Manohara (film)
| Manohara மனோகரா | |
|---|---|
| File:Manohara sivaji.jpg | |
| Directed by | L. V. Prasad |
| Written by | M. Karunanidhi (dialogues) |
| Story by | Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar |
| Produced by | M. Somasundaram |
| Starring | |
| Edited by | M. A. Thirumugam |
| Music by |
|
| Distributed by | Manohar Pictures |
Release date | 3 March 1954[1] |
Running time | 17885 meters |
| Language | Tamil |
Manohara (Template:Lang-ta) is a 1954 Tamil language historical fiction film starring Sivaji Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran, P. Kannamba, T. R. Rajakumari and Girija in the lead roles. The film was based on a play of same name by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar and was directed by L. V. Prasad. It was dubbed into Telugu as Manohara and Hindi as Manohar and released on 3 June 1954 simultaneously.
Cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Manohar
- P. Kannamba as Padmavathi
- T. R. Rajakumari as Vasanthasenai
- Girija as Vijayal
- S. S. Rajendran as Rajapriyan
- Javar Seetharaman as Sathyaseelan
- Kaka Radhakrishnan as Vasanthan
- S. A. Nadarajan as Ukrasenan
- T. P. Muthulakshmi as Malini
Crew
- Producer: M. Somasundaram
- Production Company: Manohar Pictures
- Director: L. V. Prasad
- Music: S. V. Venkatraman & T. R. Ramanathan
- Lyrics: K. D. Sundaram, Surabhi, Chellamuthukavi & Udumalai Narayana Kavi
- Story: Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar
- Screenplay: M. Karunanidhi
- Dialogues: M. Karunanidhi
- Art Direction: A. K. Sekhar
- Editing: M. A. Thirumugam
- Choreography: A. K. Chopra & B. Heeralal
- Cinematography: P. Ramasami & G. K. Ramu
- Stunt: None
- Dance: Kumari Kamala
Production
Manohara was a film adaptation of the stage play of the same name staged by playwright Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar in the 1930s; he even acted in a film version which was released in 1930.[1][2] K. R. Ramasami successfully staged Manohara under his own banner, playing the lead actor, Sivaji Ganesan portrayed the role of the queen in the play.[3] Jupiter Pictures, announced the film adaptation of Manohara with Ramasami in the title role and A. S. A. Sami as the director.[4] Elangovan, was engaged to write the script. However, this project was shelved and Sivaji Ganesan was brought on board. Producer signed Sivaji either for the role of Rajpriyan or Manoharan.[4] However Sivaji was keen on doing the titular character and got selected.[4] Elangovan worked on the script for sometime under the new setup, but he was soon replaced by Mu. Karunanidhi.[3][5] Karunanidhi rewrote Mudaliar’s play, introducing changes like the climactic sequence for which he drew inspiration from Samson and Delilah, especially the part where the blind Samson pushes the pillars down.[3] L. V. Prasad was selected to direct the film.[6]
P. Kannamba was cast as Manohara's mother. Telugu actress Girija was cast as the princess, and T. R. Rajakumari as the king’s ambitious mistress Vasanthasena.[2] Kaka Radhakrishnan, Pandari Bai, Javert Seetharaman, S. A. Natarajan, T. P. Muthulakshmi and Sadasiva Rao were recruited to play supporting roles.[3]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman and T. R. Ramanathan. Lyrics by K. D. Sundaram, Surabhi, Chellamuthukavi & Udumalai Narayana Kavi. Singers are T. R. Rajakumari & C. S. Pandiyan.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
| 1 | Singaara Paingkiliye Pesu | A. M. Rajah & Radha Jayalakshmi | 04:14 | |
| 2 | Nilaavile Ullaasamaaga Aadalaam | T. A. Mothi & T. V. Rathinam | 02:59 | |
| 3 | Pozhudhu Pularndhadhe | T. R. Rajakumari | ||
| 4 | Inbanaalidhe Idhayam Kaanudhe | Jikki | 03:06 | |
| 5 | Sandhegam Illai Sandhegam Illai | S. V. Venkatraman & C. S. Pandiyan | 02:00 |
Release
Dhananjayan in his book Pride of Tamil cinema - 1931 to 2013 mentioned that the film became cult classic due to the performances of Sivaji and Kannamba and dialogues by Karunanidhi.[4] Ananda Vikatan wrote "Manohara is an example if there is an good script combined with lively dialogues and powerful acting, the public will appreciate and love such films".[4]
The film was successful at the box office. The film was dubbed and released in Telugu and Hindi with the same title; both became failures.[3] Kongara Jaggaiah dubbed his voice for Sivaji Ganesan in Telugu. Acharya Atreya wrote dialogues for the Telugu version.[2][4]
References
- ^ a b Dhananjayan 2014, p. 105.
- ^ a b c http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/celluloid-colossus/article1432936.ece
- ^ a b c d e http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/manohara-1954/article3021229.ece
- ^ a b c d e f Dhananjayan 2014, p. 106.
- ^ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/wordsmith/article2374346.ece
- ^ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/a-leader-and-a-visionary/article3230624.ece
External links
Bibliography
- Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013. Blue Ocean Publishers.
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