Meenda Sorgam
Meenda Sorgam (transl. Paradise regained)[1] is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language romantic musical film, written and directed by C. V. Sridhar, and produced by T. A. Dorairajan. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Padmini and Tambaram Lalitha. It was released on 29 July 1960, and failed commercially.
| Meenda Sorgam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | C. V. Sridhar |
| Produced by | T. A. Dorairajan |
| Written by | C. V. Sridhar |
| Starring | Gemini Ganesan Padmini Tambaram Lalitha |
| Music by | T. Chalapathi Rao |
| Cinematography | A. Vincent |
| Edited by | N. M. Shankar |
Production company | Madhuram Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 180 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
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
- Gemini Ganesan as Sekhar
- Padmini as Nirmala
- K. A. Thangavelu as Sachithanandham Pillai
- T. R. Ramachandran as Gopu
- N. Lalitha as Prathiba
- Manorama as Sachu
- K. N. Kamalam as Kamalam
- K. Nataraj as Nirmala's dance Teacher
- Sairam as Azhagu
- P. S. Venkatachalam as Duraisami
- V. Mahalingam
- Dance
- Sasi, Revathi, Sakunthala, Rita, Bala, Rajam,
Jaya, Shantha, Jayanthi, Nirmala, Nalini, Mohana,
Leela, Kamala, Nagu, Vittoba, and Rajeswari.
Production
Meenda Sorgam was written and directed by C. V. Sridhar, and produced by T. A. Dorairajan under Madhuram Pictures. Cinematography was handled by A. Vincent, and editing by N. M. Shankar.[2][3]
Soundtrack
| Meenda Sorgam | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 1960 |
| Recorded | 1960 |
| Length | 38:07 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Producer | T. Chalapathi Rao |
Music was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and lyrics were written by Kannadasan, Subbu Arumugam and P. S. Gopalakrishnan.[4] Sridhar initially wanted Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram to write the lyrics, but could not hire the poet due to his death.[5] The song "Kalaiye En" is set in Bageshri raga.[6]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Thulli Thulli Oduthe" | Jikki | 03:22 | |
| 2 | "Aadum Arul Jothi" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & Seerkazhi Govindarajan | P. S. Gopalakrishnan | 04:39 |
| 3 | "Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" (Male) | A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela (humming) | Kannadasan | 04:19 |
| 4 | "Singara Thoppile" | P. Leela & S. Janaki | 04:02 | |
| 5 | "Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" (female) | P. Susheela | Kannadasan | 03:55 |
| 6 | "Padmini Dance" | Instrumental | 04:41 | |
| 7 | "Thuyilladha Penn Ondru" | A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela | 03:34 | |
| 8 | "Mana Nattiya Medaiyil" | P. Susheela & A. M. Rajah | 04:31 | |
| 9 | "Aangikam Bhuvanam" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 06:24 |
Release and reception
Meenda Sorgam was released on 29 July 1960.[2][7] The film did not succeed commercially, as it was thought to be too highbrow and idealistic.[3]
References
- Ganesh, Narayani (2011). Eternal Romantic: My Father, Gemini Ganesan. Lustre Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-81-7436-578-1.
- "Meenda Sorgam". The Indian Express. 29 July 1960. p. 1.
- Guy, Randor (8 August 2015). "'Meenda Sorgam' 1960". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- "Meenda Sorgam". Gaana.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- Kantha, Sachi Sri (11 April 2010). "Poet Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram; 80th Birthday Remembrance". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- Mani, Charulatha (16 March 2012). "A Raga's Journey – Bewitching Bhagesri". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil film history and its achievements] (in Tamil). Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.