Sri Valli (1961 film)

Last updated

Sri Valli
Sri Valli 1961 poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by T. R. Ramanna
Screenplay by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Produced by
  • K. Venkatesan
  • L. Venkatraman
Starring
Cinematography
  • K. H. Kapadia
  • Babubhai Mistry
Edited byR. Rajagopal
Music by G. Ramanathan
Production
company
Narasu Studios
Release date
  • 1 July 1961 (1961-07-01) [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Sri Valli is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film directed by T. R. Ramanna. Based on the folk tale of Valli, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, supported by T. R. Mahalingam, E. R. Sahadevan, C. K. Saraswathi and J. P. Chandrababu. This film was taken in Gevacolor. It was released on 1 July 1961 and was not successful. The film also featured Lakshmi in her on-screen debut as the child version of the titular character.

Contents

Plot

Goddess Valli had her heart and soul dedicated to Lord Subramanya and would always pray with fervent devotion and love, to be with Him. The Lord was moved by the highest form of love expressed by the mountain princess, and so He planned to appease Her in person by creating the perfect situation after the enactment of His Lila.

The mountain chief planned to develop a field for growing millet and assigned Valli to take charge of protecting the field from birds and animals who might devour the crops. Lord Murugan saw this as an opportunity to meet the Goddess, and therefore He assumed the form of a handsome tribal hunter and appeared before her as if he had lost his way on chasing a deer during hunting. Valli did not recognise the stranger and promptly asked him to leave the place. The Hunter was about to leave and at that moment the chief was returning to the place bringing honey and fruits for Valli. God, in order to avoid being caught, turned himself into a tree. After the chief and his followers left the place, God changed back into the hunter form and proposed his love to Valli.

The princess who had only the Mountain God in her heart was infuriated at the proposal and lashed out at the hunter. (This form of Lord Muruga called the 'Veduvan Kolam' can be seen at the Lord Palaniapaar temple at Belukurichi). The chief and his followers were again returning to the place, so the hunter changed himself into an old man, without being noticed by Valli. The chief, on seeing the old man, requested him to stay with Valli till they returned from the hunt.

The old man was hungry and asked Valli for food, she gave Him a mixture of millet flour and honey, but it made him thirsty and He asked for water. She provided water from a nearby stream and the Lord jokingly remarked that she had satisfied his thirst and she could quench his thirst for a companion. The Goddess has angered again and started to leave the place. The Lord requested assistance from His brother, Lord Ganesha to appear as a wild elephant at that time. On seeing the wild elephant, Valli was scared and ran back to the old man, pleading with Him to save Her from the elephant. Lord Muruga proposed to save Her only if She agreed to marry Him. In the heat of the moment, she agrees and the Lord reveals His true form. It was then Valli realised that it was her beloved Lord, who was with her all the time. After the millet harvest was over, the chief with his daughter and entourage returned to their native land. The Lord again returned for His devotee and The Divine Couple enjoyed their time away from Valli's family. Nambi Raja on being alerted about Valli's absence flew into a rage and went in search of Her. When they finally found The Lord along with Valli, the chief and followers shot arrows at Him, but they all failed to even touch the Lord and instead, the chief and his sons fell lifeless. Goddess Valli was disheartened to see the lifeless bodies of her kith and kin and requested the Lord to bring them back to life. Lord Murugan instructed Her to revive them Herself and by Her mere touch, everyone was brought back to life. The chief Nambi Raja and his tribesmen realised that it was their God of Mountains, in the form of the old man and prayed to Him. Lord Muruga took his true form and blessed the tribesmen, and the chief conducted the marriage of his daughter and the Lord.

Cast

Cast adapted from the film's song book [2] and the opening credits:

Supporting cast

Production

After the success of Amara Deepam (1956), director T. Prakash Rao and co-writer C. V. Sridhar wanted their next film to be on a grander scale. Rao decided on the folk tale of Valli, and he and Sridhar approached Sivaji Ganesan to star. Ganesan refused, saying another producer was adapting the story (as Sri Valli) and paid him an advance to star in it. [3] The film was directed by T. R. Ramanna, while Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass wrote the screenplay. [4] Actor Vijayakumar made his debut through the film playing the younger role of Muruga, [5] [6] and Lakshmi too made her debut through the film playing the younger role of Valli. [7] T. R. Mahalingam, who portrayed Muruga in the 1945 film version of Sri Valli, portrayed Narada in this film. This was the first Tamil film based on Valli to be in colour as the previous ones were in black-and-white. [4] The film was colourised using Gevacolor. [2]

Soundtrack

This album contains 20 songs composed by G. Ramanathan, written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. [2]

