Wikipedia

Varusham 16

Varusham 16 (read as "Varusham Padhinaaru"; transl. Year 16) is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by Fazil. The film stars Karthik and Khushbu, with Sukumari, V. K. Ramasamy, Janagaraj, Charle and Vadivukkarasi in supporting roles.[1] It is a remake of Fazil's own Malayalam film Ennennum Kannettante. The film was released on 18 February 1989, and Karthik won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.

Varusham 16
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFazil
Written byGokula Krishnan (dialogues)
Screenplay byFazil
Story byMadhu Muttam
Produced byOusepachan Vaalakuzhy
Fazil
StarringKarthik
Khushbu
CinematographyAnandakuttan
Edited byT. R. Sekar
Music byIlaiyaraaja
Production
company
Ganga Chithra Productions
Release date
  • 18 February 1989 (1989-02-18)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

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The story deals with immature teenage love story between Kannan and Radhika who are cousins (marriage within cross-cousins was common in India). The annual festival is for the village deity is conducted by the patriarch with pomp.

Kannan is the apple of the large joint family's eye and is spoiled by all. Radhika comes to join the family for the village festival and suddenly, Kannan's position is usurped. He first antagonises and humiliates her going so far as to hide in her bathroom while she goes to take bath which backfires with him becoming hated in the household and being thrown out of the house forcing him to stay with his friends.

Radhika apologises for exposing him in his bathroom stunt revealing that she is in love with him since childhood and came here explicitly to see him. Their love blossoms much to the ire of Radhika's paternal grandmother who has other plans for her, to get her married to her US based cross-cousin and settle there.

Things get ugly and culminates in the festival leading to the death of Radhika, her US based cousin, his grandfather and Kannan going to prison coming out after 16 years taking the mantle of the grandfather as the oldest surviving male.

Cast

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Production

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Varusham 16 is a remake of director Fazil's own Malayalam film Ennennum Kannettante.[2][3] The role of the lead actress was offered to Nirosha; due to her clash of dates, the director choose to cast Khushbu.[4] According to Khushbu, the song "Poo Pookum" was shot at a studio in Porur, Madras.[5] The filming was primarily held at Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kanyakumari.[6] The song "Pazhamuthircholai" was shot at Mathur Aqueduct, Kanyakumari.[7]

Soundtrack

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The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali.[8][9] The song "Gangai Karai Mannanadi" is set in Todi, a Hindustani raga,[10] "Hey Aiyasamy" is set in Dharmavati, a Carnatic raga,[11] "Karayatha Manamum" is set to Hema Bhushani,[12] "Pazhamuthir Cholai" is set in Harikambhoji,[13][14] and "Poo Pookum Masam" is set in Keeravani.[15] For the Telugu-dubbed version Premanjali, all lyrics were written by Rajasri.[16]

Tamil track list
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Pazhamuthir Cholai"K. J. Yesudas4:36
2."Hey Aiyasamy"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra4:31
3."Poo Pookum Masam"P. Susheela4:45
4."Gangai Karai Mannanadi"K. J. Yesudas5:40
5."Karayatha Manamum"K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra4:29
Total length:24:01
Telugu track list (Premanjali)
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Brundaavaname Naakosame"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:31
2."Hey Chitti Naannaa"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela4:29
3."Koothaku Vacchenu"P. Susheela4:34
4."Raagaale Paadedhane"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:11
Total length:17:45

Release and reception

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Varusham 16 was released on 18 February 1989.[17] N. Krishnaswamy of The Indian Express wrote that Karthik "puts much life and energy into his role", Khushbu "looks just out of school" and Viswanathan was "great as the head of the family", while also appreciating Jayabharathi, Vadivukkarasi and Charle's performances.[18] P. S. S. of Kalki said the film could be watched for the cast performances.[19] Karthik won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil,[20] and Fazil won the Cinema Express Award for Best Director.[21] Sekar was awarded the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Editor.[22]

References

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  1. ^ Arvind, T. (2 November 2017). "The numbers game: Tamil cinema's numerical titles". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  2. ^ Menon, Neelima (18 January 2018). "Telling the tales of lonesome souls: Fazil's filmography in retrospect". fullpicture.in. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  3. ^ Umashanker, Sudha (2 May 1998). "Penchant for riveting romances". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 April 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  4. ^ ஆனந்தராஜ், கு. (24 December 2019). "80'ஸ் எவர்கிரீன் நாயகிகள் - 10 - காதல் கொடுத்த துணிச்சலால் தப்பிச்சு வந்தேன்!". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  5. ^ Kushboo (24 August 2015). "Bring back Madras in our movies". India Today. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  6. ^ "வருஷம் 16 அரண்மணை, ஒரு ஃபோட்டோ டூர்". Native Planet (in Tamil). 14 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Varusham 16". WhereWasItShot. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Varusham 16 (1989)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  9. ^ "Varusham 16 Tamil Film LP VInyl Record by Ilayaraaja". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  10. ^ Mani, Charulatha (21 December 2012). "Towering Todi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  11. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 131.
  12. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 137.
  13. ^ "Positively tranquil". The Hindu. 7 December 2013. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  14. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 153.
  15. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 154.
  16. ^ "Premanjali". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  17. ^ "வருஷம்.16". The Indian Express. 18 February 1989. p. 3. Retrieved 27 October 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  18. ^ Krishnaswamy, N. (17 March 1989). "Varusham 16". The Indian Express. p. 5. Retrieved 10 May 2019 – via Google News Archive.
  19. ^ பி.எஸ்.எஸ். (12 March 1989). "வருஷம்.16". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 17. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  20. ^ "Double honour for Kamal". The Indian Express. Express News Service. 14 June 1990. p. 3. Retrieved 15 May 2021 – via Google News Archive.
  21. ^ "தமிழ்". Cinema Express (in Tamil). 1 March 1990. p. 7.
  22. ^ "Legendary editor Sekhar passes away at 81". The Times of India. 22 March 2018. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2024.

Bibliography

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  • Sundararaman (2007) [2005]. Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music (2nd ed.). Pichhamal Chintamani. OCLC 295034757.
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