Manohara (film)

Manohara is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language historical fantasy film directed by L. V. Prasad and written by M. Karunanidhi. Starring Sivaji Ganesan, T. R. Rajakumari, P. Kannamba and Girija, the film was based on the play of the same name by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar. It was released on 3 March 1954. The film was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Hindi and later released on 3 June 1954.
Plot.
Kesarivarman, an artiste, comes to the court of king Purushothaman, along with his wife Vasanthasenai to perform. The king falls in love with her. To get rid of her husband and be with the king, Vasanthasenai mixes poison in Kesari's milk. Kesari dies, but returns as an invisible man with the help of a sage. He seeks revenge. Though Purushothaman is already married to queen Padmavathi and has a son Manoharan alias Manohara, he becomes attracted to Vasanthasenai and starts living with her.
Padmavathi becomes angry with the king, and vows never to see him again till he separates from Vasanthasenai. Vasanthasenai, pregnant with Kesari's child, convinces Purushothaman the child is his. The child is born and named Vasanthan. Years roll by and Vasanthasenai influences Purushothaman in every decision, which annoys Manohara. Manohara respects his mother and never violates her orders. Padmavathi makes him promise that he would never harm Vasanthasenai as such an act would affect her husband's happiness. She orders him to restore the honour of their kingdom by retrieving the prestigious throne which was seized by king Muthuvijayan.
Manohara and his friend Rajapriyan attack Muthuvijayan; not only does he get the throne back, he also falls for Muthuvijayan's daughter Vijaya, who tries to kill him to protect he country's honour. He marries her and returns to his kingdom with her. Manohara becomes upset on seeing that instead of his mother, Vasanthasenai is accompanying the king to the prestigious throne. When he accuses her, she abuses his mother, prompting him to raise his hand to attack her. However, remembering his promise, he stops.
Purushothaman, angry on seeing Manohara's act, orders him to apologise. Manohara refuses, and is sentenced to death. Even his mother's pleas to the king fail. Vasanthasenai hatches a conspiracy, and gets Padmavathi and Vijaya imprisoned on false charges. When Manohara is taken in a chariot for his death sentence, the invisible Kesari saves him. Manohara, with the help of the minister Sathyaseelar and Rajapriyan, re-enters the palace disguised as a messenger Atchayan and works under Vasanthasenai.
Ukrasenan, an opponent of Purushothaman, enters the palace disguised as a sage, on the invitation of Vasanthasenai. Manohara, still disguised, makes Purushothaman see Vasanthasenai and Ukrasenan in a compromising position in the bedroom; when Purushothaman questions her, she imprisons him too. Purushothaman realises his mistakes and feels regret. Vijaya delivers a child in prison. Vasanthasenai orders that the child be brought to the court and killed. "Atchayan", in his anxiety to see his newborn, visits the prison. Meanwhile, the real Atchayan escapes and meets Ukrasenan. They understand the truth and come rushing to the prison to see the disguised Manohara with his child. He is arrested and brought to court.
Vasanthasenai tries to kill Manohara's child despite Padmavathi's pleas. When Padmavathi explains to Vasanthasenai why she had been patient all along, Vasanthasenai does not understand and slaps her. Enraged, Padmavathi decides it is enough of patience and time to respond, and advises Manohara to restore the honour of the family. Though he is chained to a wall, his mother's words make him powerful enough to break free and a fight ensues. Manohara, Sathyaseelar, Rajapriyan and their army attack he queen's army and all the enemies are eliminated. Kesari comes to Manohara's help in the process. When Vasanthasenai kills Vasanthan, she is taken by Kesari for the ultimate punishment in his hideout. Purushothaman is released and unites with his family.
Production.
"Manohara" was a play staged by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar in the 1930s; he even acted in a film version which was released in 1930. K. R. Ramasamy successfully staged "Manohara" under his own banner, playing the lead actor, Sivaji Ganesan portrayed the role of the queen in the play. Jupiter Pictures announced the film adaptation of "Manohara" with Ramasamy in the title role and A. S. A. Sami as the director. Elangovan, was engaged to write the script. However, this project was shelved and Ganesan was brought on board. Producer signed Ganesan either for the role of Rajapriyan or Manohara. However Ganesan was keen on doing the titular character and got selected. Elangovan worked on the script for sometime under the new setup, but he was soon replaced by M. Karunanidhi. Karunanidhi rewrote Mudaliar's play, introducing changes like the climactic sequence for which he drew inspiration from "Samson and Delilah", especially the part where the blind Samson pushes the pillars down. L. V. Prasad was selected to direct the film.
Soundtrack.
The music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman and T. R. Ramanathan.
Tamil Songs
Lyrics by K. D. Sundaram, Surabhi, Chellamuthukavi & Udumalai Narayana Kavi. Singers are T. R. Rajakumari & C. S. Pandiyan. Playback singers by A. M. Rajah, S. V. Venkatraman, T. A. Mothi, Radha Jayalakshmi, T. V. Rathinam & Jikki.
T. R. Ramanathan composed the music for "Singara Paingkiliye Pesu" and "Nilaavile Ullaasamaaga Aadalaam".
Telugu Songs
Playback singers by A. M. Rajah, S. V. Venkatraman, T. A. Mothi, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, Radha Jayalakshmi & Jikki.
Hindi Songs
Playback singers by Sandhya Mukherjee, T. A. Moti, Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum, Hemant Kumar, Asha Bhosle
Release and reception.
"Manohara" was released on 3 March 1954. "Ananda Vikatan" wrote ""Manohara" is an example if there is a good script combined with lively dialogues and powerful acting, the public will appreciate and love such films". According to historian G. Dhananjayan, the film became a success due to the performances of Ganesan and Kannamba and dialogues by Karunanidhi. It was later dubbed and released in Telugu and Hindi with the same title; both became failures. Kongara Jaggaiah dubbed his voice for Ganesan in Telugu. Aatreya wrote dialogues for the Telugu version.