Karuthamma
Karuthamma is a 1994 Tamil drama directed by Bharathiraja. The film stars Raja, Rajashree, and Maheswari, with Periyar Dasan making his acting debut in a supporting role. The story, about a village that still practices female infanticide, follows Karuthamma, a strong young woman who fights this cruel custom.
In the village of Pottalpetti, families kill baby girls to avoid dowries. A schoolteacher named Soosai learns about the practice and helps save an infant girl who would otherwise be killed. Years later, Karuthamma grows up to look after her family and falls in love with Stephen, a veterinarian. Her sister Ponnatha is married to Thavasi’s family, and Kaliamma, their scheming relative, tries to control everything.
Ponnatha becomes pregnant again, and Kaliamma orders the killing of the new baby girl. Ponnatha escapes with the baby but is killed, and the baby also dies. Karuthamma suspects foul play and refuses to accept the easy lie that Ponnatha committed suicide. A local politician pressures Karuthamma to marry Thavasi to close the case, but she does not give in.
The truth slowly comes out. Thavasi’s father is killed, and Thavasi, urged by Kaliamma and the village boss Chellamuthu, tries to keep Karuthamma under control. Karuthamma fights back, kills Chellamuthu and Thavasi, and saves Ponnatha’s remaining children. Rosy, a doctor and Karuthamma’s sister, helps as well. In the end, Karuthamma leaves with the police, having exposed the criminals and protected the children. Stephen promises to wait for her, and Rosy takes care of the children.
Music for Karuthamma was composed by A. R. Rahman. It was his second collaboration with Bharathiraja and helped bring attention to his folk-inspired songs.
Awards and impact:
- Won National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare.
- Won four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, including Best Film Portraying Woman in a Good Light.
- Won Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil.
- The film spotlighted female infanticide and pressured the government to act, contributing to laws to curb the practice and to the ban on prenatal sex identification.
Karuthamma was released on November 3, 1994, and became a commercial success, staying in theaters for many weeks.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 08:26 (CET).