Sivandha Mann

Sivandha Mann (transl.Red Soil) is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language romantic action film written, produced and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Kanchana, with S. V. Ranga Rao, M. N. Nambiar, Muthuraman, Nagesh and Sachu in supporting roles. It revolves around an Inspector General's son and a princess who rebel against the tyrannical ruler of their region.

Sivandha Mann
Theatrical release poster
Directed byC. V. Sridhar
Produced byC. V. Sridhar
Written byC. V. Sridhar
StarringSivaji Ganesan
Kanchana
Music byM. S. Viswanathan
CinematographyN. Balakrishnan
Edited byM. N. Shankar
Production
company
Chithralaya Films
Release date
  • 9 November 1969 (1969-11-09)
Running time
179 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Sivandha Mann was the first Tamil film to be shot extensively in locations outside India; shooting locations included Switzerland, France and the Alps. It was released on 9 November 1969, Diwali day, and became a major commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres. The film's success inspired many later Tamil and Telugu films to shoot in foreign locations. It was later remade by Sridhar in Hindi as Dharti (1970).

Plot

The Portuguese want to set up an army base in Vasanthapuri, a territory in Tamil Nadu, India. They approach Diwan, a corrupt ruler of the area and decide to make him the king if he agrees to carry out the plan. He subsequently agrees, but none of the local people are happy and protest against this. Hence he starts killing them in large numbers. Anand, who lost his father in the shootout, swears that he will have revenge for the outrage when his friend Bharat, son of the Inspector General Chandrasekar, returns from abroad.

Meanwhile, Chithralekha, the princess of Vasanthapuri is living in Zürich, and is completely unaware that her native place is in danger. She sees Bharat's photo in a local daily, and learns that he is also from Vasanthapuri. She reads that he came first in the University of Bern, and develops interest in meeting him. That night, Chithralekha meets him at a club and congratulates him for his performance, while introducing herself as "Vasanthi" to hide her true identity. Quickly, they both fall for each other. Bharat and Chithralekha enjoy as they start touring all over Europe, but when Chithralekha hears about the danger in her homeland, she has to return. Bharat also agrees to come, as he too is determined to save Vasanthapuri.

During the flight to India, one of the flight attendants announces that Diwan wants to marry the princess and will receive her at the airport. Chitralekha is not happy and commands that the flight take a different turn, but the attendant stops her from trying to escape. Bharat fights the attendant, causing the flight to continuously spin and in the process, the flight drowns in the sea. Bharat and Chitralekha are presumed dead, but are washed ashore onto an island unconscious. They are cured by two local doctors who befriend them, and arrange a special raft for their return. Bharat realises that "Vasanthi" is actually princess Chitralekha, but she advises him just to see her as his lover and not as the princess.

Bharat and Chitralekha arrive at Anand's house, and he is surprised to see Bharat alive. However, Chitralekha takes the guise of a normal girl because she does not want anyone to know that the princess is still alive, and to aide Bharat. Her true identity remains a secret to everyone except Bharat. The next day, people again protest at Diwan who starts killing them all; Anand dies in the shootout. Anand's mother also dies in the shock of her son's death, making Bharat and his friends more determined to save Vasanthapuri. They kill a few of Diwan's men, and seek shelter in a bar whose owner Dickie also becomes their ally. Bharat, Chithralekha and the rest of their gang secretly deal with Diwan and his army.

Later at Diwan's castle, "Vasanthi" finally reveals herself as princess Chithralekha, and shocks everyone. Diwan immediately kidnaps her and boards a hot air balloon. But Bharat manages to reach him and after an intense fight, kills Diwan. Peace returns to Vasanthapuri, while Bharat and Chithralekha are married.