SongSingersLength
"Vigna Vinaayagaa" Seerkazhi Govindarajan 01:35
"Unakkaagavae Pirandha Azhagan" T. R. Mahalingam 03:33
"Chinnanjiru Kuruvigala" P. Susheela and chorus04:17
"Vanna Thaamaraiyil Minnum Neerkumizhi"Seerkazhi Govindarajan01:59
"Nittham Iranggi Varuvaai" A. P. Komala & A. G. Rathnamala 02:51
"Vannamigum Paravaigalaa" T. M. Soundararajan & P. Susheela03:44
"Aiyo Machaan Mannaaru" J. P. Chandrababu 01:57
"Thanthaikku Annalil"T. R. Mahalingam and chorus02:10
"Vanthanga Maappillainga"P. Susheela and chorus04:00
"Maanai Thedi Vandhavare" Jikki 02:53
"Aadhi Andham Illaadha"T. M. Soundararajan02:25
"Yechuputten Naan Yechuputten"Seerkazhi Govindarajan & P. Susheela03:58
"Paayaadha Kadal Paayaa"T. M. Soundararajan03:44
"Mogana Punnagaiyil"T. R. Mahalingam01:59
"Thaagam Thanindhadhu Anname"Seerkazhi Govindarajan & P. Susheela02:39
"Malai Naattu Kuravar Naanga"Jikki03:49
"Shanmugaa...Idhayak Koyil Irukka"P. Susheela04:15
"Karpagachcholaiyile"T. R. Mahalingam02:41

Release and reception

Sri Valli was released on 1 July 1961. [8] In its review of the film, Kumudam filled a whole page with only two words: "Om Muruga". [9] Kalki appreciated the film's colour sequences, and said the elephant acted the best among the cast. [10] The Indian Express described the film's cinematography and music as its highlights. [11] The film was an average success as Tamil audiences by then were no longer interested in films based on mythology, instead focusing on films set in present day. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sivaji Ganesan</span> Indian actor and film producer (1928–2001)

Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, was an Indian actor and film producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji Ganesan is acknowledged as one of the greatest Indian actors of all time and among the most imitated one by other actors. He was known for his versatility and the variety of roles he depicted on screen, which gave him also the Tamil nickname Nadigar Thilagam. In a career that spanned close to five decades, he had acted in 288 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. Sivaji Ganesan is the only Tamil actor to have played the lead role in over 250 films.

<i>Rajaraja Cholan</i> 1973 film directed by A. P. Nagarajan

Rajaraja Cholan is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language historical biographical film directed by A. P. Nagarajan and written by Aru Ramanathan. Based on Ramanathan's play of the same name about the life of the Chola king Rajaraja I, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan in the title role and was the first Tamil CinemaScope film. It was released on 31 March 1973, and ran for over 100 days in theatres.

<i>Thiruvilaiyadal</i> 1965 film A. P. Nagarajan

Thiruvilaiyadal is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film written, directed and co-produced by A. P. Nagarajan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Savitri, and K. B. Sundarambal, with T. S. Balaiah, R. Muthuraman, Nagesh, T. R. Mahalingam, K. Sarangapani, Devika, Manorama, and Nagarajan in supporting roles. K. V. Mahadevan composed the film's soundtrack and score, and Kannadasan and Sankaradas Swamigal wrote the song lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valli</span> Hindu goddess

Valli is a Hindu goddess, and the second consort of the deity Murugan. An incarnation of the goddess Sundaravalli, daughter of Vishnu, Valli is born on earth as the daughter of a chieftain, leading a life of a huntress. Murugan, the god of war, eventually woos and weds her, according to Tamil folklore. Both of their legends originate from the mountain region also known as Kurunji in Tamilakam. Her sister, Amritavalli (Devasena), also succeeds in marrying Murugan as the adopted daughter of Indra, making them sister-wives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kundrathur</span> Taluk Headquarters and Town in Kanchipuram district,Tamil Nadu, India

Kundrathur is a town located in the Chennai Metropolitan Area and the headquarters of Kundrathur taluk in Kanchipuram District. It is the birthplace of Sekkizhar, a well-known poet-saint who authored the Periyapuranam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)</span> Indian actor and politician

Panchaksharam Rangasamy Pillai, known professionally as Vijayakumar, is an Indian actor who works in Tamil cinema. He started his film career in the Tamil film Sri Valli (1961) as a child actor and started playing a lead role from the movie Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974) then he worked in Madhura Geetham (1977) and Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren (1979). He has also acted in Telugu and Malayalam movies. He also worked in television serials like Thangam, Vamsam, Talambralu, Nandini and Rasaathi. His son is actor Arun Vijay.

<i>Koondukkili</i> 1954 film by T. R. Ramanna

Koondukkili is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed and co-produced by T. R. Ramanna. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan and B. S. Saroja. Although a commercial failure, it gained historical reputation over time due to the fact it was the only film in which Ramachandran and Ganesan acted together.

<i>Saraswathi Sabatham</i> 1966 film by A. P. Nagarajan

Saraswathi Sabatham is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan. Based on Pudhumaipithan's novel Vakkum Vakkum, it stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, Padmini, Devika and K. R. Vijaya. The film was released on 3 September 1966 and became a commercial success.

<i>Kandhan Karunai</i> 1967 Indian film

Kandhan Karunai is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film, written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan. It features an ensemble cast including Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, K. B. Sundarambal, Savitri, Jayalalithaa, K. R. Vijaya and Sivakumar. This was the debut film for Sridevi, who had starred as Lord Murugan at the age of 3.

