Mangaiyar Thilakam

Last updated

Mangaiyar Thilakam
Mangaiyar Thilakam.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by L. V. Prasad
Screenplay by L. V. Prasad
Story by Shantaram Athavale (Original)
V. Sadasivabrahmam (Adapted)
Based onVahinchya Bangdya
by Shantaram Athavale
Produced bySripadha Shankar
Starring Sivaji Ganesan
Padmini
CinematographyP. L. Rai
Edited byN. M. Shankar
Music by S. Dakshinamurthi
Production
company
Vaidya Films
Release date
  • 26 August 1955 (1955-08-26)
Running time
182 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Mangaiyar Thilakam (transl. A Jewel Among Women) is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by L. V. Prasad. The film, released on 26 August 1955, was a remake of the 1953 Marathi film Vahinicha Bangadya. [1] The film was produced by Sripadha Shankar under the banner of Vaidya films. It stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, while M. N. Rajam, S. V. Subbaiah, K. A. Thangavelu and K. Sarangapani play pivotal roles. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by S. Dakshinamurthi, while the lyrics for the songs were written by Kannadasan, Puratchidasan and Maruthakasi. P. L. Rai and N. M. Shankar handled cinematography and editing respectively. The story was adapted by Sadasiva Brahmam and dialogues were written by Valampuri Somanathan, G. Ramakrishnan and D. Nagalingam.

Contents

Plot

The story starts with the special birthday celebration of a girl. An unusual ceremony is performed, where the child goes to perform puja at the samadhi built over a cremation site, and which is usually built at the place where a pativratha or great lady has performed sati. A friend asks about the story of the sati, and Vasudevan narrates the story after telling that this not an ordinary Sati, but an Aajeeva Sati whose whole life was a sacrifice pleasing to God, and who died not actually as a Sati but as a Muttaida/Suhagan in the lifetime of her husband after dedicating her life to family. Vasudevan begins to narrate the story.

Karunakaran and Vasudevan are brothers whose parents had died. They are very much loving and close to each other but Vasudevan longs for mother's love. Yielding to the relatives persuasion, Karunakaran accepts to marry Sulochana. Vasudevan gets upset as he is afraid of what will happen with new person and he only has got one brother, no mother no father. He sets off to the bride's house to see her and he likes her at the first glimpse because she is very nice to him.

The wedding takes place and Sulochana becomes a loving wife and the perfect home-maker because she is very traditional and she builds the family including all the mother's love for Vasudevan. The house was like "house for ghosts" because there was no wife and mother until now, but now Sulochana starts everything perfectly, regular puja, Tulsi, rangoli, toranam above door, keeping two cows, cooking proper food at proper time, lunchbox for Vasudevan, waiting for each other to come home, celebrating all the small and big festivals, keeping all the Nomu (Vrath) with fasting and feasting, and everything like that. For Vasudevan, she is the only mother he ever knew and he fully accepts her as his own mother. Sulochana gets pregnant and delivers a baby boy, but the delivery is very difficult and the baby boy is born dead. The doctor tells Karunakaran that Sulochana will not have any more children because the delivery was complicated and he had to cut some organ to save her life. When Sulochana hears of this, she is very sad, but noble lady, and she says, "God gave me one sweet son. Why I should ask more?" and she pats Vasudevan lovingly on the head.

Time rolls on and Vasudevan becomes as an adult and becomes a college professor, but unfortunately, Karunakaran and Sulochana was not blessed with children. Vasudevan presents Sulochana gold bangles from his first pay. Vasudevan was arranged to marry Rao Bahadur Ponnambalam's and Akilam's daughter Prabha.

Comic relief was presented in a moral story of Ponnambalam's family. Ponnambalam listens too much to and often quarrels with Akilam. This drives Ponnambalam's son Kalamani (K. A. Thangavelu) and his wife Neela (Ragini) to hatch a drama in order for Ponnambalam and Akilam to be united and respect each other. Kalamani and Neela succeed in this.

Prabha's character was the opposite of Sulochana's, but the latter hardly bothers about this and carries on her daily good deeds. Prabha gets pregnant and delivers a baby boy, Ravi (Master Ravi), but she does not care much for him. Sulochana picks up the tasks and takes care of Ravi as a mother should. As Ravi grows, Prabha does not like this and forbids Sulochana from raising Ravi.

Ravi falls ill due to the separation and Sulochana takes care of him day and night, not bothering about her meals and health. Ravi becomes very serious for a month, till the doctor who treats him loses hope. Sulochana takes Ravi to a temple and pleads to Lord Shiva to take her life instead and spare Ravi's life. Prabha apologises to Sulochana, but the latter says that it was by the God's grace before collapsing due to being too weak. Even on her death bed, Sulochana enquires about Ravi's health. After thanking Karunakaran and Vasudevan for a good life as a daughter-in-law in the house and says that she would be reborn in this house, Sulochana dies.

