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{{short description|1981 film by Robert–Rajasekar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Palaivana Solai (1981).jpg
| caption = DVD cover
| director = [[Robert–Rajasekar]]
| screenplay = Robert–Rajasekar
| story = [[S. Rajasekar]]
| producer = R. Vadivel
| starring = {{unbulleted list|[[Vagai Chandrasekhar|Chandrasekhar]]|[[Janagaraj]]|[[Rajeev (Tamil actor)|Rajeev]]|[[Kailas Nath]]|[[Thyagu (actor)|Thyagu]]|[[Suhasini Maniratnam|Suhasini]]}}
| cinematography = Robert–Rajasekar
| editing = D. Raj
| music = [[Shankar–Ganesh]]
| studio = R. V. Creations
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1981|5|1}}
| runtime = 131 minutes{{sfn |Rajadhyaksha |Willemen |1998 |p=450}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Palaivana Solai''''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ɑː|l|aɪ|v|ə|n|ə|_|s|oʊ|l|aɪ}} {{Translation|[[Oasis]]}}) is a 1981 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[buddy film|buddy]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] written, directed and photographed by the duo [[Robert–Rajasekar]] in their directorial debut. The film stars [[Vagai Chandrasekhar|Chandrasekhar]], [[Janagaraj]], [[Rajeev (Tamil actor)|Rajeev]], [[Kailas Nath]], [[Thyagu (actor)|Thyagu]] and [[Suhasini Maniratnam|Suhasini]]. It revolves around five friends whose lives are transformed by a new girl arriving in their locality.

''Palaivana Solai'' was released on 1 May 1981. The film became a box-office success, running for over 200 days in theatres. In 1982, it was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Manchu Pallaki]]'' (with Suhasini reprising her role) and in [[Malayalam]] as ''[[Ithu Njangalude Katha]]''. In 2009 it was again remade in Tamil [[Palaivana Solai (2009 film)|under the same title]].

== Plot ==
Bachelors Sekhar, Senthil, Kumar, Vasu and Siva are friends. Sekhar is a factory worker, Senthil and Kumar are unemployed (with Kumar dependent on his wealthy father), Vasu works at an office and Siva is an aspiring actor. They spend their time sitting on a wall and teasing people, particularly young girls, seeking neighbouring girls to befriend.

A girl named Geetha arrives in the locality and stays in a rented house. The friends initially tease her in their usual manner, but she sportingly retaliates and gradually becomes friendly with them. Her purpose of visiting the city is not known to them. Each of them tries to attract her and come closer to her. However, her focus is on helping others.

Geetha helps Vasu to find a groom for his sister; she changes Senthil's aggressive behaviour and helps him secure a job; she financially helps Siva to send money to his family; makes Kumar understand the importance of respecting his father; and gives emotional support to the rebellious Sekhar. She becomes the centre of all the friends' activities.

Sekhar develops a soft corner for Geetha. She too likes him, but understands her limitations and does not express it. Vasu learns through a pharmacist (Geetha's regular seller) that Geetha is terminally ill. When he asks her about this, she requests him not to reveal this fact to his friends.

When the marriage of Vasu's sister is fixed, one of his colleagues promises to provide money for the [[Dowry system in India|dowry]]. But on the day of the marriage, he is unable to keep his word and the marriage is cancelled due to this. Geetha requests Sekhar to marry Vasu's sister if he respects her and wishes to make her happy. She reveals her terminal illness and that her days are numbered; Sekhar assents to the marriage. Before the event ends, Geetha faints and is hospitalised.

The five friends go out of their way to organise funds for Geetha's treatment, forgetting their egos and past issues. Though the operation eventually takes place, Geetha dies after requesting the five friends to be happy and kind to everyone.

== Cast ==
*[[Vagai Chandrasekhar|Chandrasekhar]] as Sekhar<ref name="bfi" />
*[[Janagaraj]] as Senthil{{sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=60}}
*[[Rajeev (Tamil actor)|Rajeev]] as Kumar<ref name="bfi" />
*[[Kailas Nath]] as Vasu<ref name="bfi" />
*[[Thyagu (actor)|Thyagu]] as Siva<ref name="bfi" />
*[[Suhasini Maniratnam|Suhasini]] as Geetha{{sfn |Rajadhyaksha |Willemen |1998 |p=451}}
*Kalaivani as Vasu's sister<ref name="bfi" />

