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{{short description|1955 film by L. V. Prasad}}
{{short description|1955 film by L. V. Prasad}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Mangayar Thilakam
| image          = Mangaiyar Thilakam.jpg
| image          = Mangaiyar Thilakam.jpg
| caption        = Poster
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director      = [[L. V. Prasad]]
| director      = [[L. V. Prasad]]
| producer      = Sripadha Shankar
| writer        = [[Valampuri Somanathan]]<br />G. Ramakrishnan<br />D. Nagaligham
| screenplay    = [[L. V. Prasad]]
| screenplay    = [[L. V. Prasad]]
| story          = [[Shantaram Athavale]] (Original)<br />[[Vempati Sadasivabrahmam|V. Sadasivabrahmam]] (Adapted)
| story          = [[Shantaram Athavale]] (Original)<br />[[Vempati Sadasivabrahmam|V. Sadasivabrahmam]] (Adapted)
| based_on      = {{Based on|''Vahinchya Bangdya''|[[Shantaram Athavale]]}}
| based_on      = {{Based on|''Vahinchya Bangdya''|Shantaram Athavale}}
| starring      = [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]]<br />[[Sivaji Ganesan]]<br />[[M. N. Rajam]]
| producer      = Sripadha Shankar
| music          = [[Susarla Dakshinamurthi|S. Dakshinamurthi]]
| starring      = [[Sivaji Ganesan]]<br />[[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]]
| cinematography = P. L. Rai
| cinematography = P. L. Rai
| editing        = N. M. Shankar
| editing        = N. M. Shankar
| music          = [[Susarla Dakshinamurthi|S. Dakshinamurthi]]
| studio        = Vaidya Films
| studio        = Vaidya Films
| distributor    =
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1955|08|26}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1955|08|26}}
| runtime        = 182 minutes
| runtime        = 182 minutes
Line 24: Line 21:
}}
}}


'''''Mangaiyar Thilakam''''' ({{trans|A Jewel Among Women}}) is a 1955 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[L. V. Prasad]]. The film, released on 26 August 1955, was a remake of the 1953 Marathi film ''Vahinicha Bangadya.''<ref>http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/cinema/news/64206</ref>
'''''Mangaiyar Thilakam''''' ({{translation|A Jewel Among Women}}) is a 1955 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[L. V. Prasad]]. The film, released on 26 August 1955, was a remake of the 1953 [[Marathi language|Marathi]] film ''Vahinicha Bangadya.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2019 |title=கலைமாமணி வாமனனின் ‘நிழலல்ல நிஜம்’ – 163 {{!}} மருதகாசியும் கண்ணதாசனும் ! |url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/cinema/news/64206 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126221401/http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/cinema/news/64206 |archive-date=26 January 2020 |access-date=13 November 2021 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |location=Nellai |language=ta}}</ref> The film was produced by Sripadha Shankar under the banner of Vaidya films. It stars [[Sivaji Ganesan]] and [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]], while [[M. N. Rajam]], [[S. V. Subbaiah]], [[K. A. Thangavelu]] and [[K. Sarangapani]] play pivotal roles. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by S. Dakshinamurthi, while the lyrics for the songs were written by [[Kannadasan]], Puratchidasan, and Maruthakasi. P. L. Rai and N. M. Shankar handled cinematography and editing respectively. The story was adapted by Sadasiva Brahmam and dialogues were written by [[Valampuri Somanathan]], G. Ramakrishnan and D. Nagalingam.
 
