Mallika (1957 film)

Mallika is an Indian Tamil language film directed by Joseph Thaliath Jr. and released in 1957. The film features Gemini Ganesan and Padmini in the lead roles. It was remade in Hindi as Payal the same year.

Mallika
Film poster
Directed byJoseph Thaliath Jr.
Produced byJoseph Thaliath Jr.
Screenplay byNanjilnadu T. N. Rajappa
Story byM. A. Durai
StarringGemini Ganesan
Padmini
T. S. Balaiah
K. A. Thangavelu
Music byT. R. Pappa
Production
company
Citadel Films Corporation
Release date
  • 19 July 1957 (1957-07-19) (India)
[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Kamala and Padma are the daughters of a businessman stationed in Burma. Due to losses, the businessman is forced to return to India with his wife and daughters. The plane crashes and the parents are killed. Padma, the younger daughter, loses her eyesight. Kamala joins a dance troupe for a living and to save for treatment of her sister. Kamala meets Mohan, a man from an affluent family, and falls in love with him. But Mohan's parents are against the marriage because Kamala is a dancer and they consider her as someone of low moral character. Mohan's father is murdered and Mohan is arrested. Kamala takes the blame on to herself in order to save Mohan. The truth is eventually revealed, Padma regains her sight and all ends well for everyone.[2]

Cast

Credits adapted from The Hindu:[2]

Production

This is the first film produced by the Citadel Films Corporation owned by Joseph Thaliath Jr, who also directed the film. Nanjilnadu T. N. Rajappa, who wrote the dialogues, also worked as the assistant director. Hiralal choreographed Padmini's dances, and was assisted by Chinni and Sampath. M. G. Naidu, who later founded the Naidu Hall, worked as the costume designer on the film.[2]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by T. R. Pappa and the lyrics were written by A. Maruthakasi and M. K. Athmanathan. The playback singers were P. Susheela, A. M. Raja, Jikki, Mythili, S. C. Krishnan and R. Nageswara Rao.[2]

No.SongSinger/sLyricistDuration(m:ss)
1"Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu"P. Suseela03:43
2"Maanatthai Kaappadhu Ponnu"S. C. Krishnan & JikkiA. Maruthakasi03:50
3"En Kannil Kalandhu Vilaiyaadum"A. M. Raja & P. SuseelaA. Maruthakasi02:47
4"Pagattile Ulagam Emaarudhu"S. C. Krishnan02:49
5"Mangaamal Valarum Singaara Nadanam"P. SuseelaA. Maruthakasi02:55
6"Thaye Nee Kan Paarai"Jikki02:49
7"Varuven Naan Unadhu Maaligaiyin"A. M. Raja & P. SuseelaA. Maruthakasi03:14
8"Varundhathe Ezhai Maname"Jikki03:09

Reception

Film historian Randor Guy praised Mallika for its "fine music, scintillating dances by Padmini, and impressive performances by Gemini Ganesh and others". Despite this, the film was an average success, but was remade in Hindi as Payal the same year with Padmini returning.[2]

gollark: They could have been doing things in those 3ns. Or since the brain fireflies were acquired...
gollark: We would lose the latest bee neuron data from them.
gollark: A perfect replica would include the brain fireflies.
gollark: Just move the brain atoms into the right place using the editor, silly.
gollark: What? We can just translocate the fireflies using a GTech™ thing position and arbitrary derivatives thereof™ editor.

References
  1. Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [History of Landmark Tamil Films] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016.
  2. Guy, Randor (13 December 2014). "Mallika 1957". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
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