Thamarai Nenjam
1968 film by K. Balachander
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Thamarai Nenjam (/θɑːməraɪ nɛŋdʒəm/ transl. Lotus Heart) is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi and Vanisri, with Major Sundarrajan and Nagesh playing supporting roles. It was released on 31 May 1968, and won two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards: Best Film (Third Prize) and Best Dialogue Writer (Balachander). The film was remade in Telugu as Mooga Prema (1971), in Hindi as Haar Jeet (1972) and in Kannada as Mugila Mallige (1985) by Balachander himself.[1][2]
| Thamarai Nenjam | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | K. Balachander |
| Written by | K. Balachander |
| Produced by | Annamalai–Arunachalam |
| Starring | Gemini Ganesan B. Saroja Devi Vanisri |
| Cinematography | N. Balakrishnan |
| Edited by | N. R. Kittu |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | Bama Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 143 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
Two friends, Kamala and Radha, fall in love with Murali, only for Kamala ending up helping Radha and Murali get together. However, when Radha finds out about this, she feels guilty and starts pushing away Murali towards Kamala thereby turning all three lives into hell. In the end, Kamala, who serialises her story in a weekly magazine through which Radha figures it out, concludes that the only way to resolve this is to kill herself. Does she succeed?
Cast
- Gemini Ganesan as Murali
- B. Saroja Devi as Kamala
- Vanisri as Radha
- Major Sundarrajan as Vasudevan
- Nagesh as Narayanan
- S. N. Lakshmi as Narayanan's Mother
- Master Prabhakar as prabhakar
- Baby Kausalya as kausalya
- Baby Raji as Raji
Production
C. R. Vijayakumari was offered to act in the film, but did not accept, resulting in B. Saroja Devi replacing her.[3]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics were written by Kannadasan.[4]
| Song | Singer | Length |
|---|---|---|
| "Adipodi Paithiyakari" | L. R. Eswari, P. Susheela | 3:33 |
| "Mutrukai Porattam" | L. R. Eswari, T. M. Soundararajan | 2:53 |
| "Aalayam Enbathu" | P. Susheela | 4:29 |
| "Thithikkum Paaleduthu" | 3:33 | |
| "Vaanai Maranthu Nindra" | 3:23 |
Release and reception
Thamarai Nenjam was released on 31 May 1968,[5] and favourably reviewed by Kalki.[6] The film won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Third Prize), and Balachander won the award for Best Dialogue Writer.[7]