Poompuhar Tamil is a Tamil epic film directed by P. Neelakantan based on one of The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature Silapadhigaaram in 1964. This is the second movie produced based on Silapadhigaaram epic after the first movie Kannagi in 1942.
Kovalan, the son of a wealthy merchant in Kaveripattinam, married Kannagi, the lovely daughter of another merchant. They lived together happily in the city of Kaveripattinam, until Kovalan met the courtesan Madhavi and fell in love with her. In his infatuation, he left his wife Kannagi and gradually spent all his wealth on the dancer. At last, penniless, Kovalan realised his mistake, and returned to Kannagi after a year. Their only asset was a precious pair of anklets Tamil Silambu, filled with gems, which she gave to him willingly. With these as their capital they went to the great city of Madurai, where Kovalan hoped to recoup his fortunes by trade.The city of Madurai was ruled by the Pandya king Neduncheziyan. Upon arrival to Madurai, Kovalan set out to sell Kannagis anklets. While on his way to sell the anklet, he was held by the kings guards for the alleged theft of one of the queens anklets. Upon the kings orders, he was beheaded without trial. When Kannagi was informed of this, she became furious, and set out to prove her husbands innocence to the king, by showing him the anklets. ........
Source: Wikipedia