Sivagangai Seemai (transl. The Land of Sivagangai) is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by K. Shankar and written by Kannadasan. Based on the life of the Maruthu Pandiyars, the film stars S. S. Rajendran, S. Varalakshmi, Kamala Lakshmanan and M. N. Rajam. It was released on 19 May 1959.
| Sivagangai Seemai | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | K. Shankar |
| Written by | Kannadasan |
| Produced by | K. S. Ranganathan |
| Starring | S. S. Rajendran S. Varalakshmi Kamala Lakshmanan T. K. Bhagavathi M. N. Rajam |
| Cinematography | Thambu |
| Edited by | K. Shankar K. Narayanan |
| Music by | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy |
Production company | Kannadasan Productions |
Release date |
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Running time | 173 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (April 2022) |
After the execution of Veerapandiya Kattabomman on 16 October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai. The British used this reason to invade and attack Sivaganga in 1801 with a powerful army. The Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies were quite successful and captured three districts from the British. The British considered it as a serious threat to their future in India that they rushed additional troops from Britain to put down the Maruthu Pandiyars' rebellion.
Cast
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Production
editThe film began production under the title Oomaiyan Kottai with M. G. Ramachandran starring, but it got shelved as Ramachandran was busy with politics. The same project was revived as Sivagangai Seemai.[2] This was Kannadasan's second home production and he wrote the film's script.[3][4]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack features 16 songs composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.[5] Lyrics were by Kannadasan. The song "Kanavu Kanden" is set in Mukhari raga.[6]
| Song | Singers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Saanthu Pottu Thala Thalanga" | P. Leela & K. Jamuna Rani | 03:48 |
| "Veerargal Vaazhum Dravidar Naattai" | T. M. Soundararajan | 03:26 |
| "Thendral Vandhu Veesaadho" | S. Varalakshmi & T. S. Bagavathi | 04:06 |
| "Kannankaruthaa Kili Kattazhagan Thotta Kili" | P. Leela | 03:11 |
| "Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen" (happy) | T. M. Soundararajan & T. S. Bagavathi | 03:32 |
| "Maruvirukkum Koondhal" (traditional verse) | V. N. Sundaram | 00:28 |
| "Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen" (Pathos) | T. S. Bagavathi | 03:02 |
| "Vaigai Perugivara" | C. S. Jayaraman & P. Leela | 03:28 |
| "Thanimai Naerndhadho" | S. Varalakshmi | |
| "Sivagangai Cheemai Sivagangai Cheemai" | T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan & A. P. Komala | 03:27 |
| "Kottu Melam Kottungadi Kummi Kotti Paadungadi" | Jikki | 03:28 |
| "Chinna Chinna Chittu Sivagangaiyai Vittu" | K. Jamuna Rani | 03:12 |
| "Muthu Pugazh Padaitthu" | S. Varalakshmi & Radha Jayalakshmi | 05:49 |
| "Aalikkum Kaigal" (one verse) | V. N. Sundaram | 00:30 |
| "Megam Kuvindhadhammaa...Imaiyum Vizhiyum" | P. Susheela & dialogues by P. S. Veerappa | 04:38 |
| "Vidiyum Vidiyum Endrirundhoam" | T. S. Bagavathi | 04:24 |
Release and reception
editSivagangai Seemai was released on 19 May 1959,[7] delayed from April.[8] Because the majority of male characters in the film had thick moustaches, the Tamil magazine Kumudam called it "Sivagangai Meesai", with "Meesai" meaning "moustache".[9] Kanthan of Kalki said the film was not visually appealing, and overabundant with verbosity.[10] The film was not a success,[11] but because of its theme and historic content, it acquired cult status in later years.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 361.
- ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (9 December 2018). "MGR Remembered – Part 47 | Comparison of Chaplin and MGR". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^ Dechamma C. C. & Prakash 2010, p. 152.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 118.
- ^ "Sivagangai Seemai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Mani, Charulatha (4 January 2013). "Notes of peace". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (7 April 2015). "MGR Remembered – Part 26 | V.C. Ganesan: A reputable rival in Movies and Politics". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "Sivagangai Seemai". The Indian Express. 6 February 1959. p. 10. Retrieved 7 April 2018 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ a b Guy, Randor (4 February 2012). "Blast from the past – Sivagangai Seemai (1957)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ காந்தன் (7 June 1959). "சிவகங்கைச் சீமை" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 17–18. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Raman, Mohan V. (16 May 2019). "'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' turns 60: the rebel who won many hearts". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
Bibliography
edit- Dechamma C. C., Sowmya; Prakash, Elavarthi Sathya (2010). Cinemas of South India: Culture, Resistance, and Ideology. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-806795-5.
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. British Film Institute and Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
