Vanjikkottai Valiban
Encyclopedia
Vanjikkottai Valiban is a 1958
Black-and-white
Tamil Ruritanian romance
epic film
written by Gemini Studios
story department consist of K. J. Mahadevan, C. Srinivasan and Kothamangalam Subbu
while the film was directed and produced by S. S. Vasan
. It stars Gemini Ganesan
and Vyjayanthimala
in lead with Padmini
, P.S. Veerappa
, T. K. Shanmugam, Pasupuleti Kannamba, Vijayakumari, K. A. Thangavelu
and M. S. Sundari Bai as the ensemble cast
of the film. The camera was handled by P. Ellappa with the audiography
was handled by C. E. Biggs while the editing was done by N. R. Krishna Sami.
), the brother of King's second wife, Maharani Ranthamani Devi (Meenakshi) over the trial to kill the prince (Daisy Irani
). Over his guilty, the king ordered Senathipath to be banished but the help by one of his army make him stay in the kingdom without anyone's knowledge. He later set up a fire in the city and stabbed the king with his sword. The king before die had uttered to Chokkalingam to save his daughter Bathma (Padmini
) and the infant prince and died afterward. In order to fulfill the king's desire. He sailed through a boat with the king's children leaving his family. Soon his wife also did the same with her children but only to be caught by the Senathipathi's army. Leaving her children at the moving boat, she spent her whole life at a island prison.
After, 10 years, the grown up Sunder (Gemini Ganesan
) plan to arrange her sister's wedding, but it was interrupted by Senathipathi by kidnapping Gowri (Vijayakumari) with Sunder's absence. While returning home for the preparation for the engagement
, Sunder spotted Gowri with Senathipathi in his vehicle, in order to escape from Senathipathi, Gowri jumps out of the vehicle and died soon. Sunder who seeks justice from Senathipathi, he panned to kill him but only to be precluded by his army. After he found guilty over his action, Sunder later banished to a jail island where he should be serving a sentence of life punishment. At there, he get the chance to meet with his mother who also spending her whole life for her deed. She explain to him about persecution that did by Senathipathi to his family and the Vanjikottai kingdom. They both soon planned to escape from the prison, her mother soon died while Sunder escaped by fell into the sea. He soon saved by ship carrying some slave to Ratna Island.
There Sunder meet with Princess Mandakini (Vyjayanthimala
) who at first averse to the attitude of Sunder, who ignores her beauty and did not response towards her assertive and arrogant behavior of Mandakini. Later she falls for him and give him a special treatment, though Sunder also likes her but he requested Mandakini to release him in order to find his father and solve the conspiracy in his kingdom. She agrees with all the requests on the condition that he would return within one month. Provided with jewelry, clothes and bot, she sent Sunder to his kingdom. Meanwhile, Chokkalingam who is living in one of the hinterland village with Bathma and planning a reformation along with Murugan who serve as his spy at Vanjikottai. After the awareness of the reforms were disseminated to the masses themselves In Vanjikottai, Chokkalingam return to Vanjikkottai to take down Senathipathi's government. He was later joint by Sunder, Bathma, Murugan, Rangamma, Velan and his wife. Sunder has acted as a jeweler in and had deceived Maharani Ranthamani Devi and Senathipathi by gain their trust on him. He later invite them to his palace to watch a dance by Bathma. He also planned to release Chokkalingam, Murugan and his wife Rangamma who were arrested by Senathipathi during their reformation.
After one month, Mandakini had came to Vanjikottai to search for Sunder. She set up her camp at the border of Vanjikottai and sent her spy to locate Sunder's place. While spotting Sunder and Bathma together, her spy mistaken that Sunder is in love with Bathma. Mandakini who heard the news approached Sunder. Unable to explain his situation, Sunder ask Mandakini to watch the show along with Maharani Ranthamani Devi and Senathipathi, eavesdrop their conversation Bathma realize Sunder's love towards Mandakini and changed her mind by forgetting her love. In the court, while watching the dance performed by Bathma, Mandakini was averse by the meaning of Bathma's song which indirectly tells her feeling towards Sunder. Soon, Mandakini changed her costume and give a dance battle for Bathma. Watching Bathma who almost faint during the rotation, Sunder cut the chandelier's rope making the chandelier to breakdown, thus ending the dance competition. Then he ordered Velan to dragged Mandakini out and tie her into a room. After Senathipathi had becomed intoxicated after drinking some solution, Sunder used this situation and has been masquerading as Senathipathi and rescued Murugan and Rangamma from the prison. He also get to know that Chokkalingam was brought to the island prison to undergo the death penalty.
