Mazhalai Pattalam (pronounced [maɻalaɪ paʈʈːaːɭam] transl. Army of Children) is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language children's film simultaneously filmed in Kannada as Makkala Sainya (transl. Army of Children). The directorial debut of Lakshmi, it stars Vishnuvardhan and Sumithra.[1] The story is based on the 1968 film Yours, Mine and Ours. Mazhalai Pattalam was released on 9 May 1980, and Makkala Sainya on 21 July that year. The film was remade in Telugu as Ramadandu.[citation needed]
| Mazhalai Pattalam | |
|---|---|
 Poster of Mazhalai Pattalam | |
| Directed by | Lakshmi |
| Written by | Visu (Tamil dialogues) D. Rajendra Babu (Kannada dialogues) |
| Produced by | P. R. Govindaraj B. Doraiswamy |
| Starring | Vishnuvardhan Sumithra |
| Cinematography | N. Balakrishnan R. Raghunatha Reddy |
| Edited by | N. R. Kittu |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | Kalaikoodam |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 130 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Tamil Kannada |
Plot edit
This article needs an improved plot summary. (February 2023) |
The love story of the hero, taking care of his now-orphaned brother's children and the heroine, taking care of her now-orphaned sister's children. The children, who are always at loggerheads, makes their marriage an impossibility until they are forced to join forces.
Cast edit
- Vishnuvardhan as Shivaraman alias Gowri Manohar
- Sumithra as Uma
- Shivaram
- M. N. Lakshmi Devi
Production edit
The film, announced in 1979,[2] is the directorial debut of Lakshmi,[3] who was supervised by K. Balachander. The story is based on the 1968 film Yours, Mine and Ours.[4][5] When Balachander approached Visu to write the screenplay and dialogues, he left his job at a travel company and agreed to write the screenplay while also taking care of post-production activities as per Balachander's request.[6]
Soundtrack edit
The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The song "Gowri Manohari" is based on Gourimanohari raga.[7] The song was named after Gowri Manohar, a character from the film.[8]
All lyrics are written by Kannadasan
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Enga Pillai" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and B. S. Sasirekha | |
| 2. | "Thallu Model Vandi" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and chorus | |
| 3. | "Gowri Manohari" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam | |
| 4. | "Gumthalakkadi Gumma" | Master Raj, T. K. Kala, L. R. Anjali, B. S. Sasirekha and S. P. Sailaja |
All lyrics are written by R. N. Jayagopal
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gowri Manohari" | Vani Jairam | |
| 2. | "Thallo Model" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and chorus | |
| 3. | "Mutthinantha" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and B. S. Sasirekha | |
| 4. | "Dhimma Thakka Dhimmi" | Master Raj, T. K. Kala, L. R. Anjali, S. P. Sailaja and B. S. Sasirekha |
Release and reception edit
Mazhalai Pattalam was released on 9 May 1980,[11] and Makkala Sainya on 21 July that year.[12] Kanthan of Kalki wrote that Lakshmi's direction in her debut did not speak; however her experienced maturity was evident.[13] The film opened to a poor response, but picked up by the eighth week and became a success.[14]
References edit
- ^ "Ten children's movies in Kannada". Deccan Herald. 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Piousji (1 July 1979). "Khaas Baat". Sunday. Vol. 7. p. 45. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Raman, Mohan (3 January 2015). "KB: Kollywood's Discovery Channel". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "தமிழ் சினிமாவில் பெண் இயக்குநர்கள்!" [Female directors in Tamil cinema!]. Minnambalam (in Tamil). 14 December 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "மறக்க முடியுமா? மழலைப் பட்டாளம்" [Forgettable? Army of children]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "வசிஷ்டர் வாயால்..." Kalki (in Tamil). 21 December 1980. p. 64. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Mani, Charulatha (25 October 2013). "Godly Gowrimanohari". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Vandhana (24 June 2017). "MSV & Kannadasan: The Geniuses Who Shared A Birthday And A Lasting Friendship". Silverscreen India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Mazhalai Pattalam Tamil Film Ep Vinyl Record by M S Viswanathan". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Makkala Sainya Kannada Film EP Vinyl Record by M S Viswanathan". Mossymart. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Mazhalai Pattalam (1980)". Screen 4 Screen. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Makkala Sainya (ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಸೈನ್ಯ)". Chiloka (in English and Kannada). Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ காந்தன் (1 June 1980). "மழலைப் பட்டாளங்கள்" [Army of children]. Kalki (in Tamil). p. 58. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Piousji (29 June 1980). "Khaas Baat". Sunday. p. 47. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023 – via Internet Archive.
