Mahadevi (film)
Mahadevi is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni and written by Kannadasan. Starring M. G. Ramachandran and Savithri, it based on the novel Punya Prabhav by R. G. Katkari.[1] The film was released on 22 November 1957.[2]
| Mahadevi | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Sundar Rao Nadkarni |
| Produced by | Sundar Rao Nadkarni B. Radhakrishna |
| Screenplay by | Kannadasan |
| Based on | Punya Prabhav by R. G. Katkari |
| Starring | M. G. Ramachandran Savithri |
| Music by | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
| Cinematography | G. K. Ramu |
| Edited by | P. Venkatachalam |
Production company | Sri Ganesh Movietone |
Release date |
|
Running time | 160 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Mahadevi (Savithri) is a princess, whose father, the king, is defeated in battle. Despite this he is invited by the rival king to stay with him as his honoured guest. The victorious king has an adopted daughter (M. N. Rajam) and a son ('Master' Murali). His senior commander, Karunakaran (P. S. Veerappa) is attracted to Mahadevi, but she rejects him. Thereby she earns his wrath. Karunakaran hatches various evil plans to get her, but in the meantime, Mahadevi falls in love with the other commander, Vallavan (MGR). Karunakaran tries to kidnap Mahadevi with the help of his sidekick (Chandrababu), but by mistake ends up kidnapping M. N. Rajam. In order to cover up his folly, Karunakaran ends up marrying her. Mahadevi and Vallavan (MGR) marry in due course. After a while, Mahadevi delivers a son, even as Karunakaran continues to lust for Mahadevi.
His wife Mangamma (M.N. Rajam), supports Mahadevi, and protects her from Karunakaran. When Mangamma learns of her husband's plans to kill Mahadevi's baby, she replaces her baby with Mahadevi's, causing Karunakaran to kill his own child. When Karunakaran realises the truth, he kills himself and so does his wife.
Cast
- M. G. Ramachandran as General Vallavan
- Savithri as Mahadhevi
- P. S. Veerappa as General Karunakaran
- M. N. Rajam as Princess Mangamma
- J. P. Chandrababu as Mariappan
- T. P. Muthulakshmi as Vasantha
- O. A. K. Thevar as Thalapathi
- A. Karunanidhi as Muthupulavan
- Sattampillai Venkatraman as
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy.[3] Lyrics were by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, Kannadasan & A. Maruthakasi. Singer is J. P. Chandrababu. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, A. M. Rajah, M. S. Rajeswari, P. Suseela, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, T. S. Bagavathi, K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Kaka Kaka Maikondaa" | M. S. Rajeswari | A. Maruthakasi | 03:20 |
| 2 | "Kanmoodum Velaiyilum" | A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 03:14 |
| 3 | "Un Thirumugatthai" | J. P. Chandrababu & A. G. Rathnamala | Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass | 03:20 |
| 4 | "Thaayatthu Thaayatthu" | T. M. Soundararajan | Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram | 03:01 |
| 5 | "Singara Punnagai" | M. S. Rajeswari & R. Balasaraswathi Devi | Kannadhasan | 03:33 |
| 6 | "Kurukku Vazhiyil" | T. M. Soundararajan | Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram | 03:03 |
| 7 | "Kaamugar Nenjil" | K. Jamuna Rani | A. Maruthakasi | 03:29 |
| 8 | "Thanthana Paattu" | J. P. Chandrababu & A. G. Rathnamala | Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass | 03:21 |
| 9 | "Eru Poottuvom" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:17 | |
| 10 | "Maanam Ondre Perithena" | T. S. Bagavathi | Kannadasan | 03:29 |
| 11 | "Sevai Seivadhe Aanandham" | M. S. Rajeswari & T. M. Soundararajan | 04:08 |
Legacy
The dialogue "Mananthal Mahadevi Illaiyel Maranadevi" uttered by P. S. Veerappa became hugely popular.[4]
References
- Guy, Randor (1 December 2012). "Mahadevi 1955". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- "Mahadevi". The Indian Express. 22 November 1957. p. 1.
- "Mahadevi Songs". raaga. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- Guy, Randor (2 August 2014). "The superstar villain". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 January 2021.