The film was produced by Sripadha Shankar under the banner of Vaidya films. It stars [[Sivaji Ganesan]] and [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] in the lead roles, while M. N. Rajam, S. V. Subbiah, K. A. Thangavelu and K. Sarangapani play pivotal roles. The film's soundtrack (which continues to be very popular) and background score were composed by S. Dakshinamurthi, while the lyrics for the songs were written by [[Kannadasan]], Puratchidasan and Maruthakasi. P. L. Rai and N. M. Shankar handled cinematography and editing respectively. The film was a remake of [[Marathi language|Marathi]] film ''Vahinichya Bangdya'' The story was adapted by Sadasiva Brahmam and dialogues were written by [[Valampuri Somanathan]], G. Ramakrishnan and D. Nagalingam.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
The story starts with the special birthday celebration of a girl. An unusual ceremony is performed, where the child goes to perform pooja (worship) at the ''samadhi'' (memorial site) built over a cremation site, and which is usually built at the place where a ''pativratha'' or great lady has performed ''[[Sati (practice)|Sati]].'' A friend asks about the story of the ''sati,'' and Vasudevan [[Sivaji Ganesan]] narrates the story after telling that this not an ordinary ''Sati,'' but an ''Aajeeva Sati'' whose whole life was a sacrifice pleasing to God, and who died not actually as a ''Sati'' but as a ''Muttaida/Suhagan'' in the lifetime of her husband after dedicating her life to family. Vasudevan begins to narrate the story.
The story starts with the special birthday celebration of a girl. An unusual ceremony is performed, where the child goes to perform ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' at the ''[[samadhi]]'' built over a cremation site, and which is usually built at the place where a ''pativratha'' or great lady has performed ''[[Sati (practice)|sati]].'' A friend asks about the story of the ''sati,'' and Vasudevan narrates the story after telling that this not an ordinary ''Sati,'' but an ''Aajeeva Sati'' whose whole life was a sacrifice pleasing to God, and who died not actually as a ''Sati'' but as a ''Muttaida/Suhagan'' in the lifetime of her husband after dedicating her life to family. Vasudevan begins to narrate the story.


Karunakaran ([[S. V. Subbaiah]]) and Vasudevan (Master Baji) are brothers whose parents had died. They are very much loving and close to each other but Vasudevan longs for mother's love. Yielding to the relatives persuasion, Karunakaran accepts to marry Sulochana ([[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]]). Vasudevan gets upset as he is afraid of what will happen with new person and he only has got one brother, no mother no father. He sets off to the bride's house to see her and he likes her at the first glimpse because she is very nice to him.
Karunakaran and Vasudevan are brothers whose parents had died. They are very much loving and close to each other but Vasudevan longs for mother's love. Yielding to the relatives persuasion, Karunakaran accepts to marry Sulochana. Vasudevan gets upset as he is afraid of what will happen with new person and he only has got one brother, no mother no father. He sets off to the bride's house to see her and he likes her at the first glimpse because she is very nice to him.


The wedding takes place and Sulochana becomes a loving wife and the perfect home-maker because she is very traditional and she builds the family including all the mother's love for Vasudevan. The house was like "house for ghosts" because there was no wife and mother until now, but now Sulochana starts everything perfectly, regular pooja, Tulsi, rangoli, toranam above door, keeping two cows, cooking proper food at proper time, lunchbox for Vasudevan, waiting for each other to come home, celebrating all the small and big festivals, keeping all the Nomu (Vrath) with fasting and feasting, and everything like that. For Vasudevan, she is the only mother he ever knew and he fully accepts her as his own mother. Sulochana gets pregnant and delivers a baby boy, but the delivery is very difficult and the baby boy is born dead. The doctor tells Karunakaran that Sulochana will not have any more children because the delivery was complicated and he had to cut some organ to save her life. When Sulochana hears of this, she is very sad, but noble lady, and she says, "God gave me one sweet son. Why I should ask more?" and she pats Vasudevan lovingly on the head.
The wedding takes place and Sulochana becomes a loving wife and the perfect home-maker because she is very traditional and she builds the family including all the mother's love for Vasudevan. The house was like "house for ghosts" because there was no wife and mother until now, but now Sulochana starts everything perfectly, regular puja, Tulsi, rangoli, toranam above door, keeping two cows, cooking proper food at proper time, lunchbox for Vasudevan, waiting for each other to come home, celebrating all the small and big festivals, keeping all the Nomu (Vrath) with fasting and feasting, and everything like that. For Vasudevan, she is the only mother he ever knew and he fully accepts her as his own mother. Sulochana gets pregnant and delivers a baby boy, but the delivery is very difficult and the baby boy is born dead. The doctor tells Karunakaran that Sulochana will not have any more children because the delivery was complicated and he had to cut some organ to save her life. When Sulochana hears of this, she is very sad, but noble lady, and she says, "God gave me one sweet son. Why I should ask more?" and she pats Vasudevan lovingly on the head.


