Chella Pillai
Chella Pillai (transl. Dear Child) is a 1955 Tamil-language comedy-drama film directed by M. V. Raman and produced by A. V. Meiyappan under his AVM Productions company.[1] The film script was written by Javar Seetharaman. Music by R. Sudharsanam is an asset to the film.[2] It stars K. R. Ramasamy, Savitri, T. S. Balaiah, B. R. Panthulu and P. Kannamba playing lead, with Pandari Bai, K. A. Thangavelu, Javar Seetharaman and Kaka Radhakrishnan in supporting roles.[3] The film was remade in Telugu as Vadina (1955). Showering affection or enforcing firm discipline, which one is necessary in bringing up a child, especially if he is an orphan? That was the theme of Chella Pillai.[1][4]
| Chella Pillai | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | M. V. Raman |
| Produced by | A. V. Meiyappan |
| Written by | Javar Seetharaman |
| Starring | K. R. Ramasamy Savitri T. S. Balaiah B. R. Panthulu P. Kannamba Pandari Bai K. A. Thangavelu |
| Music by | R. Sudharsanam |
| Cinematography | T. Muthusamy Yusuf Mulji |
| Edited by | M. V. Raman Surya |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | AVM Productions |
Release date | 24 June 1955 |
Running time | 141 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Mani (K. R. Ramasamy) is an orphan brought up by his brother (B. R. Panthulu) and his wife (P. Kannamba). Fond of the growing child, she covers for all mischievous deeds, even petty crimes, without bothering to correct him. Soon, he grows into an irresponsible young man addicted to gambling. He meets a young woman (Savitri), who dreams of becoming a movie star. He promises to introduce her to movies. Meanwhile, the family decides to get him married to a modest young woman (Pandari Bai) in the hope that he would become better human being. The hero leaves home to make a movie with the young woman. Needing money for the productions, he commits a theft in the shop where his brother works, resulting in the kind man losing his job. The hero gets involved in the printing of fakes notes and when the brothers seek his help. He gives him the counterfeit currency, resulting in the poor man getting arrested. How the erring hero changes his ways forms the rest of the plot.[1]
Cast
- K. R. Ramasamy as Mani
- Savitri as Dancer Lalitha
- T. S. Balaiah as Yaman, Film Director
- B. R. Panthulu as Paramasivam, Mani's Brother
- P. Kannamba as Kalyani, Mani's Sister-in-law
- K. A. Thangavelu as Avatharam, Lalitha's Brother
- Pandari Bai as Anjalai, Mani's wife
- Javar Seetharaman as Madabova, Film Producer
- Kaka Radhakrishnan
- P. D. Sambandam as Murugan
- as Murugan
- C. V. V. Panthulu as Deena Dhayalan
- Vadhiraj as Nalan, Mani's friend
Remake
Chella Pillai was remade in Telugu for the same year as Vadina. Akkineni Nageswara Rao replaced K. R. Ramasamy in Vadina. The remake ran for 100 days in Vijayawada.[5]
Reception
Randor Guy stated in The Hindu article for a different kind of story for the day, Chella Pillai had good performances by K. R. Ramasamy,[6] P. Kannamba, B. R. Panthulu and Savitri. T. S. Balaiah as the film director Yaman and K. A. Thangavelu as Avatharam contributed to the laughs.[1]
Soundtrack
| Chella Pillai | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by R. Sudharsanam | |
| Released | 1955 |
| Recorded | 1955 |
| Genre | Original Soundtrack[7] |
| Length | 31:19 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Producer | R. Sudharsanam |
Music was by R. Sudharsanam and lyrics were written by Udumalai Narayana Kavi, K. P. Kamakshi, Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam and V. Seetharaman. Singer is K. R. Ramaswamy. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Raghavan, P. Susheela,[8] Jikki, T. S. Bagavathi and M. S. Rajeswari.
Most of the tunes were straight lifts from the Popular Hindi movies.[9]
| No | Song | Singer | Lyrics | Length(m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Thaannalae Varum Kaasu" | P. Susheela | 03:02 | |
| 2 | "Sirppiyin Kai Paadatha" | K. R. Ramasamy | 02:41 | |
| 3 | "Madhana Ezhil Raja" (dialogue) | Jikki & dialogues by K. R. Ramasamy | Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam[10] | 06:07 |
| 4 | "Naadu Nadakkira" | T. M. Soundararajan & M. S. Rajeswari | 03:07 | |
| 5 | "Oh Nigarillathaa" | Jikki | 03:19 | |
| 6 | "Aararo Aararo.... Koil Kaalai" "Nee Paaapaa" | T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Raghavan & P. Susheela | 03:30 | |
| 7 | "Podanum Kulla Podanum" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:10 | |
| 8 | "Aaraadha Thuyaram" | T. S. Bagavathi | 03:09 | |
| 9 | "Aanandham Inge Irukku" | T. M. Soundararajan & Jikki | 03:09 | |
| 10 | "Nadakkum Pothu" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:22 | |
| 11 | "Kaniyum Suvaiyum Servadhu Pole" | K. R. Ramasamy | 03:11 |
References
- Guy, Randor (25 September 2009). "Chella Pillai (1955)". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- "Chellapillai Movie". gomolo. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- "Chellapillai 1955 Tamil Movie". filmiclub. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- "Chella Pillai(Celluloid)". movies.syzygy. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- "Cycle Stand – Akkineni Nageswara Rao's 100 days film list". idlebrain. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
- "Nadippisai Pulavar K. R. Ramasamy Paadalgal". mayyam. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- "Chellapillai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". itunes.apple. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- "Unforgettable Melodies of Susheela". gsvfilms.blospot. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- "Chellapillai Songs". gaana. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- Kavignar Pon. Sellamuthu. Kavignar Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam Thirai Isai Padalgal [Film lyrics of Poet Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam]. Manivasagar Publishers, Chennai 108 (Ph:044 25361039). Second edition November 2016. p. 86.