Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar

and formed a production company called Kumari Films, with contributions from more than 50 shareholders. Each of them contributed an amount ranging from 500 to 5,000 to start the banner. None of the members contributed more than 5,000. Kumari Films’ inaugural production was launched by the communist leader . The film was the second directorial venture of Ghosh, who also worked as cinematographer. addresses the , and was scripted keeping the (CPI) ideology in mind. The music was composed by , while the lyrics were written by , and K. C. S. Arunachalam. wrote the song “Koduthadellam Koduthan” for this film but it was rejected by Ghosh, and instead used in (1964). The song “Thennankeetru” is based on , and was set to tune with a . was released on 18 November 1960. In July, select reels of the film were made available for previewing as the final film was not yet complete. then wrote, “The plot unfolds itself with easy tempo and unflagging inter- The songs are natural and exceptionally homely. Photography and sound recording are superb”. Reviewing the complete version on 19 November, they praised the film for minimal dramatisation and more naturalism. Despite critical acclaim, the film did not succeed commercially; the distributors complained that L. Vijayalakshmi did not dance, to which the director replied, “[Vijayalakshmi] knows how to dance, but the character she plays in the film does not!” According to historian , “internal dissensions spoiled the film’s release and caused it to flop.”