<i>Makkalai Petra Magarasi</i> 1957 Indian film

Makkalai Petra Magarasi is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Somu and written by A. P. Nagarajan, who produced it with V. K. Ramasamy. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. It was remade in Kannada as Anna Thangi.

<i>Kathavarayan</i> (1958 film) 1958 film by T. R. Ramanna

Kathavarayan is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film produced and directed by T. R. Ramanna, and written by Thuraiyur K. Murthy. A remake of the 1941 film Aryamala, it stars Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. The film was released on 7 November 1958.

<i>Pennin Perumai</i> 1956 film by P. Pullayya

Pennin Perumai is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film starring Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri and Santha Kumari. It is a remake of the Telugu film Ardhangi, which was based on Maddipatla Suri's Telugu translation of the Bengali novel Swayamsiddha, written by Manilal Banerjee. The film was released on 17 February 1956.

<i>Pudhaiyal</i> 1957 Indian film

Pudhaiyal (transl. Treasure) is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The film was released on 10 May 1957.

<i>Deivapiravi</i> (1960 film) 1960 film by Krishnan–Panju

Deivapiravi is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by Krishnan–Panju. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, S. S. Rajendran, K. A. Thangavelu and M. N. Rajam. The film was dubbed and released in Telugu as Anumanam and released on 24 June 1961. At the 8th National Film Awards, the film won the All India Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film. It was remade the same year in Hindi as Bindya.

<i>Ulagam Palavitham</i> 1955 film directed by S. A. Murugesh

Ulagam Palavitham is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by S. A. Murugesh. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Lalitha. The musical score of this film was composed by N. S. Balakrishnan. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Antha Peddale in 1959.

<i>Koteeswaran</i> 1955 film by Sundar Rao Nadkarni

Koteeswaran (transl. Millionaire) is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language comedy film co-written, co-produced, edited and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, S. Balachander and Ragini. Based on B. V. Warerkar's Marathi play Haach Mulacha Baap, it revolves around two friends setting out to fight against the dowry system in their village. The film was released on 13 November 1955.

<i>Sri Valli</i> (1945 film) 1945 Indian film

Sri Valli is a 1945 Tamil-language film co-directed by A. V. Meiyappan and produced by him under Pragathi Studios. It was co-directed by A. T. Krishnaswamy who also wrote the script. The film stars T. R. Mahalingam and Kumari Rukmani.

<i>Athisaya Thirudan</i> 1958 film

Athisaya Thirudan is 1958 Indian Tamil-language film directed by P. Pullaiah and produced by S. Bhavanarayanan and D. B. Narayanan. The film's script and lyrics was written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Soundtrack was composed by S. Dakshinamurthi and K. Prasad Rao. The film stars Gemini Ganesan portraying the titular character, with Savitri, T. S. Balaiah, K. A. Thangavelu, T. P. Muthulakshmi and V. Nagayya in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass</span>

Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass (1914-1965) was an Indian poet and script writer who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He wrote more than 500 lyrics for Tamil films.

S. Yesudas known by his stage name Aaroor Dass, was an Indian stage, film and television Screenwriter who was active in Tamil cinema during the latter part of the 20th century. Aaroor Dass has written the story and dialogues for over 1000 films, who dominate the Tamil film for more than 40 years. He wrote his first film for actor Sivaji Ganesan's Pasamalar (1961). He debuted as a director with the film Penn Endral Penn (1967).

References

  1. ↑ "71-80". nadigarthilagam.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 ஸ்ரீ வள்ளி (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Narasu Studios. 1961. Retrieved 26 November 2021– via Internet Archive.
  3. ↑ "பார்த்தது படித்தது ரசித்தது – சுதாங்கன் – 30–07–17". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Nellai. 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. 1 2 Guy, Randor (26 February 2011). "Blast from the past: Srivalli 1961". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Ashok Kumar, S.R. (8 December 2005). "For Vijayakumar, work is always worship". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 10 December 2005. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "புதுமுகங்களுக்கான தேர்வில் விஜயகுமார்". Dinakaran (in Tamil). 11 June 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  7. ↑ Vinothkumar, S (26 April 2022). "ராஜ்குமார் வாழ்நாள் சாதனையாளர் விருதை வென்ற பிரபல நடிகை லட்சுமி…!". Samayam (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Sri Valli". The Indian Express . 1 July 1961. p. 12. Retrieved 15 August 2018– via Google News Archive.
  9. ↑ Baskaran, S. Theodore (2015) [2008]. Sivaji Ganesan: Profile of an Icon. Wisdom Tree. p. 31. ISBN   9788183281096.
  10. ↑ "வள்ளி". Kalki (in Tamil). 16 July 1961. p. 47. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "Sri Valli". The Indian Express . 7 July 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 23 July 2022– via Google News Archive.
  12. ↑ "ஒரிஜினலில் நாயகனாகவும், ரீமேக்கில் துணை நடிகராகவும் தோன்றிய முன்னாள் சூப்பர் ஸ்டார்". News18 (in Tamil). 2 July 2022. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 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.