Sivagangai Seemai
| Sivagangai Seemai | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | K. Shankar |
| Written by | Kannadasan |
| Story by | Kannadasan |
| Produced by | K. S. Ranganathan |
| Starring | S. S. Rajendran S. Varalakshmi Kamala Lakshmanan T. K. Bhagavathi M. N. Rajam |
| Cinematography | Thambu |
| Edited by | K. Shankar K. Narayanan |
| Music by | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
Production company | Kannadasan Productions |
| Distributed by | Kannadasan Productions |
Release date | 19 May 1959[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
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. The movie's cast is S. S. Rajendran, S. Varalakshmi, Kamala Lakshmanan and M. N. Rajam in lead roles.[2]
Plot
After the execution of Kattabomman on 17 October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai. But, the British took this reason to invade and attacked Sivaganga in 1801 with a powerful army. The Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies were quite successful and captured three districts from the British. 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
- S. S. Rajendran as Muthalagu Servai[3]
- S. Varalakshmi
- Kamala Lakshmanan
- M. N. Rajam
- T. K. Bagavathy
- D. V. Narayanasamy
- Tambaram Lalitha
- M. K. Mustafa
- Wahab Kashmiri
- K. M. Nambirajan
- G. Muthukrishnan
- Dance
Soundtrack
The soundtrack features 16 songs composed by Viswanathan Ramamoorthy.[4] Lyrics were by Kannadasan. Singer is S. Varalakshmi. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, C. S. Jayaraman, V. N. Sundharam, T. S. Bagavathi, P. Leela, K. Jamuna Rani, Jikki, Radha Jayalakshmi, P. Suseela and A. P. Komala.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
| 1 | Saanthu Pottu Thala Thalanga | P. Leela & K. Jamuna Rani | Kannadasan | 03:48 |
| 2 | Veerargal Vaazhum Dravidar Naattai | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:26 | |
| 3 | Thendral Vandhu Veesaadho | S. Varalakshmi & T. S. Bagavathi | 04:06 | |
| 4 | Kannankaruthaa Kili Kattazhagan Thotta kili | P. Leela | 03:11 | |
| 5 | Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen (happy) | T.M. Soundararajan & T. S. Bagavathi | 03:32 | |
| 6 | Maruvirukkum Koondhal (traditional verse) | V. N. Sundharam | 00:28 | |
| 7 | Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen (Pathos)- | T. S. Bagavathi | 03:02 | |
| 8 | Vaigai Perugivara | C. S. Jayaraman & P. Leela | 03:28 | |
| 9 | Thanimai Naerndhadho | S. Varalakshmi | ||
| 10 | Sivagangai Cheemai Sivagangai Cheemai | T.M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan & A. P. Komala | 03:27 | |
| 11 | Kottu Melam Kottungadi Kummi Kotti Paadungadi | Jikki | 03:28 | |
| 12 | Chinna Chinna Chittu Sivagangaiyai Vittu | K. Jamuna Rani | 03:12 | |
| 13 | Muthu Pugazh Padaitthu | S. Varalakshmi & Radha Jayalakshmi | 05:49 | |
| 14 | Aalikkum Kaigal (one verse) | V. N. Sundaram | 00:30 | |
| 15 | Megam Kuvindhadhammaa.... Imaiyum Vizhiyum | P. Suseela & dialogues by P. S. Veerappa | 04:38 | |
| 16 | Vidiyum Vidiyum Endrirundhoam | T. S. Bagavathi | 04:24 |
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, but because of its theme and historic content, it acquired cult status in later years.[2]
References
- ^ Sachi Sri Kantha. "MGR Remembered – Part 26". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Sivagangai Seemai". The Indian Express. 6 February 1959. p. 10.
- ^ "Sivagangai Seemai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. Retrieved 23 October 2015.