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Papanasam Sivan
Paapanaasam Raamayya Sivan (26 September 1890 – 1 October 1973) was an Indian composer of Carnatic music and a singer. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1971. He was also a film score composer in Kannada cinema as well as Tamil cinema in the 1930s and 1940s. Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyaagaraja. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created compositions popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, D. K. Pattammal, and M. S. Subbulakshmi. In 1962, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship conferred by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama. Life Sivan's early years were spent in the Travancore area of Kerala. He was born at Polagam village in the district of Thanjavur, which was home to the musical trinity of Carnatic music. His given name was Ramaiya. In 1897, when he was 7, his father died. His mother Yogambal, along with her sons, left Thanjavur and moved to Travancore (now Thi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Carnatic Music
Carnatic music, known as or in the South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka. It is one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu Texts and traditions, particularly the Samaveda. The other subgenre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian or Islamic influences from Northern India. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in ''gāyaki'' (singing) style. Although there are stylistic differences, the basic elements of (the relative musical pitch), (the musical sound of a single note), (the mode or melodic formulæ), and (the rhythmic cycles) form the foundation of improvisation and composition in both Carnatic and Hindusta ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sita Kalyanam (1934 Film)
Seetha Kalyanam () is a 1934 Tamil-language film produced by Prabhat Film Company. It was the first film for musicians Papanasam Sivan, S. Rajam and S. Balachander."Artist's brush with celluloid", ''The Hindu'', 20 March 2009 The film was remade in Telugu in the same year. The film is known to be the first ever Tamil film to be released in colour. Plot Sita Kalyanam is the story of Sita's (S. Jayalakshmi) ''swayamvara''. Sita's father King Janaka (V. Sundaram Iyer) arranges a ''swayamvara'' for his daughter. He announces a contest and declares that whoever can wield ''Shiva Dhanush'' (Shiva's bow) will be given Seetha's hand in marriage. After several kings and princes fail to do so, Rama (S. Rajam), the prince of Ayodhya, wields the bow and marries Sita. Production The film was made under the banner of Prabhat Film Company. V. Shantaram wanted to make a Tamil film using his sets from his 1933 Marathi film ''Sairandhri''. ''Sairandhri'' was a financial failure and Shantaram ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bilhana (film)
''Bilhana'' is a 1948 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language historical romance film directed by B. N. Rao and produced by Mubarak Pictures. Based on the life of the Kashmiris, Kashmiri poet Bilhana, of the same name, the film stars K. R. Ramasamy (actor), K. R. Ramasamy and A. R. Sakunthala. It was released on 1 November 1948. Plot A king hires the poet Bilhana to educate his daughter, Yamini. To prevent having a romance developing between them, the king lies to Yamini that Bilhana is blind, and to Bilhana that Yamini is deformed. When they are to interact, he arranges a curtain between the two. One day, during a lesson, Bilhana is amused at the sight of the full moon in the sky. To express his feeling of rapture, he starts reciting a poem. At this, Yamini begins wondering how a blind man could sing about the beauty of the moon so well. She pulls down the curtain and finds that Bilhana is attractive and youthful. At the same time, Bilhana learns that Yamini is beautiful and n ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kannika