Meanwhile, Mandakini who had escaped from Velan joined Senathipathi and secrete the secret about the place where Chokkalingam, Sunder, Bathma and others were hiding. For her deed, she asked him to send Sunder to her in order to live with him. Senathipathi arrest all of them including Sunder. Mandakini who has realized Senathipathi's trick over her, she gathered her kingdom's army to save Sunder and others. Murugan and the people of Vanjikottai headed to Senathipathi's palace to bring down his government. Knowing this, Senathipathi leave the palace for the immediate execution of Sunder's and others death penalty. Murugan get to know the place where the execution occur, he brings his people to kill Senathipathi. Mandakini who also arrive there with her army jointt the battle to bring down Senathipathi. During the battle, Senathipathi throws his sword over Sunder but hits Mandakini when she tries to protect him. The battle was ended with the murder of Senathipathi and Mandakini breathed her last breath while uniting Bathma with Sunder.
while the lyrics was provide by Kothamangalam Subbu
. The playback singers consist of P. Leela
, Jikki
, C. S. Jayaraman
, P. Susheela
and Sirkazhi Govindarajan
.
despite some technical errors, audience was pleasured by the dances featuring the lead actresses; Vyjayanthimala
and Padmini
and the production value of the film. At the end of its theatrical run the film was labelled as blockbuster
at the box office
. The film celebrated its 100th day theatrical run at Wellington theatre, LIC Building
on June 9, 1959 with full-packed audience. The film was one of the successful Tamil films of 1958
along with films such as Nadodi Mannan
and Uthama Puthiran
.
The Count of Monte Cristo
. The film was shot simultaneously in Hindi as Raj Tilak with Gemini Ganesan
, Vyjayanthimala
and Padmini
who reprises their role from original.
showing a ship
caught in a storm
was an excellent example of onscreen presentation which was rarely seen in South India
n film of that time. However, it was the dance sequence
of Vyjayanthimala
and Padmini
in the song Kannum Kannum Kalandhu which was choreographed
by Hiralal, brother of B. Sohanlal
, is still remembered even today by the critics and audience alike where the popularity of the song surpasses the popularity garnered by the film. The song was regarded as the best dance sequence in Indian cinema
. The song was also used by many Indian classical dancer for stage performance. Subsequently, the catch line used by actor P.S. Veerappa
, "Shabhash, sariyana potti!" which means "Bravo, an excellent competition!" was also becomes famous catch line and still used by the people of Tamil Nadu
.
where many shots from Gemini Studios
's magnum opus
Chandralekha
were used. Moreover, audience
notices the make out shots of Ranjan
and his gang riding on horses from the film. Besides that, a passing by of motor car
was also seen in a shot which was an anachronism
in Gemini Studios
production.
1958 in film
The year 1958 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 16- "In the Money" by William Beaudine is released on this date. It would be the last installment of The Bowery Boys series which began back in 1946....
Black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
Tamil Ruritanian romance
Ruritanian Romance
A Ruritanian Romance is a story set in a fictional country, usually in Central or Eastern Europe, such as the Ruritania that gave the genre its name...
epic film
Epic film
An epic is a genre of film that emphasizes human drama on a grand scale. Epics are more ambitious in scope than other film genres, and their ambitious nature helps to differentiate them from similar genres such as the period piece or adventure film...
written by Gemini Studios
Gemini Studios
Gemini Studios was launched when Thiruthuraipoondi Subramanian Srinivasan bought a film distribution concern at an auction and renamed it as Gemini Pictures also known as Gemini Studios. Gemini Studios served as a breeding ground for innumerable artists and technicians for the south Indian Film...
story department consist of K. J. Mahadevan, C. Srinivasan and Kothamangalam Subbu
Kothamangalam Subbu
Kothamangalam Subbu , a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie...
while the film was directed and produced by S. S. Vasan
S. S. Vasan
Subramaniam Srinivasan , popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was anIndian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon...
