Thennilavu

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For the TV series, see Thennilavu (TV series).

Thennilavu
Thennilavu poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byC. V. Sridhar
Written byC. V. Sridhar
Produced byC. V. Sridhar
Starring
CinematographyA. Vincent
Edited byT. R. Srinivasulu
Music byA. M. Rajah
Production
company
Chitralaya Films
Release date
  • 30 September 1961 (1961-09-30)
Running time
160 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Thennilavu (pronounced [teːn nilaʋu]; transl. Honeymoon)[2] is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala, with K. A. Thangavelu, M. N. Nambiar, M. Saroja and Vasanthi in supporting roles. It revolves around a man who is appointed as a girl's manager for her father's honeymoon in Kashmir due to a case of mistaken identity. The man and the girl fall in love, but things go awry when the real manager arrives at Kashmir.

Thennilavu was the first film produced by Sridhar through his production company Chitralaya Films, as well as the first South Indian film to be shot in Jammu and Kashmir, while additional shooting took place in Madras (now Chennai). Principal photography lasted roughly two months. The soundtrack was composed by A. M. Rajah while the lyrics were written by Kannadasan. Cinematography was handled by A. Vincent, art direction by Ganga and editing by T. R. Srinivasulu. The film was released on 30 September 1961 and became a commercial success.

Plot[]

A man named Raj meets a girl named Shanti in Madras, and falls in love with her. Shanti does not reciprocate his love and leaves for her home place Bangalore. Shanti's father Sokkalingam and his new wife Thangam decide on Kashmir for their honeymoon; Shanti also wants to come. A friend of Sokkalingam suggests an alliance between Shanti and his nephew Raj who is now in Madras. Raj-2 ditches his wife Lalitha (who he had secretly married) when he learns of this proposed alliance and leaves for Bangalore but misses the train. Raj-1 coincidentally arrives in Bangalore, and Sokkalingam mistakes him for his friend's nephew. Sokkalingam and Thangam leave for Kashmir with Raj-1 and Shanti, who still dislikes Raj-1, but eventually returns his love.

Raj-2 reaches Kashmir in search of Sokkalingam. Lalitha, fearing the safety of her husband, also reaches Kashmir in search of him. She meets Raj-1 and stays in his house. Lalitha meets Sokkalingam and tells that she is married to "Raj". Sokkalingam misinterprets this as Raj-1 and fires him as Shanti's manager. Meanwhile, Raj-2 meets Sokkalingam and explains everything, therefore he replaces Raj-1 as Shanti's manager, despite Shanti's dislike for him. Shanti later learns that Lalitha is Raj-2's wife and reconciles with Raj-1, while Sokkalingam and Thangam are still unaware.

Raj-2 learns that Shanti loves Raj-1, and becomes jealous. At the same time, he meets Lalitha who he orders to return, or else she will be killed. Lalitha flees but secretly writes a letter to him showing her affection. Raj-2, touched by the letter, decides to take Lalitha on a boat ride but has another plan: to kill Lalitha and frame Raj-1. When Lalitha joins Raj-2 on the boat ride, he forcefully rides the boat, causing her to fall into the lake. Subsequently, he frames Raj-1. Sokkalingam files a complaint about Lalitha's murder to the Kashmir Police, and soon they chase Raj-1, who elopes with Shanti — his only testimony of innocence.

Raj-1 and Shanti run into a forest for shelter, where they discover that Lalitha is still alive, but kept under custody by a group of terrorists. Raj-1 and Shanti are also put into the same prison as Lalitha, who reveals what happened: she has washed ashore and was discovered by one of the terrorists. He started torturing her, and she pushed him off the cliff to his death, hence imprisoned for murder. Suddenly, a gypsy dancer from the terrorist group helps them escape secretly. But by the time they escape, the nearby guards see them and start shooting at them. The three escape onto a boat, but the boat develops a crack and starts drowning, leading to Raj-1's separation from Lalitha and Shanti. When he swims to the shore, the police capture him.

During Raj-1's trial in the high court, Shanti and Lalitha arrive, leading to his acquittal. But the letter Lalitha wrote to her husband is discovered and after reading the last line (in which Lalitha advised her husband to kill her if wanted), the court suspects Raj-2 of the attempted murder. Lalitha saves him by claiming that she fell by herself into the lake, and does not reveal Raj-2 as her husband. The case is dismissed, and Sokkalingam and Thangam continue their honeymoon.

