Mahadevi
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySundar Rao Nadkarni
Screenplay byKannadasan
Based onPunya Prabhav
by R. G. Katkari
Produced bySundar Rao Nadkarni
B. Radhakrishna
StarringM. G. Ramachandran
Savithri
CinematographyG. K. Ramu
Edited byP. Venkatachalam
Music byViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Production
company
Sri Ganesh Movietone
Distributed bySri Krishna Films[1]
Release date
  • 22 November 1957 (1957-11-22)
Running time
160 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Mahadevi is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni and written by Kannadasan. Starring M. G. Ramachandran and Savithri, it based on the novel Punya Prabhav by R. G. Katkari.[2] The film was released on 22 November 1957.[3]

Plot

Mahadevi is a princess, whose father, the king, is defeated in battle. Despite this, he is invited by the rival king to stay with him as his honoured guest. The victorious king has an adopted daughter Mangamma and a son ('Master' Murali). His senior commander, Karunakaran is attracted to Mahadevi, but she rejects him. Thereby she earns his wrath. Karunakaran hatches various evil plans to get her, but in the meantime, Mahadevi falls in love with the other commander, Vallavan. Karunakaran tries to kidnap Mahadevi with the help of his sidekick Mariappan, but by mistake ends up kidnapping Mangamma. To cover up his folly, Karunakaran ends up marrying her. Mahadevi and Vallavan marry in due course. After a while, Mahadevi delivers a son, even as Karunakaran continues to lust for Mahadevi. Mangamma supports Mahadevi, and protects her from Karunakaran. When Mangamma learns of her husband's plans to kill Mahadevi's baby, she replaces her baby with Mahadevi's, causing Karunakaran to kill his own child. When Karunakaran realises the truth, he kills himself and so does his wife.

Cast

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. Lyrics were by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, Kannadasan and A. Maruthakasi.[4]

No. Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
1 "Kaka Kaka Maikondaa" M. S. Rajeswari A. Maruthakasi 03:20
2 "Kanmoodum Velaiyilum" A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela Kannadasan 03:14
3 "Un Thirumugatthai" J. P. Chandrababu & A. G. Rathnamala Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass 03:20
4 "Thaayatthu Thaayatthu" T. M. Soundararajan Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram 03:01
5 "Singara Punnagai" M. S. Rajeswari & R. Balasaraswathi Devi Kannadhasan 03:33
6 "Kurukku Vazhiyil" T. M. Soundararajan Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram 03:03
7 "Kaamugar Nenjil" K. Jamuna Rani A. Maruthakasi 03:29
8 "Thanthana Paattu" J. P. Chandrababu & A. G. Rathnamala Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass 03:21
9 "Eru Poottuvom" T. M. Soundararajan 03:17
10 "Maanam Ondre Perithena" T. S. Bagavathi Kannadasan 03:29
11 "Sevai Seivadhe Aanandham" M. S. Rajeswari & T. M. Soundararajan 04:08

Legacy

The dialogue "Mananthal Mahadevi Illaiyel Maranadevi" uttered by P. S. Veerappa became hugely popular.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Mahadevi". The Indian Express. 15 November 1957. p. 1. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  2. ^ Guy, Randor (1 December 2012). "Mahadevi 1955 [sic]". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Mahadevi". The Indian Express. 22 November 1957. p. 1. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Mahadevi (1957)". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  5. ^ Guy, Randor (2 August 2014). "The superstar villain". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.

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