Time rolls on and Vasudevan becomes as an adult and becomes a college professor, but unfortunately, Karunakaran and Sulochana was not blessed with children. Vasudevan presents Sulochana gold bangles from his first pay. Vasudevan was arranged to marry Rao Bahadur Ponnambalam's ([[K. Sarangkapani]]) and Akilam's (K. N. Kamalam) daughter Prabha ([[M. N. Rajam]]).
Time rolls on and Vasudevan becomes as an adult and becomes a college professor, but Karunakaran and Sulochana do not have children. Vasudevan presents Sulochana gold bangles from his first pay. Vasudevan was arranged to marry [[Rao Bahadur]] Ponnambalam's and Akilam's daughter Prabha.


Comic relief was presented in a moral story of Ponnambalam's family. Ponnambalam listens too much to and often quarrels with Akilam. This drives Ponnambalam's son Kalamani ([[K. A. Thangavelu]]) and his wife Neela ([[Ragini (actress)|Ragini]]) to hatch a drama in order for Ponnambalam and Akilam to be united and respect each other. Kalamani and Neela succeed in this.
Comic relief was presented in a moral story of Ponnambalam's family. Ponnambalam listens too much to and often quarrels with Akilam. This drives Ponnambalam's son Kalamani ([[K. A. Thangavelu]]) and his wife Neela ([[Ragini (actress)|Ragini]]) to hatch a drama in order for Ponnambalam and Akilam to be united and respect each other. Kalamani and Neela succeed in this.
Line 46: Line 41:


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
*[[Sivaji Ganesan]] as Vasu / Vasudevan
;Male cast
*[[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] as Sulochana
*[[Sivaji Ganesan]] as Vasudevan
*[[M. N. Rajam]] as Prabha
*[[S. V. Subbaiah]] as Karunakaran
*[[S. V. Subbaiah]] as Karunakaran
*[[K. A. Thangavelu]] as Kalamani
*[[K. A. Thangavelu]] as Kalamani
*[[K. Sarangapani]] as [[Rao Bahadur]] Ponnambalam
*Master Baji as young Vasudevan
*Master Ravi as Ravi
;Female cast
*[[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] as Sulochana
*[[Ragini (actress)|Ragini]] as Neela
*[[Ragini (actress)|Ragini]] as Neela
*[[K. Sarangkapani]] as Rao Bahadur Ponnambalam
*[[M. N. Rajam]] as Prabha
*K. N. Kamalam as Akilam
*K. N. Kamalam as Akilandam
*Master Baji as Young Vasudevan
*Master Ravi as Ravi (Vasudevan Son)


== Production ==
== Production ==
Actor Sripadha Shankar ventured into film production with ''Mangayar Thilakam'' being one of his ventures. Since he was not financially strong, he sought the help of an enterprising bank clerk, A. C. Pillai, who helped complete the film providing funds.<ref name = hindu>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/mangayar-thilakam-1957/article4541614.ece|title=Mangayar Thilakam 1957|author=Randor Guy|work=The Hindu|accessdate=12 September 2015}}</ref> This film was based on the Marathi film ''Vahininjiya Pangkadiya''. Valampuri Somanathan, G. Ramakrishnan and D. Nagarajan wrote the screenplay.<ref name = hindu />
Actor Sripadha Shankar ventured into film production with ''Mangayar Thilakam'' being one of his ventures. Since he was not financially strong, he sought the help of an enterprising bank clerk, A. C. Pillai, who helped complete the film providing funds.<ref name="hindu">{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |date=23 March 2013 |title=Mangayar Thilakam 1957 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/mangayar-thilakam-1957/article4541614.ece |url-status=live |access-date=13 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113061310/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/mangayar-thilakam-1957/article4541614.ece |archive-date=13 November 2021}}</ref> This film was based on the Marathi film ''Vahininjiya Pangkadiya''. Valampuri Somanathan, G. Ramakrishnan and D. Nagarajan wrote the screenplay.<ref name = hindu />