. It stars Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....
and Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
in lead with Padmini
Padmini (actress)
Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
, P.S. Veerappa
P.S. Veerappa
P.S. Veerappa was a famous villain actor of yesteryears and a producer of Tamil Cinema.Some of his films were-As Actor:1.Raj Mahal 2.Sivagangai Seemai aka "The Land of Sivagangai" - India...
, T. K. Shanmugam, Pasupuleti Kannamba, Vijayakumari, K. A. Thangavelu
K. A. Thangavelu
K. A. Thangavelu popularly known as "Danaal Thangavelu" was a Tamil film comedian popular in the 1950s to 1970s. Not known for physical, acrobatic comedy like his contemporaries J.P.Chandrababu and Nagesh, Thangavelu's humor is recognized for his impeccable timing in verbal agility and the...
and M. S. Sundari Bai as the ensemble cast
Ensemble cast
An ensemble cast is made up of cast members in which the principal actors and performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance and screen time in a dramatic production. This kind of casting became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on...
of the film. The camera was handled by P. Ellappa with the audiography
Audiography
Audiography in the context of filmmaking is a term commonly used in India to mean the audio engineering performed by the sound department of a film or TV production; this includes sound recording, editing, mixing and sound design but excludes musical composition, songwriting and choreography.An...
was handled by C. E. Biggs while the editing was done by N. R. Krishna Sami.
Plot
Chokkalingam Navilur (T. K. Shanmugam) is a diwan at Vanjikottai Kingdom. He with his wife, Sivakami (Pasupuleti Kannamba) is loyal to their King, where Chokkalingam without any hesitation he accused that Senathipathi (P.S. VeerappaP.S. Veerappa
P.S. Veerappa was a famous villain actor of yesteryears and a producer of Tamil Cinema.Some of his films were-As Actor:1.Raj Mahal 2.Sivagangai Seemai aka "The Land of Sivagangai" - India...
), the brother of King's second wife, Maharani Ranthamani Devi (Meenakshi) over the trial to kill the prince (Daisy Irani
Daisy Irani
Daisy Irani is a television actress, director and producer from Singapore. Born in a Zoroastrian family in India, she is best known for appearing in the role of Daisy in the popular Singapore TV series Under One Roof. She became the executive producer for MediaCorp Studios English Entertainment...
). Over his guilty, the king ordered Senathipath to be banished but the help by one of his army make him stay in the kingdom without anyone's knowledge. He later set up a fire in the city and stabbed the king with his sword. The king before die had uttered to Chokkalingam to save his daughter Bathma (Padmini
Padmini (actress)
Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
) and the infant prince and died afterward. In order to fulfill the king's desire. He sailed through a boat with the king's children leaving his family. Soon his wife also did the same with her children but only to be caught by the Senathipathi's army. Leaving her children at the moving boat, she spent her whole life at a island prison.
After, 10 years, the grown up Sunder (Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....
) plan to arrange her sister's wedding, but it was interrupted by Senathipathi by kidnapping Gowri (Vijayakumari) with Sunder's absence. While returning home for the preparation for the engagement
Engagement
An engagement or betrothal is a promise to marry, and also the period of time between proposal and marriage which may be lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple is said to be betrothed, affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged...
, Sunder spotted Gowri with Senathipathi in his vehicle, in order to escape from Senathipathi, Gowri jumps out of the vehicle and died soon. Sunder who seeks justice from Senathipathi, he panned to kill him but only to be precluded by his army. After he found guilty over his action, Sunder later banished to a jail island where he should be serving a sentence of life punishment. At there, he get the chance to meet with his mother who also spending her whole life for her deed. She explain to him about persecution that did by Senathipathi to his family and the Vanjikottai kingdom. They both soon planned to escape from the prison, her mother soon died while Sunder escaped by fell into the sea. He soon saved by ship carrying some slave to Ratna Island.
There Sunder meet with Princess Mandakini (Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
) who at first averse to the attitude of Sunder, who ignores her beauty and did not response towards her assertive and arrogant behavior of Mandakini. Later she falls for him and give him a special treatment, though Sunder also likes her but he requested Mandakini to release him in order to find his father and solve the conspiracy in his kingdom. She agrees with all the requests on the condition that he would return within one month. Provided with jewelry, clothes and bot, she sent Sunder to his kingdom. Meanwhile, Chokkalingam who is living in one of the hinterland village with Bathma and planning a reformation along with Murugan who serve as his spy at Vanjikottai. After the awareness of the reforms were disseminated to the masses themselves In Vanjikottai, Chokkalingam return to Vanjikkottai to take down Senathipathi's government. He was later joint by Sunder, Bathma, Murugan, Rangamma, Velan and his wife. Sunder has acted as a jeweler in and had deceived Maharani Ranthamani Devi and Senathipathi by gain their trust on him. He later invite them to his palace to watch a dance by Bathma. He also planned to release Chokkalingam, Murugan and his wife Rangamma who were arrested by Senathipathi during their reformation.
