Meenda Sorgam

Meenda Sorgam (transl. Paradise regained)[1] is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language romantic musical film, written and directed by Sridhar. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Padmini, with K. A. Thangavelu, T. R. Ramachandran, N. Lalitha and Manorama in supporting roles. It was released on 29 July 1960, and failed commercially.

Meenda Sorgam
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySridhar
Written bySridhar
Produced byT. A. Dorairajan
StarringGemini Ganesan
Padmini
CinematographyA. Vincent
Edited byN. M. Shankar
Music byT. Chalapathi Rao
Production
company
Madhuram Pictures
Release date
  • 29 July 1960 (1960-07-29)
Running time
180 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Nirmala is a poor but talented dancer who falls in love with Sekar, a rich man's son. But Sekar is forced into a marriage with Prathiba, a rich man's spoilt daughter. Inconsolable, Nirmala promises her lover that she will never give public performances. Due to various circumstances, Sekar's finances suffer losses and his house is put up for auction. To rescue him from a dire future, Nirmala breaks her promise and gives a dance performance. With the money thus earned, she saves his house. But Sekar is unaware of this. When he learns the truth, he begins searching for her. In the meantime, Prathiba, who is now reformed, commits suicide. Sekar locates Nirmala, who is on the verge of committing suicide, and they are reunited.

Cast
Dance
  • Sasi, Revathi, Sakunthala, Rita, Bala, Rajam,
    Jaya, Shantha, Jayanthi, Nirmala, Nalini, Mohana,
    Leela, Kamala, Nagu, Vittoba, and Rajeswari.

Production

Madhuram Pictures initially began a film called Agal Vilakku (transl. Clay lamp) with S. S. Rajendran and E. V. Saroja starring. Sridhar penned the script for that film; however the film was dropped after the first filming schedule due to Saroja's pregnancy. The company decided to make a new film Meenda Sorgam and chose T. R. Raghunath as director and Gemini Ganesan and Padmini as lead actors. However Raghunath wanted Rajendran as the lead and left the film due to uncertainty in finalising the lead actor which led the film's crew to insist Sridhar to direct this film.[2] The film was produced by T. A. Dorairajan, cinematography was handled by A. Vincent, and editing by N. M. Shankar.[3][4] C. V. Rajendran, a relative of Sridhar, joined the film as an assistant director, making this the first of many collaborations between him and Sridhar.[5]

Soundtrack

Music was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and lyrics were written by Kannadasan, Subbu Arumugam and P. S. Gopalakrishnan.[6][7] Sridhar signed on Rao as the composer after working with him in Amara Deepam (1956).[8] He initially wanted Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram to write the lyrics, but could not hire the poet due to his death.[9] The song "Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" is set in Bageshri raga,[10][11] and "Aadum Arul Jothi" is set to Kalyani.[12][13]

SongSingersLyricsLength
"Thulli Thulli Oduthe"Jikki03:22
"Aadum Arul Jothi"M. L. Vasanthakumari & Seerkazhi GovindarajanP. S. Gopalakrishnan04:39
"Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" (Male)A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela (humming)Kannadasan04:19
"Singara Thoppile"P. Leela & S. Janaki04:02
"Kalaiyae En Vazhkaiyin" (female)P. SusheelaKannadasan03:55
"Padmini Dance"Instrumental04:41
"Thuyilladha Penn Ondru"A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela03:34
"Mana Nattiya Medaiyil"P. Susheela & A. M. Rajah04:31
"Aangikam Bhuvanam"M. L. Vasanthakumari06:24

Release and reception

Meenda Sorgam was released on 29 July 1960.[3][14] The Indian Express praised the performances of the cast, particularly Ganesan, Padmini and Thangavelu, along with Vincent's cinematography.[15] Kanthan of Kalki appreciated Ganesan's performance, but felt it lacked newness, though the film could be watched more than once.[16] According to historian Randor Guy, the film did not succeed commercially, as it was thought to be too highbrow and idealistic.[4]

References
  1. Ganesh, Narayani (2011). Eternal Romantic: My Father, Gemini Ganesan. Roli Books. p. 63. ISBN 978-81-7436-578-1.
  2. ஸ்ரீதர், டைரக்டர் (1 December 1991). "மீண்ட சொர்க்கம்: வாழ்வில் திருப்பு முனை!" [Meenda Sorgam: A turning point in life!]. Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 52–53. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  3. "Meenda Sorgam". The Indian Express. 29 July 1960. p. 1. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  4. Guy, Randor (8 August 2015). "'Meenda Sorgam' 1960". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  5. Rangarajan, Malathi (8 September 2018). "In a flashback mode". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  6. "Meenda Sorgam". Gaana. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  7. "Then Nilavu- Meenda Sorgam Tamil Film Audio Cassette". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  8. Rangaraj, R (19 November 2020). "Man who brought Andhra folk music, left ideals to Tamil films". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  9. Sri Kantha, Sachi (11 April 2010). "Poet Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram; 80th Birthday Remembrance". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  10. Mani, Charulatha (16 March 2012). "A Raga's Journey – Bewitching Bhagesri". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  11. Sundararaman 2007, p. 135.
  12. Venkataraman, Shankar (28 June 2018). "M.L. Vasanthakumar's impeccable style gave us many evergreen hits". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  13. Sundararaman 2007, p. 122.
  14. "1960 – மீண்ட சொர்க்கம் – மதுரம் பிக்சர்ஸ் (தெ-டப்)" [1960 – Meenda Sorgam – Madhuram Pictures (Telugu-dub)]. Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  15. "Meenda Sorgam". The Indian Express. 31 July 1960. p. 3. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  16. காந்தன் (28 August 1960). "மீண்ட சொர்க்கம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 47. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.

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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