Bagyavathi

Bagyavathi is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by L. V. Prasad and written by Ra. Ve, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and M. N. Rajam. It was released on 27 December 1957.

Plot
Somu, who is a criminal, marries Meena. Unable to expose Somu because of her love and devotion to him, she tries to transform him. In a separate storyline, Ravi, a six-year-old boy, learns that his father Suppanna is a criminal, and leaves his home. Suppanna also has a daughter, Bhama, who fails in her attempts to reform her father's ways. As a result, she kills herself.

Cast

 * Male cast
 * Sivaji Ganesan as Somu
 * K. A. Thangavelu as Shankaran
 * K. Sarangapani as Ramasami
 * Boopathi Nandaram as Subbanna
 * P. D. Sambandam as Saminathan
 * Master Gopal as Ravi


 * Female
 * Padmini as Meena
 * Ragini as Suguna
 * M. N. Rajam as Bama
 * Lakshmi Prabha as Velammal
 * K. N. Kamalam as Sooravalli
 * K. Aranganayaki as Somu's mother


 * Supporting cast
 * C. P. Kittan, V. P. S. Mani, Basupathi, V. T. Kalyanam, Santhanam, Ponnusami, Kunjitham Pillai, Jayasakthivel, G. V. Sharma, Shankaramoorthi, Therur Murugan, Kannan, Late Balaraman, Nanjilseth, Subbaraman, Rathnam, Sami & Party, P. R. Chandra, Seethalakshmi, and Kaurava Nathakar Sivasooryan.

Production
A.C. Pillai, who was a small-time bank clerk-turned-film producer, made this film. It was written by Ra. Venkatachalam under the abbreviated "Ra. Ve". P. L. Rai was the cinematographer and the audiography was handled by A. Krishnan. The film was produced at Vijaya Vauhini Studios.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by S. Dakshinamurthi and lyrics were written by A. Maruthakasi and Subbu Arumugam. The song "Kannale Vettadhe" was well received.

Release and reception
Bagyavathi was released on 27 December 1957. The film was distributed by Subbu & Co in Madras. Film historian Randor Guy noted, "In spite of the stellar cast, interesting storyline and fine direction, the film did not do well".