Paavai Vilakku

Paavai Vilakku (transl. Lady with a Lamp) is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Somu and written by A. P. Nagarajan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki, Pandari Bai, M. N. Rajam and Kumari Kamala. It is based on Akilan's novel of the same name, serialised in the Tamil magazine Kalki. Paavai Vilakku was released on 19 October 1960, Diwali day, and did not perform well at the box office.

For the oil lamp, see Paavai vilakku.

Paavai Vilakku
Theatrical release poster
Directed byK. Somu
Produced byT. Vijayarangam
V. K. Gopanna
Screenplay byA. P. Nagarajan
Based onPaavai Vilakku
by Akilan
StarringSivaji Ganesan
Sowcar Janaki
Pandari Bai
M. N. Rajam
Kumari Kamala
Music byK. V. Mahadevan
CinematographyV. K. Gopanna
Edited byT. Vijayarangam (supervisor)
K. Thurairaj
Production
company
Sri Vijayagopal Pictures
Distributed bySivaji Films
Release date
  • 19 October 1960 (1960-10-19)
Running time
170 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Thanikachalam and Gowri are a married couple, and they have a daughter named Kalyani. Sengamalam is a dancer to whom Thanikachalam is attracted, but they do not marry since he already has a wife. Devaki, a widow, is also attracted to him, but later starts to treat him as a brother. Uma, a friend of Gowri, stays with the couple and raises their child as her own. She too falls in love with Thanikachalam, but is not able to marry him. An accident at Thanikachalam's house results in the death of Kalyani; Uma is not informed of her death. She later meets with a similar accident and upon learning about the child's death, she dies in the arms of Gowri and Thanikachalam.

Cast

K. Balaji, Prem Nazir, Sriram and M. R. Santhanam make guest appearances as Thanikachalam's friends.[1]

Production

Paavai Vilakku was a novel written by Akilan and serialised in the Tamil magazine Kalki.[1] The film version of this novel was directed by K. Somu, written by A. P. Nagarajan, and produced by editor T. Vijayarangam and cinematographer V. K. Gopanna under the Sri Vijayagopal Pictures.[2][3]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the lyrics were written by A. Maruthakasi.[2][4] The song "Aayiram Kan Podhadhu" is set in the raga known as Mand,[5] and "Mangiyathor Nilavinile" is based on Subramania Bharati's poem of the same name.[6]

No.TitleLyricsPerformer(s)Length
1."Aayiram Kan Podhadhu"A. MaruthakasiC. S. Jayaraman3:24
2."Kaaviyama Nenjil"A. MaruthakasiC. S. Jayaraman, P. Susheela5:08
3."Mangiyathor Nilavinile"Subramania BharatiC. S. Jayaraman3:24
4."Naan Unnai Ninaikkaatha"A. MaruthakasiP. Susheela5:19
5."Nee Sirithal"A. MaruthakasiSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi3:44
6."Sidhariya Sadhangaigal"A. MaruthakasiP. Susheela2:58
7."Vannathamizh Pennoruthi"A. MaruthakasiC. S. Jayaraman, L. R. Eswari4:06
8."Vetkamaaga Irukkuthu"A. MaruthakasiSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi1:52

Release and reception

Paavai Vilakku was released on 19 October 1960,[7] during Diwali.[8] The film was distributed by Sivaji Films in Madras.[3] The Indian Express wrote, "Despite the picture being crowded with a battalion of familiar faces, the total effect is pleasing and K. Somu's direction compels attention".[9] Facing competition from Kairasi,[10] Petra Manam,[11] and Mannadhi Mannan, released on the same day,[12] the film did not perform well at box-office.[1][13]

References
  1. Guy, Randor (25 October 2014). "Blast from the past: Paavai Vilakku 1960". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  2. "Paavai Vilakku". Nadigarthilagam.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  3. "Pavai Vilakku". The Indian Express. 19 October 1960. p. 10.
  4. "Paavai Vilakku (1960)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  5. Mani, Charulatha (22 June 2012). "Mesmeric Maand". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  6. Rangan, Baradwaj (11 September 2018). "Southern Lights: Subramaniya Bharati's Poetry In Tamil Cinema". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  7. Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil film history and its achievements] (in Tamil). Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018.
  8. "சரோஜா தேவி: 4. எம்.ஜி.ஆர். சாப்பாடு...!". Dinamalar (in Tamil). 14 May 2016. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  9. "Paavai Vilakku". The Indian Express. 30 October 1960. p. 3.
  10. "Kairasi". The Indian Express. 19 October 1960. p. 10.
  11. "Petra Manam". The Indian Express. 19 October 1960. p. 3.
  12. "எம்.ஜி.ஆர். நடித்த படங்களின் பட்டியல்". Ithayakkani (in Tamil). 2 April 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  13. Ramesh, Neeraja (17 October 2019). "When novel idea works in cinema". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
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