Palaivana Solai (1981 film)

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Palaivana Solai
Palaivana Solai (1981).jpg
VCD cover
Directed byRobert-Rajasekhar
Screenplay byRobert-Rajasekhar
Story byRajasekar
Produced byR. Vadivel
Starring
CinematographyRobert-Rajasekhar
Edited byD. Raj
Music byShankar–Ganesh
Production
company
R. V. Creations
Release date
  • 1 May 1981 (1981-05-01)
Running time
131 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Palaivana Solai (transl. Oasis) is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language drama film written, directed and photographed by the duo Robert-Rajasekhar. The film stars Chandrasekhar, Janagaraj, Rajeev, Kailash Nath, Thyagu and Suhasini. It revolves around five friends whose lives are transformed by a new girl arriving in their locality.

Palaivana Solai was released on 1 May 1981. The film became a box-office success, running for over 200 days in theatres. In 1982, it was remade in Telugu as Manchu Pallaki (with Suhasini reprising her role) and in Malayalam as Ithu Njangalude Katha. In 2009 it was again remade in Tamil under the same title.

Plot[]

Bachelors Sekhar, Senthil, Kumar, Vasu and Siva are friends. Sekhar is a factory worker, Senthil and Kumar are unemployed (with Kumar dependent on his wealthy father), Vasu works at an office and Siva is an aspiring actor. They spend their time sitting on a wall and teasing people, particularly young girls, seeking neighbouring girls to befriend.

A girl named Geetha arrives in the locality and stays in a rented house. The friends initially tease her in their usual manner, but she sportingly retaliates and gradually becomes friendly with them. Her purpose of visiting the city is not known to them. Each of them tries to attract her and come closer to her. However, her focus is on helping others.

Geetha helps Vasu to find a groom for his sister; she changes Senthil's aggressive behaviour and helps him secure a job; she financially helps Siva to send money to his family; makes Kumar understand the importance of respecting his father; and gives emotional support to the rebellious Sekhar. She becomes the centre of all the friends’ activities.

Sekhar develops a soft corner for Geetha. She too likes him, but understands her limitations and does not express it. Vasu learns through a pharmacist from whom she purchases medicines that Geetha is terminally ill. When he asks her about this, she requests him not to reveal this fact to his friends.

When the marriage of Vasu's sister is fixed, one of his colleagues promises to provide money for the dowry. But on the day of the marriage, he is unable to keep his word and the marriage is cancelled due to this. Geetha requests Sekhar to marry Vasu's sister if he respects her and wishes to make her happy. She reveals her terminal illness and that her days are numbered; Sekhar assents to the marriage. Before the event ends, Geetha faints and is hospitalised.

The five friends go out of their way to organise funds for Geetha's treatment, forgetting their egos and past issues. Though the operation eventually takes place, Geetha dies after requesting the five friends to be happy and kind to everyone.

Cast[]

Production[]

Palaivana Solai was shot almost entirely on the Nungambakkam Highway, Chennai.[5]

Soundtrack[]

Palaivana Solai
Soundtrack album by
Shankar–Ganesh
Released1981
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length17:59

The soundtrack was composed by the duo Shankar–Ganesh, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu.[6] "Megame Megame" is set in the raga known as Karnaranjani,[7] and was based on "Tum Nahi Gham Nahi Sharab Nahi", a Ghazal by Jagjit Singh.[8][9]

Track Song Singer(s) Duration
1 "Aalanaalum Aalu" Malaysia Vasudevan 4:12
2 "Engal Kathai" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 4:14
3 "Megame Megame" Vani Jairam 4:29
4 "Pournami Neram" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 5:04

Release and reception[]

Palaivana Solai was released on 1 May 1981.[3] Ananda Vikatan gave the film an A score, praising Suhasini's performance and the unconventional screenplay. The film became a box-office success, running for over 200 days in theatres. [10]

Remakes[]

Palaivana Solai was remade in Telugu as Manchu Pallaki (1982), with Suhasini reprising her role.[11] It was also remade in Malayalam as Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982),[12] and again in Tamil in 2009 under the same title. This version featured remixed versions of "Aalanaalum Aalu" and "Megame Megame".[13]

References[]

  1. ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 450.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Palaivanacholai (1981)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Dhananjayan 2011, p. 60.
  4. ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 451.
  5. ^ Indian Cinema. Directorate of Film Festivals. 1981. p. 32.
  6. ^ "Paalaivana Cholai (1981)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  7. ^ Mani, Charulatha (31 August 2012). "Two for joy". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  8. ^ Gopalakrishnan, P V (15 May 2017). "FIlmy Ripples- Inspired plagiarism in early music". The Cinema Resource Centre. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  9. ^ Srinivasan, Karthik. "Tamil [Other Composers]". Itwofs. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  10. ^ Dhananjayan 2011, p. 61.
  11. ^ Sri (10 September 2008). "Retrospect: Manchu Pallaki (1982)". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  12. ^ Menon, Ajay (3 December 2010). "Old is Gold: Tamil Movies made in Malayalam". Old is Gold. Archived from the original on 8 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Palaivana Cholai Audio and Trailer launched". Ayngaran International. 26 August 2009. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

Bibliography[]

External links[]

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