== Soundtrack ==
== Soundtrack ==
Soundtrack was composed by [[Susarla Dakshinamurthi|S. Dakshinamurthi]], while The lyrics were by [[Udumalai Narayana Kavi]], [[Kannadasan]], [[A. Maruthakasi]] and Puratchidasan. [[Playback singer]]s are [[S. C. Krishnan]], [[Madhavapeddi Satyam|M. Sathyam]], [[Raavu Balasaraswathi|R. Balasaraswathi Devi]], [[P. Leela]], [[Jikki]], [[K. Jamuna Rani]], [[A. G. Rathnamala]], [[T. V. Rathinam]], T. Kamala, Vadivambal, K. R. Sellamuthu, S. V. Ponnusamy & S. J. Kantha.<ref>{{cite book|title=Thiraikalanjiyam&nbsp;— Part 1|author=G. Neelamegam|language=Tamil|page=97 |publisher=Manivasagar Publishers, Chennai 108 (Ph:044 25361039). First edition December 2014}}</ref>
Soundtrack was composed by [[Susarla Dakshinamurthi|S. Dakshinamurthi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Neelamegam |first=G. |title=Thiraikalanjiyam&nbsp;— Part 1 |publisher=Manivasagar Publishers |year=2014 |location=Chennai |pages=97 |language=Tamil}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mangayar Thilakam |url=https://www.saregama.com/album/mangayar-thilakam_89492 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113061313/https://www.saregama.com/album/mangayar-thilakam_89492 |archive-date=13 November 2021 |access-date=13 November 2021 |website=[[Saregama]]}}</ref> The song "Neela Vanna Kannaa Vaadaa" was initially to be written by [[Kannadasan]]. As Prasad did not like what he wrote, he was replaced by [[A. Maruthakasi]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangaraj |first=R |date=27 July 2020 |title=Songs of son of the soil |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/songs-of-son-of-the-soil/articleshow/77187971.cms |url-status=live |access-date=12 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826225005/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/songs-of-son-of-the-soil/articleshow/77187971.cms |archive-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> According to historian [[Randor Guy]], the song "Ketta Penmani" took a dig at modern women.<ref name = hindu />
 
The album was released under the label Saregama.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saregama.com/album/mangayar-thilakam_89492|title=Mangayar Thilakam|work=Saregama|accessdate=12 September 2015}}</ref> The song ''Neela Vanna Kannaa Vaadaa'' was initially to be written by Kannadasan. As Prasad did not like what he wrote, he was replaced by Maruthakasi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rangaraj |first1=R |title=Songs of son of the soil |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/songs-of-son-of-the-soil/articleshow/77187971.cms |accessdate=12 September 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=27 July 2020}}</ref> According to Randor Guy, the song ''Ketta Penmani'' by T. V. Rathinam took a dig at modern woman.<ref name = hindu />


