Sivagangai Seemai
Sivagangai Seemai (transl. 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. It is based on the life of Maruthu Brothers.[2] The movie's cast is S. S. Rajendran, S. Varalakshmi, Kamala Lakshmanan and M. N. Rajam in lead roles.[3]
| Sivagangai Seemai | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | K. Shankar |
| Produced by | K. S. Ranganathan |
| Story by | Kannadasan |
| Starring | S. S. Rajendran S. Varalakshmi Kamala Lakshmanan T. K. Bhagavathi M. N. Rajam |
| Music by | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
| Cinematography | Thambu |
| Edited by | K. Shankar K. Narayanan |
Production company | Kannadasan Productions |
| Distributed by | Kannadasan Productions |
Release date | 19 May 1959[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
After the execution of Kattabomman on 16 October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai. The British used this reason to invade and attack Sivaganga in 1801 with a powerful army. The Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies were quite successful and captured three districts from the British. The 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
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Production
The film started production under the title Oomaiyan Kottai with M.G.Ramachandran but it got shelved as Ramachandran was busy with politics. The same project was revived as Sivagangai Seemai.[5]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack features 16 songs composed by Viswanathan Ramamoorthy.[6] Lyrics were by Kannadasan. The song "Kanavu Kanden" is set in Mukhari raga.[7]
| 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. Sundaram | 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. Susheela & 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,[8] but because of its theme and historic content, it acquired cult status in later years.[3]
References
- Sachi Sri Kantha. "MGR Remembered – Part 26". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- Dechamma C. C. & Prakash 2010, p. 152.
- 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.
- "MGR Remembered – Part 47 – Ilankai Tamil Sangam". sangam.org. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- "Sivagangai Seemai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- Mani, Charulatha (4 January 2013). "Notes of peace". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- Raman, Mohan V. (16 May 2019). "'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' turns 60: the rebel who won many hearts". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
External links
Bibliography
- Dechamma C. C., Sowmya; Prakash, Elavarthi Sathya (2010). Cinemas of South India: Culture, Resistance, and Ideology. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-806795-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)