| Sivagangai Seemai | |
| Director: | K. Shankar |
| Producer: | K. S. Ranganathan |
| Starring: | S. S. Rajendran S. Varalakshmi Kamala Lakshmanan T. K. Bhagavathi M. N. Rajam |
| Cinematography: | Thambu |
| Editing: | K. Shankar K. Narayanan |
| Music: | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy |
| Studio: | Kannadasan Productions |
| Runtime: | 173 minutes |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Sivagangai Seemai is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by K. Shankar and written by Kannadasan. Based on the life of the Maruthu Pandiyars, the film stars S. S. Rajendran, S. Varalakshmi, Kamala Lakshmanan and M. N. Rajam. It was released on 19 May 1959.
After the execution of Veerapandiya Kattabomman on 16 October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai. The British used this reason to invade and attack Sivaganga in 1801 with a powerful army. The Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies were quite successful and captured three districts from the British. The British considered it as a serious threat to their future in India that they rushed additional troops from Britain to put down the Maruthu Pandiyars' rebellion.
The film began production under the title Oomaiyan Kottai with M. G. Ramachandran starring, but it got shelved as Ramachandran was busy with politics. The same project was revived as Sivagangai Seemai.[1] This was Kannadasan's second home production and he wrote the film's script.
The soundtrack features 16 songs composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.[2] Lyrics were by Kannadasan. The song "Kanavu Kanden" is set in Mukhari raga.[3]
| Song | Singers | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Saanthu Pottu Thala Thalanga" | 03:48 | ||
| "Veerargal Vaazhum Dravidar Naattai" | 03:26 | ||
| "Thendral Vandhu Veesaadho" | 04:06 | ||
| "Kannankaruthaa Kili Kattazhagan Thotta Kili" | 03:11 | ||
| "Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen" (happy) | T. M. Soundararajan & T. S. Bagavathi | 03:32 | |
| "Maruvirukkum Koondhal" (traditional verse) | 00:28 | ||
| "Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen" (Pathos) | T. S. Bagavathi | 03:02 | |
| "Vaigai Perugivara" | C. S. Jayaraman & P. Leela | 03:28 | |
| "Thanimai Naerndhadho" | S. Varalakshmi | ||
| "Sivagangai Cheemai Sivagangai Cheemai" | 03:27 | ||
| "Kottu Melam Kottungadi Kummi Kotti Paadungadi" | 03:28 | ||
| "Chinna Chinna Chittu Sivagangaiyai Vittu" | K. Jamuna Rani | 03:12 | |
| "Muthu Pugazh Padaitthu" | 05:49 | ||
| "Aalikkum Kaigal" (one verse) | V. N. Sundaram | 00:30 | |
| "Megam Kuvindhadhammaa...Imaiyum Vizhiyum" | 04:38 | ||
| "Vidiyum Vidiyum Endrirundhoam" | T. S. Bagavathi | 04:24 |
Sivagangai Seemai was released on 19 May 1959,[4] delayed from April.[5] Because the majority of male characters in the film had thick moustaches, the Tamil magazine Kumudam called it "Sivagangai Meesai", with "Meesai" meaning "moustache".[6] Kanthan of Kalki said the film was not visually appealing, and overabundant with verbosity.[7] The film was not a success,[8] but because of its theme and historic content, it acquired cult status in later years.