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{{Short description|1949 film by A. V. Meiyappan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Vaazhkai
| image = Life movie poster.png
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[A. V. Meiyappan]]
| producer = A. V. Meiyappan
| screenplay = [[P. Neelakantan]] (dialogues)
| story = [[M. V. Raman]]
| narrator = M. V. Raman
| starring = [[Vyjayanthimala]]<br />M. S. Draupadi<br />[[T. R. Ramachandran]]<br />[[S. V. Sahasranamam]]
| music = [[R. Sudarsanam]]
| cinematography = T. Muthu Samy
| editing = M. V. Raman
| studio = [[AVM Productions|A.V.M Studios]]
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1949|12|23}}
| runtime = 170 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}
'''''Vaazhkai''''' ({{translation|Life}}) is a 1949 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[social guidance film]] produced and directed by [[A. V. Meiyappan]] through [[AVM Productions]]. It stars [[Vyjayanthimala]] in her screen debut with M. S. Draupadi, [[T. R. Ramachandran]] and S. V. Sahasranamam forms an [[ensemble cast]] along with many actors appearing in other significant roles.

Upon its release, the film was well received and it won the Best Tamil Film Award at the 1st Film Fans' Association Awards. Vyjayanthimala and M. S. Draupadi received the Second Best Tamil Actress and Third Best Tamil Actress Awards respectively. It also broke some box office records in South India. A year later, the film was re-released in a new copy with selected song sequences in hand-tinted colour.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 1950 |title=Life |pages=4 |work=Indian Daily Mail |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/indiandailymail19501030-1.2.52.2?ST=1&AT=search&k=life%20coloured%20new%20AVM&QT=life,coloured,new,avm&oref=article}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The film was simultaneously released in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Jeevitham]]'' (1950)''.'' The film was later remade in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Bahar (film)|Bahar]]'' (1951). Vyjayanthimala played the lead role in all these versions with Meiyappan as the producer.

== Plot ==
{{more plot|date=November 2021}}
Murthi (S. V. Sahasranamam) comes to a village, spends time with Meenakshi (M.S. Draupadi), and leaves for his hometown. After returning, he wants to marry Mohana (Vyjayanthimala) while Mohana loves Nathan (T. R, Ramachandran). Meenakshi discovers she is pregnant and goes to Murthi, who ignores her. She jumps into the sea to attempt suicide. A passerby saves her and she has the baby. She leaves the baby with Nathan, in his car. He takes care of the baby and faces many problems. Learning about the baby, Mohana gets suspicious. Finally, the actions of Murthi are exposed and he accepts Meenakshi as his wife while Mohana and Nathan reunite.

== Cast ==

{{Col-begin|width=75%}}
{{col-break|width=25%}}
;Male cast
* [[T. R. Ramachandran]] as Nathan
* [[S. V. Sahasranamam]] as Moorthi
* [[K. Sarangapani]] as Sivasankaralingam
* P. A. Subbaiah Pillai as Velayutham Pillai
* K. Ramasami as Veerasami
* K. N. Kulathu Mani as Bank Secretary
* M. S. Karuppaiah as Vinayakam Pillai
* [[V. M. Ezhumalai]] as Asambavidham
* [[P. D. Sambandam]] as Seeni
* Venkataraman as Journalist
* T. V. Sethuraman as Bandyman
* Seetharaman as Doctor
{{col-break|width=25%}}
;Male supporting cast
* Lakshminarayanan
* Kalyanasundaram
* Kashinathan
* Rajarathnam
* Seenu
* Baby Narayanan
;Female supporting cast
* Kalyani
* Soundaram
* Subbulakshmi
* Baby Meena
{{col-break|width=25%}}
;Female cast
* [[Vyjayanthimala]] as Mohana
* M. S. Draupadi as Meenakshi
* S. R. Janaki as Ambujam
* K. N. Kamalam as Shivabhagyam
* G. K. Saroja as Lakshmi
;Dance
* [[Lalitha (actress)|Lalitha]]-[[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]]
{{col-end}}

