1960 film directed by C. Pullaiah
Naan Kanda Sorgam (transl. My Heaven) is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language fantasy comedy film directed and produced by C. Pullayya. The film stars K. A. Thangavelu and Sowcar Janaki. It is a remake of the 1958 Bengali film Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, and was simultaneously filmed in Telugu as Devanthakudu with a largely different cast. The film was released on 12 August 1960 and became a commercial success.
Plot
Meenakshi is the daughter of Parama Pillai, a miserly millionaire. While she is drawn to public service, her father despises the idea. Meenakshi falls in love with Sundar, a theatre artiste who donates earnings to impoverished people. Parama Pillai despises him but, unknown to him, his daughter assists Sundar in his social welfare activities. When Parama Pillai realises this, he forbids Meenakshi to leave the house and even appoints two men to guard her. Sundar disguises himself as a woman and fools the millionaire into appointing him as Meenakshi's tutor. When Parama Pillai arranges Meenakshi's marriage with a rich but older man, Sundar saves her by helping her escape. Parama Pillai finds his daughter and locks her up, beating Sundar to an inch of his life. The rest of the film deals with how Yama, Vishnu and other gods help Meenakshi and Sundar unite.
Production
Naan Kanda Sorgam was produced and directed by C. Pullayya under the banner Bharghavi Films.[1] It was remade from the 1958 Bengali film Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, and simultaneously filmed in Telugu as Devanthakudu with a largely different cast.[2] K. S. Gopalakrishnan wrote the dialogues. Nanjappa, assisted by P. S. Loganathan, handled the cinematography. Shooting for the film took place at Vijaya-Vauhini Studios. The film featured an apsara dance sequence choreographed by Gemini Ramamurthi.[1]
Soundtrack
G. Aswathama composed the film's music. The lyricists were Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, K. S. Gopalakrishnan, Parthiban, and T. K. Sundara Vadhyar.[3] The film had a dance-drama called "Usha Parinayam" for which P. B. Sreenivas and S. Janaki lent their voices.[1]
| Song |
Singer |
Lyrics |
Length
|
| "Kizhavan Vadivodu Kaana Vandhaan" |
S. Janaki |
K. S. Gopalakrishnan |
03:35
|
| "Ungal Azhagai Kanden" |
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Janaki] |
03:54
|
| "Ulagamellam Irundathu Pol" |
03:39
|
| "Jodhimi Dhim Dhimi Dhimi Enru Aadalum" |
P. B. Srinivas |
01:18
|
| "Thaamarai Kannaa" |
C. S. Jayaraman |
T. K. Sundara Vadhyar |
01:46
|
| "Vandarai Vaazha Vazhi Kaattum" |
|
| "Parama Kirupa Nandana" |
V. N. Sundaram |
|
| "Ilamai Maaraadha Inbam" |
P. Leela, N. L. Ganasaraswathi |
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Das |
05:31
|
| "Paar Paar Sambaaru" |
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Janaki |
04:36
|
| "Kanavondru Kanden Sakiye" |
P. B. Srinivas, S. Janaki |
Parthiban |
|
Release and reception
Naan Kanda Sorgam was released on 12 August 1960.[4] The Indian Express said, "A hilarious comedy in the best tradition of Tamil genius has been brought to the screen by the plucky Producer-Director C. Pullayya in Nan Kanda Swargam."[5] Kanthan of Kalki lauded Thangavelu's performance, saying it brought the feel of heaven.[6] According to historian Randor Guy, the film was a commercial success "mainly because of the unusual story line and fantasy elements."[1]
