Mallika (1957 film) explained

Mallika
Director:Joseph Thaliath Jr.
Screenplay:Nanjilnadu T. N. Rajappa
Story:M. A. Durai
Producer:Joseph Thaliath Jr.
Starring:Gemini Ganesan
Padmini
Music:T. R. Pappa
Studio:Citadel Films Corporation
Distributor:Rajashri Pictures[1]
Country:India
Language:Tamil

Mallika is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Joseph Thaliath Jr. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Padmini. It was released on 19 July 1957,[2] and remade in Hindi as Payal the same year.

Plot

Kamala and Padma are the daughters of a businessman stationed in Burma. Due to losses, the businessman is forced to return to India with his wife and daughters. The plane crashes and the parents are killed. Padma, the younger daughter, loses her eyesight. Kamala joins a dance troupe for a living and to save for treatment of her sister. Kamala meets Mohan, a man from an affluent family, and falls in love with him. But Mohan's parents are against the marriage because Kamala is a dancer and they consider her as someone of low moral character. Mohan's father is murdered and Mohan is arrested. Kamala takes the blame on to herself in order to save Mohan. The truth is eventually revealed, Padma regains her sight and all ends well for everyone.[3]

Cast

Credits adapted from The Hindu:

Production

This is the first film produced by the Citadel Films Corporation owned by Joseph Thaliath Jr, who also directed the film. Nanjilnadu T. N. Rajappa, who wrote the dialogues, also worked as the assistant director. Hiralal choreographed Padmini's dances, and was assisted by Chinni and Sampath. M. G. Naidu, who later founded the Naidu Hall, worked as the costume designer on the film.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by T. R. Pappa and the lyrics were written by A. Maruthakasi and M. K. Athmanathan. The playback singers were P. Susheela, A. M. Raja, Jikki, Mythili, S. C. Krishnan and R. Nageswara Rao.

No. Song Singer/s Lyricist Duration(m:ss)
1 "Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu" M. K. Athmanathan 03:43
2 "Maanatthai Kaappadhu Ponnu" A. Maruthakasi 03:50
3 "En Kannil Kalandhu Vilaiyaadum" A. M. Raja & P. Suseela A. Maruthakasi 02:47
4 "Pagattile Ulagam Emaarudhu" S. C. Krishnan 02:49
5 "Mangaamal Valarum Singaara Nadanam" P. Suseela A. Maruthakasi 02:55
6 "Thaye Nee Kan Paarai" Jikki 02:49
7 "Varuven Naan Unadhu Maaligaiyin" A. M. Raja & P. Suseela A. Maruthakasi 03:14
8 "Varundhathe Ezhai Maname" Jikki 03:09

Reception

Kanthan of Kalki positively reviewed Mallika.[4] Despite this, the film was an average success, but was remade in Hindi as Payal the same year with Padmini returning.

Notes and References

  1. News: 26 June 1957 . Mallika . 8 . . 18 October 2021.
  2. Web site: 1957 – மல்லிகா – தி. சிட்டாடல் பிலிம்ஸ் கார்ப்பரேஷன்ஸ் பாயல் (இ). . 1957 – Mallika – The. Citadel Films Corporation Payal (hi). . dead . https://archive.today/20161121154606/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1957-cinedetails19.asp . 21 November 2016 . 8 November 2016 . . Tamil.
  3. Web site: Guy . Randor . Randor Guy . 13 December 2014 . Mallika 1957 . dead . https://archive.today/20161108044653/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/mallika-1957/article6689010.ece . 8 November 2016 . 9 November 2016 . The Hindu.
  4. காந்தன் . 28 July 1957 . மல்லிகா . . ta . 12–13 . 10 October 2022.