Thamarai Nenjam

Thamarai Nenjam (/θɑːməraɪ nɛŋdʒəm/ transl. Lotus Heart) is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi and Vanisri, with Major Sundarrajan and Nagesh playing supporting roles. It was released on 31 May 1968, and won two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards: Best Film (Third Prize) and Best Dialogue Writer (Balachander). The film was remade in Telugu as Mooga Prema (1971), in Hindi as Haar Jeet (1972) and in Kannada as Mugila Mallige (1985) by Balachander himself.^[1][2]

Thamarai Nenjam
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	K. Balachander
Written by	K. Balachander
Produced by	Annamalai–Arunachalam
Starring	Gemini Ganesan B. Saroja Devi Vanisri
Cinematography	N. Balakrishnan
Edited by	N. R. Kittu
Music by	M. S. Viswanathan
Production company	Bama Films
Release date	31 May 1968 (1968-05-31)
Running time	143 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Two friends, Kamala and Radha, fall in love with Murali, only for Kamala ending up helping Radha and Murali get together. However, when Radha finds out about this, she feels guilty and starts pushing away Murali towards Kamala thereby turning all three lives into hell. In the end, Kamala, who serialises her story in a weekly magazine through which Radha figures it out, concludes that the only way to resolve this is to kill herself. Does she succeed?

Cast

• Gemini Ganesan as Murali
• B. Saroja Devi as Kamala
• Vanisri as Radha
• Major Sundarrajan as Vasudevan
• Nagesh as Narayanan
• S. N. Lakshmi as Narayanan's Mother
• Master Prabhakar as prabhakar
• Baby Kausalya as kausalya
• Baby Raji as Raji

Production

C. R. Vijayakumari was offered to act in the film, but did not accept, resulting in B. Saroja Devi replacing her.^[3]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics were written by Kannadasan.^[4]

Song	Singer	Length
"Adipodi Paithiyakari"	L. R. Eswari, P. Susheela	3:33
"Mutrukai Porattam"	L. R. Eswari, T. M. Soundararajan	2:53
"Aalayam Enbathu"	P. Susheela	4:29
"Thithikkum Paaleduthu"		3:33
"Vaanai Maranthu Nindra"		3:23

Release and reception

Thamarai Nenjam was released on 31 May 1968,^[5] and favourably reviewed by Kalki.^[6] The film won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Third Prize), and Balachander won the award for Best Dialogue Writer.^[7]