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OLDISGOLD
GNANASUNDARI 1961
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Prem Nazir, Thikkurissi, G. K. Pillai, S. P. Pillai,Adoor Bhasi, Bahadur, L. Vijayalakshmi,Pankajavalli, Aranmulla Ponnamma,Adoor Pankajam
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CLASSIC HIT Prem Nazir and L. Vijayalakshmi in the film
`Gnanasundari,' a Christian folk
myth has always been in focus of
the Indian stage and the silver
screen. The legend of `Gnanasundari',
a rare example of a totally
invented Christian mythological
character, is probably developed
from a Spanish folk tale. `Gnanasoundari
Ammanai,' a folk poem,
which attained much popularity
from the 18th century, is the basis
of the musical operas that
were staged in Malayalam and
Tamil. Popular drama troupes in
Tamil Nadu staged this play
throughout South India and it
had its influence on the Malayalai
audience also. In 1921, V. S.
Andrews, one of the founder
members of sangeetha natakam
(musical opera) in Malayalam
created a musical opera which
was staged very successfully in
the State.
The story of Gnanasundari was
released by Columbia Gramophone
Company in Tamil in a set
of 78 rpm records which was in
huge demand those days.
General Pictures Corporation,
pioneers of silent cinema in the
South, produced a silent film titled
`Gnanasundari' directed by
A. Narayanan in 1929. With the
advent of the sound in cinema,
the same story was filmed in Tamil
by Sreenivasa Cinetone again
directed by A. Narayanan with
Sreenivasa Rao and Sarojini in
lead roles. The film was a huge
success. In 1948, Gemini Films
and another film production
company Citadel Films released
the story under same title `Gnana
Soundari' and both the films
were released at the same time.
The film by Gemini that was directed
by the experienced Murugadasa
and had popular artists M.
K. Radha and V. S. Suseela in the
lead roles, failed. However, the
Citadel production, directed by
Joseph Thaliath, a Malayali and
F. Nagoor with singing sensation
T. R. Mahalingam and the Kannada-
Tamil actress M. V. Rajamma
in lead roles, was a huge
success. It is said that S. S. Vasan,
owner of Gemini Studios withdrew
his film from the theatres as
a respect to the tremendous victory
of the Citadel version.
The Malayalam version was
released during Christmas time,
December 22, 1961. It was a true
copy of the Citadel version.
Though the story and script by
Muttathu Varkey was based on a
novel of the same title authored
by him, the dialogues closely resembled
that written by Nanjil T.
N. Rajappa for the Tamil version.
Except for the hero and the heroine,
the names of the other characters
were changed in the
Malayalam film. The Malayalam
version was a success, but not as
successful as the Tamil original.
Gnanasundari (L.Vijayalakshmi),
daughter of King Philip
(Thikkurissi), loses her mother
when she was a child. She grows
up as an ardent devotee of Virgin
Mary. Out of fear that she may be
banished if Gnanasundari ascends
the throne after her father,
Annisha (Pankajavalli) her stepmother
plays nasty tricks to kill
her. For this evil plot Annisha
takes the help of her faithful
maid Kathri (Adoor Pankajam).
When the king is away from the
palace on a hunting expedition,
Annisha engages her men to
murder Gnanasundari. Out of
mercy for their princess, Annisha's
men leave Gnanasundari
alive in the woods with her arms
cut off and reports to Annisha
that the princess is murdered.
Philendran (Prem Nazir), prince
of a neighbouring kingdom, happens
to find Gnanasundari in the
forest and takes her to his palace.
King Sheemon (G .K. Pillai) and
Queen Mariana (Aranmula Ponnamma)
conduct the marriage of
their son Philendran with
Gnanasundari.
While Philendran is away
helping King Philip in battle,
Gnanasundari gives birth to twin
boys. Annisha comes to know
that Gnanasundari is alive and is
now the wife of Philendran. A
message sent by Philendran to
his parents is forged and manipulated
by Annisha. Misguided by
the message Sheemon sends
Gnanasundari and her children
to the forest. Gnanasundari
prays to Virgin Mary to save her
from the miserable plight and the
mother of Jesus Christ descends
to save her devotee.
Philendran returns to the palace
and is heart broken when he
comes to know about the fate of
his wife and children. He leaves
the palace to search for them. He
finds them in the forest, misunderstandings
are cleared, Philendran
and Gnanasundari return to
the palace with their children.
Annisha and Kathri are forgiven
by Gnanasundari and the film
ends with prayers to Virgin
Mary.
This was the first independent
directorial venture of K. S. Sethumadhavan
in Malayalam. He had
earlier directed a Sinhalese film
before this. His efficient direction
and excellent camera work
by Melli M. Irani brought to the
screen the beauty of the splendid
sets of Vijaya -Vauhini studios.
Costumes by K. Raman, editing
by M. S. Mani, sound recording
by C. V. C. Shekhar and art direction
by R. B. S. Mani , all contributed
to the success of this black
and white film. The mandatory
miracle scenes of this mythological
film gave ample scope for
special effects. The scenes where
Virgin Mary descends to earth
and Gnanasundari regaining her
arms were filmed with amazing
technical perfection.
Prem Nazir and L. Vijayalakshmi
did justice to their roles.
Pankajavalli and Adoor Pankajam
also filled the bill perfectly.
But the comic scenes, copied
from the Tamil version, that had
Adoor Bhasi, Bahadur, S. P. Pillai
and Adoor Pankajam did not rise
to expectation.
There were 10 songs in the film
penned by Abhayadev and set to
music by V. Dakshinamoorthy.
Some of the songs became super
hits and have stood the test of
time. The devotional song by P.
Leela `Kanya Mariyame thaaye...'
is considered as one of the best
Christian devotional songs in
Malayalam cinema. The solos by
Kamukara Purushothaman,
`Mindaatha thenthanu thatthe...'
and `Panineer malarinorithal...'
also became super hits. The other
hits include `Onnu chirikkku chirikku...'
(Kamukara-Leela), `Parannu
poyo inakkiliye...'
(Kamukara) and the comedy
duet `Kandal nalloru chetta.'
sung by the composer himself
with K. V. Santha is one of the
best songs in the genre.
Will be remembered: As the
first independent directorial
venture of K. S. Sethumadhavan
in Malayalam. As the debut film
of actress L. Vijayalakshmi in
Malayalam and first independent
film of cinematographer Melli M.
Irani. It will also be remembered
for the good music and as a huge
success among the remake films
in early Malayalam cinema.
B. VIJAYAKUMAR
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