Manamagan Thevai
Manamagan Thevai (transl. Bridegroom Wanted) is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Bhanumathi. An adaptation of the American film The Fabulous Senorita (1952), it was simultaneously produced in Telugu as Varudu Kaavaali with Jaggayya replacing Ganesan. Manamagan Thevai was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.
| Manamagan Thevai | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Produced by | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Based on | The Fabulous Senorita |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Bhanumathi |
| Music by | G. Ramanathan |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 17075 ft |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil Telugu |
Plot
Banumathi, the daughter of a wealthy man, desires to marry a shy professor named Vijayakumar instead of the wealthy suitor her father chose. To escape from trouble, she creates the fake identity of a twin sister, and in the hodgepodge that ensues, ends up in bugger trouble.
Cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Vijayakumar
- Bhanumathi as Banumathi
- T. R. Ramachandran as K. Dhandapani
- Chandrababu as Chandrababu
- Karunanidhi as Manohar
- Ragini as the Dancer
- Premila as Chandramathi
- T. N Sivathanu as Karadipatti Jamindar (uncredited)
Production
Manamagan Thevai was based on the American film The Fabulous Senorita (1952).[1] It was produced by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao and his wife Bhanumathi under their company Bharani Pictures. Rao also served as director, while Bhanumathi played the female lead. The film was produced as a Tamil-Telugu bilingual (the Telugu version titled as Varudu Kaavaali), with Sivaji Ganesan playing the male lead in Tamil, and Jaggaiah replacing him in Telugu.[2]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by G. Ramanathan. Lyrics by K. D. Santhanam, A. Maruthakasi & Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Singers are P. Bhanumathi & J. P. Chandrababu. Playback singers are Ghantasala, A. M. Rajah, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, M. L. Vasanthakumari, Jikki, P. Leela, A. P. Komala, A. G. Rathnamala & K. Jamuna Rani.
"Pambara Kannale" was later sampled in the song "En Peru Meenakumari" from Kanthaswamy (2009).[3][4]
The song Vanthaal Varattum Podi did not take place in the movie.[5]
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Yengo Kulukku Thalukku Thavalaiyaa" | P. Bhanumathi | A. Maruthakasi | 02:33 |
| 2 | "Pambara Kannaale Kaadhal Sangadhi Sonnaale" | J. P. Chandrababu | K. D. Santhanam | 03:18 |
| 3 | "Krishna Nee Begane Maaro" | P. Bhanumathi | 2:02 | |
| 4 | "Kodai Idi Kaatru" | A. M. Rajah & Jikki | 03:10 | |
| 5 | "Velavare Ummai Thedi Oru Madandhai" | P. Bhanumathi | A. Maruthakasi | 03:00 |
| 6 | "Vennilaa Jodhiyai Veesudhe" | P. Bhanumathi, Ghantasala & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | A. Maruthakasi | 04:49 |
| 7 | "Nenjinile Pugundhu" | P. Bhanumathi | 03:33 | |
| 8 | "Nan Thaan Un Kaadhalan" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & P. Bhanumathi | 00:56 | |
| 9 | "Pottaare Oru Podudhaan" | A. P. Komala, A. G. Rathnamala & K. Jamuna Rani | 01:54 | |
| 10 | "Poovaamal Kaayaadhu.... Kaadhal Kalyaaname Seidha Paappaa" | P. Leela | 04:23 | |
| 11 | "Vanthaal Varattum Podi" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | A. Maruthakasi | 3:07 |
Reception
Manamagan Thevai was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.[2]
References
- Guy, Randor (2 October 2009). "A voice that mesmerised". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- Guy, Randor (30 March 2017). "Manamagan Thevai (1957)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "Item girl turns heroine!". The Times of India. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- "Kanthaswamy's music is not Devi Sri Prasad's best". www.rediff.com. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- "MANAMAGAN THEVAI (1957)". youtube. Retrieved 25 November 2020.