Rangoon Radha

Rangoon Radha
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. Kasilingam
Screenplay byMu. Karunanidhi
Story byC. N. Annadurai
StarringSivaji Ganesan
P. Bhanumathi
CinematographyG. Durai
Edited byK. Perumal
Music byT. R. Pappa
Production
company
Mekala Pictures
Release date
  • 1 November 1956 (1956-11-01)
Running time
129 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Rangoon Radha is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. Kasilingam and written by M. Karunanidhi from a story by C. N. Annadurai. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. Based on the 1944 American film Gaslight, it is about a man trying to steal his wife's fortune. The film was released on 1 November 1956.

Plot

Kottaiyur Dharmalinga Mudaliyar is a cunning man who appears noble to the outside world. Rangam is his virtuous and long-suffering wife. Dharmalinga Mudaliyaar also has an eye on his sister-in-law Thangam. In order to marry Thangam and get control of the abundant wealth of the sisters, Dharamlingam ensures that everyone believes that Rangam is possessed by some evil spirit and is slowly becoming insane.

Cast

Support cast
  • Nambirajan
  • Dhakshinamoorthy
  • Damodharan
  • P. S. Gnanam
  • Mohana
  • Lakshmi Ammal

Production

The screenplay of Rangoon Radha was written by M. Karunanidhi from a story by C. N. Annadurai. The main plot was inspired by the 1944 American film Gaslight.[1]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by T. R. Pappa.[2][3] One of the lyricists, Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was paid ₹1000 per song.[4]

Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
"Podhu Nalam Endrum Podhu Nalam" C. S. Jayaraman M. Karunanidhi
"Thalaivaari Poochoodi Unnai" P. Bhanumathi Bharathidasan 02:52
"Ayarpaadi Kannaa Nee Aada Vaaraai Ennodu" T. V. Rathnam M. Karunanidhi 02:46
"Sankariye Kaaliyammaa Ammaachaamundiye Maari Thaaye" N. S. Krishnan N. S. Krishnan 03:48
"Pennaga Irundha Yennai ...Kaiyil Pirambedutthu" P. Bhanumathi M. K. Athmanathan 03:49
"Endrudhaan Thirundhuvadho" C. S. Jayaraman Udumalai Narayana Kavi 03:36
"Oli Padaiththa Kanninaai Vaa Vaa Vaa" T. S. Bagavathi Mahakavi Bharathiyar 02:35
"Thamizhe Thene Kanne Thaalelo" P. Bhanumathi M. Karunanidhi 03:25
"Ooradangum Velaiyile Ullam Kavarum Solaiyile" P. Susheela Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram 03:00
"Vaan Malar Solaiyil.... Kaatril Aadum Mullaikkodiye" P. Bhanumathi M. Karunanidhi 03:25
"Naatukkoru Veeran" Seerkazhi Govindarajan & A. G. Rathnamala Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram 11:30

Release and reception

Rangoon Radha was released on 1 November 1956.[5] Historian Randor Guy noted, "In spite of the formidable writing credits, excellent cast and outstanding performances, Rangoon Radha did not do well as one had expected. Perhaps the negative role of Sivaji Ganesan had contributed to its not-so-warm welcome".[6] Annadurai was besotted by the histrionics that Bhanumathi displayed in the film, and conferred upon her the title Nadippukku Ilakkanam vahuthava (The woman who wrote the grammar for acting).[7]

References

  1. ^ Sri Kantha, Sachi (30 September 2014). "MGR Remembered – Part 21 | Generativity in DMK Party of 1950s". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  2. ^ ரங்கோன் ராதா (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Mekala Pictures. 1956. Retrieved 28 June 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Neelamegam, G. (2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 116.
  4. ^ Kolappan, B. (16 May 2014). "A film on the poet who loved Chennai". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Rangoon Radha". The Indian Express. 1 November 1956. p. 1. Retrieved 28 June 2022 – via Google News Archive.
  6. ^ Guy, Randor (11 September 2008). "Rangoon Radha 1956". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  7. ^ "பானுமதி: 5. அண்ணா எனக்கு அளித்த தனி கவுரவம்!". Dinamani (in Tamil). 14 November 2015. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.