Konjum Salangai


Konjum Salangai is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language musical dance film directed by M. V. Raman. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, R. S. Manohar and Kumari Kamala. It was released on 14 January 1962. The film was dubbed into Telugu as Muripinche Muvvalu. This film is the Indian Tamil cinema's one and only Tamil film to be entirely shot and released in Technicolor.

Plot

King Parthiban presents a rare anklet to the dancer Aparajita, a gesture that angers those who resent a dancer’s influence over the kingdom. Aparajita later gives birth to the king’s son, Amarendran, and entrusts him to a priest along with the anklet. Before her death, she secures a promise from the priest that the truth about the child’s identity will be revealed at the right time.
Amarendran grows up to be a strong and talented young man with a passion for music, dance, and martial arts. During a grand festival, the priest decides it is time to disclose Amarendran’s true heritage and carries the anklet in a wooden box. While crossing a flooded river, however, he loses it. The anklet is recovered by Amarendran, who also rescues a dancer named Mallika from the floodwaters. Amarendran returns the anklet to the king and later meets the singer Shantha, who falls in love with him.
Mallika impresses the king, is subsequently appointed the court dancer and gets the anklet as a gift. In another dance competition, Mallika dances with Kamavalli and the anklet gets stolen due to a conspiracy. The villain Nagadevan lusts after Mallika. How Amarendran and Mallika are united forms the rest of the story.

Cast

Credits adapted from the film's songbook:
;Supporting cast
  • T. V. Sethuraman, Gemini Balu, Socrates Thangaraj, Kumari Sasi, Stunt Raji, K. S. Manian

Production

Konjum Salangai was the 100th film for Savitri as an actress. It was shot in 41 different sets at three studios Newtone Studios and Narasu Studios in Madras, and Raman Studio in Bombay. It was processed in London under the direct supervision of Raman. The budget of the film was.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. One of the songs from this film "Singara Velane" was well received and provided breakthrough for S. Janaki who sang the song, Nadaswaram portions for the song was played by Karaikurichi Arunachalam. Regarding the recording of the song, the singing by Janaki was recorded at the Raman Studio in Bombay, while the nadaswaram portions were recorded in Madras, and the two tracks were mixed. The song is based on Abheri raga. Another song "Orumuraiyudan" is based on Bilahari raga.
SongSingersLyricsLength
"Orumaiyudan Ninathu Thirumalaradi"Soolamangalam RajalakshmiRamalinga Adigalar03:25
"Dhinamidhuve Subathinamithuve"S. C. Krishnan and groupV. Seetharaman02:10
"Kaana Kann Kodi"Soolamangalam RajalakshmiV. Seetharaman05:22
"Konjum Salangai Olikettu"P. LeelaKannadasan03:50
"Brahman Thalam Poda"Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam RajalakshmiKu. Ma. Balasubramaniam09:57
"Singaravelane Deva"S. JanakiKu. Ma. Balasubramaniam06:14
"Vel Eduppome.... Vetri Vil Thoduppome"S. C. Krishnan, ChorusKu. Ma. Balasubramaniam
"Kannaa Nee Enge"S. JanakiKu. Ma. Balasubramaniam00:50
"Kadhal Geetham Ketkuma"T. M. SoundararajanKu. Ma. Balasubramaniam02:42
"Vasantha Kalathendralil"P. SusheelaV. Seetharaman03:25
"Naadanda Uthamarai.... Vanjakargal Veezhave"T. M. Soundararajan, ChorusKu. Ma. Balasubramaniam
"Konjum Salangai Olikettu"P. SusheelaKannadasan03:23

Release and reception

Konjum Salangai was released in India on 14 January 1962, coinciding with Pongal. It was also released outside India, with the original having subtitles in more than 22 languages by a British company. It was also dubbed into other languages and received a fair amount of notice from critics. The film marked a record for being the first Tamil film to be exhibited in Poland with a dubbed version. In a review dated 28 January 1962, The Indian Express said, "Konjum Salangai, the first Technicolor feature film of South India is a revealing experience that even our technicians can bring out in a film the rich, glossy sheen and pleasing tonal gradations comparable with that of any Technicolor product made abroad."