K. Balachander and his Women

The ‘Iyakkunar Sigaram’ K. Balachander was one of the few directors in the country who gave the importance that women deserved in his films and created strong and multi dimensional female characters that stand the test of time. On his 86th birthday, we take a look at some of KB’s women and how uniquely he has sketched each one.

Kamala (B. Saroja Devi) in 'Thamarai Nenjam'

B. Saroja Devi played mostly the arm candy roles to superstars MGR and Sivaji and one of her best performances was extracted by KB in ‘Thamarai Nenjam’ in which she is Kamala who loves and loses the hero to her best friend and writes her true story as a serial in a magazine through which her sacrifices become clear to all concerned.

Janaki(Sowcar Janaki) & Jaya (Jayanthi) in 'Iru Kodugal'

In ‘Iru Kodugal’ that belongs to the women Sowcar Janaki’s character starts as an illiterate village woman deserted by her husband who becomes then becomes the Collector where her husband is her peon. Jayanthi as the innocent wife who cannot think beyond her family are two strong characters who can be placed in any time frame and admired.

Kavitha (Sujatha) - 'Aval Oru Thodarkathai'

Perhaps the strongest woman ever portrayed in Tamil cinema is Kavitha in ‘Aval Oru Thodarkathai’ brilliantly written by KB and enacted by Sujatha. Kavitha is an epitome of sacrifice as she shoulders the responsibility of her entire household giving up her love for her sister and ultimately her youth for the rest.

Sindhu (Suhasini) & Bhairavi (Sulakshana)

A more modern classic from KB has bigamy as the core subject, but the two women are so well written that you cannot choose between them to root for. Sindhu is modern liberated and is a perfect match for the creative JKB sadly though she is the other woman. On the other hand the wife Bhairavi though apparently a mismatch is in fact a fountain of love. Watch it again to revel in KB.

Nandhini (Suhasini) in 'Manathil Urudhi Vendum'

Suhasini received many awards for playing KB’s author backed Nandhini the nurse who is dedicated to her work and inspires all around her with her strong values. She loses the man she loves because she chooses to save her undeserving ex-husband for the sake of his wife and child.

Lalitha (Prameela) in 'Arangetram'

A girl from a very orthodox family ends up a prostitute to support her big family of eight siblings who she settles one by one and loses her sanity in the end. KB glorifies the sacrifice of the strong Lalitha and when you watch this film and Prameela’s portrayal you don’t dwell too much on the morality issue which though demanded the climax due to the times.

Kannamma (Saritha) in 'Agni Saatchi'

KB was ahead of his times when he wrote the character of Kannamma a Schizophrenia patient in ‘Agni Saatchi’. At those times when mental diseases were not understood in the right perspective, he handled it with sensitivity. Saritha won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.

Selvi (Sridevi) in 'Moondru Mudichi'

A film starring Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan but the core is Selvi portrayed Sridevi, who has to deal with the murderer (Rajini) of her lover (Kamal) who is now her stepson. As the title suggests the story is very complicated, but KB brought to life a very strong heroine who matures from a carefree girl to the head of her new family who refines her stepson.

Bhairavi (Srividya) & Ranjani (Jayasudha) in 'Apoorva Ragangal'

It can't get more mind boggling than this, a middle aged Bhairavi (Srividya) falls for a much younger Prassanna (Kamal) while her daughter Ranjani (Jayasudha) is smitten by Prasanna’s father Mahendran (Major Sundarajan). If KB gives a dignified demeanor to the classical singer Bhairavi, Ranjani in her own right is a very well written confused girl who is strong about her unconventional choice.

‘Kalki’

KB brought Kannada heroine Shruti to Tamil screens and the controversially bold character Kalki was brought to life. The legend left it to the viewer to judge Kalki who for the sake of two unknown women befriends and enslaves their husband even to the extent of bearing a child to teach him a lesson.

Jyothi (Sithara) & Gowri (Geetha) in 'Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal'

KB in full form as he paints

The ‘Iyakkunar Sigaram’ K. Balachander was one of the few directors in the country who gave the importance that women deserved in his films and created strong and multi dimensional female characters that stand the test of time.