Sivagangai Seemai

Sivagangai Seemai (lit. 'The Land of Sivagangai') is a 1959 Tamil-language historical drama film directed by K. Shankar. This was Kannadasan’s second home production and he wrote the script and lyrics for the movie. It is based on the life of Maruthu Brothers.[2] The movie's cast is S. S. Rajendran, S. Varalakshmi, Kamala Lakshmanan and M. N. Rajam in lead roles.[3]

Sivagangai Seemai
Poster
Directed byK. Shankar
Produced byK. S. Ranganathan
Written byKannadasan
Story byKannadasan
StarringS. S. Rajendran
S. Varalakshmi
Kamala Lakshmanan
T. K. Bhagavathi
M. N. Rajam
Music byViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
CinematographyThambu
Edited byK. Shankar
K. Narayanan
Production
company
Kannadasan Productions
Distributed byKannadasan Productions
Release date
19 May 1959[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

After the execution of Kattabomman on 17 October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai. The British used this reason to invade and attack Sivaganga in 1801 with a powerful army. The Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies were quite successful and captured three districts from the British. The British considered it as a serious threat to their future in India that they rushed additional troops from Britain to put down the Maruthu Pandiyars' rebellion.

Cast

Production

The film started production under the title Oomaiyan Kottai with M.G.Ramachandran but it got shelved as Ramachandran was busy with politics. The same project was revived as Sivagangai Seemai.[5]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack features 16 songs composed by Viswanathan Ramamoorthy.[6] Lyrics were by Kannadasan. The song "Kanavu Kanden" is set in Mukhari raga.[7]

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1Saanthu Pottu Thala ThalangaP. Leela & K. Jamuna RaniKannadasan03:48
2Veerargal Vaazhum Dravidar NaattaiT. M. Soundararajan03:26
3Thendral Vandhu VeesaadhoS. Varalakshmi & T. S. Bagavathi04:06
4Kannankaruthaa Kili Kattazhagan Thotta kiliP. Leela03:11
5Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen (happy)T.M. Soundararajan & T. S. Bagavathi03:32
6Maruvirukkum Koondhal (traditional verse)V. N. Sundharam00:28
7Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen (Pathos)-T. S. Bagavathi03:02
8Vaigai PerugivaraC. S. Jayaraman & P. Leela03:28
9Thanimai NaerndhadhoS. Varalakshmi
10Sivagangai Cheemai Sivagangai CheemaiT.M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan & A. P. Komala03:27
11Kottu Melam Kottungadi Kummi Kotti PaadungadiJikki03:28
12Chinna Chinna Chittu Sivagangaiyai VittuK. Jamuna Rani03:12
13Muthu Pugazh PadaitthuS. Varalakshmi & Radha Jayalakshmi05:49
14Aalikkum Kaigal (one verse)V. N. Sundaram00:30
15Megam Kuvindhadhammaa.... Imaiyum VizhiyumP. Suseela & dialogues by P. S. Veerappa04:38
16Vidiyum Vidiyum EndrirundhoamT. S. Bagavathi04:24

Reception

Because the majority of male characters in the film had thick moustaches, the Tamil magazine Kumudam called it "Sivagangai Meesai", with "Meesai" meaning "moustache". The film was not a success,[8] but because of its theme and historic content, it acquired cult status in later years.[3]

References
  1. Sachi Sri Kantha. "MGR Remembered – Part 26". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  2. Dechamma C. C. & Prakash 2010, p. 152.
  3. Randor Guy (4 February 2012). "Blast from the past – Sivagangai Seemai (1957)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  4. "Sivagangai Seemai". The Indian Express. 6 February 1959. p. 10.
  5. "MGR Remembered – Part 47 – Ilankai Tamil Sangam". sangam.org. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  6. "Sivagangai Seemai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  7. Mani, Charulatha (4 January 2013). "Notes of peace". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  8. Raman, Mohan V. (16 May 2019). "'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' turns 60: the rebel who won many hearts". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 May 2019.

Bibliography
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