Thilakam (1960 film)


Thilakam is a Tamil language drama film released in 1960 with Prem Nazir and M. N. Rajam in the lead roles. The film was directed by Krishnan–Panju, and produced by AVM Productions.

Plot

Saraswathi is a woman separated from her husband. She and her daughter Thilakam take refuge in her sister's family in Tiruchi. Saraswathi wants her daughter Thilakam to be married to her brother Sekhar. But her uncle Sambasivam wants to marry Thilakam to a rich but old man in Bombay. Sambasivam's son Gunasekharan is against this plan and wants Thilakam to be married to Sekhar. Whether he succeeds in this, forms the plot of the story.

Cast and Crew

The details are adapted from The Hindu review article.

Cast

M. N. Rajam
Sriranjani Jr.
R. Rajakumari
D. Balasubramaniam
Tambaram Lalitha
"Kuladeivam" V. R. Rajagopal
S. Rama Rao
C. S. Pandian
S. L. Narayanan
Manorama
"Appa" K. Duraiswami
"Thilakam" K. M. Narayanasami
Seethalakshmi
Ramamani Bai
Pakkirisami

Crew

Producer: M. Saravanan
Director: Krishnan–Panju
Cinematography: S. Maruthi Rao
Editing: Panjabi
Audiography: Mukul Bose and S. P. Ramanathan
Choreography: K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai
Studio: AVM

Production

Thilakam was a popular stage play written by K. M. Narayanasami. A. V. Meiyappan, the founder and then-owner of AVM Productions, bought the film rights to the play and produced the film. His son Saravanan started his film production career with this film working as a "production executive".

Soundtrack

Music was composed by R. Sudharsanam and the lyrics were penned by Kothamangalam Subbu, M. K. Athmanathan, A. Maruthakasi, Kavi S. Rajagopal and V. Seetharaman. Playback singers are T. M. Soundararajan, Seergazhi Govindarajan, S. C. Krishnan, M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. Suseela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, T. S. Bagavathi and L. R. Eswari.
The song "B-o-y Boy, Boyinna Paiyan, G - i - r - l Girl, Girlinna Ponnu", sung by S. C. Krishnan and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi was a hit.
Partial List of Songs
No.SongSinger/sLyricistDuration
1"B-o-y Boy, Boyinna Paiyan"S. C. Krishnan & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi03:52
2"Manasukkulle Maraichu Vaikka Mudiyale"Seergazhi Govindarajan & M. L. VasanthakumariM. K. Athmanathan03:43
3"Aadi Varum Poonkodi Azhginile"P. SuseelaA. Maruthakasi03:47
4"Ezhaikkum Vaazhvukkum Vegudhooramaa"Seerkazhi Govindarajan, M. L. Vasanthakumari
T. S. Bagavathi
Kavi Rajagopal04:38
5"Kaaveri Karadhanile Kaaval Iruppavale"T. M. SoundararajanKothamangalam Subbu01:25
6"Aayi Mahamaayi Perai Cholli"S. C. Krishnan, L. R. Eswari & Soolamangalam RajalakshmiKothamangalam Subbu01:02
7"Karagam Karagam Karagam"S. C. Krishnan & Soolamangalam RajalakshmiKothamangalam Subbu01:34
8"Maari Mutthu Maari"T. M. Soundararajan & Soolamangalam RajalakshmiKothamangalam Subbu01:17
9"Inneram Ennai Seidhe"S. C. Krishnan & L. R. EswariKothamangalam Subbu01:38
10"Bayaaskoppu Paatthiyaa Dappaskoppu Paatthiyaa"T. M. Soundararajan & Soolamangalam RajalakshmiKothamangalam Subbu01:46
11"Thanjavoor Karagamadi Oh Mariammaa"S. C. Krishnan, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi,
L. R. Eswari & T. M. Soundararajan
Kothamangalam Subbu01:22
12"Kaathirundha Kannukku Oli Vandhadhu"M. L. VasanthakumariKavi S. Rajagopal04:22
13"Sandhegam Enum Oru Sarakku"S. C. Krishnan & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi03:26

Reception

Thilakam was a commercial failure, but film historian Randor Guy said it would be remembered for "Krishnan-Panju’s direction and the melodious songs".