{ "id": "ept6rqwdx5", "slug": "rosappu-ravikkaikari", "title": "Rosappu Ravikkaikari (ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000", "label": "Tamil films before 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "label": "Released 1952 to 1991", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000: Released 1952 to 1991", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000", "label": "Tamil films before 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "label": "Released 1952 to 1991", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Rosappu Ravikkaikari (ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி), also Rosapoo Ravikkaikari, is a 1979 Tamil drama directed by Devaraj–Mohan, Sivakumar's 100th film, a remake of Parasangada Gendethimma with Ilaiyaraaja's music.", "snippet": "Rosappu Ravikkaikari (ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி), also Rosapoo Ravikkaikari, is a 1979 Tamil drama directed by Devaraj–Mohan, Sivakumar's 100th film, a remake of Parasangada Gendethimma with Ilaiyaraaja's music.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1952-1991", "markdown": "# Rosappu Ravikkaikari (ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி)\n\n**Rosappu Ravikkaikari** (ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி; transliterated in some databases as Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari or Rosapoo Ravikkaikari) is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by the duo Devaraj–Mohan, produced by Thirupur Mani for Vivekananda Pictures, and starring [Sivakumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/sivakumar), Deepa, and Sivachandran[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html) • [2](https://movies.justickets.co/rosappu-ravikkaikari). It is a remake of the 1978 Kannada film *Parasangada Gendethimma*, itself adapted from the novella of the same name by the Kannada writer Srikrishna Alanahalli[2](https://movies.justickets.co/rosappu-ravikkaikari). The film was Sivakumar's 100th film as an actor, and his performance won him the [Filmfare Award for Best Actor](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmfare-award-for-best-actor) – Tamil[2](https://movies.justickets.co/rosappu-ravikkaikari).\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | 18 May 1979, Tamil language, India[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html) |\n| Direction and production | Directed by the duo Devaraj–Mohan; produced by Thirupur Mani, Vivekananda Pictures[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html) |\n| Source | Remake of the Kannada film *Parasangada Gendethimma* (1978), from Srikrishna Alanahalli's novella[2](https://movies.justickets.co/rosappu-ravikkaikari) |\n| Milestone | Sivakumar's 100th film as an actor[2](https://movies.justickets.co/rosappu-ravikkaikari) |\n| Music | Ilaiyaraaja; lyrics by Pulamaipithan and Gangai Amaran[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html) |\n| Reception | Ran over 100 days in theaters; Ananda Vikatan rated it 50 out of 100[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html) |\n| Award | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil, to Sivakumar[7](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-details/rosaappo-ravikkai-kaari/movieawards/62508399.cms) |\n| Runtime | 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes)[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rosapoo_ravikkaikari) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot and setting\n\nThe story follows Sempatta (also spelled Sembattayan), an illiterate but innocent village vendor who supplies the hamlet with its daily needs, from cereals onward[3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279384/) • [6](https://puthiyaagarathi.com/rosappoo-ravikkaikari-nandini-and-sembattai-are-the-first-victims-of-cultural-change/). He marries Nandhini, a woman drawn to modern city ways. His mother dislikes her lifestyle, and the couple moves out; later Nandhini is attracted to Manickam, a suave man[3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279384/).\n\nThe setting is a small hill village, Vandicholai, in Salem district, in the period before Indian independence[6](https://puthiyaagarathi.com/rosappoo-ravikkaikari-nandini-and-sembattai-are-the-first-victims-of-cultural-change/). A retrospective review describes the film as working largely through symbols: Nandhini's arrival in the downtrodden village stands for the entry of a new culture into a traditional society, and the villagers' unfamiliarity with garments such as the ravikkai (blouse) and brassiere, referenced in the title, marks the cultural distance the film explores[3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279384/) • [6](https://puthiyaagarathi.com/rosappoo-ravikkaikari-nandini-and-sembattai-are-the-first-victims-of-cultural-change/). The dialogue is dense with local proverbs and idioms of the Kongu region[6](https://puthiyaagarathi.com/rosappoo-ravikkaikari-nandini-and-sembattai-are-the-first-victims-of-cultural-change/).\n\n## Production\n\nThe project began with *Vandichakkaram*, written by [Vinu Chakravarthy](https://www.edgepedia.org/vinu-chakravarthy), which was planned as Sivakumar's 100th film. In 1978, Chakravarthy, the director K. Vijayan, and the producer Thirupur Mani watched the Kannada film *Parasangada Gendethimma* and decided its remake suited the milestone better; they persuaded Sivakumar, and *Vandichakkaram* became his 101st film instead[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html) • [3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279384/).