Sulochana's body was cremated, but Karunakaran and Vasudevan were surprised to see the gold bangles were not damaged during the process. A baby girl was born on the exact day after a year and she was accepted by the whole family as Sulochana reborn. The gold bangles would be worn to her on every birthday, thus the special occasion.

Cast

Male cast
Female cast

Production

Actor Sripadha Shankar ventured into film production with Mangayar Thilakam being one of his ventures. Since he was not financially strong, he sought the help of an enterprising bank clerk, A. C. Pillai, who helped complete the film providing funds. [2] This film was based on the Marathi film Vahininjiya Pangkadiya. Valampuri Somanathan, G. Ramakrishnan and D. Nagarajan wrote the screenplay. [2]

Soundtrack

Soundtrack was composed by S. Dakshinamurthi, while The lyrics were by Udumalai Narayana Kavi, Kannadasan, A. Maruthakasi and Puratchidasan. [3] [4] The song "Neela Vanna Kannaa Vaadaa" was initially to be written by Kannadasan. As Prasad did not like what he wrote, he was replaced by Maruthakasi. [5] According to historian Randor Guy, the song "Ketta Penmani" took a dig at modern women. [2]

SongSingersLyricsLength
"Unmai Anbu Endrum Anaindhidaadha Theebam"K. Jamuna Rani A. Maruthakasi 03:12
"Baakkiyavathi Naan Baakkiyavathi"P. Leela03:11
"Neela Vanna Kannaa Vaadaa"R. Balasaraswathi Devi04:16
"Nee Varavillaiyenil Aadharavedhu"M. Sathyam03:25
"Purindhu Kollavillai Innum"S. C. Krishnan & A. G. Rathnamala03:16
"Kandu Konden Naan Kandu Konden"T. KamalaPuratchidasan02:45
"Engal Kula Dhevi Neeye"P. Leela Kannadasan 02:35
"Dheva Sadhaa Soga Thirunaalaam"02:56
"Oru Muraidhaan Varum"Jikki02:47
"Ketta Penmani Butthi Ketta Penmani"T. V. Rathnam Udumalai Narayana Kavi 02:43
"Adanga Pidaari Naadagam"S. C. Krishnan, T. V. Rathnam
Vadivambal, K. R. Sellamuthu
S. V. Ponnusamy, and S. J. Kantha		09:36

Release and reception

Mangaiyar Thilakam was released on 26 August 1955. [6] Kalki said it was a good film that could not be underestimated with regards to visual combinations, cinematography, sound recording and artistic technique. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Neela Malargal</i> 1979 film by Krishnan–Panju

Neela Malargal is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by Krishnan–Panju. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Major Sundarrajan. It is a remake of the Hindi film Anuraag (1972). The film was released on 19 October 1979.

<i>Vanambadi</i> 1963 Indian film

Vanambadi (transl. Skylark) is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language thriller film, directed by G. R. Nathan, produced by K. Murukesan and Kannadasan, and written by Valampuri Somanathan. A remake of the Bengali film Sesh Porichoy, it stars S. S. Rajendran and Devika, with R. Muthuraman, S. V. Sahasranamam, T. R. Rajakumari, T. R. Ramachandran, R. S. Manohar, Pushpalatha, Sheela and Kamal Haasan. The film was released on 9 March 1963 and emerged a success.

<i>Lalitha</i> (film) 1976 Indian film

Lalitha is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language film, written and directed by Valampuri Somanathan. Starring Sujatha in the title role, the film has Gemini Ganesan and Kamal Haasan and Sumithra playing other pivotal roles. It is a remake of the Bengali film Saat Pake Bandha (1963).

Kannadi Pookal is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language film released on 28 January 2005. It was directed by K. Shahjahan, who previously directed Punnagai Desam. The film was a remake of Malayalam film Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum, which in turn was inspired by a real-life incident in Kerala. The film received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Mahadevi</i> (film) 1957 film by Sundar Rao Nadkarni

Mahadevi is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni and written by Kannadasan. Starring M. G. Ramachandran and Savithri, it based on the novel Punya Prabhav by R. G. Katkari. The film was released on 22 November 1957.

<i>Vikramaadhithan</i> 1962 Indian film

Vikramaadhithan is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language film starring M. G. Ramachandran, Padmini and Sriranjini. This film was in production as early as 1957, but released only on 27 October 1962.

<i>Kalangarai Vilakkam</i> 1965 film by K. Shankar

Kalangarai Vilakkam (transl. Lighthouse) is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film starring M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi. It is based on the American film Vertigo (1958). The film was released on 28 August 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jikki</span> Indian singer

Pillavalu Gajapathy Krishnaveni, more famously known as Jikki, was an Indian playback singer from Andhra Pradesh. She sang around 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Sinhalese languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulochana (Ramayana)</span> Wife of Meghanada in Ramayana versions

Sulochana is a character featured in Hindu literature. She is the daughter of the king of the serpents, Shesha, and married to Meghanada (Indrajita), the eldest son of Ravana. Sulochana finds no mention in the Valmiki Ramayana, and appears in later versions of the epic.

