Punar Janmam
Punar Janmam (lit. 'Rebirth') is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. S. Mani. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, Ragini and P. Kannamba in lead roles. The film, produced by N. S. Diraviyam under Vijaya Films banner, had musical score by T. Chalapathi Rao and was released on 21 April 1961.
| Punar Janmam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | R. S. Mani |
| Produced by | N. S. Diraviyam |
| Screenplay by | C. V. Sridhar |
| Story by | Amiya Chakraborthy |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Padmini Ragini P. Kannamba K. A. Thangavelu T. R. Ramachandran |
| Music by | T. Chalapathi Rao |
| Cinematography | A. Vincent |
| Edited by | P. V. Narayanan |
Production company | Vijaya Films |
| Distributed by | Vijaya Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 148 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Shankar (Sivaji Ganesan) is a successful artist and lives with his mother (Kannamba). He takes to alcohol, and as a result, messes up his life. A woman in his village, Parvathi (Padmini), is in love with him, but she is unable to make him quit alcohol. Her brother’s wife Kamakshi (Sundari Bai), however, hates Parvathi, and when she wins ₹1 lakh (equivalent to ₹71 lakh or US$100,000 in 2019) in a lottery, it only makes her headstrong. Parvathi suffers the brunt of her ill-treatment. Kamakshi’s daughter, Pushpa (Ragini), meanwhile, falls in love with her music teacher. The mother decides to get them married even though her son does not approve.
To change himself, Shankar goes to Madras, leads a reformed life, and earns well with his artistic skills. Kamakshi, meanwhile, brings his family house to auction. Shankar’s mother is shocked and later passes away. However, just in time, Shankar comes with his earnings and stops the auction. He leaves his village once more. Parvathi, who is engaged to marry someone, is heartbroken and consumes poison. Shankar rushes to save her and gives her a new lease of life and the lovers are united.
Cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Shankar
- Padmini as Parvathi
- Ragini as Pushpa
- Kannamba as Shankar's mother
- Sundari Bai as Kamakshi
- K. A. Thangavelu as Jagannathan
- T. R. Ramachandran as Nithyanantham
Crew
- Producer: N. S. Diraviyam
- Production Company: Vijaya Films
- Director: R. S. Mani
- Music: T. Chalapathi Rao
- Lyrics: Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, Kannadasan & A. Maruthakasi
- Story: Amiya Chakraborthy
- Screenplay: C. V. Sridhar
- Dialogues: C. V. Sridhar
- Art Direction: Ganga
- Editing: P. V. Narayanan
- Choreography: B. Hiralal, Madhavan & B. Sohanlal
- Cinematography: A. Vincent
- Stunt: None
- Audiography: A. Krishnan, V. Sivaram, T. S. Rangasamy, P. V. Koteswara Rao & E. I. Jeeva
- Dance: None
Production
The film was produced by N. S. Draviam (N. S. Krishnan’s brother), under the banner of Vijaya Films. The film was directed by R. S. Mani, who trained under the American Tamil filmmaker, Ellis R. Dungan. This film was written by C. V. Sridhar. Aloysius Vincent was the cinematographer while the choreography was handled by Madhavan, Hiralal and Sohanlal.[2]
Themes
Punar Janmam highlights the dangers of alcoholism. Film historian Randor Guy notes that the scene where Shankar saves Parvathi and gives her "a new lease of life" reflects the film's title, which means "rebirth".[2]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao, with lyrics by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, Kannadasan, A. Maruthakasi and Subbu Arumugam. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, A. M. Rajah, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Thiruchi Loganathan, P. Suseela, Jikki, S. Janaki & Saraswathi.
A song, Paadam Sariyaa Master sung by Trichi Loganathan and Jikki was objected to by the censor board on the grounds that it undermines the relationship between teacher and student. However, the gramophone record has already been released. The song was altered in the film as Podhum Saridhaan Mister and was sung by P. B. Srinivas and Jikki.[3]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Kannadi Pathirathil" | P. Suseela | Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram | 03:08 |
| 2 | "Urundodum Naalil" | 02:42 | ||
| 3 | "Endrum Thunbamillai" [Female] | 02:18 | ||
| 4 | "Endrum Thunbamillai" [Male] | T. M. Soundararajan | 02:48 | |
| 5 | "Ullangal Ondragi" | A. M. Rajah & P. Suseela | 03:17 | |
| 6 | "Engum Sondhamillai Endha Oorumillai" | P. B. Srinivas | Subbu. Arumugam | 02:59 |
| 7 | "Podhum Sarithaan Mister" | P. B. Srinivas & Jikki | 03:14 | |
| 8 | "Manam Aadudhu Paadudhu" | Jikki & S. Janaki | A. Maruthakasi | 04:10 |
| 9 | "Naanillai Endral" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Janaki & Saraswathi | Kannadasan | 06:20 |
Reception
According to Randor Guy, the film did not do well "as the story line was familiar", but he noted that the film would be remembered for "The brilliant performances by Padmini and Sivaji Ganesan, its interesting screenplay, the dialogue of Sridhar and the deft direction of the experienced filmmaker, R.S. Mani".[2]
References
- "Punar Jenmam". nadigarthilagam.com. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- Guy, Randor (29 August 2015). "Punarjanmam (1961)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- Neelamegam, G. (November 2016). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. pp. 39–40.