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! No. !! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length (m:ss)
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length
|-
|-
| 1 || "Unmai Anbu Endrum Anaindhidaadha Theebam" || K. Jamuna Rani || rowspan=5|[[A. Maruthakasi]] || 03:12
| "Unmai Anbu Endrum Anaindhidaadha Theebam" || [[K. Jamuna Rani]] || rowspan=5|[[A. Maruthakasi]] || 03:12
|-
|-
| 2 || "Baakkiyavathi Naan Baakkiyavathi" || P. Leela || 03:11
| "Baakkiyavathi Naan Baakkiyavathi" || [[P. Leela]] || 03:11
|-
|-
| 3 || "Neela Vanna Kannaa Vaadaa" || R. Balasaraswathi Devi || 04:16
| "Neela Vanna Kannaa Vaadaa" || [[R. Balasaraswathi Devi]] || 04:16
|-
|-
| 4 || "Nee Varavillaiyenil Aadharavedhu" || M. Sathyam || 03:25
| "Nee Varavillaiyenil Aadharavedhu" || M. Sathyam || 03:25
|-
|-
| 5 || "Purindhu Kollavillai Innum" || S. C. Krishnan & A. G. Rathnamala || 03:16
| "Purindhu Kollavillai Innum" || S. C. Krishnan & A. G. Rathnamala || 03:16
|-
|-
| 6 || "Kandu Konden Naan Kandu Konden" || T. Kamala || Puratchidasan || 02:45
| "Kandu Konden Naan Kandu Konden" || T. Kamala || Puratchidasan || 02:45
|-
|-
| 7 || "Engal Kula Dhevi Neeye" || rowspan=2|P. Leela || rowspan=3|[[Kannadasan]] || 02:35
| "Engal Kula Dhevi Neeye" || rowspan=2|P. Leela || rowspan=3|[[Kannadasan]] || 02:35
|-
|-
| 8 || "Dheva Sadhaa Soga Thirunaalaam" || 02:56
| "Dheva Sadhaa Soga Thirunaalaam" || 02:56
|-
|-
| 9 || "Oru Muraidhaan Varum" || Jikki || 02:47
| "Oru Muraidhaan Varum" || [[Jikki]] || 02:47
|-
|-
| 10 || "Ketta Penmani Butthi Ketta Penmani" || T. V. Rathinam || rowspan=2|[[Udumalai Narayana Kavi]] || 02:43
| "Ketta Penmani Butthi Ketta Penmani" || T. V. Rathnam || rowspan=2|[[Udumalai Narayana Kavi]] || 02:43
|-
|-
| 11 || "Adanga Pidaari Naadagam" || S. C. Krishnan, T. V. Rathinam<br />Vadivambal, K. R. Sellamuthu<br />S. V. Ponnusamy, and S. J. Kantha || 09:36
| "Adanga Pidaari Naadagam" || S. C. Krishnan, T. V. Rathnam<br />Vadivambal, K. R. Sellamuthu<br />S. V. Ponnusamy, and S. J. Kantha || 09:36
|}
|}


== Release ==
== Release and reception ==
The film was released on 26 August 1955 with a length of 17461 feet.<ref name="Anandan">{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1955-cinedetails26.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|author=Film News Anandan|publisher=Sivagami Publishers|year=2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=Tamil film history and its achievements|authorlink=Film News Anandan|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190821045030/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1955-cinedetails26.asp|archivedate=21 August 2019|url-status=live|access-date=21 August 2019}}</ref> Randor Guy of ''The Hindu'' wrote that the film is remembered for "highlighting family values and the performances of Padmini, Sivaji Ganesan, Rajam and Subbaiah".<ref name = hindu />
''Mangaiyar Thilakam'' was released on 26 August 1955.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1955 – மங்கையர் திலகம் – வைத்தியா பிலிம்ஸ் (மராத்தி) |trans-title=1955 – Mangaiyar Thilakam – Vaidya Films (Marathi) |url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1955-cinedetails26.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190821045030/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1955-cinedetails26.asp |archive-date=21 August 2019 |access-date=21 August 2019 |website=[[Lakshman Sruthi]] |language=Tamil}}</ref> ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' said it was a good film that could not be underestimated with regards to visual combinations, cinematography, sound recording and artistic technique.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=4 September 1955 |title=மங்கையர் திலகம் |url=https://archive.org/download/kalki1955-09-04/kalki1955-09-04.pdf |access-date=9 September 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=31–32 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0255342|Mangaiyar Thilakam}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{YouTube|WMAuYsYX6uA|Mangaiyar Thilakam Titles}}


{{L. V. Prasad}}
{{L. V. Prasad}}
{{National Film Award Best Feature Film Tamil}}
{{National Film Award Best Feature Film Tamil}}


[[Category:1955 Indian films]]
[[Category:1955 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1955 drama films]]
[[Category:1955 films]]
[[Category:1955 films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1950s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by L. V. Prasad]]
[[Category:Films directed by L. V. Prasad]]
[[Category:Films scored by Susarla Dakshinamurthi]]
[[Category:Films scored by Susarla Dakshinamurthi]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Marathi films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Marathi films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Latest revision as of 10:34, 4 March 2026


