Ulagam


Ulagam is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by L. S. Ramachandran. The film stars Chittor V. Nagaiah and M. V. Rajamma.

Plot

The story spans 3 generations. Sabapathy is an average person and he married beautiful Meena. Sabapathy gains wealth and status by luck. The couple have two sons – Shankar and Mohan. Shankar marries Padma as per his parents' wishes. Mohan is studying in a college. A girl student, Lalitha loves him, but he does not accept her. Lalitha goes abroad for Barrister studies. Leela is Mohan's cousin. She has returned from South Africa and is studying medicine. Mohan loves her. Leela is apprehensive at the beginning, but later on accepts his love. She becomes pregnant before marriage. Lalitha returns as a Barrister. She comes to know the love between Mohan and Leela. She tries several ways to separate them and get Mohan for herself. However, she fails in all her attempts and finally dies in a car accident. Leela's pregnancy is aborted due to shock. Mohan and Leela get married. Mohan goes to America for higher studies. In the meantime, Shankar and Padma beget two children – Chandar and Swarna. Padma dies when Chandar is 20 and Swarna is 16. Shankar wants to marry a poor girl Prema as his second wife. But Chandar opposes his father marrying a second time. Prema tries to commit suicide by jumping into the ocean. Chandar, without knowing that she is the girl his father intends to marry, rescues her and brings her for treatment to Leela, who has become a doctor now. Chandar's blood is transfused to Prema. Chandar falls in love with Prema. A police inspector Govindasamy comes for an inquiry and gets attracted by Prema's beauty. But Prema refuses him. He files a case against Prema for attempted suicide. Chandar does not want to live with his father. He stays with Leela. When Mohan returns from America, Govindasamy tries to poison his mind creating false stories about Chandar and Leela. Chandar is now forced to leave Leela's home also. He goes to Prema's house and comes to know that she is the one his father was to marry. So, he gets upset. The police inspector Govindasamy charges Chandar as the person who urged Prema to commit suicide. Govindasamy arrests Chandar and imprisons him.

Cast

The following lists are compiled from The Hindu article, and from the song book.
;Male Cast
;Folk Dance
;Bharatanatyam
;Male Cast
;Wrestling
;Female Cast
;Group dance
The film was produced by M. H. M. Moonas, a Sri Lankan who was resident in India. The film was also made in Telugu with the title Prapanjam. The film had a wrestling match included in it. The producer conducted a competition for which a total of ₹100,000 was offered as prize money. Six questions were asked for which, it was announced, the answers were kept in a sealed cover and deposited in the "Eastern Bank of India". The first all correct entry would get a prize of ₹10,000 – quite a big amount those days. Altogether 309 prizes were offered. Though the competition was free for all to participate, it was asked to attach the counterfoil of the ticket with each entry. However, there is no record about the results of the competition. 100 copies of the film were made simultaneously. Choreography was handled by K. K. Sinha, K. Madhavan and Jayashankar.

Soundtrack

Music was composed by M. S. Gnanamani while the lyrics were penned by M. H. M. Moonas, Kavi Kunjaram, K. P. Kamakshisundaram, P. Hanumandha Rao, Kuyilan and Tamizh Oli. Singer is V. Nagaiah and the Playback singers are N. L. Ganasaraswathi, Thiruchi Loganathan, M. L. Vasanthakumari, A. M. Rajah, P. Leela, P. A. Periyanayaki, N. Satyam and M. S. Rajeswari.
The song Kalaiye Uyir Thunaiye is tuned in ragamaliga comprising Vachaspati and Ranjani ragas.

Release and reception

Ulagam was released on 10 July 1953. the film did not fare well at the box office. However, film historian Randor Guy said the film is remembered for "the stunning star cast, prize schemes and the avalanche of publicity released by Moonas which old-timers will never forget!"