Kovalan

The film tells the story of Kovalan, a wealthy merchant of Puhar, who falls deeply in love with the courtesan Madhavi, neglecting his wife Kannagi. His excessive spending on Madhavi leads to financial ruin. Desperate, Kovalan decides to sell one of Kannagi's anklets to earn money, which leads to a tragic confrontation when the anklet is mistaken for a stolen royal jewel.

As one of the earliest Tamil talkies, 'Kovalan' was a landmark film. It was praised for its technical achievements, compelling narrative based on the epic Silappatikaram, and the powerful performances of its lead actors, particularly M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. It resonated with audiences for its moral themes and grand spectacle.

• Praised for its pioneering use of sound and music in Tamil cinema.

• Acclaimed for its faithful adaptation of a revered epic tale.

• The performances, especially M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's, were highly lauded.

Google audience: Information not available for this historical film.

None notable, given the era and lack of standardized award systems.

This film marked the debut of M. S. Subbulakshmi, who later became one of the most celebrated Carnatic musicians of India, in a supporting role.