Cast[]

Other supporting roles were played by K. Natarajan, V. Mahalingam, Padmini Priyadarshini, Veeraragavan and Balakrishnan.[3][6]

Production[]

Development[]

In the early 1960s, C. V. Sridhar founded Chitralaya Films.[a] When discussing with his associates what should be the company's first film, Sridhar came up with the story of Nenjil Or Aalayam; however, he later decided that the company's first film should not be a tragic one, and came up with the more cheerful Thennilavu.[9] A. Vincent was the cinematographer,[10] Ganga was the art director and T. R. Srinivasulu was the editor.[11] Film News Anandan was Chitralaya's public relations officer for the film.[12] For the main cast, Sridhar finalised the majority of the cast from his directorial debut Kalyana Parisu (1959), namely Gemini Ganesan (credited as Ganesh), K. A. Thangavelu, M. N. Nambiar and M. Saroja. Despite being replete with Hindi film offers, Vyjayanthimala was cast as the female lead.[13] This was the Tamil film debut of Vasanthi.[14]

Filming[]

Then Nilavu was the South Indian film to be shot in Jammu and Kashmir,[15] unlike most Tamil films of that period, which were shot mainly within studios.[16][17] The first scene of the film was shot during an India-Pakistan cricket match at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Madras (now Chennai).[18][19] This scene was also used as the background for the film's introductory credits.[20] Another scene shot in Madras depicted several buildings still being built near the Marina Beach.[21] While filming at Dal Lake, Vyjayanthimala almost drowned but was rescued by the cameraman.[22][23] It was over here that the song "Nilavum Malarum" was filmed.[24] The song "Oho Endhan Baby" was picturised on Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala water skiing; the latter refused to use a body double.[9] Other shooting locations included Shalimar Bagh and Gulmarg.[25] Principal photography lasted roughly two months,[9][26] with the final cut measuring 15,125 feet (4,610 m).[27]

Soundtrack[]

The film's music was composed by A. M. Rajah, and the lyrics were written by Kannadasan.[3][28] A. Maruthakasi was originally signed on as the film's lyricist, and wrote three songs. However, after differences arose between Rajah and Maruthakasi during the making of another Sridhar film Vidivelli (1960), Maruthakasi swore not to work with Rajah again and forced him to abandon the songs already written for Thennilavu.[29] As Vyjayanthimala was affectionately called "Pappa", Kannadasan translated this into English as "Baby", and wrote the song "Oho Endhan Baby".[30] Writing for Scroll.in, Sruthisagar Yamunan noted that many Tamil film songs in the 1960s had repetitive interludes, "the same notes and orchestration repeating before every charanam", citing "Paattu Padava" as an example.[31]

Both "Oho Endhan Baby" and "Paattu Padava" are set in the Carnatic raga known as Keeravani,[32][33] while "Nilavum Malarum Paaduthu" is set in Mohanam.[34][35] N. Krishnaswamy, writing for The Indian Express in 1988, claimed that "Kaalaiyum Neeye" was set in Hamsanandi,[36] a view shared by Shoba Narayan, writing for Mint in 2009.[37] Singer Charulatha Mani says it only has "Hamsanandi-like phrases", and is not strictly based on the raga itself.[38] Carnatic musicologist Sundararaman identifies it as being set in the Hindustani raga Basant,[39] while K. Easwaralingam, writing for Thinakaran, claimed it to be in Hamsadhvani.[40] "Oorengum Thaedinaen" is set in Charukesi.[41] "Paattu Padava" was later adapted into an entirely different song in Goli Soda (2014), titled "All Your Beauty".[42]

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Chinna Chinna Kannile"A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela3:44
2."Kaalaiyum Neeye"A. M. Rajah, S. Janaki3:28
3."Malare Malare Theriyatha"P. Susheela3:43
4."Nilavum Malarum"A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela3:42
5."Oho Endhan Baby"A. M. Rajah, S. Janaki3:13
6."Oorengum Thaedinaen"Jikki3:02
7."Paattu Padava"A. M. Rajah3:42

Release and reception[]

Thennilavu was released on 30 September 1961.[27] Kanthan of Kalki praised the performances of the cast and the photography in Kashmir, but criticised the story.[43] Kumudam gave a more negative review, playing on the film's title by saying "Thennilavu Veen Selavu" (Thennilavu is a waste of money).[30] It was a success at the box office,[44] running for over 100 days in theatres.[45] The film was released on VCD by Moser Baer on 5 June 2007,[46] and on DVD four years later, on 9 August.[47]

Legacy[]

Baradwaj Rangan said, "People from an older era may claim that the definitive Gemini romance was Missiamma, which reportedly was our grandmothers' Titanic, what with the actor wooing a charmingly young Savitri to the strains of Vaarayo Vennilaave. I, however, go with Then Nilavu, if only for the too-cool image of him in swimming trunks, water-skiing alongside the charmingly young Vyjayanthimala."[48] Mohan Raman named Then Nilavu as one of "the best examples" where Thangavelu played a 'father' role.[49] Thangavelu's dialogue "Kashmirikku ponakka cash meeruma?!" (Will we have cash left if we go to Kashmir?) attained popularity.[50] A sari brand named after the film was launched by Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti in the same year as the film was released.[51][52][53][54]

Notes[]