<i>Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan</i> 1961 film

Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan is a 1961 Hindi film, a family drama directed by Sadashiv J. Row Kavi with Meena Kumari and Balraj Sahni in the lead roles. It is a remake of 1953 Marathi film Vahinichya Bangdya, which was also remade in Telugu as Vadina Gari Gaajulu (1956) and in Tamil as Mangaiyar Thilakam (1955).

<i>Punar Janmam</i> 1961 Indian film

Punar Janmam (transl. Rebirth) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language film directed by R. S. Mani. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and Ragini. It was released on 21 April 1961.

<i>Naan Sollum Ragasiyam</i> 1959 Indian film

Naan Sollum Ragasiyam is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by P. Sridhar Rao and produced by V. C. Subburaman. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Anjali Devi. It was released on 7 March 1959.

<i>Vani Rani</i> (film) 1974 film by Tapi Chanakya

Vani Rani is a 1974 Indian Tamil-language film, directed initially by Tapi Chanakya and finished by C. V. Rajendran. Produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Vanisri and R. Muthuraman. It is a remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta. The film was released on 14 April 1974.

<i>Thunaivan</i> 1969 Indian film

Thunaivan (transl. Companion) is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language Hindu devotional film directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. It was written by V. Balamurugan, while the music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film stars Sridevi, A. V. M. Rajan and Sowcar Janaki while Major Sundarrajan, Nagesh, Sachu, Vennira Aadai Nirmala and K. B. Sundarambal are featured in supporting roles. The film marked Sridevi's first leading film role of her career at the age of five, playing Muruga. It was partially filmed in black and white and Eastmancolor, and was a commercial success, running in theatres for over 100 days. The film was remade in Hindi as Maalik.

<i>Bhooloka Rambai</i> 1958 film by D. Yoganand

Bhooloka Rambai is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by D. Yoganand and produced by Ashoka Pictures. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi, with P. S. Veerappa, M. N. Nambiar, Rajasulochana, K. A. Thangavelu and A. Karunanidhi in supporting roles. It was released on 14 January 1958.

<i>Neelamalai Thirudan</i> 1957 film by M. A. Thirumugam

Neelamalai Thirudan is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language swashbuckler film directed and edited by M. A. Thirumugam, produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar and written by S. Ayyaiah Pillai. The film stars R. Ranjan and Anjali Devi, with T. S. Balaiah, K. A. Thangavelu, P. S. Veerappa, M. K. Radha, E. R. Sahadevan, Kannamba and E. V. Saroja in supporting roles. It revolves around a man seeking to avenge his family that was separated during his childhood due to his greedy uncle.

<i>Kanavan Manaivi</i> 1976 Indian film directed by A. Bhimsingh

Kanavan Manaivi is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by A. Bhimsingh and written by Kalaignanam. The film stars R. Muthuraman and Jayalalithaa, with K. A. Thangavelu, Sachu, Srikanth Suruli Rajan and V. S. Raghavan in supporting roles. It was released on 23 January 1976. The film was remade in Telugu as Sita Ramulu (1980) and in Hindi as Haisiyat (1984).

<i>Thilakam</i> 1960 film by Krishnan–Panju

Thilakam is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Krishnan–Panju, produced by AVM Productions and written by K. M. Narayanasami. Based on Narayanasami's play of the same name, the film stars Prem Nazir and M. N. Rajam. It was released on 11 November 1960 and failed commercially.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. Maruthakasi</span> Indian poet

A. Maruthakasi was an Indian poet and film lyricist who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He penned more than 4000 lyrics in more than 250 Tamil films.

<i>Mangaiyar Ullam Mangatha Selvam</i> 1962 Indian film

Mangaiyar Ullam Mangatha Selvam is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi.

References

  1. ↑ "கலைமாமணி வாமனனின் 'நிழலல்ல நிஜம்' – 163 | மருதகாசியும் கண்ணதாசனும் !". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Nellai. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. 1 2 3 Guy, Randor (23 March 2013). "Mangayar Thilakam 1957". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Neelamegam, G. (2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 97.
  4. ↑ "Mangayar Thilakam". Saregama . Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  5. ↑ Rangaraj, R (27 July 2020). "Songs of son of the soil". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  6. ↑ "1955 – மங்கையர் திலகம் – வைத்தியா பிலிம்ஸ் (மராத்தி)" [1955 – Mangaiyar Thilakam – Vaidya Films (Marathi)]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  7. ↑ "மங்கையர் திலகம்". Kalki (in Tamil). 4 September 1955. pp. 31–32. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.