Mangaiyar Thilakam
Theatrical release poster
Directed byL. V. Prasad
Produced bySripadha Shankar
Screenplay byL. V. Prasad
Story byShantaram Athavale (Original)
V. Sadasivabrahmam (Adapted)
Based onVahinchya Bangdya
by Shantaram Athavale
StarringSivaji Ganesan
Padmini
Music byS. Dakshinamurthi
CinematographyP. L. Rai
Edited byN. M. Shankar
Production
company
Vaidya Films
Release date
  • 26 August 1955 (1955-08-26)
Running time
182 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Mangaiyar Thilakam (transl. A Jewel Among Women) is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by L. V. Prasad. The film, released on 26 August 1955, was a remake of the 1953 Marathi film Vahinicha Bangadya.[1] The film was produced by Sripadha Shankar under the banner of Vaidya films. It stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, while M. N. Rajam, S. V. Subbaiah, K. A. Thangavelu and K. Sarangapani play pivotal roles. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by S. Dakshinamurthi, while the lyrics for the songs were written by Kannadasan, Puratchidasan, and Maruthakasi. P. L. Rai and N. M. Shankar handled cinematography and editing respectively. The story was adapted by Sadasiva Brahmam and dialogues were written by Valampuri Somanathan, G. Ramakrishnan and D. Nagalingam.

Plot[edit | edit source]

The story starts with the special birthday celebration of a girl. An unusual ceremony is performed, where the child goes to perform puja at the samadhi built over a cremation site, and which is usually built at the place where a pativratha or great lady has performed sati. A friend asks about the story of the sati, and Vasudevan narrates the story after telling that this not an ordinary Sati, but an Aajeeva Sati whose whole life was a sacrifice pleasing to God, and who died not actually as a Sati but as a Muttaida/Suhagan in the lifetime of her husband after dedicating her life to family. Vasudevan begins to narrate the story.

Karunakaran and Vasudevan are brothers whose parents had died. They are very much loving and close to each other but Vasudevan longs for mother's love. Yielding to the relatives persuasion, Karunakaran accepts to marry Sulochana. Vasudevan gets upset as he is afraid of what will happen with new person and he only has got one brother, no mother no father. He sets off to the bride's house to see her and he likes her at the first glimpse because she is very nice to him.

The wedding takes place and Sulochana becomes a loving wife and the perfect home-maker because she is very traditional and she builds the family including all the mother's love for Vasudevan. The house was like "house for ghosts" because there was no wife and mother until now, but now Sulochana starts everything perfectly, regular puja, Tulsi, rangoli, toranam above door, keeping two cows, cooking proper food at proper time, lunchbox for Vasudevan, waiting for each other to come home, celebrating all the small and big festivals, keeping all the Nomu (Vrath) with fasting and feasting, and everything like that. For Vasudevan, she is the only mother he ever knew and he fully accepts her as his own mother. Sulochana gets pregnant and delivers a baby boy, but the delivery is very difficult and the baby boy is born dead. The doctor tells Karunakaran that Sulochana will not have any more children because the delivery was complicated and he had to cut some organ to save her life. When Sulochana hears of this, she is very sad, but noble lady, and she says, "God gave me one sweet son. Why I should ask more?" and she pats Vasudevan lovingly on the head.

Time rolls on and Vasudevan becomes as an adult and becomes a college professor, but Karunakaran and Sulochana do not have children. Vasudevan presents Sulochana gold bangles from his first pay. Vasudevan was arranged to marry Rao Bahadur Ponnambalam's and Akilam's daughter Prabha.

Comic relief was presented in a moral story of Ponnambalam's family. Ponnambalam listens too much to and often quarrels with Akilam. This drives Ponnambalam's son Kalamani (K. A. Thangavelu) and his wife Neela (Ragini) to hatch a drama in order for Ponnambalam and Akilam to be united and respect each other. Kalamani and Neela succeed in this.

Prabha's character was the opposite of Sulochana's, but the latter hardly bothers about this and carries on her daily good deeds. Prabha gets pregnant and delivers a baby boy, Ravi (Master Ravi), but she does not care much for him. Sulochana picks up the tasks and takes care of Ravi as a mother should. As Ravi grows, Prabha does not like this and forbids Sulochana from raising Ravi.

