Ponmudi (film)

Ponmudi is a 1950 Tamil-language film directed by Ellis R. Dungan. It was based on the Tamil poet Bharathidasan's verse novel Ethirparatha Mutham.[1][2][3]

Ponmudi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byEllis R. Dungan
Produced byT. R. Sundaram
Written byBharathidasan
StarringP. V. Narasimha Bharathi
Madhuri Devi
R. Balasubramaniam
Kali N. Rathnam
T. P. Muthulakshmi
M. G. Chakrapani
A. Karunanidhi
Music byG. Ramanathan
CinematographyJ. G. Vijayam
Edited byL. Balu
Production
company
Distributed byModern Theatres
Release date
14 January 1950
Running time
170 min. (15,500 Feet)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Ponmudi was a love story based on the Bharathidasan novel Edhirparatha Mutham.

Production

Producer T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres wanted to make a film based on Edhirparatha Mutham (lit. Unexpected Kiss) – a novel written by the Tamil rationalist poet Bharatidasan. Ellis Dungan was hired to direct Bharathidasan's script. The film was made at the Modern Theatres studio in Salem. Some scenes were also filmed in Yercaud. For shooting beach scenes, Dungan had a beach set constructed in Salem, out of sand brought from Adyar beach. Music was composed by G. Ramanathan and lyrics were written by Marudhakasi-Ka. Mu. Sheriff. Most of the songs were copied from popular Hindi movie tunes. P. V. Narasimha Bharathi and Madhuri Devi were cast in the lead roles and M. G. Chakrapani as the villain. The film had intimate love sequences which were unusual in the (then) conservative Tamil film industry.[1][4]

Cast

Crew
  • Ellis R. Dungan – Director
  • Bharatidasan – Story, Screenplay and Dialogue
  • G. Ramanathan – Music
  • J. G. Vijayam – Cinematographer
  • L. Balu – Editing
  • A. Maruthakasi – Lyrics
  • Ka. Mu. Sheriff – Lyrics
  • K. K. Sinha – Choreographer
  • Kooteswara Rao – Art Director
  • P. B. Krishna – Art Director
  • S. Padmanabhan – Audiography
  • K. B. S. Mani – Audiography[3]

Reception

Ponmudi was released on Pongal day (14 January) 1950. It was a commercial failure as its intimate scenes shocked the Tamil audience. The film was criticised in the press for being "vulgar" and Dungan was accused of "corrupting the population with American ways".J. G. Vijayam's cinematography was acclaimed and won him an award.[1][3][5]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Ramanathan while the lyrics were penned by Ka. Mu. Sheriff and A. Maruthakasi.[1] Partial list of songs from Ponmudi :

SongSinger(s)
Neela Vanum Nilavum PolG. Ramanathan & T. V. Rathinam
Van Mazhaiyindri Vadidum Payir PolaG. Ramanathan & T. V. Rathinam
Nam Jeevaatharame Selvam AgumeG. Ramanathan
En Prema Rooba... Inbathin Ellai ithuthanaT. V. Rathinam
Vaazha Venum Vaazha VenumKali N. Rathnam
Aruyire Premai Amudha VariyilG. Ramanathan & T. V. Rathinam
Dhesamenggum NalvalamG. Ramanathan
Meikadhal Arumbu Vazhvinile Poothathe IndreG. Ramanathan & T. V. Rathinam
Vaanam KumurudhammaaK. V. Janaki & N. Lalitha
En Kaalamo MaranamG. Ramanathan
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References
  1. Guy, Randor (3 October 2008). "Blast from the Past – Ponmudi 1950". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  2. Baskaran, S. Theodore (1996). The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema. Chennai: East West Books. p. 201.
  3. Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal padaitha Tamil Thiraipada Varalaaru (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publications. pp. 28:53.
  4. "T. R. Sundaram becomes hero in P. U. Chinnapa's absence". Malai Malar (in Tamil). 26 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  5. Muthiah, S (6 September 2004). "Americans in Tamil cinema". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
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