Manohara (film)

Manohara is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language historical fantasy film[3] directed by L. V. Prasad and written by M. Karunanidhi. Starring Sivaji Ganesan, T. R. Rajakumari, P. Kannamba and Girija, the film was based on the play of the same name by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar. It was released on 3 March 1954.

Manohara
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPrasad
Produced byM. Somasundaram[1]
Screenplay byM. Karunanidhi
Based onManohara
by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar
Starring
Music by
CinematographyP. Ramaswamy[2]
Edited byM. A. Thirumugam
Production
company
Manohar Pictures
Release date
  • 3 March 1954 (1954-03-03)
Running time
172 minutes[3]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Cast

Production

Manohara was a film adaptation of the play of the same name staged by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar in the 1930s; he even acted in a film version which was released in 1930.[4][5] K. R. Ramasamy successfully staged Manohara under his own banner, playing the lead actor, Sivaji Ganesan portrayed the role of the queen in the play.[6] Jupiter Pictures announced the film adaptation of Manohara with Ramasamy in the title role and A. S. A. Sami as the director. Elangovan, was engaged to write the script. However, this project was shelved and Ganesan was brought on board. Producer signed Ganesan either for the role of Rajpriyan or Manoharan. However Ganesan was keen on doing the titular character and got selected.[7] Elangovan worked on the script for sometime under the new setup, but he was soon replaced by M. Karunanidhi.[6][8] Karunanidhi rewrote Mudaliar's play, introducing changes like the climactic sequence for which he drew inspiration from Samson and Delilah, especially the part where the blind Samson pushes the pillars down.[6] L. V. Prasad was selected to direct the film.[9]

P. Kannamba was cast as Manohara's mother. Telugu actress Girija was cast as the princess, and T. R. Rajakumari as the king's ambitious mistress Vasanthasena.[5][10] Kaka Radhakrishnan, Pandari Bai, Javert Seetharaman, S. A. Natarajan, T. P. Muthulakshmi and Sadasiva Rao were recruited to play supporting roles.[6]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman and T. R. Ramanathan.[11]

Tamil Songs

Lyrics by K. D. Sundaram, Surabhi, Chellamuthukavi & Udumalai Narayana Kavi. Singers are T. R. Rajakumari & C. S. Pandiyan. Playback singers by A. M. Rajah, S. V. Venkatraman, T. A. Mothi, Radha Jayalakshmi, T. V. Rathinam & Jikki.

T. R. Ramanathan composed the music for Singara Paingkiliye Pesu and Nilaavile Ullaasamaaga Aadalaam.

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1"Singaara Paingkiliye Pesu"A. M. Rajah & Radha JayalakshmiUdumalai Narayana Kavi04:14
2"Ennai Paar Ennazhagai Paaru"T. V. Rathinam04:46
3"Nilaavile Ullaasamaaga Aadalaam"T. A. Mothi & T. V. Rathinam02:59
4"Pozhudhu Pularndhadhe"T. R. Rajakumari02:00
5"Sandhegam Illai Sandhegam Illai"S. V. Venkatraman & C. S. Pandiyan02:00
6"Inbanaalidhe Idhayam Kaanudhe"Jikki, L. R. Eswari03:06
7"Vasantha Vizhaa Osantha Thiruvizhaa"Chorus01:27
8"Pombalathaanaa Nee Pombalathaanaa"S. V. Venkatraman & C. S. Pandiyan01:27
9"Radhi Manmadha"S. V. Venkatraman & C. S. Pandiyan02:47
10"Kaathal Kondaadukiraar"Radha Jayalakshmi02:35

Telugu Songs

Playback singers by A. M. Rajah, S. V. Venkatraman, T. A. Mothi, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, Radha Jayalakshmi & Jikki.

No.SongSingersLyricsLength (m:ss)
1"Kannulalo Vennelalo"A. M. Rajah & Jikki04:14
2"Thivari Ramuni"Madhavapeddi Satyam01:30
3"Andalu Chandalu Kannaa Raa"Jikki04:46
4"Andaala Rathini"Jikki02:32
5"Vechiti Innallu"Radha Jayalakshmi01:06
6"Paadave Preyasi Teeyagaa"T. A. Mothi & Jikki02:59
7" Thela Thelavaare"Jikki02:00
8"Sandeham Ledu Sandeham Ledu"S. V. Venkatraman & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao02:00
9"Ravoyi Ravoyi"Jikki03:06
10"Vana Mahothsavam Vasantha Thina Mahothsavam"Chorus01:27
11"Adadhanivena"S. V. Venkatraman & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao01:27
12"Rathi Manmatha"S. V. Venkatraman & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao02:47
13"Pranaya Vilasamule"Radha Jayalakshmi02:35

Release and reception

Manohara was released on 3 March 1954.[2] Ananda Vikatan wrote "Manohara is an example if there is a good script combined with lively dialogues and powerful acting, the public will appreciate and love such films". According to historian G. Dhananjayan, the film became a success due to the performances of Ganesan and Kannamba and dialogues by Karunanidhi.[7] It was later dubbed and released in Telugu and Hindi with the same title; both became failures.[6] Kongara Jaggaiah dubbed his voice for Ganesan in Telugu. Aatreya wrote dialogues for the Telugu version.[5][7]

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References
  1. Pillai 2015, p. 289.
  2. Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [Tamil film history and its achievements] (in Tamil). Sivagami Publishers. Archived from the original on 2020.
  3. Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 336.
  4. Dhananjayan 2014, p. 105.
  5. "Celluloid colossus". The Hindu. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  6. "Manohara 1954". The Hindu. 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  7. Dhananjayan 2014, p. 106.
  8. "Wordsmith". The Hindu. 20 August 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  9. "A Leader and a visionary". The Hindu. 8 September 2006. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  10. Pillai 2015, p. 269.
  11. "Manohara (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by S. V. Venkatraman & T. R. Ramanathan". Apple Music. Retrieved 3 June 2020.

Bibliography
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