''Kannika'' is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language film starring M. S. Sarojini, T. E. Varadan and M. R. Santhanalakshmi. The film was directed and produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. Plot King Paligna is a demon king whose life is imprisoned inside a dove. He constantly sacrifices young women, with a belief that by doing this, his soul will be made immortal. Shiva creates a man, Kumaran, to kill the king and end the sacrifices. After many twists and turns, Kumaran destroys Paligna by killing the dove and marries the king's daughter, Malini. Cast ;Male cast * T. E. Varadan as Kumaran * D. Balasubramaniam as Palignan * N. S. Krishnan as Veeran * Kali. N. Rathnam as Pujari * B. Rajagopala Iyer as Shivan * K. Ramu as Vishnu * A. V. Natarajan as Brahma * Narsimhan as Naradar * N. S. Narayana Pillai as Commander * Ezhumalai as Pujari's disciple ;Female cast * M. S. Sarojini as Malini * Hemamalini as young Malini * M. R. Santhanalakshmi as Kannika * Harini as young Kannika * T. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pankajavalli (film)
''Pankajavalli'' is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language film written, produced and directed by S. Soundararajan. The music was by Papanasam Sivan. The film starred P. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Rajakumari and Kumari Rukmani. The film was basically the story of Alli, who dominates men in her kingdom and treats them like slaves. The film was inspired by the popular Kerala folktale ''Malayala Pankajavalli,'' which Ayyangar adapted. Plot Arjuna decides to conquer Pankajavalli. However, she captures him. He prays to Krishna, who turns him into a woman named Brihannala. After many incidents, the truth comes out and everything ends happily. Cast * P. U. Chinnappa as Arjuna * T. R. Rajakumari as Pankajavalli * Kumari Rukmaini as Krishna Production The role of Krishna was played by a woman, at a time when women portray male figures was unusual. Soundtrack The film's music was composed and lyrics by Papanasam Sivan. His assistant and P. U. Chinnappa sat together. Chinnappa apparently felt th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Haridas (1944 Film)
''Haridas'' is a 1944 Tamil language film directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni and starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T. R. Rajakumari and N. C. Vasanthakokilam. It holds the record of being the longest-running Tamil film at a single theatre for 784 days. IBN Live included ''Haridas'' in its list of 100 greatest Indian films of all time. The film was initially released in black and white with just one scene in colour, which was manually colored by studio technicians. The film was re-released with full colour in 1946. It was the last film of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar before his two year imprisonment due to the Lakshmikanthan murder case. Plot Haridas (Thyagaraja Bhagavathar) is a vain individual who spends his life in luxury and lust, ignored his parents for wife (Vasanthakokilam), ignoring his wife for a courtesan (T. R. Rajakumari). But when his wealth is appropriated by the courtesan, he realizes life's realities, reforms and spends the rest of his days serving his pare ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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. Plot Cast ;Male cast * M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar as Sivakavi * Serukalathur Sama as Cheenakkan * P. B. Rangachari as Independent Bandyman * V. Sundarama Iyer as Pedagogue * D. Balasubramaniam as Chozha Natarajan * S. Rajam as Old Man, Boy, Hunter * N. S. Krishnan as Saravana Muthu * Nat Annaji Rao as Kalingaraya Prabhu * Vasudeva Pillai as Sambantham Pillai * Master Sethuraman as Murugan * Ramaiah Shastri as Chozha's scholar * Sundara Bhagavathar as Chozha's scholar * Pulimootai Ramasamy as Saravana M ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mathru Bhoomi (1939 Film)
''Mathru Bhoomi'' is a 1939 Indian Tamil-language film directed by H. M. Reddy. It was an adaptation of the Bengali stage play ''Chandragupta'' by Dwijendralal Ray. Plot The film was based on Alexander's invasion of India, an allegory to the British conquest and occupation of India. Production ''Mathru Bhoomi'' is an adaptation of the Bengali stage play '' Chandragupta''. The film was mounted on a record budget of 2 lakh {worth 34 crore in 2021 prices) and took 1 year to complete. P. S. Ramakrishna Rao, who went on to become a popular director in Telugu cinema, joined the film as an assistant director. In 1937, the Indian nationalist party the Indian National Congress defeated the pro-British Justice Party for the first time in the elections to the Madras Legislative Assembly and Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari was sworn in as the Chief Minister. As an immediate consequence of this change of guard, censorship was relaxed on Tamil films Tamil cinema, also known as Koll ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yayathi