== Production ==
''Vaazhkai'' was the first film to be shot at the new AVM's new studio at [[Chennai]]. For the lead female role [[A. V. Meiyappan]] wanted to launch a new face. [[M. V. Raman]], the story writer of ''Vaazhkai'', spotted [[Vyjayanthimala]] performing [[Bharatanatyam]] in Chennai Gokhale Hall.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajan |first=Anjana |date=20 January 2007 |title=A golden innings |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/a-golden-innings/article2239348.ece |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230192300/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/a-golden-innings/article2239348.ece |archive-date=30 December 2020}}</ref> Impressed by her talent he later recommended her to Meiyappan. Vyjayanthimala, the daughter of the actress [[Vasundhara Devi]] was 16 years old when Meiyappan approach her for the film. Despite Meiyappan's initial reservations to have her as the lead actress, she was chosen after he was convinced by watching her dance performance.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ramachandran |first=T. M. |date=30 October 1965 |title=Raman Looks Back |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12064 |magazine=[[Sport and Pastime]] |volume=19 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12064/page/n279/ 51]}}</ref> [[Pandari Bai]] was initially cast in the other female role, but was removed because Meiyappan was not satisfied with her Tamil diction; she was replaced by M. S. Draupadi.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=9 June 2012 |title=Vazhkai 1949 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/vazhkai-1949/article3509383.ece |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214125643/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/vazhkai-1949/article3509383.ece |archive-date=14 December 2017}}</ref> However, Pandari Bai later played that role in the Hindi remake ''[[Bahar (film)|Bahar]]'' (1951) under the screen name Padmini.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=14 February 2003 |title=Actress who glowed with inner beauty |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/02/14/stories/2003021401030300.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150222073753/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/02/14/stories/2003021401030300.htm |archive-date=22 February 2015}}</ref> The final length of the film measured 14629 feet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1949 – வாழ்க்கை – ஏ.வி.எம். ஜீவிதம் (தெ), பஹார்(இ) |trans-title=1949 – Life – A.V.M. Jeevitham (te), Bahaar(hi) |url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1949-cinedetails16.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180220055553/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1949-cinedetails16.asp |archive-date=20 February 2018 |access-date=20 February 2018 |website=[[Lakshman Sruthi]] |language=ta}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The music is composed by [[R. Sudarsanam]], lyrics are by [[Subramanya Bharathi|Mahakavi Bharathiyar]] and K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/sok.Vaazhkai_A.V.Meiyappan_1949 |title=வாழ்க்கை |publisher=[[AVM Productions]] |year=1949 |language=ta |type=[[song book]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
! No. !! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length
|-
| 1 || "Manamevum Aasai...Un Kangal Unnai Emaatrinaal" || [[M. S. Rajeswari]] || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 02:13
|-
| 2 || "Manamevum Aasai...Un Kann Unnai Emaatrinaal" || [[T. R. Ramachandran]] || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 01:50
|-
| 3 || "Uzhuthundu Vaazhvaar...Paadupattaale Palan Koodum" || T. S. Bagavathi and M. S. Rajeswari || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 10:18
|-
| 4 || "Gopaalanodu Naan Aaduvene" || [[M. L. Vasanthakumari]] || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 04:49
|-
| 5 || "Senthamizhum Suvaiyum Polave" || T. R. Ramachandran and M. S. Rajeswari || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 02:32
|-
| 6 || "Annaiye Nee Ennai... Ennam Ellaam Kanavu Pole" || T. S. Bagavathi || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 02:37
|-
| 7 || "Enni Enni Parkka Manam" || [[M. S. Rajeswari]] || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 3:01
|-
| 8 || "Bharatha Samudhaayam Vaazhgave" || [[D. K. Pattammal]] || [[Subramanya Bharathi|Mahakavi Bharathiyar]] || 03:13
|-
| 9 || "Senthamizhum Suvaiyum Polave" || T. R. Ramachandran, M. S. Rajeswari and T. S. Bagavathi || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 01:20
|-
| 10 || "Ezhaikku Edhu Inbam" || || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 03:11
|-
| 11 || "Manadhinil Pudhuvidha" || M. S. Rajeswari || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam ||
|-
| 12 || "Avan Porukku" || T. S. Bagavathi || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam ||
|-
| 13 || "Aasai Kollum Meesaiyulla" || M. S. Rajeswari and A. G. Rathnamala || K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam || 03:45
|}

== Release and reception ==
''Vaazhkai'' was released on 23 December 1949.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 December 1949 |title=Life |pages=1 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=t6hKUfryX1MC&dat=19491223&printsec=frontpage&hl=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote, "The appeal of fresh youthful stars is truly enhanced by original treatment of situations that are not unrelated to Life. T. R. Ramachandran and Sahasranamam score easily in major roles and Sarangapany adds to the real gaiety of the film that is too long without boring".<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 1950 |title=Life |pages=6 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f7w-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=O0wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5897%2C998176}}</ref> It became a major box office success, and completed 25 weeks of its theatrical run. Subsequently, the film was awarded a trophy in which Meiyappan's son [[M. Saravanan (producer)|M. Saravanan]] described as the tallest trophy of the company by the distributors in [[Karaikudi]] for its 25 weeks of theatrical run.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=19 February 2010 |title=History created ... and preserved! |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article108733.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=27 February 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911202107/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article108733.ece |archive-date=11 September 2012}}</ref> A year after its release, the film was re-released with a partly coloured copy.<ref>{{Cite web | title=NewspaperSG | url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/page/indiandailymail19501029-1.1.4 | access-date=2025-08-18 | website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
The film was awarded with Best Tamil Film Award at the first Film Fans Association Award, where it secured 2,512 votes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 1950 |title=Bhanumathi Best Star in Tamil and Telugu – Film Ballot Result |pages=6 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nrw-AAAAIBAJ&pg=4159,4569623&dq=film+ballot&hl=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the same event, Vyjayanthimala and Draupadi were awarded with the Best Tamil Actress Award, Second Prize and Third Prize respectively. The former secured 1,676 votes, while the latter got 1,386 votes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 May 1950 |title=Bhanumathi Ranked Best Actress |pages=9 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n7w-AAAAIBAJ&pg=1263,4720604&dq=film+ballot+tamil&hl=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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

{{AVM Productions}}

[[Category:1940s dance films]]
[[Category:1940s feminist films]]
[[Category:1949 Indian films]]
[[Category:1940s romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1940s satirical films]]
[[Category:1949 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1949 films]]
[[Category:AVM Productions films]]
[[Category:Films about poverty in India]]
[[Category:Films about rape in India]]
[[Category:Films about women in India]]
[[Category:Films scored by R. Sudarsanam]]
[[Category:Films set in 1949]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian dance films]]
[[Category:Indian feminist films]]
[[Category:Indian musical drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Indian satirical films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Vaazhkai (1949 film) - Revision history

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