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{{short description|1945 film by Ellis R. Dungan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Meera 1945 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Ellis R. Dungan]]
| writer = [[Kalki Krishnamurthy]]
| producer = [[Kalki Sadasivam|T. Sadasivam]]
| starring = [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]]
| cinematography = Jitan Banerji
| editing = R. Rajagopal
| music = [[S. V. Venkatraman]]
| studio = Chandraprabha Cinetone
| distributor = Narayanan & Company
| released = {{film date|1945|11|3|df=y}}
| runtime = 136 minutes{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=304}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}
'''''Meera''''' is a 1945 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Historical development of Church of England dioceses|historical]] [[musical film]] directed by [[Ellis R. Dungan]], produced by [[Kalki Sadasivam|T. Sadasivam]] and written by [[Kalki Krishnamurthy]]. Based on the life of the 16th century mystic and poet [[Mirabai]], the film stars [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]] as the eponymous character, a zealous devotee of [[Krishna]], who considers him to be her husband. Despite marrying [[Maharana Pratap|Rana]] ([[V. Nagayya|Chittoor Nagayya]]), she follows her own way of living, which is unacceptable to her husband and his family.

Sadasivam wanted to produce a film that would make his singer wife Subbulakshmi's music available to the average person, so he started looking for a good story; Subbulakshmi chose the story of Meera. The film began production at Newtone Studio in [[Chennai|Madras]], but was filmed predominantly [[Location shooting|on location]] in North India in places like [[Jaipur]], [[Vrindavan]], [[Udaipur]], [[Chittorgarh|Chittor]] and [[Dwarka]] to maintain credibility and historical accuracy.

''Meera'' was released on 3 November 1945, [[Diwali]] day, and became a major critical and commercial success. This led to the production of a [[Hindi]]-dubbed version, which had a few scenes reshot, that was released two years later on 21 November and also achieved success. Despite the Hindi version making Subbulakshmi a national celebrity, it would be her last film as an actress, after which she decided to focus solely on her musical career.

== Plot ==
During the reign of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Akbar]], young [[Mirabai|Meera]], influenced by the story of [[Andal]] and [[Krishna]], is deeply in love with Krishna, so much so that she considers him to be her husband after she garlands him on an auspicious day as advised by her mother. As Meera matures into a young woman, her devotion to Krishna grows.

Against her wishes, Meera is married to [[Maharana Pratap|Rana]], the king of [[Mewar]]. But even after marriage, her love for Krishna remains unchanged. She follows her own ideals and way of living which are unacceptable to Rana and his family, especially his brother Vikram and sister Udha. Meera asks Rana to construct a temple for Krishna in [[Chittorgarh|Chittor]], the capital of Mewar. Out of love for her, Rana agrees. An overjoyed Meera remains in the temple most of the time, singing in praise of Krishna along with other devotees, and avoids staying at the palace.

On [[Vijayadashami]], Rana expects Meera to be with him at the royal assembly when other kings come to offer their respects. But ''en route'' to the assembly, Meera hears Krishna's flute playing, returns to the temple and remains there. Rana becomes angry upon realising that Meera has returned to the temple again, ignoring her duties as a wife. To kill Meera, Vikram has Udha give her a poisoned drink. Meera is saved by Krishna and the poison does not kill her; instead, Krishna's idol at the [[Vithoba Temple]] turns blue, and the sanctum's double-doors at [[Dwarkadhish Temple|Dwarakadheesh Temple]] close spontaneously, and remain closed.

At Delhi, Akbar learns of Meera's singing and her devotion to Krishna. He sends her a pearl necklace as a gift, which Meera puts on Krishna's idol. Rana becomes angry when he learns of these developments and her disinterest in fulfilling her duties as a wife and queen; he orders the demolition of the temple using cannons so that she will leave. Vikram goes to the temple and orders Meera and the other devotees to come out before the demolition begins. However, Meera refuses, remains in the temple and continues her [[bhajan]]s.

Meanwhile, Rana learns from Udha of Vikram's failed attempt to kill Meera. Shocked when he realises Meera's real identity (she is one with Krishna), he rushes to meet her in the temple, which is about to be demolished. When a cannon is fired, Rana stops it and is injured. When Meera hears Krishna calling her, she admits to Rana that she has failed in her duties as a wife. She explains that her heart is with Krishna and seeks Rana's permission to leave palace life and fulfill her desire to visit Krishna's temple at [[Dwarka]]; Rana realises her devotion and agrees. Once Meera leaves, Mewar suffers from a drought and the subjects plead with Rana to bring Meera back, so Rana goes in search of her.