== Production ==
''Palaivana Solai'' is the directorial debut of [[Robert–Rajasekar]] (Robert Asirvatham and [[S. Rajasekar]]). Both also handled cinematography and wrote the screenplay based on Rajasekar's story.<ref>{{Cite web |last=செல்லப்பா |date=13 September 2019 |title=அவர் ஒரு பொன்மாலைப் பொழுது |trans-title=He is a golden twilight time |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/515404-anjali-robert-rajasekaran.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204135542/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/515404-anjali-robert-rajasekaran.html |archive-date=4 December 2019 |access-date=28 December 2021 |website=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> This was the first film where the actor Rajasekar was credited as [[Rajeev (Tamil actor)|Rajeev]], which became his permanent stage name.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 September 2014 |title=எதிர்நீச்சல் போட்டு நடிகரானார் ராஜீவ் |trans-title=Rajeev swam against the tide to become an actor |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/09/13221344/rajiv-reach-good-place-towards.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920232207/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/09/13221344/rajiv-reach-good-place-towards.html |archive-date=20 September 2014 |access-date=14 March 2025 |website=[[Maalai Malar]] |language=ta}}</ref> The film was shot predominantly on the [[Nungambakkam]] Highway, Chennai.{{sfn |Indian Cinema |1981 |p=32}}

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by the duo [[Shankar–Ganesh]], with lyrics written by [[Vairamuthu]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paalaivana Cholai (1981) |url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/album/T0001745.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227062432/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/album/T0001745.html |archive-date=27 December 2013 |access-date=25 December 2013 |website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Paalaivana Cholai Tamil FIlm EP VInyl Record by Shankar Ganesh |url=https://mossymart.com/product/paalaivana-cholai-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-shankar-ganesh-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228073126/https://mossymart.com/product/paalaivana-cholai-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-shankar-ganesh-2/ |archive-date=28 December 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021 |website=Mossymart}}</ref> The song "Megame Megame" is set in the [[raga]] known as Karnaranjani,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=31 August 2012 |title=Two for joy |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/two-for-joy/article3844029.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116192719/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/two-for-joy/article3844029.ece |archive-date=16 January 2021 |access-date=22 May 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> and was based on "Tum Nahi Gham Nahi Sharab Nahi", a [[Ghazal]] by [[Jagjit Singh]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gopalakrishnan |first=P V |date=15 May 2017 |title=FIlmy Ripples- Inspired plagiarism in early music |url=https://tcrcindia.com/2017/05/15/filmy-ripples-inspired-plagiarism-in-early-music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003173832/https://tcrcindia.com/2017/05/15/filmy-ripples-inspired-plagiarism-in-early-music/ |archive-date=3 October 2017 |access-date=22 May 2019 |website=The Cinema Resource Centre}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=S |first=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |title=Tamil [Other Composers] |url=https://www.itwofs.com/tamil-others.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190522113005/https://www.itwofs.com/tamil-others.html |archive-date=22 May 2019 |access-date=22 May 2019 |website=[[ItwoFS]]}}</ref> The song "Engal Kathai" was banned by [[All India Radio]] as it was alleged to be promoting [[Communism in India|communism]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=14 June 1981 |title=பாடல்களுக்கு தடை ஏன்? |trans-title=Why is the song banned? |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-06-14/page/n63/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230412055840/https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-06-14/page/n63/mode/2up |archive-date=12 April 2023 |access-date=7 April 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=63 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Aalanaalum Aalu
| extra1 = [[Malaysia Vasudevan]]
| length1 = 4:12
| title2 = Engal Kathai
| extra2 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| length2 = 4:14
| title3 = Megame Megame
| extra3 = [[Vani Jairam]]
| length3 = 4:29
| title4 = Pournami Neram
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| length4 = 5:04
| total_length = 17:59 
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Palaivana Solai'' was released on 1 May 1981.{{sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=60}} ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' gave the film an A score, praising Suhasini's performance and the unconventional screenplay.{{sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=61}} Sindhu Jeeva of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' felt the makers who chose a different plot failed to realise that screenplay is the main focus and the film crawls without any focus while also panning the background score and cinematography but praised the acting of lead actors and concluded they expected a lot considering the title and directors.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=சிந்து-ஜீவா |date=7 June 1981 |title=பாலைவனச்சோலை |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-06-07/page/n53/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230407140050/https://archive.org/details/kalki1981-06-07/page/n53/mode/2up |archive-date=7 April 2023 |access-date=7 April 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=52 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Naagai Dharuman of ''Anna'' praised the acting, music, direction and praised director duo Robert-Rajasekhar for making a film which succeeds in making both laugh and cry.<ref>{{Cite news |last=தருமன் |first=நாகை |date=10 May 1981 |title=பாலைவனச்சோலை |url=https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_23_5_74/3.jp2/full/1000,1399/90/default.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601142444/https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_23_5_74/3.jp2/full/1000,1399/90/default.jpg |archive-date=1 June 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=Anna |pages=3 |language=ta |via=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]}}</ref> The film became a box-office success, running for over 200 days in theatres.<ref>{{Cite web |last=செல்வராஜ் |first=என். |date=20 March 2017 |title=வெள்ளி விழா கண்ட தமிழ் திரைப்படங்கள் |url=https://puthu.thinnai.com/%e0%ae%b5%e0%af%86%e0%ae%b3%e0%af%8d%e0%ae%b3%e0%ae%bf-%e0%ae%b5%e0%ae%bf%e0%ae%b4%e0%ae%be-%e0%ae%95%e0%ae%a3%e0%af%8d%e0%ae%9f-%e0%ae%a4%e0%ae%ae%e0%ae%bf%e0%ae%b4%e0%af%8d-%e0%ae%a4%e0%ae%bf/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716113008/https://puthu.thinnai.com/%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B4%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF/ |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021 |website=Thinnai |language=ta}}</ref>

