Kiratha Arjuna

Kiratha Arjuna also known as Oorvasi Saahasam was a 1940 Indian Tamil period film directed by G. Ramaseshan and Muthuswami Iyer. The films ensemble cast featured M. R. Krishnamurthi, P. B. Rangachari, Thirukharaivaasal Subbulakshmi, Bhavani, K. Sambamurthi, T. M. Ramasami Pillai, M. V. Sulochana, M. S. Mani and T. V. Lakshmi. Kiratha Arjuna narrated the epic tale about the Pandava prince Arjuna and Lord Shiva, disguised as a tribal hunter, fighting him. There is a temple in Ernakulam, Kerala, dedicated to this episode.

The vanquished Arjuna, unable to even stand up, makes a Shiva Linga out of mud and performs a puja, offering flowers. To his surprise, he finds that the flower he offers to the Linga is falling over the head of Kiratha. Arjuna then realises that Kiratha is none other than Lord Shiva. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva grants the Pasupathastra, the divine arrow, to Arjuna.This film had two titles, Kiratha Arjuna and Oorvasi Saahasam, like for most films in the previous years. It was produced and censored in 1939, but for unknown reasons was released in 1940. M. R. Krishnamurthi, a qualified Carnatic musician and the younger brother of Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, played the role of Arjuna. He was a successful singing star of the stage before he sailed into early Tamil cinema playing the lead role in many films. His earliest hit was Bhama Vijayam 1934 in which he played Lord Krishna with the Palayamkottah Sisters. Thirukharaivaasal Subbulakshmi played the celestial dancer Oorvasi sent to lure Arjuna away from his penance by Lord Indra. Kiratha Arjuna was produced by Venus Pictures not the laterera multilingual Chennaibased film unit of the same name and directed by G. Ramaseshan who was involved in the setting up of the Central Studios of Coimbatore. This is the only film he directed along with Murugadasa alias Muthuswami Iyer, the maker of popular films such as Chakradhari. ........

Source: Wikipedia