| Sevasadanam | |
|---|---|
M. S. Subbulakshmi and S. Varalakshmi in Sevasadanam |
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| Directed by | K. Subramanyam |
| Produced by | K. Subramanyam |
| Written by | Premchand K. Subramanyam |
| Starring | M. S. Subbulakshmi F. G. Natesa Iyer S. G. Pattu Iyer S. Varalakshmi |
| Music by | Papanasam Sivan |
| Cinematography | Sailen Bose Ellappa Rama Rao |
| Editing by | Dharam Veer Singh |
| Release date(s) | 2 May 1938 |
| Running time | 210 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Sevasadanam or Seva Sadan (Tamil: சேவா சதனம்) is a 1938 Tamil film directed by K. Subramanyam . It is one of the early Tamil films to be set in a contemporary social setting and to advocate reformist social policies. This was the first film for M. S. Subbulakshmi.[1][2][3][4][5]
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After the success of Balayogini (1937), director Subramanyam was encouraged to make more socially oriented films. In 1938 he decided to make a film version of Premchand's novel Bazaar-e-Husn. While Balayogini was about the travails of widows, Sevasadanam dealt with domestic abuse, prostitution and women's liberation. Subramnyam wrote the screenplay himself and made the film under his Madras United Artists Corporation Banner.[3][4] The completed film was 18,900 feet in length with a run time of 210 minutes.[4][5]
Sevasadanam (lit. The house of Service) tells the story of an abused wife Sumathi (M. S. Subbulakshmi) who is driven out of her house by husband and into prostitution. Later she reforms her ways and devotes her life to running an institution for the children of prostitutes.
Sevadanam was released on 2 May 1938. It was a critical and commercial success.[5] Ananda Vikatan favourably reviewed the film on 8 May 1938:
| “ | We should always expect somethings from Subramaniam's direction - for instance depiction of social ills.. If we have to say only two words about this talkie based on Premchand's story it is - Go see (it).[6] | ” |
As was the case with Balayogini, conservative Hindus were upset with Sevasadanam.[7]