an unholy pact and abduct her from her husband's family by crook. Archa is placed under custody in her own home and preparations are underway to arrange Chandu's marriage ceremony with her. Hearing of the developments in Archa's life and sympathising with her, Aromal decides to intervene on behalf of her and her tribal husband. Aromal's family is however, wary of any further exchanges with Archa and discourage him. As such, Aromal plays a double game of confounding both his family and Archa's and end up playing security in her own house. On the auspicious night that Archa expects her husband, Aromal enters her bed, overpowers her and has sex with her forcefully. The traumatised Archa is devastated that she couldn't keep herself together for her husband, but is delighted when her tribal youth appears before her to reveal that he was none other than Aromal himself. Together, they arrange a plan to sort things together.

However, Aromal is later removed from the house by Archa's family on Chandu's suspicion, and he is unable to rally help for an all-out attack from his family. Meanwhile, Archa realises that she is pregnant with Aromal's child, and delivers her baby within the confines of her home. Again Chandu, who is still in awe of Archa's beauty, demands that the baby be killed so that he marries her. On a fateful night when the baby is thrown in water and Archa out to save it, Aromal reaches them in time and takes his wife and child home to Puthooram family.

The developments infuriate Chandu and Archa's family, who conclude that Aromal was responsible for both the babies involved, launch an all-out attack on Puthooram family. Before the final showdown, Kunjunnooli reveals that she was the mother of the child delivered earlier at Mikacheril and that Chandu was the father. Thumbolarcha also reveals how she witnessed Chandu strangling the baby, which is now revealed to be his own, born of a dalliance between him and Kunjunnooli when she was his student of Kalari for a brief period. Chandu is shunned by everyone and summarily defeated by Aromal, who pardons his life at the behest of Kannappa Chekavar. Aromal lives happily ever after with his two wives Thumbolarcha and Kunjunnooli.

Cast

Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Devarajan and the lyrics were written by Vayalar Ramavarma.

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1"Aakaasham Mungiya" P. Susheela Vayalar Ramavarma
2"Arayannakkilichundan" P. Madhuri, ChorusVayalar Ramavarma
3"Atham Rohini" L. R. Eeswari, Latha Raju Vayalar Ramavarma
4"Kannaanthalimuttam Poothedi"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma
5"Mallaakshi Madiraakshi" K. J. Yesudas, P. MadhuriVayalar Ramavarma
6"Manjappalunkan Malayioode"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma
7"Paanante Veenakku"K. J. Yesudas, P. Madhuri, Latha RajuVayalar Ramavarma
8"Thrippankottappa"P. SusheelaVayalar Ramavarma

Related Research Articles

<i>Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha</i> 1989 Indian Malayalam-language epic historical period drama film directed by Hariharan

Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language epic historical drama film directed by Hariharan, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and starring Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Balan K. Nair, Captain Raju and Madhavi. The film won four National Film Awards (1989) including Best Actor (Mammootty), Best Screenplay, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design and eight Kerala State Film Awards.

Chekavar was a warrior title of the Hindu Thiyya community in Malabar of Kerala. Many Thiyya families today trace their roots to this Chekavar lineage.

<i>Innale</i> 1990 Indian film

Innale (transl. Yesterday) is a 1990 Malayalam-language psychological drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. The film was produced by A. B. R. Productions. The film stars Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, Shobhana, and Srividya in lead roles. The film features original songs composed by Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath, while the film score was composed by Mohan Sithara. The Cinematography was handled by Venu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unniyarcha</span> Indian warrior and heroine

Unniyarcha (ഉണ്ണിയാർച്ച) is a legendary warrior and heroine from the 16th century, mentioned in the Vadakkan Pattukal, a set of historical ballads from northern Kerala, a state in southwestern India. She was a member of a Thiyyar community family called Puthooram Veed in Kadathanad. Her father's name was Kannappa Chekavar. She is believed to have lived in the northern part of Kerala during the 16th century. She is a popular character in Kerala's folklore and is remembered for her valour and skills in Kerala's native martial art, Kalaripayattu. According to legend, Unniyarcha was mostly known for her deadly skill with the whip-like urumi, a unique type of sword that originates from Kerala. Like most traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners, she began training at the kalari at the age of seven.

Vadakkan Pattukal are a collection of Malayalam ballads from the early colonial period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair</span> Indian actor

Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was an Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padma Shri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India. In a career that spanned about 47 years, he acted in over 700 films. He is considered to be the "first superstar of Malayalam cinema". In 1993, he was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.

<i>Maang Bharo Sajana</i> 1980 Indian film

Maang Bharo Sajana is a 1980 Indian Hindi-language drama film, directed by T. Rama Rao, who also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Jeetendra, Rekha, Moushumi Chatterjee, Kajal Kiran and music composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal. The film is a remake of the Telugu film Karthika Deepam (1979). This was one of the four films T. Rama Rao directed with Jeetendra and Rekha that explored married relationships. The film did well commercially. Rekha was applauded for her performance as the other woman.

