Sivakavi

Sivakavi is a 1943 Indian Tamil-language film directed, initially, by P. K. Raja Sandow and later, S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. It starred M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, S. Jayalakshmi, Serukalathur Sama, Thirupurambal, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The film's screenplay was written by Thiru Muruga Kirubanandha Variyar. The film was shot at Central Studios and released by Pakshiraja Films in Coimbatore. The film was released on 10 April 1943.

Sivakavi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byS. M. Sriramulu Naidu
Screenplay byElangovan
Produced byS. M. Sriramulu Naidu
StarringM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
S. Jayalakshmi
CinematographyAdi Irani
Edited bySurya
Music byPapanasam Sivan
G. Ramanathan
Production
company
Distributed byNarayanan & Company
Release date
  • 10 April 1943 (1943-04-10)
Running time
212 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

Cast

Production

Principal photography began in 1942 with P. K. Raja Sandow as the director. But soon afterwards, there were disputes between him and the producer S. M. Sriramulu Naidu.[3] With the progress of the filming, the disagreement between the two reached such high proportions that eventually, Sriramulu Naidu dismissed Raja Sandow and took over the reins himself.[3][4][1] The script for the film was written by Elangovan.[5]

T. R. Rajakumari, in one of her early roles, plays a court dancer or devadasi who falls in love with M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. S. Jayalakshmi who was married at that time played the character of Amrithavalli.[6] Her brother S. Rajam played the role of Lord Muruga.[7] Her father Sundaram Iyer played the role of a teacher of young Srikavi in sequences with N. S. Krishnan and others.[8]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of the film consisted of 29 songs were composed by Papanasam Sivan who also penned the lyrics for all songs while G. Ramanthan took care of orchestration.[3] Sivan originally penned the song "Vadaname Chandra Bhimbamo" as "Mugam Adhu Chandra Bimbamo".[9] When M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar pointed out to Sivan how "Mugam Adhu" sounded like "Muhammad", Sivan changed it to "Vadaname".[3][10] The song "Soppana Vazhvil" was based on Vijayanagari raga which resembles Sivaranjini raga.[11] The song "Amba Manam" is based on Pantuvarali raga.[12] The song "Vallalai Paadum" is based on Senchuruti raga.[13] The song "Vasantharuthu" is based on Vasantha raga.[14] The song "Kavalayai" is based on Natakurinji raga.[15] The song "Vadhaname" is based on Sindhubairavi raga.[16] The song "Ellam Sivan Seyal" is based on Thodi raga.[17] The song "Manam Kanidhe " is based on Rathipatipriya raga.[18]

The soundtrack was well received with the songs particularly "Soppana Vazhvil" and "Vadanamae" were well received. G. Dhananjayan said in his book Pride of Tamil Cinema that the songs contributed to the film's success.[10] According to critic Randor Guy, the film is remembered for its scintillating songs mostly rendered by Thyagaraja Bhagavathar.[3] Singer Charulatha Mani wrote for The Hindu on the song "Vallalai" that, "M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar’s voice is at its pliable best in this piece, and challenging sangatis flow unfettered, like liquid gold".[13] For the song "Vadhaname", she said "the complete octave is explored with splendid vocalisation in ‘...Madura Gaanamo...’, in lightning speed".[16]

All lyrics are written by Papanasam Sivan

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Soppana Vaazhvil"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar3:11
2."Amba Manamkanindhu"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar3;23
3."Naattiya Kalaiyae"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar2:55
4."Vallalalai Paadum Vaayaal"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar3:02
5."Mannam Kanindhae"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar2:34
6."Vadhaname"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar2:45
7."Vasantha Ruthu"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar2:32
8."Thiruvarul Thara"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar1:57
9."Maakaali Annaiye"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar1:24
10."Sambho Sankara Gowreesa"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar0:54
11."Vaasamalar Madanthai"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar1:16
12."Thamiyen Painthamizh"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar2:15
13."Kooththaal Than Mooththaal"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar0:51
14."Ungalile Yaan Oruvan"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar1:14
15."Sithaye Ye Sithaye"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar3:03
16."Sree Kalyana Guna"Papanasam SivanM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar3:20
17."Payirai Thinnum Maattai"Papanasam SivanN. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram0:57
18."Pothum Pothume"Papanasam SivanN. S. Krishnan, T. A. Mathuram2:00
Total length:39:55

Release

Sivakavi was released on 10 April 1943.[19] The film was a major success and ran for a prolonged period even in non-Tamil speaking areas in the Madras Presidency.[3][4]

References
  1. Dhananjayan 2014, p. 50.
  2. சிவகவி (song book) (in Tamil). Narayanan & Company. 1943. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  3. Guy, Randor (26 September 2008). "Sivakavi 1943". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  4. Guy, Randor (11 June 2010). "Baker-turned-filmmaker". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  5. Guy, Randor (26 August 2011). "Wordsmith". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  6. Ashok Kumar, S.R. (22 July 2007). "Yesteryear actor dead". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  7. Guy, Randor (20 March 2009). "Artist's brush with celluloid". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  8. Guy, Randor (5 February 2010). "Rajam's romance with cinema". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  9. "Sound matters!". The Hindu. 11 June 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  10. Dhananjayan 2014, p. 51.
  11. "Sivaranjani for pathos". The Hindu. 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  12. "Poignant Pantuvarali". The Hindu. 1 October 2011. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  13. Mani, Charulatha (23 November 2012). "Folksy flavours". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  14. Mani, Charulatha (6 January 2012). "A Raga's Journey — Hopeful, festive, vibrant Vasantha". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  15. Mani, Charulatha (18 January 2013). "Tones of grace". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  16. Mani, Charulatha (10 May 2013). "Light and melodious". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  17. "Towering Thodi". The Hindu. 22 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  18. "The Priya principle". The Hindu. 4 January 2014. Archived from the original on 13 June 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  19. "Sivakavi". The Indian Express. 10 April 1943. p. 4. Retrieved 27 August 2020.

Bibliography
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