Lavangi

Lavangi லவங்கி
Film Poster
Directed by	Y. V. Rao
Produced by	Y. V. Rao
Story by	P. R. Narayanan
Starring	Y. V. Rao Kumari Rukmini B. R. Panthulu K. R. Jayamma K. Sarangapani T. R. Ramachandran K. R. Chellam
Music by	C. R. Subburaman
Cinematography	Jiten Bannerjee
Production company	Newton Studios
Distributed by	Sri Jagadhish Films
Release date	10 May 1946
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Lavangi (தமிழ்: லவங்கி) is a 1946 Tamil film directed and produced by Y. V. Rao and written by P. R. Narayanan. It stars Y. V. Rao, Kumari Rukmini, B. R. Panthulu, K. R. Jayamma, K. Sarangapani, K. R. Chellam and T. R. Ramachandran. The film features music by C. R. Subbu Raman. The story of Lavangi is a mix of facts and fiction, and its story line is built around a famed poet, Jagannathaa Pandita Rayalu, who was believed to have served to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as one of his court poets. The film did not do well, much to the disappointment of Rao, the producers, and others. Later it was dubbed into Hindi, but did not meet with success.

The film tells the story of Jagannatha Pandita Rayalu, a Sanskrit poet from Andhra, who is fluent in many languages. He marries a young village woman (Kumari Rukmini) who lives in his town. Looking for fame and fortune, he heads to the court of King Shah Jahan (B. R. Panthulu) who is impressed with his multifaceted talents. Jagannatha leaves behind his young wife in the village for twelve years to join Shah Jahan. During these years alone, she suffers greatly. Apart from other things, she endures poverty and ugly rumors about her morals. An old gossipy blackmailer (K. Sarangapani) tries to take advantage of her, and he and his attractive wife (K. R. Chellam) have an idiot son (T. R. Ramachandran).

After pining for her husband, the wife leaves home for Agra where she meets Empress Mumtaz Mahal (B. S. Jayamma), who takes her under her wing. The young village wife changes her appearance and lifestyle and is renamed Lavangi. Jagannatha, unaware that she is the same wife he had left behind 12 years earlier, falls in love and offers to marry her. In a romantic climax, the truth comes out and the couple is reunited.