Amara Deepam (1956 film)
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T. Govindarajan
C. V. Sridhar
| Amara Deepam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | T. Prakash Rao |
| Screenplay by | T. Prakash Rao |
| Story by | C. V. Sridhar |
| Produced by | S. Krishnamoorthy T. Govindarajan C. V. Sridhar |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Savitri Padmini |
| Cinematography | Kamal Ghosh A. Vincent |
| Edited by | N. M. Sankar |
| Music by | T. Chalapathi Rao G. Ramanathan G. N. Balasubramaniam |
Production company | Venus Pictures |
| Distributed by | Sivaji Films[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 162 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Amara Deepam (transl. The Eternal Lamp) is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed and co-written by T. Prakash Rao. A remake of the 1942 American film Random Harvest, it stars Sivaji Ganesan, Savitri and Padmini. The film, produced by Venus Pictures, was released on 29 June 1956. It was remade in Hindi as Amardeep (1958).[2][3]
Aruna is a girl from a wealthy family. Her parents want her to marry her cousin Sukumar. She, however, does not like him because of his dictatorial behaviour. He even breaks her radio, which convinces Aruna that he is certainly not the person for her. She leaves the house one night without informing anyone to escape from the marriage. She ends up being chased by some goons, and gets saved by a bypasser Ashok. Suddenly, somebody hits Ashok on the head, which causes him to lose his memory. Later, he meets a woman in a gypsy camp called Rupa and falls for her. Aruna, however, cannot forget him and never ceases her search for him. She finally meets him at a show with Rupa. Whether he regains his memory and what eventually happens forms the climax.
Cast
- Main cast
- Sivaji Ganesan as Ashok
- Savitri as Aruna
- Padmini as Roopa
- Nambiar as Sukumar
- Thangavelu
- E. V. Saroja as Shamba
- Guest artiste
- V. Nagayya as Aruna's father
- Supporting cast
- M. R. Santhanam, M. M. Venkatachalam Pillai, Jayasakthivel, Nambirajan, Kottapuli Jayaraman, V. P. Balaraman, K. S. Durai, C. V. Velappa, Baby Saroja, and Baby Kasthuri.
Production
Soundtrack
The music was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao.[5] G. Ramanathan composed the music for one song "Nadodikkottam Nannga Thiillelelo" and Carnatic musician G. N. Balasubramaniam composed the music for "Enge Maraindhanayo".[6] This song was tuned in the Carnatic raga Shubhapantuvarali.[7] The kuthu song "Jalilo Jimkana" became popular, and inspired the title of the song "Jolly O Gymkhana" from Beast (2022).[8]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Nanaayam Manushanukku" | T. M. Soundararajan | K. S. Gopalakrishnan | 02:43 |
| "Jalilo Jimkana" | Jikki | Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass | 03:51 |
| "Thenunnum Vandu Maamalarai Kandu" | A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | 03:34 |
| "Ellorum Koodi Aadi Paadi" | Jikki | M. K. Aathmanathan | 03:56 |
| "Nadodikkottam Nannga Thiillelelo" | T. M. Soundararajan, A. P. Komala, Sirkazhi Govindarajan & T. V. Rathnam | Udumalai Narayana Kavi | 05:41 |
| "Pachchai Kilipaadudhu" | Jikki | A. Maruthakasi | 03:13 |
| "Kondaikatti Kaavikatti" | S. C. Krishnan & A. P. Komala | K. S. Gopalakrishnan | 03:37 |
| "Thumbam Soozhum Neram" | Jikki | K. S. Gopalakrishnan | 02:11 |
| "Enge Maraindhanayo" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | K. S. Gopalakrishnan | 03:09 |
Release and reception
Amara Deepam was released on 29 June 1956.[9] The Hindu wrote, "Interesting melodrama, packed with cleverly-contrived situations." The Mail wrote, "Savithri as Aruna and Padmini as Rupa are striking in their trying roles, and their actions are moving. Sivaji Ganesan, as Ashok, gives a talk on labour rights, which arrests one's attention." Screen wrote, "Amara Deepam produced essentially as an entertainer, has achieved its purpose to a great extent".[10] Kanthan of Kalki appreciated the film for various aspects, including Sridhar's writing, the songs and the cast performances.[11] The Indian Express wrote, "This is a picture of which the Tamil film world could be legitimately be proud – such is the vivid portrayal on the screen of gripping theme."[12] The film was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.[13]