Meera first goes to [[Vrindavan|Brindavanam]] and meets the sage, who originally predicted her devotion. Together, they leave for Dwarka, Krishna's birthplace. On reaching the temple, she starts singing in praise of Krishna. Rana, who has followed her, also reaches the temple. The temple's doors, which were closed till then, open. Krishna appears and invites Meera inside. Meera runs towards Krishna and falls dead while her soul merges with him. Rana comes rushing in and finds Meera's corpse. Her devotion to Krishna is finally rewarded, and Meera is united with him.

== Cast ==
''Adapted from the opening credits'':<ref name="credits" />{{rp|0:15–0:32}}
{{cast listing|
* [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]] as [[Mirabai|Meera]]
* [[V. Nagayya|Chittoor Nagayya]] as [[Maharana Pratap|Rana]]
* [[Radha Viswanathan|Radha]] as Young Meera
* [[Serukalathur Sama]] as [[Rupa Goswami]]
* [[K. Sarangapani]] as Udham
* [[T. S. Balaiah]] as Vikram
* [[K. R. Chellam]] as Udha
* T. S. Mani and [[M. G. Ramachandran]] as Jayamal
* K. Duraisami as Messenger Rao
* [[T. S. Durairaj]] as Narendran
* R. Santhanam as Surendran
* [[Kumari Kamala|Baby Kamala]] as [[Krishna]]
}}
Jayagowri and Leela play roles not named in the opening credits.<ref name="credits" />

== Production ==
=== Development ===
[[Kalki Sadasivam|T. Sadasivam]] wanted to produce a film that would make his singer wife [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]]'s music available to the average person, so he started looking for a good story. He had several discussions with friends like [[Kalki Krishnamurthy]] and was of the opinion that if Subbulakshmi was to act in a film, it could not be a mass entertainer, but would need to carry a universal and uplifting message. After much deliberation, Subbulakshmi chose the story of the 16th-century mystic and poet Mirabai alias Meera.{{sfn|Viswanathan|2003|p=59}} Sadasivam decided to produce the film entirely on his own under the Chandraprabha Cinetone banner, and for the first time was not answerable to any financier, co-producer or co-partner. He chose [[Ellis R. Dungan]] to direct, while Krishnamurthy was hired as screenwriter.{{sfn|George|2016|pp=142–143}} Jitan Banerji was the cinematographer and R. Rajagopal the editor.<ref name="credits" />{{rp|0:38–0:47}} This would be the second film based on Mirabai, the first being the 1938 film ''Bhakta Meera''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |date=15 August 2016 |title=Artistic amends – Flops a reservoir of hot story ideas |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/artistic-amends-flops-a-reservoir-of-hot-story-ideas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191203033308/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/artistic-amends-flops-a-reservoir-of-hot-story-ideas/ |archive-date=3 December 2019 |access-date=3 December 2019 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
While Subbulakshmi was cast as Meera, her stepdaughter [[Radha Viswanathan|Radha]] was recruited to play the character's younger version.<ref name="technical innovations" /> To prepare for the part, Subbulakshmi decided to go to all the places where Meera had wandered in search of the elusive Krishna, and worship at all the temples where she worshipped.<ref name="pilgrimage" /> [[Honnappa Bhagavathar]] was the first choice to play Meera's husband [[Maharana Pratap|Rana]]. Although he accepted the offer, he was ultimately not hired. In a 1990 interview he recalled, "I had met Sadasivam, and after discussions he told me that he would make arrangements for an advance payment and agreement, but I never heard from him again." Dungan refused a suggestion to cast [[P. U. Chinnappa]] as he felt the actor was "uncouth" and lacked the "regal presence" needed for the role. Dungan successfully recommended [[V. Nagayya|Chittoor Nagayya]], who he felt "proved the right choice for a [[Rajput]] king".<ref name="technical innovations" />