After one month, Mandakini had came to Vanjikottai to search for Sunder. She set up her camp at the border of Vanjikottai and sent her spy to locate Sunder's place. While spotting Sunder and Bathma together, her spy mistaken that Sunder is in love with Bathma. Mandakini who heard the news approached Sunder. Unable to explain his situation, Sunder ask Mandakini to watch the show along with Maharani Ranthamani Devi and Senathipathi, eavesdrop their conversation Bathma realize Sunder's love towards Mandakini and changed her mind by forgetting her love. In the court, while watching the dance performed by Bathma, Mandakini was averse by the meaning of Bathma's song which indirectly tells her feeling towards Sunder. Soon, Mandakini changed her costume and give a dance battle for Bathma. Watching Bathma who almost faint during the rotation, Sunder cut the chandelier's rope making the chandelier to breakdown, thus ending the dance competition. Then he ordered Velan to dragged Mandakini out and tie her into a room. After Senathipathi had becomed intoxicated after drinking some solution, Sunder used this situation and has been masquerading as Senathipathi and rescued Murugan and Rangamma from the prison. He also get to know that Chokkalingam was brought to the island prison to undergo the death penalty.
Meanwhile, Mandakini who had escaped from Velan joined Senathipathi and secrete the secret about the place where Chokkalingam, Sunder, Bathma and others were hiding. For her deed, she asked him to send Sunder to her in order to live with him. Senathipathi arrest all of them including Sunder. Mandakini who has realized Senathipathi's trick over her, she gathered her kingdom's army to save Sunder and others. Murugan and the people of Vanjikottai headed to Senathipathi's palace to bring down his government. Knowing this, Senathipathi leave the palace for the immediate execution of Sunder's and others death penalty. Murugan get to know the place where the execution occur, he brings his people to kill Senathipathi. Mandakini who also arrive there with her army jointt the battle to bring down Senathipathi. During the battle, Senathipathi throws his sword over Sunder but hits Mandakini when she tries to protect him. The battle was ended with the murder of Senathipathi and Mandakini breathed her last breath while uniting Bathma with Sunder.
Cast
- Gemini GanesanGemini GanesanRamaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....
as Sunderalingam / Sunder / Sunderam. He is the son of Chokkalingam and Sivagami who later meet with his parent after ten years. He seeks revenge when her sister Gowri died from the result of Senathipathi's action. Later he was also caught between the love of two princess; Mandakini and Bathma where he is in love with Mandakini, the princess that helped him by providing food, money and boat for him. - VyjayanthimalaVyjayanthimalaVyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
as Princess Mandakini. She is the beautiful princess of Ratna Island Kingdom. She always want of achieve her ambition in any deed which lead to her ultimate death and forms the climax. - PadminiPadmini (actress)Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
as Princess Bathma. She is the real princess of Vanjikottai kingdom who later joint the reformation process. Meanwhile, she also falls for Sunder, who helped her during the reformation process but later changed her mind after knowing that he is in love with Princess Mandakini. - P.S. VeerappaP.S. VeerappaP.S. Veerappa was a famous villain actor of yesteryears and a producer of Tamil Cinema.Some of his films were-As Actor:1.Raj Mahal 2.Sivagangai Seemai aka "The Land of Sivagangai" - India...
as Senathipathi. He is the cruel patrician who kiled the his own brother-in-law, in order take control of the Vanjikottai's empire along with his ambitious widowed young sister, who later crowned as the single queen of Vanjikottai. - Meenakshi as Maharani Ranthamani Devi. She is a ambitious queen who later take over the crown
- T. K. Shanmugam as Chokkalingam Navalur. He is the diwan of Vanjikottai Kingdom, Senderalingam and Gowri is his children.
- Pasupuleti Kannamba as Sivakami. She is the wife of Navalur and mother of Sunderalingam and Gowri. She eventually died at the prison while making her way out with her son.
