Genre : Old Tamil Movie
Movie : Makkalai Petra Maharasi
Starring : Sivaji Ganesan, Bhanumathi, M.N.Nambiyar, M.N.Rajam, P.Kannamba, V.K.Ramaswami, K.Sarangapani, P.D.Sambandham and T.P. Muthulakshmi.
Music : K.V.Mahadevan
Direction : K.Somu
Production : Sri Lakshmi Pictures (A.P.Nagarajan & V.K.Ramaswami)
Year : 1957
Part 1
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Part 2
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Part 3
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Plot:
Akkamappettai Paramasivan Nagarajan (AP Nagarajan) came into direct contact with Sivaji Ganesan when he wrote the story and dialogues of ‘naan petRa selvam’ (1956). Sivaji’s disenchantment with the DMK had begun by then, and besides being impressed with APN’s writing skills, Sivaji found in APN a trusted sympathizer and a good friend. In the following year, APN joined hands with actor V.K.Ramaswami and floated a production company called ‘Sri Lakshmi Pictures’. The first project of this company was a simple rural subject titled ‘MakkaLai PetRa Maharasi’. K.Somu, who had directed APN’s earlier ventures like maangalyam, town bus and naan petRa selvam, was appointed the director for this movie.
A village in Coimbatore district. Sengodan is a naïve good-hearted farmer, who knows no other God other than his mother Angamma. Staying back in the hamlet and tilling his land, he sends his beloved sister Thangam to the college in the town. Angamma’s brother is an avaricious landowner in the same village. The two families are not is speaking terms ever since Angamma’s husband ran away unable to meet the unreasonable demands of his brother-in-law after having borrowed some money from him. Kannan, the villain’s son, however does not inherit his father’s wily characteristics. Studying in the same college, Kannan and Thangam fall in love with each other. The storm which breaks out when the warring families become aware of their love and the how the lovers unite finally fill rest of the reels. In the midst of these chaotic proceedings APN inserted another love story- between the brave and mischievous belle Rangamma and the shy Sengodan.
Sivaji Ganesan was, of course, the natural choice to play Sengodan. Speaking simple conversational dialogues in the rustic Coimbatore dialect was a refreshing change to the actor who had been spewing fiery lines in chaste Tamil replete with flowery flourishes all along. Bhanumati played the assertive Rangamma. Kannamba played the dignified matriarch and M.N.Rajam was Thangam. V.K.Ramaswami played the villainous landowner and M.N.Nambiar was the surprise choice for the gentle Kannan. K.Sarangapani, P.D.Sambandham and T.P. Muthulakshmi were the supporting actors.
K.V.Mahadevan was APN’s favourite music director and he came up with a real winner in makkaLai petRa maharasi. The first among equals is the immortal tiller’s anthem ‘maNapaaRai maadu katti’ sung by TMS where Maruthakasi flaunts the specialized attractions of every nook of the Tamil countryside in a solicitous sermon to an aspiring farmer. ‘ondRu sErndha anbu maaRumaa’ is a duet of timeless allure by PBS and ‘udutha’ Sarojini. Not many new generation will know that this beautiful duet song is for MN Nambiar. ‘makkaLai petRa maharasi’ (Jikki), ‘O malliyakka O rOjakka’ (Jikki, Jamunarani & chorus), ‘adi tharapuram thambaram un thalaiyilE kanakambaram’ (S.C.Krishnan & Ratnamala) are the other unforgettable numbers, all set to enjoyable folksy tunes.
Bhanumati had 3 songs in the movie. Listen first to ‘sonna pEchcha kEkkaNum’. The bubbly farm lass Rangamma sings while herding her cattle, and admonishes them to pay heed to her words and tread with caution and confidence. Bhanumati makes merry, interspersing her soliloquy with stern calls of reprimand to those members of her flock who dare to stray. A veritable village feast!
Next is the appealing ‘vandhadhu yaarunnu sonna theriyuma’. Sengodan has just left after a brief visit to her house, and Rangamma is filled with rapture at the sight of the man whom she is destined to wed. Having no one to share her thrill with, she runs to her bovine friends in the backyard and gives them the exciting tidings of the momentous visit. Bhanumati’s song is full of the frivolous sweet nothings that a young girl in love would be prone to indulge in. Hark at Bhanumati mimicking Sivaji in between! Could anyone but her could have got away with such audacity?
The third is the unforgettable TMS/Bhanumati duet ‘pORavaLe pORavaLE ponnurangam’. This song is a gentle reminder of how much beauty there is in simplicity. Pausing to wipe the sweat off his brow in the midst of an honest day’s labour, Sengodan spies Rangamma swinging her way across a neighboring field, carrying her father’s lunch. What a welcome sight she is to his thirsting eyes! He draws her attention by singing lines in praise of her attractive appearance and bemoans her apparent refusal to recognize his feelings for her. Rangamma’s rejoinders are swift and saucy. TMS sounds endearingly wistful and Bhanumati is at her imperious best….
makkaLai petRa maharasi enjoyed a successful run, and the songs became immensely popular.