The husband-and-wife comedy duo [[N. S. Krishnan]] and [[T. A. Mathuram]] were supposed to have appeared in ''Meera''. However, Krishnan was arrested in December 1944 as a suspect in the [[Lakshmikanthan murder case]], and he was replaced by [[T. S. Durairaj]], who portrayed Narendran; Madhuram did not remain on the project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=16 July 2015 |title=Overshadowed by peer |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/comedians-of-the-tamil-screen-part-1-t-s-durairaj/article7429472.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191126170008/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/comedians-of-the-tamil-screen-part-1-t-s-durairaj/article7429472.ece |archive-date=26 November 2019 |access-date=26 November 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref name="credits" /> T. S. Mani and [[M. G. Ramachandran]] shared the role of a minister named Jayamal.<ref name="credits" /><ref name="dtnext" /> This was the only film in which two future [[Bharat Ratna]] laureates (Ramachandran and Subbulakshmi) acted.<ref name="dtnext" /> Baby Kamala, a girl, was chosen to act as the male Krishna.<ref name="BFTP" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=7 January 2002 |title=She danced her way to stardom |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/01/07/stories/2002010700100200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110082618/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/01/07/stories/2002010700100200.htm |archive-date=10 November 2012 |access-date=18 December 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
Production began in 1944 at Newtone Studio in Madras, before moving to North India, particularly [[Rajasthan]], for [[location shooting]].{{sfn|Viswanathan|2003|p=59}}<ref name="scroll" /> According to filmmaker and historian Karan Bali, Dungan and Banerji "did a series of elaborate lighting tests on a specially created bust of [Subbulakshmi]. They shot the bust using different camera heights and angles with varied lighting schemes. They then studied the developed rushes to decide what worked best for Subbulakshmi's face structure."<ref name="scroll" /> Shooting locations included Rajasthan's capital [[Jaipur]], in addition to Vrindavan, [[Udaipur]], Chittor and Dwarka.{{sfn|Viswanathan|2003|p=59}} The decision to shoot in these locations was Dungan's, who cited the need to be "credible and historically accurate".<ref name="pilgrimage" />

At Udaipur, Sadasivam required some royal elephants and horses for the shooting schedule. After Sadasivam made the request to the Maharana of Udaipur, the Maharana agreed to help the crew with whatever they needed beyond elephants and horses.{{sfn|Viswanathan|2003|p=62}} Dungan recalled in his autobiography:<blockquote>Due to the kindness and assistance of the Maharana's prime minister, we were given ''carte blanche'' to film practically anything and anywhere in and around the palaces and gardens [...] We were also granted the use of such facilities as the royal barge, elephants, a royal procession, the palace dancing girls, hundreds of film "extras" and all of the water fountains in and around the palaces. These were ready-made sets and would have cost us a fortune to reproduce in a studio setting, if they could be reproduced at all.<ref name="scroll" /></blockquote>

While filming at Dwarka, Dungan could not enter the Krishna temple where permission to shoot the film had been obtained, as he was not a [[Hinduism|Hindu]]. Hence, he disguised himself as a [[Kashmiri Pandits|Kashmiri Pandit]] and was let in.<ref name="technical innovations" /><ref name="dtnext" /> Another scene required Meera to cross the [[Yamuna]] in a boat; the boat was to capsize and she would be saved by Krishna, who would appear in the guise of a boatman. While filming the scene, Subbulakshmi accidentally hurt her head and fell unconscious; the crew barely rescued her from drowning.<ref name="pilgrimage" />{{sfn|Viswanathan|2003|pp=63–65}} The final length of the film was {{convert|10990|feet}}.{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=304}}

