Manamagan Thevai

Manamagan Thevai (transl. Bridegroom Wanted) is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Bhanumathi. Based on the American film The Fabulous Senorita (1952), it was simultaneously produced in Telugu as Varudu Kaavaali, with Jaggayya replacing Ganesan. Manamagan Thevai was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.

Manamagan Thevai
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
Screenplay by	P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
Based on	The Fabulous Senorita
Produced by	P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
Starring	Sivaji Ganesan Bhanumathi
Edited by	M. Sundaram[1]
Music by	G. Ramanathan
Production company	Bharani Pictures
Distributed by	Subbu & Co.[2]
Release date	17 May 1957 (1957-05-17)
Country	India
Languages	Tamil Telugu

Plot

Bhanumathi, the daughter of a wealthy man, desires to marry a shy professor named Vijayakumar instead of the wealthy suitor her father chose. To escape from trouble, she creates the fake identity of a twin sister, and in the hodgepodge that ensues, ends up in bigger trouble.

Cast

Tamil version

• Sivaji Ganesan as Vijayakumar
• Bhanumathi as Bhanumathi
• T. R. Ramachandran as K. Dhandapani (K. D.)
• Chandrababu as Chandrababu
• Karunanidhi as Manohar
• Javar Seetharaman as College Principal
• Ragini as the dancer
• Devika (credited as Premila) as Chandramathi

The uncredited cast includes T. N Sivathanu as Karadipatti Zamindar Ananda Rangam and K. D. Santhanam as Ponnambalam.

Telugu version

• Jaggayya
• Bhanumathi as Bhanumathi
• Ramana Reddy
• Ragini as the dancer
• Devika

Production

Manamagan Thevai was based on the American film The Fabulous Senorita (1952).^[3] It was produced by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao and his wife Bhanumathi under their company Bharani Pictures. Rao also served as director, while Bhanumathi played the female lead. The film was produced as a Tamil-Telugu bilingual (the Telugu version titled as Varudu Kaavaali), with Sivaji Ganesan playing the male lead in Tamil, and Jaggayya replacing him in Telugu.^[4] Devika was cast on Bhanumathi's recommendation,^[5] and was credited as Premila.^[4]

Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Ramanathan.^[6] A carnatic Kriti composed by Ghanam Krishna Iyer in the raga Bhairavi was used in the film, sung by Bhanumathi.^[7] The song "Pambara Kannale" belongs to Baila, a Sri Lankan musical genre.^[8] It was later sampled in the song "En Peru Meenakumari", composed by Devi Sri Prasad for Kanthaswamy (2009).^[9][10]

Song	Singers	Lyrics	Length
"Yengo Kulukku Thalukku Thavalaiyaa"	P. Bhanumathi	A. Maruthakasi	02:33
"Pambara Kannaale Kaadhal Sangadhi Sonnaale"	J. P. Chandrababu	K. D. Santhanam	03:18
"Krishna Nee Begane Maaro.... Malaharaa Verengum Palaa"	P. Bhanumathi		2:02
"Kodai Idi Kaatru"	A. M. Rajah & Jikki	A. Maruthakasi	03:10
"Velavare Ummai Thedi Oru Madandhai"	P. Bhanumathi	Ghanam Krishna Iyer	03:00
"Vennilaa Jodhiyai Veesudhe"	P. Bhanumathi, Ghantasala, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao	A. Maruthakasi	04:49
"Nenjinile Pugundhu"	P. Bhanumathi		03:33
"Nan Thaan Un Kaadhalan"	Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. Bhanumathi		00:56
"Pottaare Oru Podudhaan"	A. P. Komala, A. G. Rathnamala, K. Jamuna Rani		01:54
"Poovaamal Kaayaadhu.... Kaadhal Kalyaaname Seidha Paappaa"	P. Leela	Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass	04:23
"Vanthaal Varattum Podi"	M. L. Vasanthakumari	A. Maruthakasi	3:07

Reception

Kanthan of Kalki criticised the film for its screenplay and felt the characters were unenjoyable.^[11] Despite this, Manamagan Thevai was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres.^[4]