Cast

Male cast
Female cast
Supporting roles

Production

Sivandha Mann evolved from Andru Sinthiya Ratham, a script originally written by C. V. Sridhar for M. G. Ramachandran.[3] It was also the first action film for Sridhar, who previously directed mainly romance and drama films.[2] Sivandha Mann was the first Tamil film to be shot extensively in foreign locations.[4] Filming took place largely in Europe in places like Switzerland,[3] France and the Alps.[5] A river had been created at Vauhini Studios for Sivandha Mann. Before filming began it gave way, leading to the entire place being flooded. An unfazed Sridhar decided to have the riverbed rebuilt with concrete.[6]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics by Kannadasan.[7] The song "Oru Raja Raniyidam" attained popularity,[8] as did the Arabic-themed "Pattathu Rani".[9] Viswanathan called the tune "a mix of Persian form of music to support the sequence in the film".[10]

Track list
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Oru Raja Raniyidam"KannadasanT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela06:31
2."Muthamidum Nearmeppo"KannadasanSaibaba, L. R. Eswari03:28
3."Oru Nalileya Uravantheya"KannadasanT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela06:41
4."Pattathu Rani"KannadasanL. R. Eswari06:39
5."Parvai Yuvarani"KannadasanT. M. Soundararajan03:37
6."Sollavo Sugamana"KannadasanP. Susheela04:16
7."Anandhamaaga"KannadasanP. Susheela03:27
8."Amma Un Maganodu"KannadasanSirkazhi Govindarajan 
9."Thangamani Painkiliyum"KannadasanDharapuram Sundarrajan Veeramani 

Release and reception

Sivandha Mann was released on 9 November 1969, Diwali day.[11][12] The Indian Express wrote on 15 November, "If you expect a story, expect any of the usual elements you are sure to be disappointed. The merit of the movie is that it makes no claim for projecting great ideals nor does it claim a story". The reviewer went on to say, "Sivaji Ganesan as a rebel hero does a good job. Muthuraman as his mentor is very arresting. M. S. Viswanathan's music will be long remembered".[1] The film was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.[12][13] After its success, many Tamil and Telugu films were also inspired to shoot in France.[14] Sridhar remade the film in Hindi as Dharti (1970),[15] which failed commercially.[16]

References

  1. "Cinema". The Indian Express. 15 November 1969. p. 8.
  2. "பொன்விழா படங்கள்: சிவந்த மண்: வெளிநாட்டில் படமாக்கப்பட்ட முதல் தமிழ் படம்" [Golden Jubilee films: Sivantha Mann, the first Tamil film shot abroad]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 6 July 2019. Archived from the original on 6 July 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  3. Kantha, Sachi Sri (6 June 2014). "MGR Remembered – Part 18". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  4. Ramachandran, Naman (2014) [2012]. Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography. New Delhi: Penguin Books. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-14-342111-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  5. Velayutham, Selvaraj, ed. (2008). Tamil Cinema: The Cultural Politics of India's Other Film Industry. Routledge. p. 174. ISBN 978-1-134-15446-3.
  6. Rangarajan, Malathi (21 July 2016). "The director's fine cut". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  7. "Sivantha Mann". Saregama. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  8. Raman, Mohan (1–15 November 2008). "An auteur no more". Madras Musings. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  9. "A musical legend takes a final bow". The Times Kuwait. 26 July 2015. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  10. Saqaf, Syed Muthahar (25 June 2005). "Melody King". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  11. Venkataramanan, Geetha (14 November 2019). "Jubilee of Sridhar's film Sivanda Mann celebrated". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 November 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  12. Jeshi, K. (1 November 2013). "Released on Deepavali". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  13. Ganesan, Sivaji; Narayana Swamy, T. S. (2007) [2002]. Autobiography of an Actor: Sivaji Ganesan, October 1928 – July 2001. Chennai: Sivaji Prabhu Charities Trust. p. 242. OCLC 297212002.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  14. "France attracts Hollywood, Bollywood". The Economic Times. 25 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  15. Guy, Randor (24 October 2008). "Trend-setter". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  16. நரசிம்மன், டி.ஏ. (9 November 2018). "சி(ரி)த்ராலயா 41: முரசொலி மாறனின் எச்சரிக்கை!" [Si(ri)thalaya 41: Murasoli Maran's warning!]. Hindu Tamil Thisai. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
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