Nenjil Or Aalayam

Nenjil Or Aalayam

Theatrical poster
Directed by C. V. Sridhar
Produced by C. V. Sridhar
Written by C. V. Sridhar
Starring Kalyan Kumar
Devika
R. Muthuraman
Nagesh
Manorama
Kutty Padmini
V. S. Raghavan
Music by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Cinematography A. Vincent
Edited by N. M. Shankar
Production
company
Chithralaya Pictures
Distributed by Chithralaya Pictures
Release dates
  • January 26, 1962

[1]

Running time
 152 mins
Country India
Language Tamil

Nenjil Or Aalayam (English: A temple in the heart) is a 1962 Indian Tamil tragedy-drama film, written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Kalyan Kumar, Devika and R. Muthuraman in the lead roles. The film, produced by Chithralaya Pictures, had musical score by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and was released on 1962.

Plot

Nenjil Ore Alayam revolves around a young woman (Devika), her husband (Muthuraman) and a doctor (Kalyankumar) who was earlier her lover but whom she could not marry for many reasons.

When the husband falls almost incurably sick, she brings him to Madras to meet a specialist who to her shock and surprise turns out to be her former boyfriend! Realising that something is worrying her, the husband gives her the freedom to marry her boyfriend after his death which everyone believes is almost certain. The doctor, however, takes a lot of pains doing research and succeeds in saving the husband’s life and, in a dramatic twist, lays down his life.

Woven into the story is another episode of a cute girl (Kutty Padmini), who is in the hospital undergoing treatment and becomes the darling of everybody. Sadly, her fate is otherwise.

Cast

Crew

Production

Sridhar had originally planned to cast Gemini Ganesan and Savithri. As their dates were not available, he made the film with Muthuraman and Devika so that the film will be completed in a short time.[4] Gemini regretted for refusing the film after the film's success. Kannada actor Kalyankumar was chosen for the key role of Dr. Murali.[4] Muthuraman was selected for the character of cancer patient after Sridhar was impressed with his performance in the stage play Vadivel Vathiyar.[4] Nagesh, an upcoming comedian then, was struggling for recognition. During those times, he stayed with actor K. Balaji who fed him for three years and tried to get him a breakthrough. Balaji introduced Nagesh to director Sridhar who gave him a role.[5] Nagesh was originally selected to play the role of the village bumpkin. But suddenly, Sridhar asked him to act out a scene and made him play the hospital staff.[4][6] Chitralaya Gopu wrote the comedy track for Nagesh in the movie, who assisted Sridhar in making.[7]

The film was shot in just 25 days, which was a record then.[8][9] The entire film was filmed in a single set, that of a hospital at Vijaya Vauhini Studios.[4][10] The song "Sonnathanu Nee" was shot in a single room in 60 angles by cameraman Vincent.[4]

Soundtrack

Nenjil Or Aalayam
Soundtrack album to Nenjil Or Aalayam by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Genre Film soundtrack
Language Tamil
Producer Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy

The soundtrack album was composed by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. The lyrics were written by Kannadasan. All Songs were big hits. Initially Sridhar decided not to have any songs in the film but later changed his decision and included all the songs.[4]

The inspiration for the opening line "Engirundhaalum Vaazhga" came from the speech of C. N. Annadurai who praised Sivaji Ganesan during a political meeting.[4] The lyrics "Sonnathu Neethaana" was coined by Kannadasan when he came to know that M. S. Vishwanathan commented negatively on his drinking habit.[4] The song "Muthana Muthallavo" was put in a car journey and Kannadasan wrote the songs in the same journey in three minutes.[4] The tune for "Muthana Muthallavo" was composed within 20 minutes.[11]

No. Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
1 Engirundhalum Vaazhga A. L. Raghavan Kannadasan 03:16
2 Enna Ninaithu Ennai P. Susheela 03:30
3 Muthana Muthallavo P. Susheela 03:35
4 Ninaipadhellam P. B. Sreenivas 03:28
5 Oruvar Vaazhum Aalaiyam T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela 03:18
6 Sonnadhu Needhana P. Susheela 03:35

Release

Sridhar had to release the film on his own since no distributors were willing to buy the film. The film became a huge success and ran for 25 weeks.[4]