  1. ^ While S. Theodore Baskaran says in his 1996 book The Eye of the Serpent that Chitralaya Films was founded in 1961,[7] Sanjit Narwekar says in the 1994 book Directory of Indian film-makers and films that it was founded in 1960.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ "Thennilavu". Complete Index to World Film. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  2. ^ Ganesh 2011, p. 63.
  3. ^ a b c d e f தேன் நிலவு (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Chitralaya Films. 1961.
  4. ^ "செல்லுலாய்ட் பெண்கள்" [Celluloid girls]. Kungumam (in Tamil). 16 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  5. ^ Balabharathi 2012, p. 242.
  6. ^ "Travelogue-cum-romantic Social Due Tomorrow". The Indian Express. 29 September 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  7. ^ Baskaran 1996, p. 198.
  8. ^ Narwekar 1994, p. 317.
  9. ^ a b c நரசிம்மன், டி.ஏ. (27 April 2018). "டி.சி(ரி)த்ராலயா 15: காஷ்மீரில் கட்டிப்போட்ட சலுகை!". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  10. ^ Kolappan, B. (26 February 2015). "Cinematographer Vincent dead". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Thennilavu". The Indian Express. 30 September 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  12. ^ Naig, Udhav (21 March 2016). "'Film News' Anandan, cinema historian, passes away". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  13. ^ Balabharathi 2012, p. 241.
  14. ^ "Veteran Actress Vasanthi Passed Away!". Nettv4u. 30 May 2019. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Tamil film director Sridhar passes away". Screen. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 22 October 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  16. ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (21 July 2016). "The director's fine cut". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  17. ^ "பார்த்தது படித்தது ரசித்தது – சுதாங்கன்". Dinamalar (in Tamil). 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Did You Know?". The Times of India. 4 December 2013. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  19. ^ Mahendra, Y.Gee. (9 March 2010). "Where arts and academics met". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  20. ^ C. N. R. (10 February 1963). "The Growing Burden Of Taxation". The Illustrated Weekly of India. Vol. 84, Part 1. p. 124.
  21. ^ Raman, Mohan (24 August 2020). "#MadrasThroughTheMovies: A stroll by the Marina Beach & its landmarks". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  22. ^ Bali 2007, pp. 93–96.
  23. ^ "'வாழ்க்கை' தந்த வாழ்க்கை இது! - வைஜெயந்திமாலா". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
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  25. ^ Ganesh 2011, p. 69.
  26. ^ "தேனிலவ க்கு பட்ட கஷ்டம்; குறித்து ஸ்ரீதர் விளக்கம்". Thinakaran (in Tamil). 30 October 2012. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
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  28. ^ Saregama Tamil (8 August 2015). "Then Nilavu (1961) All Songs Jukebox". Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2018 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "மருதகாசி சொந்தமாக தயாரித்த 'அல்லி பெற்ற பிள்ளை'". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 17 February 2018. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  30. ^ a b "வைஜெயந்தி மாலா: 3. ஓஹோ... எந்தன் பேபி...!". Dinamani (in Tamil). 25 March 2016. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  31. ^ Yamunan, Sruthisagar (10 March 2019). "Ilaiyaraaja: His preludes and interludes changed the way we listened to Tamil film music". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  32. ^ Mani, Charulatha (26 April 2013). "Harmonious symmetry". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  33. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 152.
  34. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 149.
  35. ^ Saravanan, T. (20 September 2013). "Ragas hit a high". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  36. ^ Krishnaswamy, N. (22 January 1988). "Killing spree". The Indian Express. p. 5. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  37. ^ Narayan, Shoba (23 January 2009). "Music is the mood, the muse and the meaning". Mint. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  38. ^ Mani, Charulatha (23 December 2011). "A Raga's Journey – Heart-rending Hamsanandi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 February 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  39. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 135.
  40. ^ Easwaralingam, K. (12 June 2012). "ஏ.எம்.ராஜhவை நீங்கா புகழ்பெறச் செய்தவை துயரத்தையும் தாபத்தையும் தேக்கிய பாடல்களே". Thinakaran (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  41. ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 150.
  42. ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (25 January 2014). ""Goli Soda"... Little men". Baradwaj Rangan. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  43. ^ காந்தன் (15 October 2021). "தேன்நிலவு". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 43. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  44. ^ "C.V Sridhar, veteran director passes away!". Sify. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  45. ^ Narayanan, Arjun (22 August 2012). "Serenading the Silver Screen". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
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  47. ^ "Platinum Series – Then Nilavu". Amazon.in (in Tamil). Moser Baer. 9 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  48. ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (27 March 2005). "Tribute: Gemini Ganesan". Baradwaj Rangan. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
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Bibliography[]

  • Balabharathi (2012). தமிழ் சினிமா 80 பாகம்-1 [Tamil Cinema 80 Part-1] (in Tamil). Chennai: Nakkheeran Publications. ISBN 978-93-81828-40-3.
  • Bali, Vyjayanthimala (2007). Bonding... A Memoir. New Delhi: Stellar Publishers. ISBN 978-8190455916.
  • Baskaran, S. Theodore (1996). The Eye of the Serpent: An Introduction to Tamil Cinema. Chennai: East West Books. OCLC 243920437.
  • Ganesh, Narayani (2011). Eternal Romantic: My Father, Gemini Ganesan. Roli Books. ISBN 978-81-7436-578-1.
  • Narwekar, Sanjit (1994). Directory of Indian film-makers and films. Flicks Books. ISBN 978-0-948911-40-8.
  • Sundararaman (2007) [2005]. Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music (2nd ed.). Chennai: Pichhamal Chintamani. OCLC 295034757.

External links[]

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