Kairasi


Kairasi is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Shankar and produced by N. Vasudeva Menon. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi, K. A. Thangavelu and M. R. Radha in lead roles. The film had musical score by R. Govardhanam. Kairasi was released on 19 October 1960, during Diwali, and became a commercial success.

Plot

Sundaram, an honest police constable, is falsely accused of murder and subsequently imprisoned. Ramanathan, a judge, adopts Sundaram's son, Mohan, who goes on to become a successful doctor.

Cast

Credits adapted from the songbook:
;Male cast
;Male support cast
Balakrishnan, V. T. Kalyanam, and Maruthappa.
;Female cast
;Female support cast
Kairasi was directed by K. Shankar, who doubled as editor. N. Vasudeva Menon produced the film under Vasu Films, and this was his second film as producer. The story was written by Kothamangalam Sadanandan, while the dialogues were written by K. S. Gopalakrishnan and K. D. Santhanam, who also appeared onscreen as a judge. Cinematography was handled by Thambu, and K. Narayanan co-edited the film, while A. Balu was the art director. The final cut of the film measured 163 minutes.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by R. Govardhanam. The lyrics were written by Kannadasan, Kothamangalam Subbu and K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The playback singers were T. M. Soundararajan, Seergazhi Govindarajan, S. C. Krishnan, P. Susheela, T. S. Bagavathi, Kamala and L. R. Eswari. Music historian Vamanan wrote that Kairasi "brought out the best in Govardhanam, with its limpid melodies brimming forth sweetly with lyrical intimations of love and romance."

Release and reception

Kairasi was released on 19 October 1960, during Diwali. It was distributed by Solar Film Distributors in Madras, and other distributors in other districts in Tamil Nadu. The Indian Express positively reviewed the film, praising the performances of Ganesan, Rajamma, Sahasranamam and Radha, as well as the songs written by Kannadasan and the title track written by Subbu. Despite facing competition from Mannadhi Mannan, Petra Manam, and Paavai Vilakku, released on the same day, the film became a commercial success.