''Yayathi'' is a 1938 Indian, Tamil language film directed by M. L. Tandon. The film featured P. U. Chinnappa and M. V. Rajamma in the lead roles. Plot The story was based on the life of a puranic king Yayati found in Mahabharata, Adi Parva. Cast The list is compiled from the database of Film News Anandan and from the review article by Randor Guy ;Male cast *P. U. Chinnappa *P. B. Rangachari *C. S. Shamanna *M. S. Subramania Bhagavathar *M. S. Babu *K. S. Harihara Iyer ;Female cast *M. V. Rajamma *C. S. M. Sulochana *T. S. Krishnaveni *S. C. Gomathi Bai *M. L. Rajambal Production The film was produced by Mohan Movietone of Madurai, and was directed by the Hollywood-trained filmmaker Manik Lal Tandon. The film was made in Calcutta. An info is found in the review article that said, as reportedly said by M. V. Rajamma, that there were clashes between Chinnappa and Tandon during the shooting of the film and it was rumoured that the actor slapped the film maker. Soundtrack M ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sevasadanam
''Sevasadanam'' () is a 1938 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Subrahmanyam. It is one of the early Tamil films to be set in a contemporary social setting and to advocate reformist social policies. This was the first film for M. S. Subbulakshmi and the Tamil debut of Telugu actress S. Varalakshmi. Plot An abused wife Sumathi (M. S. Subbulakshmi) is driven out of her house by husband and later forced into prostitution. Later she reforms her ways and devotes her life to running an institution for the children of prostitutes. Production After the success of '' Balayogini'' (1937), director Subramanyam was encouraged to make more socially oriented films. In 1938 he decided to make a film version of Premchand's novel ''Bazaar-e-Husn'' and bought the rights for 4,000 (worth 72 lakh in 2021 prices). While ''Balayogini'' was about the travails of widows, ''Sevasadanam'' dealt with domestic abuse, prostitution and women's liberation. Subramanyam wrote the screenplay ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chintamani (1937 Film)
''Chintamani'' is a 1937 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Y. V. Rao starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Serugulathur Sama and Aswathamma. It was the first Tamil film to run for a year in a single theatre. Production ''Chintamani'' was a popular play which had been performed in many languages. First, a silent film was made based on the play, then talkies based on it were made in Bengali, Hindi and Telugu. In 1937, a Tamil version of the film was directed by film-maker Y. V. Rao under the banner of Rayal Talkies, owned by yarn merchants of Madurai. Initially, the director Y. V. Rao, wanted to play Bilwamangal's role himself. However, he changed his mind and acted as Bilwamangal's companion Manoharan. Serugulathur Sama was another contender for the main role. But, Rao rejected him in favor of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar who was signed to play the part. In the initial stages, more publicity was given to the Kannada actress Aswathamma who played Chintamani's role than M. K. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kuchela (1936 Film)
''Kuchela'' ( ''Devotee Kuchela'') is a 1936 Indian devotional film in Tamil language directed and produced by lawyer turned filmmaker K. Subramaniam. Listed as Bhakta Kuchela The film featured Papanasam Sivan as Kuchela and S. D. Subbulakshmi in dual roles as Lord Krishna and Kuchela's wife Susheela. Plot The film depicted the tale of friendship between the poor Brahmin Kuchela who had 27 children and Lord Krishna. Cast The following list was adapted from The Hindu review article by Randor Guy and from the film's song book. ;Male cast *Papanasam Sivan as Kuchela *Vidwan Shankaralingam as Balaraman *S. S. Mani Bhagavathar as Saandheepa Muni *Jolly Kittu as Dwarapaalakar *G. Pattu Iyer as Samba Moorthi *Kunjithapatham Pillai as Vevukaar *Salem Sundaram as Rich Mirasudar ;Female cast * S. D. Subbulakshmi as Lord Krishna and Suseelai *K. K. Parvathi as Rukmini *Poornima as Sathyabhama * Bala Saraswathi as Young Krishnan *Neelambal as Young Kuchela Production Subramany ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
