Meenda Sorgam
Meenda Sorgam (transl. Paradise regained)[2] is a 1960 Tamil-language Indian romantic musical film, written and directed by C. V. Sridhar, produced by T. A. Durai Raj and distributed by Madhuram Pictures. The film's soundtrack was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Padmini and Tambaram Lalitha in the lead roles, with K. A. Thangavelu T. R. Ramachandran, Manorama and K. Nadarajan in supporting roles.[3] The film did not do well as expected, as it was thought to be too highbrow and idealistic.
| Meenda Sorgam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | C. V. Sridhar |
| Produced by | T. A. Durai Raj |
| Written by | C. V. Sridhar |
| Starring | Gemini Ganesan Padmini Tambaram Lalitha |
| Music by | T. Chalapathi Rao |
| Cinematography | A. Vincent P. N. Sundaram |
| Edited by | N. M. Shankar |
Production company | Vijaya — Vahini Studios |
| Distributed by | Madhuram Pictures |
Release date | 29 July 1960[1] |
Running time | 180 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Nirmala (Padmini) is a poor but talented young dancer who falls in love with Sekar (Gemini Ganesan), a rich man's son. But Sekar is forced into a marriage with Prathiba (Tambaram Lalitha), a rich man's spoilt daughter. Inconsolable, Nirmala promises her lover that she will never give public performances. Due to various circumstances, Sekar's finances suffer losses and his house is put up for auction. To rescue him from a dire future, Nirmala breaks her promise and gives a dance performance. With the money thus earned, she saves his house. But Sekar is unaware of this. When he learns the truth, he begins searching for her. In the meantime, Prathiba, who is now reformed, commits suicide. Sekar locates Nirmala, who is on the verge of committing suicide, and they are reunited.[3]
Cast
- Gemini Ganesan as Sekhar
- Padmini as Nirmala
- K. A. Thangavelu as Sachithanandham Pillai
- T. R. Ramachandran as Gopu
- N. Lalitha as Prathiba
- Manorama as Sachu
- K. N. Kamalam as Kamalam
- K. Nataraj as Nirmala's dance Teacher
- Sairam as Azhagu
- P. S. Venkatachalam as Duraisami
- V. Mahalingam
- Dance
- Sasi, Revathi, Sakunthala, Rita, Bala, Rajam,
Jaya, Shantha, Jayanthi, Nirmala, Nalini, Mohana,
Leela, Kamala, Nagu, Vittoba, and Rajeswari.
Reception
Gemini Ganesan's performance was impressive in this film, but he seemed a bit old to play that role. Padmini was excellent as always in a dancer's role. K. A. Thangavelu as rich man with a wayward son T. R. Ramachandran played his role to perfection. The film was known for fine direction by C. V. Sridhar, The brilliant performance by Padmini; her amazing dance numbers, Gemini Ganesan's acting and the melodic music and excellent cinematography by A. Vincent.[3]
Soundtrack
| Meenda Sorgam | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 1960 |
| Recorded | 1960 |
| Genre | Saregama[4] |
| Length | 38:07 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Producer | T. Chalapathi Rao |
Music was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and lyrics were written by Kannadasan, Subbu Arumugam and P. S. Gopalakrishnan.[5] Singers are A. M. Rajah, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. Suseela, Jikki & S. Janaki. Sridhar initially wanted Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram to write the lyrics, but could not hire the poet due to his death.[6]
The songs such as Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin Thisai Maatrinai (lyrics by Kannadasan and voice by A. M. Rajah) and other song Aadum Arul Jothi (a captivating classical Bharathanatiyam dance sequence by Padmini with M. L. Vasanthakumari's lyrics and choreography by P. S. Gopalakrishnan, a famed Nattuvanar) were well received.[3] The song "Kalaiye En" was based on Bhagasri raga.[7]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length(m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Thulli Thulli Oduthe" | Jikki | 03:22 | |
| 2 | "Aadum Arul Jothi" | M. L. Vasanthakumari & Seerkazhi Govindarajan | P. S. Gopalakrishnan | 04:39 |
| 3 | "Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" (Male) | A. M. Rajah & P. Suseela (humming) | Kannadasan | 04:19 |
| 4 | "Singara Thoppile" | Jikki & S. Janaki | 04:02 | |
| 5 | "Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" (female) | P. Suseela | Kannadasan | 03:55 |
| 6 | "Padmini Dance" | Instrumental | 04:41 | |
| 7 | "Thuyilladha Penn Ondru" | A. M. Rajah & P. Suseela | 03:34 | |
| 8 | "Mana Nattiya Medaiyil" | P. Suseela & A. M. Rajah | 04:31 | |
| 9 | "Aangikam Bhuvanam" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 06:24 |
References
- "1960 வெளியான படங்களின் விபரம்| Lakshman Sruthi – 100% Manual Orchestra |". Lakshmansruthi.com. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
- Ganesh, Narayani (2011). Eternal Romantic: My Father, Gemini Ganesan. Lustre Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-81-7436-578-1.
- Randor Guy (8 August 2015). "Blast from the Past — Meenda Sorgam 1960". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- "Meenda Sorgam by Various Artistes". Saregama.com. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
- "Meenda Sorgam songs". gaana. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- http://www.sangam.org/2010/04/Kalyanasundaram.php?uid=3916Sangam
- Mani, Charulatha (16 March 2012). "A Raga's Journey - Bewitching Bhagesri". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.