Akkamappettai Paramasivan Nagarajan (AP Nagarajan) came into direct contact with Sivaji Ganesan when he wrote the story and dialogues of ‘naan petRa selvam’ (1956). Sivaji’s disenchantment with the DMK had begun by then, and besides being impressed with APN’s writing skills, Sivaji found in APN a trusted sympathizer and a good friend. In the following year, APN joined hands with actor V.K.Ramaswami and floated a production company called ‘Sri Lakshmi Pictures’. The first project of this company was a simple rural subject titled ‘MakkaLai PetRa Maharasi’. K.Somu, who had directed APN’s earlier ventures like maangalyam, town bus and naan petRa selvam, was appointed the director for this movie.
A village in Coimbatore district. Sengodan is a naïve good-hearted farmer, who knows no other God other than his mother Angamma. Staying back in the hamlet and tilling his land, he sends his beloved sister Thangam to the college in the town. Angamma’s brother is an avaricious landowner in the same village. The two families are not is speaking terms ever since Angamma’s husband ran away unable to meet the unreasonable demands of his brother-in-law after having borrowed some money from him. Kannan, the villain’s son, however does not inherit his father’s wily characteristics. Studying in the same college, Kannan and Thangam fall in love with each other. The storm which breaks out when the warring families become aware of their love and the how the lovers unite finally fill rest of the reels. In the midst of these chaotic proceedings APN inserted another love story- between the brave and mischievous belle Rangamma and the shy Sengodan.
Sivaji Ganesan was, of course, the natural choice to play Sengodan. Speaking simple conversational dialogues in the rustic Coimbatore dialect was a refreshing change to the actor who had been spewing fiery lines in chaste Tamil replete with flowery flourishes all along. Bhanumati played the assertive Rangamma. Kannamba played the dignified matriarch and M.N.Rajam was Thangam. V.K.Ramaswami played the villainous landowner and M.N.Nambiar was the surprise choice for the gentle Kannan. K.Sarangapani, P.D.Sambandham and T.P. Muthulakshmi were the supporting actors.
K.V.Mahadevan was APN’s favourite music director and he came up with a real winner in makkaLai petRa maharasi. The first among equals is the immortal tiller’s anthem ‘maNapaaRai maadu katti’ sung by TMS where Maruthakasi flaunts the specialized attractions of every nook of the Tamil countryside in a solicitous sermon to an aspiring farmer. ‘ondRu sErndha anbu maaRumaa’ is a duet of timeless allure by PBS and ‘udutha’ Sarojini. Not many new generation will know that this beautiful duet song is for MN Nambiar. ‘makkaLai petRa maharasi’ (Jikki), ‘O malliyakka O rOjakka’ (Jikki, Jamunarani & chorus), ‘adi tharapuram thambaram un thalaiyilE kanakambaram’ (S.C.Krishnan & Ratnamala) are the other unforgettable numbers, all set to enjoyable folksy tunes.
Bhanumati had 3 songs in the movie. Listen first to ‘sonna pEchcha kEkkaNum’. The bubbly farm lass Rangamma sings while herding her cattle, and admonishes them to pay heed to her words and tread with caution and confidence. Bhanumati makes merry, interspersing her soliloquy with stern calls of reprimand to those members of her flock who dare to stray. A veritable village feast!
Next is the appealing ‘vandhadhu yaarunnu sonna theriyuma’. Sengodan has just left after a brief visit to her house, and Rangamma is filled with rapture at the sight of the man whom she is destined to wed. Having no one to share her thrill with, she runs to her bovine friends in the backyard and gives them the exciting tidings of the momentous visit. Bhanumati’s song is full of the frivolous sweet nothings that a young girl in love would be prone to indulge in. Hark at Bhanumati mimicking Sivaji in between! Could anyone but her could have got away with such audacity?
The third is the unforgettable TMS/Bhanumati duet ‘pORavaLe pORavaLE ponnurangam’. This song is a gentle reminder of how much beauty there is in simplicity. Pausing to wipe the sweat off his brow in the midst of an honest day’s labour, Sengodan spies Rangamma swinging her way across a neighboring field, carrying her father’s lunch. What a welcome sight she is to his thirsting eyes! He draws her attention by singing lines in praise of her attractive appearance and bemoans her apparent refusal to recognize his feelings for her. Rangamma’s rejoinders are swift and saucy. TMS sounds endearingly wistful and Bhanumati is at her imperious best….
makkaLai petRa maharasi enjoyed a successful run, and the songs became immensely popular.
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