Kalki R Krishnamurthy

Kalvanin Kathali Kalki R Krishnamurthy

Written by Kalki R. Krishnamurthy in 1935 with the intention of making movies of them. Published as a serial novel in Ananda Vikatan. From the first part that appeared in the issue dated 29.8.1937, the story became hugely popular, with readers waiting eagerly for each issue containing the next chapter of the story. Kalki R. Krishnamurthy drew inspiration from real life dacoit called Jambulingam whose exploits were legendary. The story was also published as a book later in 1954 by Chinna Annamalai Padhippagam. In the meantime, T. K. Shanmugam adapted the story for the stage, and his dramatization was so effective that the play was a crowd-puller wherever it was staged. Some other drama troupes did this as well. At a function got up in Chennai to release a collection of Kalki R. Krishnamurthy's works, Poornam Vishwanathan recalled how his stage adaptation of Kalvanin Kadhali in 1946 won praise from Rajaji. Kalvanin Kadhali is the story of a dacoit and his beloved, Muththaiyan and Kalyani. At the PoonkuLam village, Kalyani falls for good-hearted Muththaiyan. Circumstances brand Muththaiyan a dacoit, but Kalyani remains steadfast in her love. Evading the police, Muthaiyan leads the life of an exile in the forest. When things come to a head, Muththaiyan and Kalyani decide to run away to some far-off place and settle down to marital bliss. Muththaiyan's loyal friend Kamalapathi, who is a stage actor makes all arrangements for their escape. In order to hoodwink the vigilant police inspector Shastri, Kamalapathi disguises himself as a woman and goes to the forest to meet Muthaiyan and appraise him of the plans. When Kalyani comes to the appointed place, she finds Muthaiyan embracing another woman. Not realizing that it is Kamalapathi whom Muththaiyan is expressing his heart-felt thanks to, she suspects her lover's loyalty and runs away in a rage. Inspector Shastri, who is also in disguise, meets Kalyani at this juncture and enquires Muththaiyan's whereabouts. Unthinking in her anger, Kalyani blurts out Muththaiyan's location. Seeing Shastri run with his gun, Kalyani realizes that he is a police officer, and runs after him. The story ends in tragedy where the lovers unite in death.