Sivagangai Seemai

Sivagangai Seemai (transl. The Land of Sivagangai) is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by K. Shankar and written by Kannadasan. Based on the life of the Maruthu Pandiyars, the film stars S. S. Rajendran, S. Varalakshmi, Kamala Lakshmanan and M. N. Rajam. It was released on 19 May 1959.

Sivagangai Seemai
Poster
Directed by	K. Shankar
Written by	Kannadasan
Produced by	K. S. Ranganathan
Starring	S. S. Rajendran S. Varalakshmi Kamala Lakshmanan T. K. Bhagavathi M. N. Rajam
Cinematography	Thambu
Edited by	K. Shankar K. Narayanan
Music by	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Production company	Kannadasan Productions
Release date	19 May 1959 (1959-05-19)
Running time	173 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

After the execution of Veerapandiya Kattabomman on 16 October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai. The British used this reason to invade and attack Sivaganga in 1801 with a powerful army. The Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies were quite successful and captured three districts from the British. The British considered it as a serious threat to their future in India that they rushed additional troops from Britain to put down the Maruthu Pandiyars' rebellion.

Cast

Male cast S. S. Rajendran as Muthazhagu[1] P. S. Veerappa T. K. Bhagavathi M. K. Mustafa D. V. Narayanasami G. Muthukrishnan P. S. Venkatachalam Raja Wahab Kashmiri as Colonel Welsh[1] K. M. Nambirajan Dakshinamurthi Rathnam Karikol Raj S. P. Veerasami S. A. G. Sami

Female cast S. Varalakshmi M. N. Rajam Kamala Lakshmanan as Chittu[1] N. Lalitha Kumari Radha Jaya Sakunthala Dance Sayee–Subbulakshmi

Production

The film began production under the title Oomaiyan Kottai with M. G. Ramachandran starring, but it got shelved as Ramachandran was busy with politics. The same project was revived as Sivagangai Seemai.^[2] This was Kannadasan's second home production and he wrote the film's script.^[3][4]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack features 16 songs composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.^[5] Lyrics were by Kannadasan. The song "Kanavu Kanden" is set in Mukhari raga.^[6]

Song	Singers	Length
"Saanthu Pottu Thala Thalanga"	P. Leela & K. Jamuna Rani	03:48
"Veerargal Vaazhum Dravidar Naattai"	T. M. Soundararajan	03:26
"Thendral Vandhu Veesaadho"	S. Varalakshmi & T. S. Bagavathi	04:06
"Kannankaruthaa Kili Kattazhagan Thotta Kili"	P. Leela	03:11
"Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen" (happy)	T. M. Soundararajan & T. S. Bagavathi	03:32
"Maruvirukkum Koondhal" (traditional verse)	V. N. Sundaram	00:28
"Kanavu Kandaen Naan Kanavu Kandaen" (Pathos)	T. S. Bagavathi	03:02
"Vaigai Perugivara"	C. S. Jayaraman & P. Leela	03:28
"Thanimai Naerndhadho"	S. Varalakshmi
"Sivagangai Cheemai Sivagangai Cheemai"	T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan & A. P. Komala	03:27
"Kottu Melam Kottungadi Kummi Kotti Paadungadi"	Jikki	03:28
"Chinna Chinna Chittu Sivagangaiyai Vittu"	K. Jamuna Rani	03:12
"Muthu Pugazh Padaitthu"	S. Varalakshmi & Radha Jayalakshmi	05:49
"Aalikkum Kaigal" (one verse)	V. N. Sundaram	00:30
"Megam Kuvindhadhammaa...Imaiyum Vizhiyum"	P. Susheela & dialogues by P. S. Veerappa	04:38
"Vidiyum Vidiyum Endrirundhoam"	T. S. Bagavathi	04:24

Release and reception

Sivagangai Seemai was released on 19 May 1959,^[7] delayed from April.^[8] Because the majority of male characters in the film had thick moustaches, the Tamil magazine Kumudam called it "Sivagangai Meesai", with "Meesai" meaning "moustache".^[9] Kanthan of Kalki said the film was not visually appealing, and overabundant with verbosity.^[10] The film was not a success,^[11] but because of its theme and historic content, it acquired cult status in later years.^[9]