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[S. V. Venkatraman]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 1945 |title=Meera |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/meera/QBIvRpOCKpI_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128034435/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/meera/QBIvRpOCKpI_ |archive-date=28 November 2019 |access-date=27 November 2019 |website=[[JioSaavn]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://mininoolaham.blogspot.com/2022/08/1945-meera.html |title=மீரா |publisher=Chandraprabha Cinetone |year=1945 |language=ta |type=[[song book]] |access-date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824052151/http://mininoolaham.blogspot.com/2022/08/1945-meera.html |archive-date=24 August 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> and released under the [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]] label.{{sfn|George|2016|p=143}} The song "Kaatrinile Varum Geetham", written by Krishnamurthy, is set in the [[Carnatic raga]] known as [[Sindhu Bhairavi (raga)|Sindhu Bhairavi]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saravanan |first=T. |date=20 September 2013 |title=Ragas hit a high |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/ragas-hit-a-high/article5149905.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181226035819/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/ragas-hit-a-high/article5149905.ece |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=12 December 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeyaraj |first=D. B. S. |date=19 August 2018 |title=♥'Kaatriniley Varum Geetham'-Melodiously Sung by M.S. Subbulakshmi in/as "Meera"♫ |url=http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/47651 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191202115634/http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/47651 |archive-date=2 December 2019 |access-date=12 December 2019 |website=DBSJeyaraj.com}}</ref> and based on "Toot Gayi Man Bina", a [[Hindi]]-language non-film song composed by [[Kamal Dasgupta]] and sung by Sheila Sarkar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vamanan |author-link=Vamanan |date=10 December 2018 |title=இந்தி திரைப்பாடல் தமிழுக்கு தந்த இனிமை! |url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/61759 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191202055031/http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/61759 |archive-date=2 December 2019 |access-date=2 December 2019 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |language=ta |location=Nellai}}</ref> While historian [[Randor Guy]] claimed that Krishnamurthy suggested the tune to Venkatraman,<ref name="technical innovations" /> another historian [[V. Sriram]] says Krishnamurthy's daughter Anandi pestered for him to write a Tamil version of the song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sriram |first=V. |author-link=V. Sriram |date=30 May 2018 |title=The Tune Behind Katrinile Varum Geetham |url=https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2018/05/30/the-tune-behind-katrinile-varum-geetham/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606143448/https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2018/05/30/the-tune-behind-katrinile-varum-geetham/ |archive-date=6 June 2019 |access-date=6 June 2019 |website=Madras Heritage and Carnatic Music}}</ref> "Brindhavanatthil" and "Engum Niraindhaaye" are also set in Sindhu Bhairavi,{{sfn|Sundararaman|2007|pp=126, 129}} while "Giridhara Gopala" is set in [[Mohanam]].{{sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=131}}

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Aranga Un Mahimayai
| extra1 = [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]]
| length1 = 3:21
| title2 = Brindhavanatthil
| extra2 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length2 = 3:17
| title3 = Charaa Charam
| extra3 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length3 = 4:21
| title4 = Devika Tamizh Naattinele
| extra4 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length4 = 3:30
| title5 = Enathullamae
| extra5 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length5 = 3:04
| title6 = Engum Niraindhaaye
| extra6 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length6 = 2:12
| title7 = Giridhara Gopala
| extra7 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length7 = 2:32
| title8 = Hey Harey
| extra8 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length8 = 3:34
| title9 = Ithanai Naalaana Pinnum
| extra9 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length9 = 2:42
| title10 = Kaatrinile Varum Geetham
| extra10 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length10 = 3:03
| title11 = Kandathundo Kannan Pol
| extra11 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length11 = 3:20
| title12 = Kannan Leelaigal
| extra12 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length12 = 3:17
| title13 = Maala Pozhuthinile
| extra13 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length13 = 5:44
| title14 = Maanilathai Vaazha Vaika
| extra14 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length14 = 3:24
| title15 = Maraindha Koondilirudhu
| extra15 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length15 = 2:09
| title16 = Maravene
| extra16 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length16 = 2:25
| title17 = Nandabala
| extra17 = M. S. Subbulakshmi, [[Radha Viswanathan|Baby Radha]]
| length17 = 3:47
| title18 = Thavamum Palithathamma
| extra18 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length18 = 3:20
| title19 = Udal Uruga
| note19 = verse
| extra19 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length19 = 3:20
| title20 = Vandaadum Cholai
| extra20 = M. S. Subbulakshmi
| length20 = 6:15
| title21 = Vinnum Mannum
| extra21 = M. S. Subbulakshmi, [[V. Nagayya]]
| length21 = 2:45
| total_length = 71:22 
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Meera'' was released on 3 November 1945, [[Diwali]] day, and distributed by Narayanan & Company.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 1945 |title=Meera |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19451103&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=6 June 2019 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=5 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The distributors ran front-page advertisements to announce "the musical movie of your dreams" and specifically to inform all fans that the film's "song hits" available on [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]].{{sfn|George|2016|p=143}} The film received rave reviews; ''[[The Free Press Journal]]'' said, "Meera transports us into a different world of [[bhakti]], piety and melody. It shatters the misguided belief that film music is inferior. Subbulakshmi follows no stereotyped techniques in acting. She is just Meera."{{sfn|Gangadhar|2002|page=47}} Kay Yess Enn of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote on 10 November, "[Subbulakshmi] reveals a flair for histrionic heights in some scenes but in general, though showing great improvement on her previous efforts, there is scope for better work in emotional scenes."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kay Yess Enn |date=10 November 1945 |title=Meera {{!}} M.S.S. At Her Musical Best |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=u7I-AAAAIBAJ&pg=3354%2C3228986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612090827/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=u7I-AAAAIBAJ&pg=3354%2C3228986 |archive-date=12 June 2024 |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=8 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> However, the magazine ''Picturpost'' (15 November) was more critical, saying the Meera bhajans were not "too pleasing to hear", the film lacked conviction, and realism and was not emotional enough. The reviewer felt Subbulakshmi, a Carnatic singer, was miscast as Meera, a [[Hindustani classical music|Hindustani]] singer, and Dungan's direction was "bungling".{{sfn|Dwyer|2006|ps=|p=88}} The film was a major box office success; according to Smt. C. Bharathi, author of the 2008 book ''M. S. Subbulakshmi'', this was largely due to the songs than the acting.{{sfn|Bharathi|2008|ps=: "The film was a tremendous success, more because of the songs than of the acting."}} The film has been screened at various film festivals including the Prague Film Festival, the [[Venice Film Festival]] and the [[Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Devika Bai |first=D. |date=11 May 2014 |title=Tamil classics from American director |url=http://www2.nst.com.my/nation/tamil-classics-from-american-director-1.592884 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110044056/http://www2.nst.com.my/nation/tamil-classics-from-american-director-1.592884 |archive-date=10 January 2015 |access-date=10 January 2015 |work=[[New Straits Times]]}}</ref>

