Manohara (film)
Manohara மனோகரா | |
---|---|
| |
Directed by | L. V. Prasad |
Produced by | M. Somasundaram |
Written by | M. Karunanidhi |
Story by | Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar |
Starring | |
Music by |
|
Edited by | M. A. Thirumugam |
Production company |
Manohar Pictures |
Release date |
3 March 1954 (Tamil) 3 June 1954 (Telegu/Hindi) |
Language |
Tamil Telegu Hindi |
Manohara (Tamil: மனோகரா) is a 1954 Tamil language historical fiction film starring Sivaji Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran, P. Kannamba, T. R. Rajakumari and Girija in the lead roles. The film was based on a play of same name by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar and was directed by L. V. Prasad. It was dubbed into Telugu as Manohara and Hindi as Manohar and released on 3 June 1954 simultaneously.
Cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Manohar
- P. Kannamba as Padmavathi
- T. R. Rajakumari as Vasanthasenai
- Girija as Vijayal
- S. S. Rajendran as Rajapriyan
- Javar Seetharaman as Sathyaseelan
- Kaka Radhakrishnan as Vasanthan
- S. A. Nadarajan as Ukrasenan
- T. P. Muthulakshmi as Malini
Production
Manohara was a film adaptation of the stage play of the same name staged by playwright Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar in the 1930s; he even acted in a film version which was released in 1930.[1][2] K. R. Ramasami successfully staged Manohara under his own banner, playing the lead actor, Sivaji Ganesan portrayed the role of the queen in the play.[3] Jupiter Pictures, announced the film adaptation of Manohara with Ramasami in the title role and A. S. A. Sami as the director.[4] Elangovan, was engaged to write the script. However, this project was shelved and Sivaji Ganesan was brought on board. Producer signed Sivaji either for the role of Rajpriyan or Manoharan.[4] However Sivaji was keen on doing the titular character and got selected.[4] Elangovan worked on the script for sometime under the new setup, but he was soon replaced by Mu. Karunanidhi.[3][5] Karunanidhi rewrote Mudaliar’s play, introducing changes like the climactic sequence for which he drew inspiration from Samson and Delilah, especially the part where the blind Samson pushes the pillars down.[3] L. V. Prasad was selected to direct the film.[6]
P. Kannamba was cast as Manohara's mother. Telugu actress Girija was cast as the princess, and T. R. Rajakumari as the king’s ambitious mistress Vasanthasena.[2] Kaka Radhakrishnan, Pandari Bai, Javert Seetharaman, S. A. Natarajan, T. P. Muthulakshmi and Sadasiva Rao were recruited to play supporting roles.[3]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman and T. R. Ramanathan.
Tamil Songs
Lyrics by K. D. Sundaram, Surabhi, Chellamuthukavi & Udumalai Narayana Kavi. Singers are T. R. Rajakumari & C. S. Pandiyan. Playback singers by A. M. Rajah, S. V. Venkatraman, T. A. Mothi, Radha Jayalakshmi, T. V. Rathinam & Jikki.
T. R. Ramanathan composed the music for Singara Paingkiliye Pesu and Nilaavile Ullaasamaaga Aadalaam.[7]
No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
1 | "Singaara Paingkiliye Pesu" | A. M. Rajah & Radha Jayalakshmi | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | 04:14 |
2 | "Ennai Paar Ennazhagai Paaru" | T. V. Rathinam | 04:46 | |
3 | "Nilaavile Ullaasamaaga Aadalaam" | T. A. Mothi & T. V. Rathinam | 02:59 | |
4 | "Pozhudhu Pularndhadhe" | T. R. Rajakumari | 02:00 | |
5 | "Sandhegam Illai Sandhegam Illai" | S. V. Venkatraman & C. S. Pandiyan | 02:00 | |
6 | "Inbanaalidhe Idhayam Kaanudhe" | Jikki | 03:06 | |
7 | "Vasantha Vizhaa Osantha Thiruvizhaa" | Chorus | 01:27 | |
8 | "Pombalathaanaa Nee Pombalathaanaa" | S. V. Venkatraman & C. S. Pandiyan | 01:27 | |
9 | "Radhi Manmadha" | S. V. Venkatraman & C. S. Pandiyan | 02:47 | |
10 | "Kaathal Kondaadukiraar" | Radha Jayalakshmi | 02:35 |
Telugu Songs
Playback singers by A. M. Rajah, S. V. Venkatraman, T. A. Mothi, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, Radha Jayalakshmi & Jikki.
No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
1 | "Kannulalo Vennelalo" | A. M. Rajah & Jikki | 04:14 | |
2 | "Thivari Ramuni" | Madhavapeddi Satyam | 01:30 | |
3 | "Andalu Chandalu Kannaa Raa" | Jikki | 04:46 | |
4 | "Andaala Rathini" | Jikki | 02:32 | |
5 | "Vechiti Innallu" | Radha Jayalakshmi | 01:06 | |
6 | "Paadave Preyasi Teeyagaa" | T. A. Mothi & Jikki | 02:59 | |
7 | " Thela Thelavaare" | Jikki | 02:00 | |
8 | "Sandeham Ledu Sandeham Ledu" | S. V. Venkatraman & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | 02:00 | |
9 | "Ravoyi Ravoyi" | Jikki | 03:06 | |
10 | "Vana Mahothsavam Vasantha Thina Mahothsavam" | Chorus | 01:27 | |
11 | "Adadhanivena" | S. V. Venkatraman & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | 01:27 | |
12 | "Rathi Manmatha" | S. V. Venkatraman & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | 02:47 | |
13 | "Pranaya Vilasamule" | Radha Jayalakshmi | 02:35 |
Release
Dhananjayan in his book Pride of Tamil cinema - 1931 to 2013 mentioned that the film became cult classic due to the performances of Sivaji and Kannamba and dialogues by Karunanidhi.[4] Ananda Vikatan wrote "Manohara is an example if there is a good script combined with lively dialogues and powerful acting, the public will appreciate and love such films".[4]
The film was successful at the box office. The film was dubbed and released in Telugu and Hindi with the same title; both became failures.[3] Kongara Jaggaiah dubbed his voice for Sivaji Ganesan in Telugu. Acharya Atreya wrote dialogues for the Telugu version.[2][4]
References
- ↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 105.
- 1 2 3 "Celluloid colossus". The Hindu. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Manohara 1954". The Hindu. 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 106.
- ↑ "Wordsmith". The Hindu. 20 August 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ↑ "A Leader and a visionary". The Hindu. 8 September 2006. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ↑ "Actress T. R. Rajakumari". Archived from the original on 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
External links
Bibliography
- Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013. Blue Ocean Publishers.