Kalathur Kannamma

Kannamma is sent to Madras for higher education on Ramalingam's advice. She leaves Kalathur behind and begins her journey to the city, setting up the contrast between village life and urban study.

On the return trip from Madras, Kannamma meets Raja in a train. He pretends to be an electrician visiting the palace, and they fall in love.

A few days after meeting, Kannamma learns Raja's true identity, and Raja marries her secretly in a temple to reassure her. The marriage remains hidden from the public eye.

Two days after the secret marriage, Raja has to go abroad for higher studies. Kannamma remains behind, uncertain about the future and their secret bond.

Ramalingam learns of the marriage and angrily orders Kannamma to forget Raja's son. He wants her to renounce any memory or claim of the secret union.

Moved by the zamindar's demand, Kannamma vows secrecy and relocates with Murugan to Sevalpatti. Murugan, ashamed, leaves Kannamma's newborn son in an orphanage, claiming the child was stillborn.

Raja returns to Kalathur and then investigates in Sevalpatti, where he concludes Kannamma led an immoral life. Grief-stricken, he travels from place to place and takes to drinking as a coping mechanism.

In Bangalore, Raja encounters Kannamma in a dancer's house where she teaches a dancer's daughter. Her reticence strengthens his belief in her immorality, and he returns home.

Selvam grows up in the Sevalpatti orphanage. Murugan visits the orphanage and decides to shift to Sevalpatti to be near him.

Raja is invited to Sevalpatti by Singaram to preside over a school function. He takes a shine to Selvam, and after the play he orders the headmistress to dismiss Kannamma.

Mani becomes critically ill and Selvam asks Raja for help. Raja brings a doctor, but Mani dies, and Raja takes Selvam with him to the palace.

A seriously ill Murugan confesses that Kannamma's child is alive, revealing Selvam's true identity. Kannamma tries to contact Selvam but cannot find him at the orphanage.

Kannamma meets Selvam in the local temple and tells him she is his mother. He reveals that Raja is raising him and plans to marry soon to find a mother, and Kannamma pleads him not to reveal her secret to Raja.

News of Selvam's true identity spreads; Murugan collapses near the palace gate as the situation escalates. Ramalingam observes Kannamma's silence and acknowledges her as his daughter-in-law; Selvam is united with his parents and Raja's engagement to Maduram is cancelled.