== Hindi version ==
The success of ''Meera'' prompted Sadasivam to dub it in Hindi and having some scenes reshot.<ref name="scroll" /> The Hindi-dubbed version was released on 21  November 1947,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raman |first=Mohan V. |author-link=Mohan Raman |date=16 September 2016 |title=In Only Five Films, M.S. Subbulakshmi Made Her Way to the Stars |url=https://thewire.in/film/ms-subbulakshmi-films |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202061131/https://thewire.in/film/ms-subbulakshmi-films |archive-date=2 December 2019 |access-date=2 December 2019 |website=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]}}</ref> and achieved equal success, making Subbulakshmi a national celebrity.<ref name="scroll" /> The film had an on-screen introduction by the politician and poet, [[Sarojini Naidu]], who described Subbulakshmi as "The Nightingale of India".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seshan |first=A. |date=11 September 2015 |title=When M S Subbulakshmi brought Meera to life |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/when-m-s-subbulakshmi-brought-meera-to-life-115090900800_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128212956/http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/when-m-s-subbulakshmi-brought-meera-to-life-115090900800_1.html |archive-date=28 November 2016 |access-date=26 January 2017 |work=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> The premiere was inaugurated by Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] himself. [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord]] and [[Edwina Mountbatten, Countess Mountbatten of Burma|Lady Mountbatten]], [[Rajendra Prasad]], [[Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit]] and [[Indira Gandhi]] attended the premiere as well. Nehru and the Mountbattens became Subbulakshmi's ardent fans, further propelling her fame.<ref name="technical innovations" /><ref name="BFTP" /> A reviewer from ''[[The Bombay Chronicle]]'' wrote: <blockquote>More than the story of the Queen of Mewar who preferred a heavenly to an earthly diadem it is the voice of the star singing her bhajans and padas that is the picture's chief attraction [...] Narendra Sharma's lyrics embellish this photoplay, the story of which is from the pen of Amritlal Nagar. Subbulakshmi's admirers will find this film highly entertaining.{{Sfn|Dwyer|2006|p=89}}{{Sfn|Dwyer|2006|p=175}}</blockquote> Despite the success of ''Meera'', it was Subbulakshmi's last film as an actress, after which she focused solely on her musical career.<ref name="scroll" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Muthiah |first=S. |author-link=S. Muthiah |date=21 January 2002 |title=He made MS a film star |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/01/21/stories/2002012100030300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020614032704/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/01/21/stories/2002012100030300.htm |archive-date=14 June 2002 |access-date=24 January 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
''Meera'' is considered as a musical cult film of Tamil cinema.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|p=63}} The scene where young Meera transforms into her older self, and the transition is shown with the song, "Nandha Balaa En Manalaa..", became a milestone in Indian cinema for its filmmaking technique.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=1 February 2001 |title=He transcended barriers with aplomb |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/02/01/stories/2002020100850300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103055208/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/02/01/stories/2002020100850300.htm |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> On the April 2013 centenary of Indian cinema, [[IBN Live]] (later known as News18) included ''Meera'' on its list of the 100 greatest Indian films of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2013 |title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-90.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425235242/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200-90.html |archive-date=25 April 2013 |access-date=6 May 2013 |website=[[IBN Live]]}}</ref>

