Ponvayal
| Ponvayal | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | A. T. Krishnaswami |
| Produced by | A. T. Krishnaswami |
| Written by | A. T. Krishnaswami |
| Starring | |
| Music by |
Thurayur Rajgopal Sarma R. Rajagopal |
Release date | February 1954 |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Ponvayal (English: Golden Farm) is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language film produced and directed by A. T. Krishnaswamy, who also wrote the screenplay and dialogues. It is based on the story Poimaan Karadu by Kalki Krishnamurthy. The film stars T. R. Ramachandran, Anjali Devi and R. S. Manohar in the lead roles, while other actors like K. A. Thangavelu and V. K. Ramasamy play supporting roles. The film is lost.[1]
Plot
Sengodan (T. R. Ramachandran) owns 10 acres of land which prospered through his hard work — it came to be called "Ponvayal" (Golden Farm). Rumours arise that there is an incredible fortune in gold laid buried in the land. Sengodan is in love with his cousin Semba (Anjali Devi). Esraj (K. A. Thangavelu), a counterfeiter, plans to get at the fortune. He seeks the help of Bangaru (R. S. Manohar) and his lover (Mynavathi). Without his knowledge, a policeman (K. Sarangkapani) and an actress "Savaal" Kannamma work against him and the couple succeed in foiling the designs of the counterfeiter. Meanwhile, Sengodan is arrested on a charge of attempting to murder Bangaru. However, the detective helped by his girlfriend discovers the truth and all is well that ends well.
Cast
- T. R. Ramachandran as Sengodan
- Anjali Devi as Semba
- R. S. Manohar as Bangaru
- Mynavathi as Bangaru's lover
- K. Sarangkapani as the policeman
- K. A. Thangavelu as Esraj
Production
Kalki Krishnamurthy had a desire in the beginning of his literary career to become a screenwriter and worked on a screenplay based on the true story of a highway bandit in his native district of Tanjore. Titled Kalvanin Kadhali, he tried hard to impress film producers of the day without success, and when he joined Ananda Vikatan owned by S. S. Vasan, the latter published it as a serial in Vikatan. It attracted much attention, bringing name and fame to Kalki as a fiction writer. Later, the story was not made into a film for several years, though many announced their intention to do so. Finally, it was made with Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi during the 1950s. However, the film was not as successful as expected. Kalki wrote a serial in his own weekly magazine Kalki, titled Poimaan Karadu about a vast stretch of dry land in Salem where a hillock resembled a deer at rest, and hence the name of the place. A. T. Krishnaswami wrote the screenplay and dialogue based on Kalki's story and directed the film. He co-produced it with comedian Ramachandran and others.[1]
Soundtrack
The music of the film was composed by Carnatic musician Thuraiyur Rajagopal Sarma and R. Rajagopal, under the supervision of theatre personality N. P. Abdul Khader. The lyrics were written by Yogi Suddhanantha Bharathiyar and Sundara Vathiyar.[1] Singers are T. R. Ramachandran and K. Sarangkapani while the playback singers are Sirkazhi Govindarajan, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, Jikki and A. Andal.[2]
| No. | Song | Singer/s | Lyricist | Duration (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maathamum Maari | Group song | ||
| 2 | Pongalo Pongal Pongalo | N. L. Ganasaraswathi | Suddhanantha Bharathiyar | 03:20 |
| 3 | Polladha Paavigal Ellaam | |||
| 4 | Maadugalaa Kaalai Maadugalaa | Sirkazhi Govindarajan | ||
| 5 | Siripputhaan Varuguthaiyaa | 05:53 | ||
| 6 | Onghi Valarndha Payir | |||
| 7 | Namma Kalyaanam Romba Nalla | T. R. Ramachandran & N. L. Ganasaraswathi | 02:47 | |
| 8 | Enna Vinodham Paaru | K. Sarangkapani | ||
| 9 | Vaazhvinile Naame Jaaliyaaka Povom | |||
| 10 | Koodayirundhu Kudiyai Keduththida | |||
| 11 | Azhaiyaadha Veettil Nuzhayaadha Seemaan | Jikki | 02:57 | |
| 12 | Vaanga Vaanga Maappillai | A. Andal | ||
| 13 | Azhaiyaadha Veettil |
Reception
Ponvayal was released in February 1954.[3] Randor Guy, a critic from The Hindu praised the film for its "interesting storyline, humorous dialogue by ATK and performances by Sarangkapani, Manohar, Ramachandran, Mynavathi and Muthulakshmi," while concluding that the film would be "remembered for the interesting storyline, catchy music and dances by Susheela." It however failed at the box office. No print of the film is known to survive, making it a lost film.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Guy, Randor (14 January 2012). "Ponvayal 1954". Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
- ↑ G. Neelamegam. Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil). Manivasagar Publishers, Chennai 108 (Ph:044 25361039). First edition December 2014. p. 77.
- ↑ Film News Anandan (2004). Saadhanaigal Padaitha thamizh thiraipada varalaru [Tamil film history and it's achievements] (in Tamil). Sivagami Publications. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017.