Manamagal (transl. The Bride) is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed and produced by N. S. Krishnan. The film stars Padmini, Lalitha, S. V. Sahasranamam and T. S. Balaiah in lead roles. It is based on the Malayalam play Suprabha by playwright Munshi Paramu Pillai. The film was released on 15 August 1951.[1] It was dubbed into Telugu as Pelli Kuthuru.[2]
| Manamagal | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | N. S. Krishnan |
| Screenplay by | M. Karunanidhi |
| Based on | Suprabha by Munshi Paramu Pillai |
| Produced by | N. S. Krishnan |
| Starring | Padmini Lalitha S. V. Sahasranamam T. S. Balaiah |
| Cinematography | G. Vittal Rao |
| Edited by | S. Panjabi |
| Music by | C. R. Subburaman |
Production company | N. S. K. Films |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editMei Kandar runs an ashram called Thiruvalluvar ashram for poor kids, providing them education and other skills for their future. On one occasion, his students rescue Chandra, a poor widowed pregnant woman abandoned by her remarried husband Bagavathar (Music Teacher). Chandra gives birth to a boy baby who later grows up in the ashram. Meanwhile, abandoning his first wife, Bagavathar moves to teach music to a rich person's daughter Kumari. But she is already engaged to S. V. Sahasranamam, son of her father's family friend. Kumari's father also has an accountant who married a young girl Vijaya. Kumari's father is the one who sponsors the ashram run by N. S. Krishnan. After the arrival of Chandra, the ashram goes under more progressive changes.
Meanwhile, Bagavathar, teaching music has an eye on Kumari to marry her as second wife by hiding his previous life. Bagavathar also tries to seduce the accountant's wife Vijaya who is distressed due to the age difference of her husband. Varathan, a friend of Bagavathar moving along with him from his days with Chandra, gives suggestions to cheat and marry Kumari avoiding Sahasranamam. Kumari "to-be husband" S. V. Sahasranamam is away in England for his Barrister studies and returns to her home. Knowing Bagavathar's intentions when he is trying to propose to Kumari, he clashes with Bagavathar earning Kumari's ire. Kumari, out of anger, decides to marry Bagavathar. Taking a twist in the plot, circumstances force her to marry him. Situations lead to Madhuram son's death where Kumari learns about Bagavathar. Kumari's father learns about Bagavathar and his affairs seeing his accountant roaming mad in Mahabalipuram. Meanwhile, Kumari donates all her wealth to the ashram as Bagavathar and her illicit partner, his friend lavishly spend money. Knowing about her donations to the ashram, Kumari is kidnapped to force her to give her property to the antagonists. Leading to a climax — the heroine discards her namesake husband and in a reformative gesture marries her boyfriend Sahasranamam.[2]
Cast
editCast according to the opening credits of the film
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Production
editBased on a popular Malayalam play Suprabha by playwright Munshi Paramu Pillai, Manamagal had dialogue by Mu. Karunanidhi. N. S. Krishnan directed the film, besides playing a social reformer.[2] The title refers to the heroine (Padmini) who chooses to remain a bride and never a wife because of the lecherous nature of her husband (T. S. Balaiah).[2] Krishnan decided to adapt the play into a film after being impressed by the plotline. Krishnan met Munshi and paid him Rs. 500 for the rights.[3]
Krishnan chosen M. Karunanidhi to write the dialogues. The film was launched at Newton Studios at 31 December 1950.[3] A. Bhimsingh who was one of the assistant directors in the film was assigned the job to dub the film in Telugu. Some scenes were shot in Telugu to make it look like a straight Telugu film.[3] According to film producer and writer G. Dhananjayan, S. S. Rajendran made his acting debut with this film in a role of a beggar, but his portions were edited out the film by the Censor Board as they felt his dialogues were too revolutionary.[3] Dhananjayan also noted that Rajendran's name still appears in the credits, though there are no scenes featuring him. The film marked the acting debut of Padmini as a lead actress. K. A. Thangavelu, Kaka Radhakrishnan did a minor role in the film. In the film, Krishnan introduced a technical innovation by showing the behind-the-screen-technicians on screen.[4][2]
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by C. R. Subburaman.