\n\nThe screenplay and dialogue were written by Vijay Krishnaraj, credited as Krishna, in his cinema debut[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). The film also marked Vinu Chakravarthy's debut as an actor in [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema); Alanahalli, who had worked on the Kannada original, recommended him for the remake[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). R. Nagarathnamma, who had played male roles in a [Bangalore](https://www.edgepedia.org/bangalore) theater troupe, was cast as Sembattayan's mother, and Deepa was signed for the heroine's combination of beauty, youth, and a childlike quality[5](https://www.hindutamil.in/amp/story/story/news/blogs/674269-thiraippada-solai.html).\n\nFilming began on 1 February 1979 at Yercaud and ended on 5 March, completed in 45 working days in and around the Vazhavandi village near Yercaud; the song sequence \"Uchchi Vaguntheduthu\" was shot last[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). R. N. K. Prasad handled cinematography and T. P. Sekar the editing[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html).\n\n## Music\n\nIlaiyaraaja composed the score, with four songs written by Pulamaipithan and [Gangai Amaran](https://www.edgepedia.org/gangai-amaran)[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). \"Maman Oru Naal\", sung by [S. P. Balasubrahmanyam](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-p-balasubrahmanyam) and [S. P. Sailaja](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-p-sailaja), is set in the Harikamboji raga, and \"Ennullil Yengo\", sung by Vani Jairam, is set in Madhuvanti[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html) • [8](https://zolotube.com/watch?v=5ja14SbIvUY). Malaysia Vasudevan sang \"Vethala Vethala Vethalaiyo\", a song that doubles as a portrait of the hero's character and of Vandicholai village life[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). A 4K remaster of \"Yennullil Yengo\" was later released on streaming platforms[8](https://zolotube.com/watch?v=5ja14SbIvUY).\n\n## Release and reception\n\nThe film was released on 18 May 1979 and received an \"A\" (adults only) certificate after three cuts[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). It became a critical and commercial success, running for over 100 days in theaters[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). [Ananda Vikatan](https://www.edgepedia.org/ananda-vikatan), in a review dated 27 May 1979, rated it 50 out of 100, praising Sivakumar's performance and Ilaiyaraaja's background score[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). Sivakumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for the film[7](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-details/rosaappo-ravikkai-kaari/movieawards/62508399.cms).\n\n## Legacy\n\nThe film is remembered as a milestone in Tamil cinema for showing infidelity and its consequences on screen, a subject the retrospective Tamil press coverage treats as its principal claim to standing[1](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html). Later commentary describes it as a cult film whose symbolic treatment of cultural change, carried by Nandhini and Sembattayan as the first victims of that change, has kept it in critical discussion decades after release[6](https://puthiyaagarathi.com/rosappoo-ravikkaikari-nandini-and-sembattai-are-the-first-victims-of-cultural-change/). As of recent listings, the film is not available on major streaming services[9](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/rosapoo-ravikkaikari/mr0DeL0PBYbjjoHytVKAp1/where-to-watch/).\n\n## References\n\n1. [Rosappu Ravikkaikari | ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி, tamilthiraiulagam.com](https://www.tamilthiraiulagam.com/films/1979/rosappuravikkaikari.html)\n2. [Rosappu Ravikkaikari (1979), Justickets/Moviebuff](https://movies.justickets.co/rosappu-ravikkaikari)\n3. [Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari (1979), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279384/)\n4. [Rosapoo Ravikkaikari, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rosapoo_ravikkaikari)\n5. [திரைப்படச்சோலை 34: ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி, Hindu Tamil Thisai](https://www.hindutamil.in/amp/story/story/news/blogs/674269-thiraippada-solai.html)\n6. [ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி – நந்தினியும் செம்பட்டையும் கலாச்சார மாற்றத்தின் முதல் பலியாடுகள், Puthiya Agarathi](https://puthiyaagarathi.com/rosappoo-ravikkaikari-nandini-and-sembattai-are-the-first-victims-of-cultural-change/)\n7. [Rosaappo Ravikkai Kaari Awards, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-details/rosaappo-ravikkai-kaari/movieawards/62508399.cms)\n8. [Yennullil Yengo 4K Remastered Video Song – Rosappu Ravikkaikari, Zolotube](https://zolotube.com/watch?v=5ja14SbIvUY)\n9. [Where to Watch Rosapoo Ravikkaikari, Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/movie/rosapoo-ravikkaikari/mr0DeL0PBYbjjoHytVKAp1/where-to-watch/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Tamil films before 2000 › Released 1952 to 1991*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/rosappu-ravikkaikari", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/rosappu-ravikkaikari.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Rosappu Ravikkaikari (ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/rosappu-ravikkaikari. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Rosappu Ravikkaikari (ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி)](https://www.edgepedia.org/rosappu-ravikkaikari)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/rosappu-ravikkaikari](https://www.edgepedia.org/rosappu-ravikkaikari). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Rosappu Ravikkaikari (ரோசாப்பூ ரவிக்கைக்காரி)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/rosappu-ravikkaikari. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Rosappu Ravikkaikari, also Rosapoo Ravikkaikari, is a 1979 Tamil drama directed by Devaraj–Mohan, Sivakumar's 100th film, a remake of Parasangada Gendethimma with Ilaiyaraaja's music." }