Ponmudi (1950 film)

Ponmudi
Directed by Ellis R. Dungan
Produced by T. R. Sundaram (Modern Theatres)
Written by Bharathidasan
Starring P. V. Narasimha Bharathi
Madhuri Devi
R. Balasubramaniam
T. P. Muthulakshmi
M. G. Chakrapani
A. Karunanidhi
Music by G. Ramanathan
Cinematography J. G. Vijayam
Edited by Ellis R. Dungan
Release dates
 14 January 1950
Running time
 170 min. (15,500 Feet)
Country India
Language Tamil

Ponmudi (Tamil: பொன்முடி) is a 1950 Tamil film directed by Ellis R. Dungan. It was based on the Tamil rationalist poet Bharathidasan's Verse novel Ethirparatha Mutham.[1][2][3]

Plot

Ponmudi was a love story based on the Bharathidasan novel Edhirparatha Mutham.

Production

Producer T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres wanted to make a film based on Edhirparatha Mutham (lit. Unexpected Kiss) - a novel written by the Tamil rationalist poet Bharatidasan. Ellis Dungan was hired to direct Bharathidasan's script. The film was made at the Modern Theatres studio in Salem. Some scenes were also filmed in Yercaud. For shooting beach scenes, Dungan had a beach set constructed in Salem, out of sand brought from Adyar beach. Music was composed by G. Ramanathan and lyrics were written by Marudhakasi-Ka. Mu. Sheriff. Most of the songs were copied from popular Hindi movie tunes. P. V. Narasimha Bharathi and Madhuri Devi were cast in the lead roles and M. G. Chakrapani as the villain. The film had intimate love sequences which were unusual in the (then) conservative Tamil film industry.[1][4]

Cast and crew

Reception

Ponmudi was released on Pongal day (14 January) 1950. It was a commercial failure as its intimate scenes shocked the Tamil audience. The film was criticized in the press for being "vulgar" and Dungan was accused of "corrupting the population with American ways".J. G. Vijayam's cinematography was acclaimed and won him an award.[1][3][5]

Soundtrack

Partial list of songs from Ponmudi :

Song Singer(s)
Neela Vanum Nilavum Pol G. Ramanathan & T. V. Rathinam
Van Mazhaiyindri Vadidum Payir Pola G. Ramanathan & T. V. Rathinam
Nam Jeevaatharame Selvam Agume G. Ramanathan
En Prema Rooba... Inbathin Ellai ithuthana T. V. Rathinam
Vaazha Venum Vaazha Venum Kali N. Rathinam
Aruyire Premai Amudha Variyil G. Ramanathan & T. V. Rathinam
Dhesamenggum Nalvalam G. Ramanathan
Meikadhal Arumbu Vazhvinile Poothathe Indre G. Ramanathan & T. V. Rathinam
Vaanam Kumurudhammaa K. V. Janaki & N. Lalitha

References

  1. 1 2 3 Guy, Randor (3 October 2008). "Blast from the Past - Ponmudi 1950". The Hindu. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  2. ↑ Baskaran, S. Theodore (1996). The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema. Chennai: East West Books. p. 201.
  3. 1 2 3 Film News Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal padaitha Tamil Thiraipada Varalaaru (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivagami Publications. pp. 28:53.
  4. ↑ "T. R. Sundaram becomes hero in P. U. Chinnapa's absence". Malai Malar (in Tamil). 26 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  5. ↑ Muthiah, S (6 September 2004). "Americans in Tamil cinema". The Hindu. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
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