== References ==
<references>

<ref name="dtnext">{{Cite web |last=Ramakrishnan |first=Venkatesh |date=21 January 2018 |title=Those were the days: An unlikely pioneer in Tamil cinema |url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2018/01/21000215/1059148/Those-were-the-days-An-unlikely-pioneer-in-Tamil-cinema.vpf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626113257/https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2018/01/21000215/1059148/Those-were-the-days-An-unlikely-pioneer-in-Tamil-cinema.vpf |archive-date=26 June 2019 |access-date=26 June 2019 |website=[[DT Next]]}}</ref>
<ref name="credits">{{Cite AV media |title=Meera |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=Chandraprabha Cinetone |year=1945}}</ref>
<ref name="technical innovations">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=17 December 2004 |title=Full of technical innovations |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/12/17/stories/2004121700410500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125100145/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/12/17/stories/2004121700410500.htm |archive-date=25 January 2013 |access-date=26 June 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
<ref name="scroll">{{Cite web |last=Bali |first=Karan |date=16 September 2016 |title=The making of MS Subbulakshmi's 'Meera', her final and finest film |url=https://scroll.in/reel/816654/the-making-of-ms-subbulakshmis-meera-her-final-and-finest-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021210548/http://thereel.scroll.in/816654/the-making-of-ms-subbulakshmis-meera-her-final-and-finest-film |archive-date=21 October 2016 |access-date=26 January 2017 |website=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref>
<ref name="BFTP">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=28 March 2008 |title=Meera 1945 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/meera-1945/article3022713.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140830202814/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/meera-1945/article3022713.ece |archive-date=30 August 2014 |access-date=26 June 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
<ref name="pilgrimage">{{Cite news |last=Ramnarayan |first=Gowri |date=17 September 2004 |title=Brindavan to Dwaraka – Meera's pilgrimage |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/17/stories/2004091702890600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110090846/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/17/stories/2004091702890600.htm |archive-date=10 November 2013 |access-date=18 December 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

</references>

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Bharathi |first=Smt. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y1SFAwAAQBAJ |title=M. S. Subbulakshmi |date=9 May 2008 |publisher=[[Sapna Book House]] |isbn=9788128007347}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013 |title-link=Pride of Tamil Cinema |publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers |year=2014 |oclc=898765509}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dwyer |first=Rachel |author-link=Rachel Dwyer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZsKR1RKoJKUC |title=Filming the Gods: Religion and Indian Cinema |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-134-38070-1 |oclc=878593281}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gangadhar |first=V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HpyfAAAAMAAJ |title=M.S. Subbulakshmi: The Voice Divine |publisher=Rupa Publications |year=2002 |isbn=9788171678907 |oclc=607561598}}
* {{Cite book |last=George |first=T. J. S. |author-link=T. J. S. George |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eWO2AQAACAAJ |title=M.S. Subbulakshmi: The Definitive Biography |publisher=[[Aleph Book Company]] |year=2016 |isbn=9789384067601}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |author-link2=Paul Willemen |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] and [[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |orig-date=1994}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |location=Chennai |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}
* {{Cite book |last=Viswanathan |first=Lakshmi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=smpnQgAACAAJ |title=Kunjamma: Ode to a Nightingale |publisher=Roli Books |year=2003 |isbn=9788174362735 |oclc=55147492}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0214940|Meera (Tamil)}}
* {{IMDb title|0214941|Meera (Hindi)}}

{{Ellis R. Dungan}}

[[Category:1940s biographical films]]
[[Category:1940s historical musical films]]
[[Category:1945 Indian films]]
[[Category:1945 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1945 films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Films directed by Ellis R. Dungan]]
[[Category:Films scored by S. V. Venkatraman]]
[[Category:Films set in the 16th century]]
[[Category:Films set in the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:Hindu devotional films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical films]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian epic films]]
[[Category:Indian historical musical films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language historical films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language musical films]]

Meera (1945 film) - Revision history

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