<i>Ready</i> (2008 film) 2008 film by Srinu Vaitla

Ready is a 2008 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film directed by Srinu Vaitla, Produced by Sravanthi Ravi Kishore under the Sri Sravanthi Movies banner, the film stars Ram Pothineni and Genelia D'Souza. while Nassar, Brahmanandam, Sunil, Chandra Mohan, Tanikella Bharani, Kota Srinivasa Rao and Jaya Prakash Reddy play other prominent roles. The music of the film is composed by Devi Sri Prasad. It turned out to be a Blockbuster at the box-office and was one of the highest grossing Telugu movies of 2008.

<i>Tere Liye</i> (TV series) Indian Hindi-language television romance series by Ekta Kapoor

Tere Liye is an Indian romantic television drama series that was aired from 14 June 2010 to 2 April 2011 on Star Plus. Produced by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms, it starred Harshad Chopda and Anupriya Kapoor. The series ended abruptly due to issues between channel and production house.

<i>Thulabharam</i> 1968 Indian film

Thulabharam is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. Vincent. It is based on the Kerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written by Thoppil Bhasi. Thoppil Bhasi also adapted the play for the screen. The film had an ensemble cast including Prem Nazir, Sharada, Madhu, Sheela, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair and Adoor Bhasi. The film won two National Awards. The film was a major blockbuster and following the Malayalam version, the film was made in Tamil (Thulabharam), Telugu and Hindi, with Sharada playing lead roles in all versions.

Thacholi Chandu was a warrior and a legendary hero who is believed to have lived during 17 th century in North Malabar region of Kerala, India. He belonged to the Thacholi family of Nair community. Chandu was married to Thayattu Madathu Mattu Kutti. He is praised about in Vadakkan Pattukal. He is the nephew of legendary Thacholi Othenan.

<i>Unniyarcha</i> (film) 1961 Indian film

Unniyarcha ഉണ്ണിയാർച്ച is a 1961 Indian Malayalam-language action film, produced and directed by Kunchacko. The film stars Ragini, Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Hari. Based on the life of warrior of the same name mentioned in Vadakkan Pattukal, it was released on 24 August 1961 and became a success. and this movie has a sequel named "Aromalunni". 1972 released.

<i>Adimakal</i> 1969 Indian film

Adimakal (transl. Slaves) is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and produced by M. O. Joseph. The film stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Sheela and Sharada. The film had musical score and songs composed by G. Devarajan. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Pamman. The film was remade in Hindi as Intezar (1973) in Telugu as Chilakamma Cheppindi (1977) and in Tamil as Nizhal Nijamagiradhu (1978).

<i>Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha</i> 2002 Indian film

Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language historical film directed by P. G. Viswambharan. Based on Vadakkanpattu, the folklore of North Malabar, which are ballads extolling the brave and valiant chekavars, it stars Vani Viswanath, Kunchacko Boban, Devan, Siddique and Captain Raju in major roles. Jagadeesh, Mala Aravindan, Jayakrishnan, Naveen Arakkal, Anoop, Sreehari, Manya, Manka Mahesh, Spadikam George and Mamukkoya form the supporting cast. This is the last film of P. G. Viswambharan.

Pardes Mein Mila Koi Apna is an Indian drama that aired on Imagine TV from 31 January 2011 to 27 May 2011.

<i>Greeku Veerudu</i> 2013 Indian film

Greeku Veerudu is a 2013 Telugu-language romantic comedy film produced by D. Sivaprasad Reddy on Kamakshi Movies banner, directed by Dasarath. Starring Nagarjuna Akkineni, Nayanthara and music composed by S. Thaman.

Aromal Chekavar, also known as Puthooram Veettil Aromal Chekavar, was a warrior who is believed to have lived during the 16th century in the North Malabar region of present-day Kerala, India. He was a warrior from a Thiyyar community and a paramount chief of the Puthooram family. His sister, Unniyarcha, was also a skilled warrior.

<i>Lakshmi Baramma</i> Indian TV series or programme

Lakshmi Baramma is a Kannada serial that aired on Colors Kannada. It premiered on 4 March 2013 and is the second longest running Kannada series.

Manasu Mamata is an Indian Telugu serial airing on the ETV Telugu from Monday to Saturday at 7:30 pm (IST). Directed by Anil Kumar, this Telugu serial has completed 3305. The pilot episode aired on 31 January 2011.

<i>Nisha Aur Uske Cousins</i> Indian TV series or programme

Nisha Aur Uske Cousins is an Indian coming of age romantic drama television series which aired on Star Plus from 18 August 2014 to 27 June 2015. It starred Aneri Vajani and Mishkat Varma. The story revolved around the relationship between seven cousins residing in the Jaipur city of Rajasthan and focused on the family disputes caused by the difference of opinions due to generation gaps.

References

  1. ↑ "Thumbolaarcha". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "Thumbolaarcha". malayalasangeetham.info. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.