Reception

Film historian Randor Guy wrote, "Sridhar proved that movies could be made with new faces, limited sets and low budgets if one had an interesting, emotionally rich story, tautly narrated on screen with pleasing music. [...] Besides the triangular love story it had excellent music by Viswanathan-Ramamurthi and the innovative cinematography of Aloysius Vincent who had a penchant for unusual angles, then a novelty in South Indian cinema" and added that the film would be "remembered for its excellent music and impressive performances by Muthuraman, Devika, Kalyankumar, Nagesh, Manorama and child artiste Padmini."[12] Following the demise of Devika, S. R. Ashok Kumar of The Hindu wrote, "If the song "Sonnathu needhana" attained immortality, thanks to the lyrical richness Kannadasan bestowed on it, the credit for making it visually poignant goes to Devika, who rendered it in the film."[13] Another journalist noted, "Caught between her former lover and her husband who was battling for life, Devika strongly displayed the plight that any woman in such situations could face."[14] Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan appreciated the film and mentioned "It is an innovative film made like Hollywood films and a sincere attempt to improve the tast of filmgoers for quality films".[11]

Legacy

Nagesh got his much needed break through this film.[11][12] Film critic S. Theodore Bhaskaran wrote, "Nagesh’s role as a ward boy established his position".[15] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu said, "Decades may pass but the comedy element even in a serious story remains unforgettable. Nagesh’s fun fare in the film with Manorama, juxtaposed with the staid and sedate performances of Devika, Muthuraman and Kalyan Kumar, weren’t just a comic relief but an evergreen treat."[10]

The film became a trendsetter for triangular love stories with sacrifice as the theme. Prominent films being Annakili (1976), Andha 7 Naatkal (1981) and Kadhal Virus (2002).[11]

In 2007, coinciding with the platinum jubilee of Tamil cinema, eight acclaimed directors were asked to list ten films they liked most. Directors J. Mahendran, Balu Mahendra and K. S. Ravikumar listed the film among their favourites while the latter was quoted saying "Sridhar’s Nenjil Or Aalayam depicts the supremacy of love."[16] Encouraged by the film's success, Sridhar wished to screen the film at the Cannes Film Festival. The screenplay was translated into French at a great cost. Sridhar sent Sarma, his administrative manager, to Europe for the screening.[8] It was one of the films that was featured in artist V. Jeevananthan's book Thiraiseelai, a compilation of articles on cinema which won a special mention certificate award at the 58th National Awards.[17]

The film fetched Sridhar the President's Award.[9]

Remakes

Sridhar remade the film in Hindi as Dil Ek Mandir (1963) and in Telugu as Manase Mandiram (1966).[18][4] It was also remade in Malayalam as Hridayam Oru Kshethram and in Kannada as Kumkuma Rakshe (1977).[19][4]

References

  1. ↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 159.
  2. ↑ Malathi Rangarajan (8 October 2010). "A virtuoso recalls". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  3. ↑ M.L. Narasimham (20 October 2000). "Unforgettable screen mother". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 160.
  5. ↑ Malathi Rangarajan (22 June 2007). "Of versatility that’s timeless". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  6. ↑ Malathi Rangarajan (19 May 2006). "In a realm of ecstasy and emotion". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Saga of success". hindu. Retrieved 2014-12-10.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Randor Guy (31 October 2008). "Trend-setter". The Hindu.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ramya Kannan (27 June 2003). "Film vote". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Malathi Rangarajan (24 October 2008). "Sridhar will live on...". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Dhananjayan 2014, p. 161.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Randor Guy (December 8, 2012). "Blast from the past — Nenjil Ore Alayam 1962". The Hindu.
  13. ↑ S. R. Ashok Kumar (10 May 2002). "Blend of grace and charm". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  14. ↑ Ramakrishnan T. (6 August 2002). "The day of the heroine?". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  15. ↑ S. Theodore Bhaskaran (27 February 2009). "Tragic comedian". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  16. ↑ S. R. Ashok Kumar (13 July 2007). "Filmmakers’ favourites". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  17. ↑ K. Jeshi (27 May 2011). "Cinema chronicles". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  18. ↑ Deepak Mahaan (29 January 2010). "Blast from the Past: Dil Ek Mandir (1963)". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  19. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/hrudayam-oru-kshethram-1976/article6136624.ece

External links

Bibliography