Chandrodayam

Chandrodayam (transl. Moonrise) is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by K. Shankar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, with M. N. Nambiar and Nagesh in supporting roles. It was inspired by the 1934 American film It Happened One Night, and released on 27 May 1966.

Chandrodayam
Theatrical release poster
Directed byK. Shankar
Based onIt Happened One Night
Produced byG. N. Velumani
StarringM. G. Ramachandran
J. Jayalalithaa
CinematographyThambu
Edited byK. Narayanan
Music byM. S. Viswanathan
Production
company
Saravana Films
Release date
  • 27 May 1966 (1966-05-27)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Devi, an innocent heiress, runs away from her home, the Selvamani Estate, the day before her engagement, thereby creating a scandal within her family, in particular, for her father, Zamindar Ponnambalam. Being away, abandoned to herself, Devi is saved at the last minute by a reporter, Chandran, who decides to accommodate her at his home until he is able to find her a new home.

Chandran is the news reporter for the newspaper named Dinakkavartchi. Duriothanan, the editor of the newspaper, is an unscrupulous man with no regard for genuine news presentation, and is always in favour for sensationalising news, even if it means concealing the truth. The two very often disagree. Chandran is helped in his quest by his friend, the newspaper's photographer, Alwar.

Chandran wants at all costs to help another young woman, Kamala, wounded cruelly by life since her birth. She had previously been a victim of a predator, the rich Paranthaman. Chandran puts everything in its place by uniting Kamala with Paranthaman and he himself marrying Devi, with the blessings of the elders from both the families. Duriothanan regrets his misdeeds and asks Chandran to start a new newspaper and name it as he wants. The newspaper is named Chandrodayam, the first issue carrying the wedding news of Chandran and Devi.

Cast

Production

Chandrodayam was inspired by the 1934 American film It Happened One Night. It was produced by G. N. Velumani of Saravana Films, directed by K. Shankar, photographed by Thambu and edited by K. Narayanan. The climax fight sequence between M. N. Nambiar and M. G. Ramachandran was shot with the use of only one light source: a rolling, broken small table lamp.[2]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is composed by M. S. Viswanathan.[3] The songs "Chandrodayam Oru Pennanatho", "Buddhan Yesu" and "Kaasikum Pogum Sanyasi" were well received.[2] The song "Kaasikum Pogum Sanyasi" is based on Yadhukulakambhoji raga,[4] and "Chandrodayam Oru Pennanatho" is based on Hamir Kalyani.[5]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Pudhiyadhor Ulagam Seivom"BharathidasanSirkazhi Govindarajan, chorus3.16
2."Buddhan Yesu Gandhi"VaaliT. M. Soundararajan5.19
3."Kettimelam Kottura Kalyanam..."VaaliP. Susheela4.01
4."Kaasikku Pogum Sanyasi..."VaaliT. M. Soundararajan, Sirkazhi Govindarajan5.23
5."Engiruntho Aasaikal..."VaaliT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela3.49
6."Chandrodayam Oru Pennanatho..."VaaliT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela5.46
7."Pudhiyadhor Ulagam Seivom..." (Reprise)BharathidasanSirkazhi Govindarajan, chorus0.19

Release and reception

Chandrodayam was released on 27 May 1966.[6] Jayalalithaa won the Tamil Nadu Cinema Fan Award for Best Actress.[7]

References
  1. Sri Kantha, Sachi (16 March 2016). "MGR Remembered – Part 34 | 1966 and Prelude to the M.R. Radha shooting incident". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 25 May 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  2. Guy, Randor (9 January 2016). "Blast from the past: Chandhrodhayam (1966)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  3. "Chandhrodhayam (1966)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  4. Sundararaman 2007, p. 137.
  5. Sundararaman 2007, p. 126.
  6. "எம்.ஜி.ஆர். நடித்த படங்களின் பட்டியல்". Ithayakkani (in Tamil). 2 April 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  7. Jha, Lata (6 December 2016). "Ten films to remember Jayalalithaa by". Mint. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2020.

Bibliography
  • Sundararaman (2007) [2005]. Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music (2nd ed.). Pichhamal Chintamani. OCLC 295034757.
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