== Remakes ==
''Palaivana Solai'' was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Manchu Pallaki]]'' (1982), with Suhasini reprising her role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sri |date=10 September 2008 |title=Retrospect: Manchu Pallaki (1982) |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/retro_manchupallaki1982.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021084156/http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/retro_manchupallaki1982.php |archive-date=21 October 2011 |access-date=29 May 2021 |website=[[Telugucinema.com]]}}</ref> It was also remade in [[Malayalam]] as ''[[Ithu Njangalude Katha]]'' (1982),<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 2015 |title=தமிழ் டூ மலையாளம் உண்டல்லோ? |work=[[Puthiya Thalaimurai]] |pages=12 |language=ta}}</ref> and again in Tamil in 2009 [[Palaivana Solai (2009 film)|under the same title]]. This version featured remixed versions of "Aalanaalum Aalu" and "Megame Megame".<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2009 |title=Palaivana Cholai Audio and Trailer launched |url=http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=newsdetails.php?newsid=1706 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227063726/http://www.ayngaran.com/frame.php?iframepath=newsdetails.php%3Fnewsid%3D1706 |archive-date=27 December 2013 |access-date=25 December 2013 |website=[[Ayngaran International]]}}</ref> A [[Hindi]] remake was planned in the early 1980s and Suhasini was offered to reprise her role, but did not come to fruition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shiva Kumar |first=S. |title=Look! Suhasini arrives |url=https://twitter.com/sshivu/status/1188667952691703809 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829103358/https://twitter.com/sshivu/status/1188667952691703809 |archive-date=29 August 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021 |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |via=[[Twitter]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Commentators regard ''Palaivana Solai'' as a landmark film in Tamil cinema for proving that males can be friends with females without falling in love.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kolappan |first=B. |date=1 December 2018 |title=Cinematographer, director Robert dead |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/cinematographer-director-robert-dead/article25637871.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628213743/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/cinematographer-director-robert-dead/article25637871.ece |archive-date=28 June 2020 |access-date=28 December 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=கண்ணன் |first=சுரேஷ் |date=12 June 2020 |title=மரபைக் கலைத்து மறுமலர்ச்சி ஏற்படுத்திய மல்டிஸ்டாரர்... 'பாலைவனச் சோலை'யும் அதன் முன், பின் கதைகளும்! |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/palaivana-solai-80s-and-90s-nostalgia-movie-series-for-2k-kids |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205105744/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/palaivana-solai-80s-and-90s-nostalgia-movie-series-for-2k-kids |archive-date=5 December 2021 |access-date=28 December 2021 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=ta}}</ref> Other Tamil films that followed the trope include ''[[Pudhu Vasantham]]'' (1990) and ''[[Punnagai Desam]]'' (2002).{{sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=61}}

== References ==
<references>

<ref name="bfi">{{Cite web |title=Palaivanacholai (1981) |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7540ce66 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602212638/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7540ce66 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021 |website=[[British Film Institute]]}}</ref>

</references>

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010 |publisher=Galatta Media |year=2011 |oclc=733724281}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NUd2AAAAIAAJ&q=Palaivana+ |title=Indian Cinema |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]], [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] |year=1981 |ref={{sfnref|Indian Cinema|1981}}}}
* {{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}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title}}

[[Category:1980s buddy drama films]]
[[Category:1981 Indian films]]
[[Category:1981 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1981 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:1981 films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Robert–Rajasekar]]
[[Category:Films scored by Shankar–Ganesh]]
[[Category:Indian buddy drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Palaivana Solai (1981 film) - Revision history

AnnettLevi9: Adding