- S. V. Subbaiah Bagavathar as Murugan. He remained loyal to Vanjikottai's former diwan, Chokkalingam, where he help Chakkalingam for the independent of Vanjikottai from the rule of Sethupathi.
- M. S. Sundari Bai as Rangamma. Rangamma also joint the reformation to take down King Sethupathi's government in Vanjikottai along with her husband, Murugan, the present minister of Vanjikottai.
- Vijayakumari as Gowri. She is the sister of Sunderam who killed her self when kidnapped by Sethupathi.
- K. A. ThangaveluK. A. ThangaveluK. A. Thangavelu popularly known as "Danaal Thangavelu" was a Tamil film comedian popular in the 1950s to 1970s. Not known for physical, acrobatic comedy like his contemporaries J.P.Chandrababu and Nagesh, Thangavelu's humor is recognized for his impeccable timing in verbal agility and the...
as Velan. He is the loyal informer of Chakkalingam where he protect them during their reformation process along with his wife. - T. P. Muthulakshmi as Wife of Velan. She is very brave and comical as well.
- Daisy IraniDaisy IraniDaisy Irani is a television actress, director and producer from Singapore. Born in a Zoroastrian family in India, she is best known for appearing in the role of Daisy in the popular Singapore TV series Under One Roof. She became the executive producer for MediaCorp Studios English Entertainment...
as Maharaja Vikrama Singh Bhupathi. He is the brother of Bathma and real king of Vanjikottai.
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack was composed by C. RamchandraC. Ramchandra
Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar was a renowned music composer in the movie industry of India. In the composer's role, he mostly used the name C. Ramachandra, though he also used the names Annasaheb , Ram Chitalkar Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar(Marathi: रामचंद्र नरहर चितळकर /सी.रामचंद्र ) (1918–1982) was...
while the lyrics was provide by Kothamangalam Subbu
Kothamangalam Subbu
Kothamangalam Subbu , a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie...
. The playback singers consist of P. Leela
P. Leela
Porayathu Leela better known as P. Leela was a popular Indian playback singer. She was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously in 2006.-Early life:...
, Jikki
Jikki
Pillavalu Gajapathi Krishnaveni aka Jikki , was a popular film playback singer from South India. She sang over nearly 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala languages.-Early life:...
, C. S. Jayaraman
C. S. Jayaraman
C. S. Jayaraman was a playback singer who songs were featured in numerous Tamil films.-Discography:Desam Gnanam Kalvi - C. S. JayaDesam Gnanam Kalvi - C. S. Jaya-References:...
, P. Susheela
P. Susheela
Pulapaka Susheela is an Indian playback singer. In a career spanning more than four decades, she has recorded songs in many Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, Sanskrit, Tulu, Badaga and Sinhalese.-Personal life:She is the daughter of Pulapaka...
and Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Sirkazhi Govindarajan was a leading vocalist in Carnatic Music.Govindarajan, born in Sirkali in Madras Presidency) and started performing at the age of eight in Tirupurasundari Temple. His son Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram is also a Carnatic singer....
.