Ravi falls ill due to the separation and Sulochana takes care of him day and night, not bothering about her meals and health. Ravi becomes very serious for a month, till the doctor who treats him loses hope. Sulochana takes Ravi to a temple and pleads to Lord Shiva to take her life instead and spare Ravi's life. Prabha apologises to Sulochana, but the latter says that it was by the God's grace before collapsing due to being too weak. Even on her death bed, Sulochana enquires about Ravi's health. After thanking Karunakaran and Vasudevan for a good life as a daughter-in-law in the house and says that she would be reborn in this house, Sulochana dies.

Sulochana's body was cremated, but Karunakaran and Vasudevan were surprised to see the gold bangles were not damaged during the process. A baby girl was born on the exact day after a year and she was accepted by the whole family as Sulochana reborn. The gold bangles would be worn to her on every birthday, thus the special occasion.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Male cast
Female cast

Production[edit | edit source]

Actor Sripadha Shankar ventured into film production with Mangayar Thilakam being one of his ventures. Since he was not financially strong, he sought the help of an enterprising bank clerk, A. C. Pillai, who helped complete the film providing funds.[2] This film was based on the Marathi film Vahininjiya Pangkadiya. Valampuri Somanathan, G. Ramakrishnan and D. Nagarajan wrote the screenplay.[2]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Soundtrack was composed by S. Dakshinamurthi.[3][4] The song "Neela Vanna Kannaa Vaadaa" was initially to be written by Kannadasan. As Prasad did not like what he wrote, he was replaced by A. Maruthakasi.[5] According to historian Randor Guy, the song "Ketta Penmani" took a dig at modern women.[2]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Unmai Anbu Endrum Anaindhidaadha Theebam" K. Jamuna Rani A. Maruthakasi 03:12
"Baakkiyavathi Naan Baakkiyavathi" P. Leela 03:11
"Neela Vanna Kannaa Vaadaa" R. Balasaraswathi Devi 04:16
"Nee Varavillaiyenil Aadharavedhu" M. Sathyam 03:25
"Purindhu Kollavillai Innum" S. C. Krishnan & A. G. Rathnamala 03:16
"Kandu Konden Naan Kandu Konden" T. Kamala Puratchidasan 02:45
"Engal Kula Dhevi Neeye" P. Leela Kannadasan 02:35
"Dheva Sadhaa Soga Thirunaalaam" 02:56
"Oru Muraidhaan Varum" Jikki 02:47
"Ketta Penmani Butthi Ketta Penmani" T. V. Rathnam Udumalai Narayana Kavi 02:43
"Adanga Pidaari Naadagam" S. C. Krishnan, T. V. Rathnam
Vadivambal, K. R. Sellamuthu
S. V. Ponnusamy, and S. J. Kantha		 09:36

Release and reception[edit | edit source]

Mangaiyar Thilakam was released on 26 August 1955.[6] Kalki said it was a good film that could not be underestimated with regards to visual combinations, cinematography, sound recording and artistic technique.[7]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "கலைமாமணி வாமனனின் 'நிழலல்ல நிஜம்' – 163 | மருதகாசியும் கண்ணதாசனும் !". Dinamalar (in தமிழ்). Nellai. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Guy, Randor (23 March 2013). "Mangayar Thilakam 1957". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Neelamegam, G. (2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 97.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  4. ↑ "Mangayar Thilakam". Saregama. Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  5. ↑ Rangaraj, R (27 July 2020). "Songs of son of the soil". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  6. ↑ "1955 – மங்கையர் திலகம் – வைத்தியா பிலிம்ஸ் (மராத்தி)" [1955 – Mangaiyar Thilakam – Vaidya Films (Marathi)]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Retrieved 21 August 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  7. ↑ "மங்கையர் திலகம்" (PDF). Kalki (in தமிழ்). 4 September 1955. pp. 31–32. Retrieved 9 September 2024 – via Internet Archive.

External links[edit | edit source]

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