| File:Meenda Sorgam.jpg
| |
| Directed by | Sridhar |
|---|---|
| Written by | Sridhar |
| Produced by | T. A. Dorairajan |
| Starring | Gemini Ganesan Padmini |
| Cinematography | A. Vincent |
| Edited by | N. M. Shankar |
| Music by | T. Chalapathi Rao
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil
|
Meenda Sorgam (Template:Translation)[1] is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language romantic musical film, written and directed by Sridhar. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Padmini, with K. A. Thangavelu, T. R. Ramachandran, N. Lalitha and Manorama in supporting roles. It was released on 29 July 1960 and failed commercially.
Plot
Template:More plot Nirmala is a poor but talented dancer who falls in love with Sekar, a rich man's son. But Sekar is forced into a marriage with Prathiba, 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.
Cast
- Dance
- Sasi, Revathi, Sakunthala, Rita, Bala, Rajam,
Jaya, Shantha, Jayanthi, Nirmala, Nalini, Mohana,
Leela, Kamala, Nagu, Vittoba, and Rajeswari.
Production
Madhuram Pictures initially began a film called Agal Vilakku (Template:Translation) with S. S. Rajendran and E. V. Saroja starring. Sridhar penned the script for that film; however, the film was dropped after the first filming schedule due to Saroja's pregnancy. The company decided to make a new film Meenda Sorgam and chose T. R. Raghunath as director and Gemini Ganesan and Padmini as lead actors. However Raghunath wanted Rajendran as the lead and left the film due to uncertainty in finalising the lead actor which led the film's crew to insist Sridhar to direct this film.[2] The film was produced by T. A. Dorairajan, cinematography was handled by A. Vincent, and editing by N. M. Shankar.[3][4] C. V. Rajendran, a relative of Sridhar, joined the film as an assistant director, making this the first of many collaborations between him and Sridhar.[5] The scene where Padmini's character dances vigorously, causing a bell from one of her anklets to slip and hit a lamp hanging near a statue of Nataraja, causing oil to splash and fall into the eyes of Nataraja to make him look like he was shedding tears, took as many as 20 retakes to perfect; despite this, the censor board refused to allow the shot of Nataraja shedding tears in the final cut.[6]
Soundtrack
Music was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao.[7][8] Sridhar signed on Rao as the composer after working with him in Amara Deepam (1956).[9] He initially wanted Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram to write the lyrics, but could not hire the poet due to his death.[10] The song "Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" is set to Bageshri raga,[11]Template:Sfn and "Aadum Arul Jothi" is set to Kalyani.[12]Template:Sfn
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Thulli Thulli Oduthe" | Jikki | 03:22 | |
| "Aadum Arul Jothi" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & Seerkazhi Govindarajan | K. S. Gopalakrishnan | 04:39 |
| "Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" (Male) | A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela (humming) | Kannadasan | 04:19 |
| "Singara Thoppile" | P. Leela & S. Janaki | 04:02 | |
| "Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" (female) | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 03:55 |
| "Padmini Dance" | Instrumental | 04:41 | |
| "Thuyilladha Penn Ondru" | A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela | 03:34 | |
| "Mana Nattiya Medaiyil" | P. Susheela & A. M. Rajah | 04:31 | |
| "Aangikam Bhuvanam" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 06:24 |
Release and reception
Meenda Sorgam was released on 29 July 1960.[3][13] In the promotional posters, Sridhar was billed as "Kalaignar Thilakam" (Template:Translation) without his consent, which angered him. The title was previously bestowed upon him by the Madurai Students' Federation soon after the success of Kalyana Parisu (1959).[14] The Indian Express praised the performances of the cast, particularly Ganesan, Padmini and Thangavelu, along with Vincent's cinematography.[15] Kanthan of Kalki appreciated Ganesan's performance, but felt it lacked newness, though the film could be watched more than once.[16] According to historian Randor Guy, the film did not succeed commercially, as it was thought to be too highbrow and idealistic.[4]
References
- ↑ Eternal Romantic: My Father, Gemini Ganesan{{#if:Ganesh|, Ganesh}. Roli Books(2011). ISBN 978-81-7436-578-1
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Meenda Sorgam. The Indian Express(29 July 1960). Retrieved 20 September 2020.Template:Cbignore
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 'Meenda Sorgam' 1960. The Hindu(8 August 2015). Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- ↑ In a flashback mode. The Hindu(8 September 2018). Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ↑ சி(ரி)த்ராலயா 13: ஸ்ரீதரின் கற்பனைக்கு முதல் வெட்டு!, நரசிம்மன், டி.ஏ.. Hindu Tamil Thisai(4 May 2018). Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ Meenda Sorgam. Gaana. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ↑ Then Nilavu- Meenda Sorgam Tamil Film Audio Cassette. Mossymart. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ↑ Man who brought Andhra folk music, left ideals to Tamil films, Rangaraj, R. The Times of India(19 November 2020). Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ↑ Poet Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram; 80th Birthday Remembrance, Sri Kantha, Sachi. Ilankai Tamil Sangam(11 April 2010). Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ↑ A Raga's Journey – Bewitching Bhagesri. The Hindu(16 March 2012). Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ↑ M.L. Vasanthakumar's impeccable style gave us many evergreen hits. The Hindu(28 June 2018). Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ↑ 1960 – மீண்ட சொர்க்கம் – மதுரம் பிக்சர்ஸ் (தெ-டப்). Lakshman Sruthi. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Meenda Sorgam. The Indian Express(31 July 1960). Retrieved 13 December 2022.Template:Cbignore
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
Bibliography
- Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music{{#if:Sundararaman|, Sundararaman}. Pichhamal Chintamani(2007)