| No. | Song | Singers | Length (m:ss) | Lyrics | Notes |
| 1 | "Kannum Kannum" | P. Leela P. Leela Porayathu Leela better known as P. Leela was a popular Indian playback singer. She was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously in 2006.-Early life:... , Jikki Jikki Pillavalu Gajapathi Krishnaveni aka Jikki , was a popular film playback singer from South India. She sang over nearly 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala languages.-Early life:... |
6:56 | Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu , a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie... |
Featuring Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian.... and Padmini Padmini (actress) Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films... in a dance competition Competitive dance Competitive dance is a popular, widespread activity in which competitors perform dances in any of several permitted dance styles—such as acro, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, and tap—before a common group of judges... . |
| 2 | "Raja Magal" | P. Leela P. Leela Porayathu Leela better known as P. Leela was a popular Indian playback singer. She was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously in 2006.-Early life:... |
6:08 | Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu , a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie... |
Featuring Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian.... and Gemini Ganesan Gemini Ganesan Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies.... accompanied by the background dancers Extra (actor) A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking, nonsinging or nondancing capacity, usually in the background... . |
| 3 | "Vennilave" | P. Leela P. Leela Porayathu Leela better known as P. Leela was a popular Indian playback singer. She was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously in 2006.-Early life:... |
6:09 | Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu , a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie... |
Featuring Gemini Ganesan Gemini Ganesan Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies.... and Padmini Padmini (actress) Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films... . |
| 4 | "Amma Amma" | C. S. Jayaraman C. S. Jayaraman C. S. Jayaraman was a playback singer who songs were featured in numerous Tamil films.-Discography:Desam Gnanam Kalvi - C. S. JayaDesam Gnanam Kalvi - C. S. Jaya-References:... |
2:49 | Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu , a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie... |
Featuring Gemini Ganesan Gemini Ganesan Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies.... and Pasupuleti Kannamba. |
| 5 | "Ethani Kelvi" | P. Susheela P. Susheela Pulapaka Susheela is an Indian playback singer. In a career spanning more than four decades, she has recorded songs in many Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, Sanskrit, Tulu, Badaga and Sinhalese.-Personal life:She is the daughter of Pulapaka... |
3:33 | Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu , a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie... |
Featuring actress Padmini Padmini (actress) Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films... as a Adivasi Adivasi Adivasi is an umbrella term for a heterogeneous set of ethnic and tribal groups claimed to be the aboriginal population of India. They comprise a substantial indigenous minority of the population of India... . |
| 6 | "Vetrivel" | Sirkazhi Govindarajan Sirkazhi Govindarajan Sirkazhi Govindarajan was a leading vocalist in Carnatic Music.Govindarajan, born in Sirkali in Madras Presidency) and started performing at the age of eight in Tirupurasundari Temple. His son Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram is also a Carnatic singer.... |
5:27 | Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu , a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie... |
Featuring the T. K. Shanmugam, Padmini Padmini (actress) Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films... and Honey Irani Honey Irani -Personal life and background:Honey Irani was born into a Zoroastrian family on January 17, 1950. She was married to Javed Akhtar. Although the marriage ended in divorce, it produced two children, son Farhan Akhtar and daughter Zoya Akhtar. Both her children are critically acclaimed Indian... . |
Reception
The film initially gained success at box officeBox office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
despite some technical errors, audience was pleasured by the dances featuring the lead actresses; Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
and Padmini
Padmini (actress)
Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
and the production value of the film. At the end of its theatrical run the film was labelled as blockbuster
Blockbuster (entertainment)
Blockbuster, as applied to film or theatre, denotes a very popular or successful production. The entertainment industry use was originally theatrical slang referring to a particularly successful play but is now used primarily by the film industry...
at the box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
. The film celebrated its 100th day theatrical run at Wellington theatre, LIC Building
LIC Building
LIC Building is a 14-storied skyscraper in Chennai, India, serving as the southern regional headquarters of the Life Insurance Corporation of India. It is the first skyscraper built in Chennai and a famous landmark in the city. Located on the arterial Anna Salai , the building is 177 feet tall...
on June 9, 1959 with full-packed audience. The film was one of the successful Tamil films of 1958
Tamil films of 1958
A list of films produced in the Tamil film industry in India in 1958 in alphabetical order:-1958:...
along with films such as Nadodi Mannan
Nadodi Mannan
Nadodi Mannan is a Tamil language film starring M. G. Ramachandran in the lead role. The film was released in the year 1958.The Film was re released several times and runs successfully whenever it is being re-released. Latest, in 2005 it was re-released and ran success fully for 100 days...
and Uthama Puthiran
Uthama Puthiran (1958 film)
Uthama Puthiran is a 1958 Tamil-language historical fiction film starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, M. N. Nambiar, K. A. Thangavelu, Ragini and P. Kannamba. It is the first film to feature Sivaji Ganesan in two distinct roles.-Plot:...
.
Inspirations and remakes
The film was inspired by the 1884 novelNovel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas. It is often considered to be, along with The Three Musketeers, Dumas's most popular work. He completed the work in 1844...
. The film was shot simultaneously in Hindi as Raj Tilak with Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....
, Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
and Padmini
Padmini (actress)
Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
who reprises their role from original.
