Manamagal

Manamagal
மணமகள்
Directed by N. S. Krishnan
Produced by N. S. Krishnan
Written by Mu. Karunanidhi (dialogues)
Screenplay by Mu. Karunanidhi
Based on Suprabha by Munshi Paramu Pillai
Starring Padmini
Lalitha
S. V. Sahasranamam
T. S. Balaiah
Music by C. R. Subbaraman
Edited by Punjabi
Production
company
NSK Films
Distributed by NSK Films
Release dates
  • August 15, 1951

[1]

Country India
Language Tamil

Manamagal (Tamil: மணமகள்) is a 1951 Indian Tamil film, directed and produced by N. S. Krishnan. The film stars Padmini, Lalitha, S. V. Sahasranamam and T. S. Balaiah in lead roles. The film had musical score by C. R. Subbaraman.[2][3] This film was based on a popular Malayalam play Suprabha by playwright Munshi Paramu Pillai. The film was dubbed into Telugu as Pelli Kuthuru.[4]

Cast

Production

Based on a popular Malayalam play Suprabha by playwright Munshi Paramu Pillai, Manamagal had dialogue by Mu. Karunanidhi. N. S. Krishnan directed the film, besides playing the role of a social reformer.[4] The title refers to the heroine (Padmini) who chooses to remain a bride and never a wife because of the lecherous nature of her husband (T. S. Balaiah).[4] Krishnan decided to adapt the play into a film after being impressed by the plotline. Krishnan met Munshi and paid him Rs. 500 for the rights.[5]

Krishnan chosen M. Karunanidhi to write the dialogues. The film was launched at Newton Studios at 31 December 1950.[5] A. Bhimsingh who was one of the assistant directors in the film was assigned the job to dub the film in Telugu. Some scenes were shot in Telugu to make it look like a straight Telugu film.[5] S. S. Rajendran made his acting debut with this film in a role of a beggar. However his portions were edited out the film by the Censor Board as they felt his dialogues were too revolutionary.[5] However, his name still appears in the credits, though there are no scenes featuring him. The film marked the acting debut of Padmini as a lead actress. In the film, Krishnan introduced a technical innovation by showing the behind-the-screen-technicians on screen.[6][4]

Release

Manamagal became a commercial success at box office. The Malayalam play which was the base was thematically similar to Hindi film Duniya Na Maane by V. Shantaram.[4][6]

The film received positive reviews for its bold theme. Magazine Pesum Padam wrote, "Producer made the film with reformative intentions but the film leads to indiscipline only".[6]

References

  1. ↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 90.
  2. ↑ "Manamagal". spicyonion.com. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
  3. ↑ "Manamagal". gomolo.com. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Manamagal - The Hindu". thehindu.com. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 91.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 92.

External links

Bibliography