MR Radhas Tamil classic Ratha Kanneer to get renewed lease of life at NFAI

Late legendary Tamil actor MR Radha’s 1954 classic Ratha Kanneer is all set to get a renewed lease of life at the National Film Archive of India (NFAI). The organisation has added the film to its revered collection, marking an important step towards its preservation and restoration.

According to a press release, the film was donated by Aparna Subramaniam, Film Research Officer at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), who presented eight jumbo reels in 35mm format from her personal collection to Prakash Magdum, Managing Director, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), in Pune.

Prakash, emphasising the importance of the acquisition, stated that since no film archive holds any other original negatives of the film, there is a critical need to preserve the print. He also highlighted the need for film preservation and appealed to film collectors and enthusiasts to contribute to NFAI’s archival efforts. Meanwhile, Aparna Subramaniam said the film belongs at the NFAI, where it can be preserved, archived, and potentially restored for future generations.

Ratha Kanneer, directed by Krishnan Panju and written by Thiruvarur Thangarasu, is widely regarded as a landmark work of progressive Indian cinema. Also starring Sriranjani and SS Rajendran, the film tackled social issues like caste discrimination, blind faith, ritualistic practices, and the stigma surrounding leprosy. “The film also advocated progressive ideas, including widow remarriage, making it a powerful reflection of reformist thought in 1950s India,” read a press release.

Notably, fans of Tamil cinema fondly remember Ratha Kanneer for its sharp dialogues that broke social stigmas.