Vimochanam

Vimochanam
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Directed by A. N. Kalyanarayan, T. Marconi[1]
Written by Sasi[2]
Starring Hemalatha
Kanthamani
Baby Jaya
Indira
Bhagirathi
T. P. Sundari
Selva
Suguna
Music by Ramani
(Background music: Sarma Brothers)
Cinematography T. Marconi
Release date
 1939[2]
Country India
Language Tamil

Vimochanam (English: Salvation) is a 1939 Indian Tamil-language film dealing with the issue of prohibition. Directed by A. N. Kalyanarayan[3] and T. Marconi, the film stars Hemalatha, Kanthamani, Baby Jaya, Indira, Bhagirathi, T. P. Sundari, Selva and Suguna in the lead roles. This film received considerable attention because of the values it propagated, and since most of the artistes were girl children. No print or stills of this film are known to survive, and most film historians are "hardly aware" of this film.[2]

Sasi, who was a story-writer in Ananda Vikatan wrote the script and lyrics.

Plot

Arumugham sell his wife's jewellery to buy alcohol until probation in the Salem district offers much-needed relief. He is soon imprisoned for trying to brew liquor illegally. On his release, he finds the liquor shop has become a tea-stall and his wife destitute, leading to his reform.[2]

Cast

  • Hemalatha
  • Kanthamani
  • Baby Jaya
  • Indira
  • Bhagirathi
  • T. P. Sundari
  • Selva
  • Suguna

Production

The film was inspired by C. Rajagopalachari who published a pro-prohibition magazine titled Vimochanam, from his Ashram at Tiruchengode located near Salem. Rajagopalachari obtained most of the material for the publication from the United States where prohibition was then in force. Art direction was by D. S. Ghadgaonkar.[2]

This film had a song paying tribute to Rajagopalachari and his services for the uplift of the poor. Inspired by Rajagopalachari's crusade for the banishment of alcohol, a group of socially conscious people launched Vimochanam, a film which starred only girl children belonging to the Chennai Sirumigal Sangeetha Vidyasaalai. The main people behind the production were Carnatic musician Lalitha Venkataraman and short story writer Sasi. The latter wrote the script and lyrics, while Italian cinematographer T. Marconi, who was then living in Madras, directed the film.[2]

Soundtrack

The film's music was composed by Ramani, the founder of the Ramani School of Music, Mylapore. The background score was composed by Sarma Brothers, who also worked for All India Radio. The film had many songs performed by Lalitha. Popular songs include "Kallai ozhithida sattamondru Chennai Congress aatchiyil seithanarey", "Mahaan Rajaji-yai ellorum vaazhthuvomey" and "Naattuomey jayakodi".[2]

Reception

Film historian Randor Guy praised the film for its "meaningful lyrics, presentation and all roles being played by girl children."[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Vimochanam, A. N. Kalyanarayan". indiancine.ma. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Guy, Randor (25 March 2010). "Vimochanam (1939)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  3. ↑ Ashish Rajadhyaksha & Paul Willemen. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1998. p. 654.
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