May Maadham

May Maadham
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBalu
Written byBalu
Crazy Mohan (dialogues)
Produced byG. Venkateswaran
StarringVineeth
Sonali Kulkarni
CinematographyP. C. Sreeram
Edited byB. Lenin
V. T. Vijayan
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
company
Release date
  • 9 September 1994 (1994-09-09)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

May Maadham (transl. The Month of May) is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language romantic musical film directed by Balu and produced by G. Venkateswaran via GV Films. The film stars Vineeth and Sonali Kulkarni, and has music by A. R. Rahman. It is based on the 1953 American film Roman Holiday.[1] The film was released on 9 September 1994.

Cast

Production

Ajith Kumar was initially considered to play the lead role before Vineeth was cast.[4] The film marks Sonali Kulkarni's only Tamil film to date.[5] She was encouraged to audition for the film by Mani Ratnam.[6] The song "Madrasa Suthi" was filmed in Marina Beach.[7]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu.[8] The song "Margazhi Poove" is set in Hindolam raaga,[9] while "Enmel Vizhundha Mazhaithuli" is set in Kapi.[10] In a 2018 interview, Vairamuthu recalled that after he had written most of the lyrics for "Margazhi Poove", Rahman wanted him to write further lyrics for "a short tune that plays between the BGM". Vairamuthu felt it was impossible to fit words into the tune but Rahman remained adamant. Though irritated, Vairamuthu accepted the challenge and found the perfect lyrics: "Venba... Paadivarum Vandukku/ Senthaen... Thandhuvidum sempookkal/ Konjam... Paadavarum Pennukku/ Sandham... Thandhuvidum Mynahkkal".[11] Rahman reused the songs in the Hindi film Love You Hamesha (2022).[12]

Tamil
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Adi Paru Mangatha"Suneeta Rao, T. K. Kala and G. V. Prakash Kumar04:26
2."Palakkattu Machanukku"G. V. Prakash Kumar, Noel James, A. R. Rahman (backing vocals)04:37
3."Marghazhi Poove"Shobha Shankar, Chorus06:18
4."En Mel Vizhunda"P. Jayachandran, K. S. Chithra05:05
5."Madrasai Suthi"Shahul Hameed, Swarnalatha, G. V. Prakash Kumar and Manorama04:51
6."Minnalae"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam05:37
Telugu[13]
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Achampeta Mangatha"VeenelakantiAnupama, Suneeta Rao, T. K. Kala and G. V. Prakash04:26
2."Madarasu Chuttivaste"Ghantasala RatnakumarSrinivas, Swarnalatha, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Noel David and Malgudi Subha04:51
3."Maanasa Veena"Sirivennela Sitarama SastryK. S. Chithra & Chorus06:18
4."Edapai Jarina"Bhuvana ChandraK. S. Chithra, Unnikrishnan05:05
5."Palakollu Mavayya"Bhuvana ChandraG. V. Prakash, Gopal Rao04:37

Release and reception

May Maadham was released on 9 September 1994.[14] Malini Mannath of The Indian Express wrote on the same day, "Despite its flaws, May Maadham is an engaging little film that is worth viewing".[15] Thulasi of Kalki appreciated the film for Sreeram's cinematography, Rahman's music, Mohan's dialogues and the cast performances.[16] The film was commercially unsuccessful, breaking GV Films' success streak that began in 1990.[17] The film was subsequently dubbed in Telugu under the title Hrudayanjali in 1998.[18]

References

  1. ^ "சுட்ட படம்" [Stolen film]. Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 14 March 2016. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  2. ^ R, Aishwaryaa (11 June 2019). "Mohan is gone, but the craziness will go on". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  3. ^ Sundaram, Nandhu (19 July 2018). "Karuthamma, Nammavar, Kadhalan, Nattamai – Tamil cinema offered its best in the watershed year of 1994". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  4. ^ "DID YOU KNOW AJITH MISSED THESE BIG FILMS? | MAY MAADHAM". Behindwoods. 16 March 2018. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  5. ^ Pawar, Yogesh (6 May 2018). "Smita Patil's tree has grown". Daily News and Analysis. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  6. ^ Bhopatkar, Tejashree (11 July 2021). "#BigInterview: Sonali Kulkarni: I was told, 'Dark girls don't look good on camera'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  7. ^ Raman, Mohan (24 August 2020). "#MadrasThroughTheMovies: A stroll by the Marina Beach & its landmarks". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  8. ^ "May Madham (1994)". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  9. ^ Mani, Charulatha (9 August 2011). "A Raga's Journey – Hindolam Highlights". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  10. ^ Mani, Charulatha (7 December 2012). "Notes that intrigue". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  11. ^ Suganth, M (5 September 2018). "When Rahman gives me a tune, I'll have to find both the melody and the words: Vairamuthu". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  12. ^ Padmanabhan, Savitha (12 March 2001). "Chords & Notes". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Hrudayaanjali (1999)". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  14. ^ "May Madham". The Indian Express. 9 September 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 1 December 2017 – via Google News Archive.
  15. ^ Mannath, Malini (9 September 1994). "Laugh-riot". The Indian Express. p. 6. Retrieved 1 December 2017 – via Google News Archive.
  16. ^ துளசி (25 September 1994). "மே மாதம்". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 19. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  17. ^ "No One Helped G Venkateswaran in His Tough Times, Says Producer KT Kunjumon". News18. 1 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Hrudayanjali". indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2021.