Wikipedia

Ulagam

Ulagam (transl. The World) is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by L. S. Ramachandran. The film stars V. Nagayya and M. V. Rajamma.[1]

Ulagam
Theatrical release poster
Directed byL. S. Ramachandran
M. H. M. Moonas (Supervision)
Screenplay byM. H. M. Moonas
Story byMrs. C. P. Moonas
Produced byM. H. M. Moonas
StarringV. Nagayya
M. V. Rajamma
P. S. Veerappa
M. S. Draupathi
CinematographyR. R. Chandran
Operative Cameraman:
K. M. Govindan
Art: V. M. Vardhookar
Edited byL. S. Ramachandran
Music byM. S. Gnanamani
Production
company
Society Pictures
Release date
  • 10 July 1953 (1953-07-10)
Running time
3 hrs. 9 mins. (17013 ft.)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

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The story spans three 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 becomes aware of 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 kill herself 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 learns 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.[2]

Cast

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The following lists are compiled from The Hindu article,[1] and from the song book.[2]

Group dance
  • P. Santha Kumari, D. Saroja, N. D. Rani, G. Sundari, Prathibha, V. Saroja, T. S. Kamala, T. S. Jayanthi, M. M. Leela, N. Krishnaveni, K. Rajeswari, V. Saraswathi, Meera, K. Saroja, Sakku Bai, and Bhavani.

Production

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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.[1] However, there is no record about the results of the competition.[3] 100 copies of the film were made simultaneously.[4] Choreography was handled by K. K. Sinha, K. Madhavan and Jayashankar.

Soundtrack

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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 (debut) and Tamizh Oli.[3] The song Kalaiye Uyir Thunaiye is tuned in ragamaliga comprising Vachaspati and Ranjani ragas.

Song Singer/s Lyricist Duration (m:ss)
"Manam Pole Ullasamayi"
"Azhagaana Bhoomi Thanile" V. Nagayya
"Kaadhalinaal Ulagame Inbamadhe" N. L. Ganasaraswathi & Thiruchi Loganathan Kuyilan
"En Jeevanile" M. L. Vasanthakumari 02:09
"Puvi Vaazhvu Idho"
"Anne Anne Enum"
"Isai Paadi Naanume" A. M. Rajah & P. Leela 03:25
"Indha Thallaadum Kizhathaadi"
"Thetkathi Kallanadaa" P. A. Periyanayaki
"Namma Velaikku Pazhudhille"
"Kalaiye Uyir Thunaiye" N. L. Ganasaraswathi Kavi Kunjaram 06:05
"Nalla Penn Pillai Kitte"
"Thuyarutraeh Ennai Nee Enraaye" N. Sathiyam
"Un Kaadhalaal En Anbellaam" A. M. Rajah & M. L. Vasanthakumari 03:10
"En Premai Rani Kaadhalinale" A. M. Rajah & M. S. Rajeswari 02:23

Release and reception

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Ulagam was released on 10 July 1953.[4][5] The film did not fare well at the box office. However, 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!"[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (14 July 2012). "Ulagam 1953". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b உலகம் (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Society Pictures. 1953. Retrieved 30 November 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ a b Neelamegam, G. (2014). Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Publishers. p. 49.
  4. ^ a b "1953 – உலகம் – சொசைட்டி பிக்சர்ஸ் – பிரபஞ்சம் (தெ)". Lakshman Sruthi (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  5. ^ "The World". The Indian Express. 10 July 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 1 February 2020 – via Google News Archive.
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