Ponni is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film starring Sriram, Lalitha and Padmini.[1] The film was released in 1953, and the Telugu version Oka Talli Pillalu in the same year.

Ponni
Theatrical release poster
Directed byA. S. A. Samy
C. Srinivasa Rao
Screenplay byA. S. A. Samy
Elangovan
Balasubramaniam
Story byA. S. A. Samy
Produced byS. M. Sriramulu Naidu
StarringLalitha
Padmini
Sriram
CinematographySailen Bose
N. Prakash
Edited bySurya
Music bySubbiah Naidu
Production
company
Distributed byPakshiraja Studios
Release date
  • 26 June 1953 (1953-06-26)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot edit

The story is about a less privileged woman (P. Santha Kumari) left with two daughters. She loses one girl ("Baby" Chandrakumari, later Padmini), who is found by a wealthy man (D. Balasubramaniam). He changes her name to Kanmani and brings her up in luxury. She becomes proud. The struggling mother sends the other girl Ponni ("Baby" Asha, later Lalitha) to work in Kanmani's house. Kanmani ill treats her and once pushes her down the staircase, which injures Ponni badly, and she lands in hospital. The rich man has an adopted son Sundaram (Kaushik). His brother, a ne'er-do-well (Sriram), misbehaves with both Ponni and Kanmani. In the process, Ponni tries to save her sister, and lands in prison, accused of murder. However, the truth comes out and they all live happily thereafter.[2]

Cast edit

Cast adapted from the film titles (see external links)

Production edit

A. S. A. Sami was directing the film, but for an unknown reason he left half-way. C. Srinivasa Rao, (son of filmmaker C. Pullaiah) took over.
A dance drama with the popular story of Lord Krishna which was titled Bhama Vijayam was performed by Ragini and her cousins Ambika and Sukumari.[2] Choreography was handled by Hiralal.

Ponni was based on Sami's screen story, with dialogue by Sami, star Tamil screenwriter Elangovan and Balasubramaniam. For some reason, Sami opted out of the project midway, and C. S. Rao (C. Srinivasa Rao) completed it. The film was shot at Pakshiraja Studios in Coimbatore. An additional attraction in the film was the real-life wrestling sequence between King Kong (Hungarian World Champion) and Dara Singh along with referee Alireza Bey (Champion of Turkey). Such fights were a major attraction in Madras those days and they were performed in Park Town near Central Station.

A dance drama, Bhama Vijayam, the popular story of Lord Krishna, Sathyabhama and Rukmini was added to the film. It featured Ragini and her cousins Ambika and Sukumari, with dances composed by noted choreographer B. Hiralal.[2]

A real life wrestling contest between Dara Singh and King Kong was an added attraction.[2]

Soundtrack edit

The music was composed by Subbiah Naidu. Lyrics were by Narayanakavi, Ramaiah Dass, Balasubramaniam & Makkalanban. Playback singers are C. S. Jayaraman, Loganathan, Mariappa, Perianayaki, Jayalakshmi, Komala and Radha.

No. Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
1 "Azhagum Gunamaum Amaindha Pennukku" Jayalakshmi 01:47
2 "Mazhayai Nambi Uyir Vaazhum" C. S. Jayaraman 03:21
3 "Aangalai Pola Penngal" Perianayaki 02:35
4 "Aaduvadhum Paaduvadhum Edhukku" Mariappa & Group 03:12
5 "Paambodu Pazhagalaam Pennmani" Jayalakshmi 03:24
6 "Madhimuga Radhi Ena" Perianayaki 02:02
7 "Ulagam Pora Pokkile" Loganathan & Mariappa 01:42
8 "Aadi Paadu Paappaa" Jayalakshmi 01:48
9 "Aaduvome Oonjal Aaduvome"
(Baama Vijayam dance drama)
P. A. Periyanayaki, Jayalakshmi, Radha and Komala 09:02

References edit

  1. ^ Ponni - AkkamPakkam.com
  2. ^ a b c d Guy, Randor (7 December 2013). "Ponni (1953)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

External links edit