Legacy
The film was well-known for its technical brilliant where the title sequenceTitle sequence
A Title Sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound...
showing a ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
caught in a storm
Storm
A storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather...
was an excellent example of onscreen presentation which was rarely seen in South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
n film of that time. However, it was the dance sequence
Sequence dance
Sequence dancing is a form of dance in which a preset pattern of movements is followed, usually to music which is also predetermined. Sequence dancing may include dances of many different styles. The term may include ballroom dances which move round the floor as well as line, square and circle...
of Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
and Padmini
Padmini (actress)
Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
in the song Kannum Kannum Kalandhu which was choreographed
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
by Hiralal, brother of B. Sohanlal
B. Sohanlal
B. Sohanlal is a dance director for Bollywood movies. He was the primary teacher to Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan.-Personal information:...
, is still remembered even today by the critics and audience alike where the popularity of the song surpasses the popularity garnered by the film. The song was regarded as the best dance sequence in Indian cinema
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
. The song was also used by many Indian classical dancer for stage performance. Subsequently, the catch line used by actor P.S. Veerappa
P.S. Veerappa
P.S. Veerappa was a famous villain actor of yesteryears and a producer of Tamil Cinema.Some of his films were-As Actor:1.Raj Mahal 2.Sivagangai Seemai aka "The Land of Sivagangai" - India...
, "Shabhash, sariyana potti!" which means "Bravo, an excellent competition!" was also becomes famous catch line and still used by the people of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
.
Bloopers
The film suffered from too much of "process screen" or Back projectionRear projection effect
Rear projection is part of many in-camera effects cinematic techniquesin film production for combining foreground performances with pre-filmed backgrounds. It was widely used for many years in driving scenes, or to show other forms of "distant" background motion...
where many shots from Gemini Studios
Gemini Studios
Gemini Studios was launched when Thiruthuraipoondi Subramanian Srinivasan bought a film distribution concern at an auction and renamed it as Gemini Pictures also known as Gemini Studios. Gemini Studios served as a breeding ground for innumerable artists and technicians for the south Indian Film...
's magnum opus
Magnum opus
Magnum opus , from the Latin meaning "great work", refers to the largest, and perhaps the best, greatest, most popular, or most renowned achievement of a writer, artist, or composer.-Related terms:Sometimes the term magnum opus is used to refer to simply "a great work" rather than "the...
Chandralekha
Chandralekha (1948 film)
Chandralekha is a 1948 Tamil epic film directed and produced by S. S. Vasan. It features an ensemble cast consisting of M.K.Radha, Ranjan, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Madhuram...
were used. Moreover, audience
Audience
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...
notices the make out shots of Ranjan
Ranjan (actor)
Ranjan was an Indian film actor, singer, journalist and writer. He debuted in the 1941 movie Ashok Kumar but gained fame in S. S. Vasan's 1948 magnum opus Chandralekha....
and his gang riding on horses from the film. Besides that, a passing by of motor car
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
was also seen in a shot which was an anachronism
Anachronism
An anachronism—from the Greek ανά and χρόνος — is an inconsistency in some chronological arrangement, especially a chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or customs in regard to each other...
in Gemini Studios
Gemini Studios
Gemini Studios was launched when Thiruthuraipoondi Subramanian Srinivasan bought a film distribution concern at an auction and renamed it as Gemini Pictures also known as Gemini Studios. Gemini Studios served as a breeding ground for innumerable artists and technicians for the south Indian Film...
production.
Character map of Vanjikottai Valiban and Raj Tilak
| Vanjikottai Valiban (Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... ) |
Raj Tilak (Hindi Hindi Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi... ) |
|---|---|
| Sunderalingam (Gemini Ganesan Gemini Ganesan Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies.... ) |
Chander (Gemini Ganesan Gemini Ganesan Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies.... ) |
| Mandakini (Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian.... ) |
Mandakini (Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian.... ) |
| Bathma (Padmini Padmini (actress) Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films... ) |
Bathma (Padmini Padmini (actress) Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films... ) |
| Senathipathi (P.S. Veerappa P.S. Veerappa P.S. Veerappa was a famous villain actor of yesteryears and a producer of Tamil Cinema.Some of his films were-As Actor:1.Raj Mahal 2.Sivagangai Seemai aka "The Land of Sivagangai" - India... ) |
(Pran) |
External links
- Vanjikottai Valiban profile at Upperstall.comUpperstall.comUpperstall.com is a web site on Indian cinema that focuses on classic and independent Indian cinema and its luminaries. It is owned and run by Karan Bali, Saumil Gandhi and Karan Anshuman and launched on 7 July 2000, heralding the 104th anniversary of the first ever motion picture screenings in India...