The song "Ellam Inbamaayam" was well received and catapulted its singer M. L. Vasanthakumari to fame. This song was composed based on six ragas of Carnatic music.[4] The song "Ellam Inbamayam", based on the Kalyani raga, starts with Simhendramadhyamam and having a ragamalika suite of Mohanam, Hindolam and Darbar.[5][6] The song "Chinnanchiru Kiliiye" based on the poem by Subramaniya Bharati was sung by V. N. Sundaram.[7] This song is based on Kapi raga.[8] Originally, GNB was supposed to sing this song with Vasanthakumari. GNB had some rehearsals too, when T. R. Balu protested that GNB should not sing for the film, he opted out.[9]
- Tamil
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Chinnanciru kiliye Kannammaa" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & V. N. Sundaram | Mahakavi Bharathiyar | 03:29 |
| "Nalla Pennmani Miga Nalla Pennmani" | T. A. Madhuram | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | 03:08 |
| "Ellaam Inbamayam" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & P. Leela | 05:32 | |
| "Aayirathu Tholaayirathu" | 04:03 | ||
| "Podhu Kootangalukkum Poradhum" | T. A. Madhuram | 00:49 | |
| "Sudhandhiram Vandhadhunnu Solaadheenga" | T. A. Madhuram | 01:19 | |
| "Paaviyinum Padu Paavi" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & V. N. Sundaram | 02:59 | |
| "Villambu Patta Pun" | C. S. Jayaraman | 02:54 | |
| "Aanaa Vilaasam Appaa" | T. S. Durairaj | 01:52 | |
| "Aadiduven Nadanam Aadiduven" | P. Leela | 02:22 | |
| "Iru Kaadhalar Magizhndhe" | C. R. Subburaman & M. L. Vasanthakumari | 02:23 |
- Pelli Kuthuru Telugu songs
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Kanne Chilaka Yegiripodhu" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & C. R. Subburaman | Samudrala Sr. | 03:29 |
| "Nannu Dayaganave Vayyari" | 03:08 | ||
| "Anthaa Premamayam" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & P. Leela | 05:32 | |
| "1950 Ki 60 Inthe Theda" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & A. P. Komala | 04:03 | |
| "Nenu Nee Dasuda" | 00:49 | ||
| "Ivigo Jothalu Telungu Thallee" | 01:19 | ||
| "Papulao Kadu Papi Anevadu" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & C. R. Subburaman | 02:59 | |
| "Noru Manchidaithe Naruda" | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 02:54 | |
| "Yebbe Yebbebbe YebbeIllu" | 01:52 | ||
| "Manchi Chinnade Mamanchi Chinnadi" | Jikki | 02:22 | |
| "Virajajula Valapu Vayyari" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & C. R. Subburaman | 02:23 |
Release
editManamagal became a commercial success at box office.[10] The Malayalam play which was the base was thematically similar to Hindi film Duniya Na Maane by V. Shantaram.[2][4]
The film received positive reviews for its bold theme. Magazine Pesum Padam wrote, "Producer made the film with reformative intentions but the film leads to indiscipline only".[4] Upon the success of the movie Producer Kalaivanar NS Krishnan gifted the writer M. karinanithi a car for celebrating the success.[11]
References
edit- ^ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 90.
- ^ a b c d e f Guy, Randor (15 August 2008). "Manamagal". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d Dhananjayan 2014, p. 91.
- ^ a b c d Dhananjayan 2014, p. 92.
- ^ Gopal, Rupa (8 November 2002). "Voice with an enchanting lilt". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 February 2003. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "The royal Durbar". The Hindu. 28 September 2013. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ Guy, Randor (17 June 2012). "Markandeya 1935". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ Mani, Charulatha (7 December 2012). "Notes that intrigue". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ Gopal, Rupa (1 December 2009). "A nightingale called MLV". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ "The generous comic genius". The Hindu. 5 December 2008. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ ""கலைஞர் எப்படி சென்னைக்கு வந்தார்..." - கோவி.லெனின்". Nakkheeran (in Tamil). 8 August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
Bibliography
edit- Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013. Blue Ocean Publishers. OCLC 898765509.
