Manapanthal
| Manapanthal | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | V. N. Reddy |
| Produced by | T. R. Ramanna |
| Written by | Thuraiyur K. Moorthy |
| Starring |
S. S. Rajendran S. A. Ashokan B. Sarojadevi E. V. Saroja P. Kannamba K. A. Thangavelu M. Saroja |
| Music by | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
Production company |
R. R. Pictures |
| Distributed by | R. R. Pictures |
Release date | 14 January 1961 |
Running time | 150 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Manapanthal (lit. Marriage Hall) is 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by V. N. Reddy and produced by T. R. Ramanna with distributor by R. R. Pictures. The film was written by Thuraiyur K. Moorthy, with music by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. The film stars S. S. Rajendran , S. A. Ashokan B. Sarojadevi and E. V. Saroja in the lead roles with P. Kannamba, Chittor V. Nagaiah, Rama Rao, K. A. Thangavelu and M. Saroja in supporting roles.[1] The film was simultaneously made in Telugu as Intiki Deepam Illale with N. T. Rama Rao; both versions were based on the American film Sabrina (1954).
Plot
Two brothers hailing a wealthy family with the elder on Rajasekaran(S. A. Ashokan) being an alcoholic, while the younger one Gunasekaran(S. S. Rajendran) is a successful medical practitioner. The widowed mother Kannamba(P. Kannamba) showers her love and affection on her two sons and tries to her elder alcoholic son, with little success. The younger son Gunasekaran stayed in another town with a widowed mother Dharuvamma(K. Malathi) and her sprightly daughter Malathy(E. V. Saroja), who falls in love with him, he too seems to shows some interest in her.
However, on a rail journey to his hometown, he meets elderly man Dharmalingam(Chittor V. Nagaiah) with an attractive daughter Suguna(B. Sarojadevi) and both falls in love, hope to marry soon. Meanwhile, the drunkard sons mother hopes marriage will reform him and fixed his marriage with an attractive girl Suguna without realizing that her younger son is love with her.
The wedding happens, and the younger brother Gunasekaran, due to an accident, is unable to attend it and has no knowledge that the bride is his sweetheart Suguna. Later, when he meets her, he is shocked. The husband suspects his wife and brother when he comes to known she was her sweetheart earlier. He decides to kill them. Meanwhile, the Kannamba dies, leaving behind all the property to her daughter-in-law.
Now, the Gunasekaran puts on an act of having become on alcoholic and makes overtures to his sister-in-law Suguna, who slaps him. Watching, this her husband realize the truth and apologizes to her. The family is reunited. While a train journey, Gunasekar notice young women dressed as bride lying on the railway track to commit suicide. The train stops in time and the Gunasekar find that the women is Malathi, who is still in love with him. The two marry and live happily.
The comedy is well-handled by ace comedian K. A. Thangavelu with M. Saroja as his sweetheart and noted comedian Rama Rao as her Astrologer- father. This doctor Navadeenal shudders if anyone mentions the Word Operation in his presence and that is part of the comedy.[1]
Cast
- S. S. Rajendran as Dr. Gunasekaran
- S. A. Ashokan as Rajasekaran
- B. Sarojadevi as Suguna
- E. V. Saroja as Malathi
- P. Kannamba as Kannamba (Guna and Raja's mother)
- Chittor V. Nagaiah as Dharmalingam (Suguna's father)
- K. A. Thangavelu as Dr. Navadeenal (Guna's friend)
- M. Saroja as Navami (Navadeenal Finacee)
- Rama Rao as Ashtami (Astrologer and Navami's father)
- K. Malathi as Dharuvamma (Malathi Mother).[1]
Production
Manapanthal was directed by V. N. Reddy and produced by T. R. Ramanna under R. R. Pictures.[2] Thuraiyur K. Murthi wrote the screenplay and dialogue. Hiralal and Gopalakrishnan were the dance choreographers. It was simultaneously made in Telugu as Intiki Deepam Illale; both versions were based on the American film Sabrina (1954).[1]
Soundtrack
| Manapanthal | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | |
| Released | 1961 |
| Recorded | 1961 |
| Length | 27:28 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Producer |
M. S. Viswanathan T. K. Ramamoorthy |
The music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan.[2] Playback singers are P. B. Srinivas, S. C. Krishnan, P. Suseela, T. S. Bagavathi, S. Janaki & L. R. Eswari.
The songs were well received, and contributed to the success of the film. Two songs – "Unakkum Matttum Unakkum", sung by P. Suseela, and "Udalukku Uyir Kaaval", sung by P. B. Srinivas – attained popularity.[1]
| No | Song | Singer | Lyrics | Length(m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unakku Mattum Unakku | P. Suseela | Kannadasan | 3:21 |
| 2 | Orey Raagam Orey Thaalam | 3:36 | ||
| 3 | Unakku Mattum Unakku (Sad) | 2:27 | ||
| 4 | Paarthu Paarthu Nindrathile | P. B. Srinivas P. Suseela | 3:28 | |
| 5 | Muthu Muthu Pacharisi | S. Janaki & L. R. Eswari | 4:41 | |
| 6 | Udalukku Uyir Kaaval | P. B. Srinivas | 4:10 | |
| 7 | Ammavukku Manasukkuley | S. C. Krishnan | 3:13 | |
| 8 | Petretuthu Peyarumittu | T. S. Bagavathi | 3:52 |
Release and reception
Manapanthal was released on 14 January 1961.[2] The film was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres. In 2014, Randor Guy of The Hindu stated that the film would be "Remembered for the performances of Rajendran, Asokan, Saroja Devi, Saroja and Kannamba, the melodious music, deft direction and impressive cinematography."[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Guy, Randor (26 April 2014). "Blast from the past – Manapandhal 1961". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Mana Pandal". The Indian Express. 14 January 1961. p. 10.