Meenda Sorgam

Meenda Sorgam
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	C. V. Sridhar
Produced by	T. A. Durai Raj
Written by	C. V. Sridhar
Starring	Gemini Ganesan Padmini Tambaram Lalitha K. A. Thangavelu T. R. Ramachandran
Music by	T. Chalapathi Rao
Cinematography	A. Vincent P. N. Sundaram
Edited by	N. M. Shankar
Production company	Vijaya — Vahini Studios
Distributed by	Madhuram Pictures
Release date	29 July 1960[1]
Running time	180 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Meenda Sorgam (lit. Paradise regained)^[2] is a 1960 Tamil-language Indian romantic musical film written and directed by C. V. Sridhar and produced by T. A. Durai Raj and distributed by Madhuram Pictures. The film's soundtrack was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Padmini and Tambaram Lalitha in the lead roles with K. A. Thangavelu T. R. Ramachandran, Manorama and K. Nadarajan portraying supporting characters.^[3] The film did not do well as expected, as it was thought to be too highbrow and idealistic.

Plot

Nirmala (Padmini) is a poor but talented young dancer who falls in love with Sekar (Gemini Ganesan), a rich man's son. But Sekar is forced into a marriage with Prathiba (Tambaram Lalitha), a rich man's spoilt daughter. Inconsolable, Nirmala promises her lover that she will never give public performances. Due to various circumstances, Sekar's finances suffer losses and his house is put up for auction. To rescue him from a dire future, Nirmala breaks her promise and gives a dance performance. With the money thus earned, she saves his house. But Sekar is unaware of this. When he learns the truth, he begins searching for her. In the meantime, Prathiba, who is now reformed, commits suicide. Sekar locates Nirmala, who is on the verge of committing suicide, and they are reunited.^[3]

Cast

• Gemini Ganesan as Sekar
• Padmini as Nirmala
• Tambaram Lalitha as Prathiba
• K. A. Thangavelu as Sachithanandham Pillai
• T. R. Ramachandran as Gopu
• K. N. Kamalam as Kamalam
• Manorama as Sachu
• K. Nadarajan as Nirmala's dance Teacher
• K. Sairam as Azhagu
• P. S. Venkatachalam as Duraisamy

Reception

Gemini Ganesan performance was impressive in this film, but he seemed a bit old to play that role. Padmini excellent as always dancer role. K. A. Thangavelu as rich man with a wayward son T. R. Ramachandran played his role to perfection. The film onscreen presentation superb! with fine direction by C. V. Sridhar. The brilliant performance by Padmini, her amazing dance numbers. Gemini Ganesan acting and the melodic music and excellent cinematography by A. Vincent.^[3]

Soundtrack

Music composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and lyrics written by Kannadasan, Subbu Arumugam and P. S. Gopalakrishnan.^[5] Singers are A. M. Rajah, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. Suseela, Jikki & S. Janaki. Sridhar initially wanted Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram to write the lyrics, but could not hire the poet due to his death.^[6]

The songs such as Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin Thisai Maatrinai (lyrics by Kannadasan and voice by A. M. Rajah) and other song Aadum Arul Jothi (a captivating classical Bharathanatiyam dance sequence by Padmini with M. L. Vasanthakumari lyrics and choreographed by P. S. Gopalakrishnan, a famed Nattuvanar) were well received.^[3]

References

External links

• Meenda Sorgam on IMDb