Raja Desingu
Raja Desingu | |
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Directed by | T. R. Raghunath |
Written by | Kannadasan Makkalanban |
Produced by | Lena Chettiar |
Starring | M. G. Ramachandran S. S. Rajendran Bhanumathi Padmini |
Cinematography | M. A. Rehman |
Edited by | V. B. Natarajan |
Music by | G. Ramanathan |
Production company | Krishna Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 161 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Raja Desingu (transl. King Desingu) is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language biographical film starring M. G. Ramachandran, S. S. Rajendran, Bhanumathi and Padmini. Based on the life of Desingh, the film was directed by T. R. Raghunath and had a delayed release on 2 September 1960.
Plot
At this juncture, the Sultan of Delhi offers to free any state coming under his dominion whose ruler manages to tame a wild horse in his stable. Hearing this in the intention to have a free kingdom, Swaroop Singh leaves to Delhi without letting know Rambai and Desingu. Despite trying very hard, he failed to tame the wild horse and was imprisoned by the Sultan of Delhi. Upon hearing this, the minister informs Desingu, who rushes to Delhi where he meets his uncle Bheem Singh Bundela for advice. The dauntless Desingu manages to tame the stallion and ride it, to the loud cheers of the huge audience. Filled with admiration, the Sultan frees Swaroop Singh, who had earlier failed in this endeavour and gives them a written proclamation of Senji's independence. Desingu marries Ranibai Bundela, who is Bheem Singh's daughter. Pandiyan, who works in the horse stable comes along to Senji and works as assistant to Mohamad Khan's father and falls in love and marries Sengkamalam, who is also Mohamad Khan's adopted sister.
Meanwhile, growing up as an illegitimate child, Dawood vows to rule Senji some day. But on her deathbed, Jaan Bibi extracts a promise from Dawood that he would not cause any harm to Desingu. Dawood goes to Arcot and wins the confidence of the Nawab, when he rescues the Nawab's infant son from being crushed under an elephant's feet. The grateful Nawab appoints him as his general. When Dawood expresses his determination to subjugate Senji, the Nawab expresses his helplessness, stating that nothing could be done as long as Desingu has the written proclamation of Senji's independence in his custody. It is around the same time that Desingu dismisses his general Yusuf Khan from service when he is caught trying to commit adultery molesting Sengkamalam. Abetted by the humiliated Yusuf Khan who has now turned traitor, Dawood makes use of his striking resemblance to Desingu and extracts the written parchment from the unsuspecting wife of Desingu.
When Mohammed Khan falls in love with the pretty Ayisha, he anticipates no opposition from his parents for the match. However, he finds that his mother and father have each identified a girl of their own choice to be his wife. When he informs them that he has already chosen his life partner, his father proposes that they go the queen for an appropriate decision. Ranibai asks each of them to write down the name of the girl they have in mind, and then discovers that all 3 of them have written Ayisha's name.
When the royal astrologer suggests that Desingu and Ranibai be separated for 3 years as an antidote for the inauspicious placement of their stars, Desingu pours scorn upon such beliefs. However, considering the welfare of Senji and heeding to his mother's plea, Desingu is forced to consent to such separation. He carries on stolidly with his responsibilities as the ruler of Senji during the day.
The
Cast
Cast according to the opening credits
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Production
Raja Desingu is based on the life of Desingh,[1] with M. G. Ramachandran portraying the title character, renamed Desingu. The film was in production for over two years due to various troubles. The director T. R. Raghunath had already shot a Bharatanatyam sequence with Padmini, when her character was initially written as a Hindu princess. When the character was changed into a Muslim, the song became incongruous. Ramachandran objected to it, and the sequence was removed.[2] However, when the film was released, it was a flop. So, the producer included Padmini's dance scene and re-released the film. This dance is not included in the DVD of the film.[3]
Soundtrack
The music composed by G. Ramanathan and the lyrics were penned by Udumalai Narayana Kavi, Kannadasan, and Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass.[4] The songs Vanamevum Raajakumaraa and Sarasaraani Kalyani were well received.[2]
Song | Singers | Length |
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"Aadhi Kadavul Ondruthan' | Seerkazhi Govindarajan |
02:52 |
"Iyalodu Isaipole" | C. S. Jayaraman & P. Bhanumathi | 01:24 |
"Kaadhalin Bimbam" | P. Susheela | |
"Kanangkuruvi Kaattuppuraa" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & P. Leela | 04:07 |
"Mannavane Senji" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & P. Leela | |
"Paarkadal Alaimele" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 07:25 |
"Vanamevum Raajakumaraa" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Jikki | 04:19 |
"Podapporaaru" | P. Leela | |
"Sarasaraani Kalyani" | C. S. Jayaraman & P. Bhanumathi | 02:54 |
"Vaazhga Engal" | P. Leela & Jikki | |
"Pazhanimalai" | P. Leela | |
"Vandhaan Paaru" | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & P. Leela |
Release and reception
Raja Desingu was released on 2 September 1960.[5][6] The Indian Express praised the film for showing the Muslim community in a favourable light, and Ramachandran's dual role performance.[7] According to historian Randor Guy, Ramachandran's fans did not want their favourite actor to die onscreen, and had not arrived to theatres to see the film. The film was declared a failure due to its protracted production schedule; its theatrical run lasted 6–7 weeks.[2]
References
- ^ Krishnamachari, Suganthy (7 May 2020). "Where the ballad scores over history". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ a b c Guy, Randor (15 August 2015). "Raja Desingu (1960)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ மணியன், பி.ஜி.எஸ். "இசைச் சக்கரவர்த்தி திரு. ஜி. ராமநாதன் - 23". thamizhstudio.com (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "Raja Desingu". JioSaavn. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "எம்.ஜி.ஆர். நடித்த படங்களின் பட்டியல்". Ithayakkani (in Tamil). 2 April 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived(PDF) from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "M.G.R. Sets New Vogue In Raja Desingu". The Indian Express. 2 October 1960. p. 3. Retrieved 21 August 2021 – via Google News Archive.
External links
- Raja Desingu at IMDb
- paarkadal alaimele on YouTube- The song and dance that was a controversy (see Production section).
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